The Box by LE (formerly Decoterie): Autumn 2015

The home style box, Decoterie, who’s Summer 2015 box I reviewed, went through a lot of changes and became The Box by LE.  My box ended up arriving on the late so I got mine toward the end of 2015. When I ordered first this the subscription was still called Decoterie and still offered quarterly subscriptions. They now only offer monthly ones (jump down to the Backstory for more info).

As my plethora of Pinterest boards can attest, I have a great love of home décor so when new home décor box came on the scene I had to try it out. The idea for this box is to deliver luxury, quality items while adhering to ethical standards and with an eye for sustainability.

Now let’s jump in.
Box Open Box Open Box 2

Painting
Fine Art Canvas by Leigh Viner
(Suggested Retail: $89.00)
Description: “..we partnered with our favorite artist Leigh Viner for one-of-a kind fine art giclee canvases this fall. Leigh Viner is not just the artist who illustrated our Kiss me pillow and coasters that you all love, she is a renowned artist who worked with everyone from Lady Gaga to Sephora makeup brands. WE decided to collaborate one more time and bring you her first ever fine art canvases! That’s right detectives, you won’t find this online anywhere else. Leigh is known for her expensive life size originals or paper prints, nothing in between. This it’s the first ever exclusive for just The Box customers. We can’t choose a favorite, but the watercolor fashion masterpiece that is Insouciant + stunning BW Vanquish abstract portrait can’t be beat. *Enjoy three variations of prints in this box.”
Verdict: Like
It looks like Leigh Viner has a fashion and photography angle so I’m surprised at this piece I received. The card said there’d be there variations but I haven’t seen too many posts with this particular print. It’s a pretty canvas but not particularly compelling, (more like something you’d see in a nice hotel). Lovely colors but nothing with any emotional impact. I really wish I’d gotten a print similar to this one or a photograph like this one.

Rug
Artim Area Rug
(Suggested Retail: $20.00)
Description: ”During my sourcing trip this summer, I totally fell in love with the fair-trade Artim collection. Simple and durable, yet striking woven good from Indian artisans where tradition is passed down and there’s no machine in sight. There were so many wonderful bold patterns to choose from, so I opted for the most timeless of them all in three swappable color variations: Black, Navy and Beige. This is perfect for every room, from the front door to the kitchen. Save yourself form constant clean up with this stylish patterned eco-luxe rug! 100% hand dyed natural cotton.”
Verdict:
Love!
I think because my box got lost or delayed I’m getting some of the more unusual items because this color is not listed as one of the variations, but I love it. Oceany blues, grays and greens are my go to decorating colors and this rug matches the duvet in my bedroom perfectly. I love the woven pattern and I’m going to put this right next to my bed.

Throw
L.E. Throw Blanket
(Suggested Retail: $197.00)
Description: ”…this is another The Box exclusive not available anywhere else. We printed each one especially for you! Since so many of you lust after our dreamy watercolor print limited edition Kiss Me collection, we decided to celebrate fall by creating a new rendition of the print in a glorious baby soft, minky plus, large size fleece blanket. Perfect of snuggling or tossing on the bed sofa or your favorite corner reading chair…”
Verdict: So soft, but such an awful pattern
I’m sorry but I hate the pattern on this. HATE. I’m sure there are some of you that will love it, but the style sort of goes with Warhol paintings and Lucite side tables, while my taste is much more modern rustic. The blanket feels awesome (so very soft!), but for that price tag I’d expect a bigger size. I also think it was a huge gamble to choose this type of print for the priciest item in the box. This has such a specific taste that I think there are too many folks who wouldn’t love it. Not to mention that the orangey red shade of the printed lips just doesn’t work with a lot of home décor. I honestly can’t even think of someone I know who would really like this style, so I’m keeping it and folding it on the plain side (that has no print) so it just looks white.

OVERALL:
Decoterie Autumn Box 2015
Verdict:
Mixed
I love the idea behind this box and I think it’s curator and founder, Leticia Elizabeth does have a nice eye for design. I also really appreciate that we get box exclusive items in this sub. My biggest problem is that this box doesn’t feel cohesive from a design standpoint. I don’t think the same person would purchase all three of those items. They just don’t go together. The blanket is Pop Art, the flower painting is traditional and the rug feels a bit more modern rustic. While I know a home décor box can’t hit the mark on every item for every person, I think that making the priciest item (the throw) such a very design specific taste was a huge miss. I think a more universally appealing pattern on the throw would have pushed this box to a win.

This box was a quarterly box that cost $150 + $15 shipping, so I paid a total of $165.00. According to my card it has an estimated retail value of $306, which seems a bit inflated. I know these are exclusive items, but the throw just doesn’t seem close to the price tag listed.  There aren’t too many home décor subscription boxes so I think it may take some time for this one to find it’s groove, but I hope it does since it seems to have a lot of potential.

What type of home décor style do you have? Laidback luxe? Cheerful pop art? Share!

THE BACKSTORY
THE BOX:
is a monthly designer home goods and women’s lifestyle box curated by Letitia Elizabeth, for those seeking quality over quantity. The box will include handcrafted designer pieces that are meticulously designed and well curated, so that you can style your home and design a beautiful lifestyle that blends ethics + aesthetics. Each month we send you a bursting hand-packed box that’s focused on a theme. Each box contains a selection of 2-4 items ranging from home decor, textile goods, art, decorative accessories, and exclusive collaborations with top designers known as our HERO item. You’ll be part of an exclusive experience with our box’s pieces specifically made-to-order just for our subscribers and not available anywhere else. So what are you waiting for, join today!.”
Cost: $100 plus shipping

THE BOX MINI: “Delivered monthly just like our signature box, this exclusive new subscription box option is an affordable foray into the world of beautiful home goods. Each month receive a deluxe sized item designed by a designer we love. Included will be an info card detailing the story behind the design, as well as extra goodies thrown in to delight and surprise you. You’ll also be inducted into the Members Club where a VIP Card will be mailed to you for discounted rates off any future purchases from our Box Shop. Items from THE BOX MINI may include scrumptious bedding, art, kitchen wares, bath sets, and more!”
Cost: $49 plus shipping

Pause or cancel at anytime.

October 2015 Art Crate Review & $15 Off Coupon Code!

After receiving a box from Art Crate in September, I decided to subscriber for a few months in order to create my own little art installation in my living room. (If you’d like to try out this curated art subscription, you can save $15 if you use my coupon code LisaP15!)

I fell in love with the print in my first box and was interested to see what my second would bring. After you select your subscription type, Art Crate sends you an email with 3 prints you can choose from. I received my email and sadly none of the choices spoke to me. They just weren’t colorful or compelling enough for the look I wanted. I responded that I just wasn’t feeling them and voila, they sent me 3 new options, all of which I liked. I chose my favorite and waited.

My box arrived.
Box
Safely Packaged in Bubble Wrap
Wrapped Picture
Revealing…
Picture Artist Info
After the Storm in Natural Frame by Christine Lindstrom of Mai Autumn
(Retail: $54.00)
Verdict: Love!
I chose this one so I knew I’d love it, but in person it’s even prettier. Dream-like images and surrealism tend to appeal to me and I’ve been trying to add more color to my Victorian era apartment that sadly gets very little light. You can buy this print and other lovely ones from Christine’s shop, Mai Autumn. I really like that Art Crate added the artist info right on the back of the piece. It makes it feel like a little gallery. With a coupon code, I paid $43.20 and the regular cost of this piece is $54.00. It’s definitely a bit pricey, but the frame is nice quality and I like learning about these great new artists. This isn’t a sub that I would subscribe to indefinitely, but I’m happy with picking up a few pieces to liven up my space.

So here is the progress on my Art Installation:
Wall Installation
I’ve co-opted my fancy pants Christmas Card holder and turned it into a mini gallery. I may pin up some more cards around the framed artwork or put up some ornaments, embroidery or paper crafts. It really depends on what interesting things pop up in my path.

I’ll be getting one more framed print from Art Crate and then I think I’ll have enough for my project, so be sure to check back and see what art pops up for November.

What type of artwork do you put up in your space?

COUPON CODE!
Offer – $15 OFF
Code – LISAP15

THE BACKSTORY

Sign-up for Art Crate and each month your personal curator will ship one hand-selected art print to your door.
Professionally Curated: With 17 years of experience and the right tools, our curators have the perfect formula to choose the perfect art for your home.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: Your happiness is our priority. If you are not satisfied with any of the hand-selected art prints that you receive, we will do what it takes to make you happy, guaranteed.

24/7 Customer Support: Our in house customer service team replies to every message we receive, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Art is shipped the 25th of every month. You can customize the frequency you receive art. Grow your collection at your pace.

No Contract: Art Crate plans are month-to-month. We make it simple to start and stop your service at any time.

PRICING:
SMALL: $22/$54 Framed
MEDIUM: $32/$77 Framed
LARGE: $49/$114 Framed
Shipping is free in the US

Art & Soul Box: August 2015

It’s time to take out your colored pencils and paint because today I’ve got an Art box to review. The lovely folks at Art & Soul Box, graciously sent me one to share with you all.
“Each month, you will receive new art supplies, a fresh writing journal, and inspiration to spark your creativity.”
Box Open Box

Inside the box is a tiny album with info on the sub, the box contents, quotes about art, 4”x 6” colored card stock, and space to put your own photos.
PamphletPamphlet 1 Pamphlet 2
“This month, we’re exploring the creative possibilities of paint. This is not a technique tutorial, though. The art supplies you will find inside serve one purpose: to open your mind and soul to the creative process. The final artwork is not the focus. The act of creating and the way you feel while you’re doing it is what matters.”

For me personally, I’d prefer a tutorial approach because I have a giant armoire full of different kinds of crafting items and buying more crafting stuff is almost as much fun as actually making something. However, this box takes the “art as therapy approach” which I can certainly appreciate and is geared toward folks who haven’t used art as a creative outlet before.

All of our items are beautifully wrapped. We received:
1 Tote Bag
Tote
2 Writing & Sketching Journals
Journals
1 Mini Easel & Assorted wooden sticks for paint sculpting, 2 Artist’s Paint Brushes, 1 natural Sponge, 1 Washable paint palette & 2 Writing Pens
Tools

5 1 oz cups of artist’s acrylic paint
Paint

5 Assorted Small Painting Canvases
Canvases

Stock Paper punch outs
EnvelopeDecor

OVERALL
Full Box
Verdict:
Like/Gift

I’m a creative person and I have a ridiculous amount of hobbies, so I can really appreciate Art & Soul box’s idea of using art as therapy. This isn’t a box for the avid crafter, it’s for someone who hasn’t really been into art before. I also think it would make a great gift for kids or the elderly. In particular, I think that tween age bracket that is quite difficult to shop for, would really have fun with this box. The cost is $35, which seems a little high but I think the quantity of items in the box makes it a fair price. The two journals alone would probably come up to $10 by themselves. This isn’t a box I’d subscribe to, but I think it’s a lovely philosophy and I think there are folks out there who would enjoy it.

THE BACKSTORY
Each month, Art & Soul Box will send you “new art supplies, a fresh writing journal, and inspiration to spark your creativity. And we create every box with love and kindness.

Art therapy in a box.

   Hand-selected arts and crafts projects.
New writing and sketching journal every month.
Original booklet of inspiration.
Free shipping.

Monthly Cost:
$35 per month with free shipping

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