If you have been to the United States—or were a fan of the 1990s hit sitcom “Friends”— you would have heard of Pottery Barn, the American furniture and home accessories specialty store set to open its first shop in the Philippines on May 9.

 

And just like the reluctant Phoebe on “Friends” in the episode “The One with the Apothecary Table,” Filipinos are poised to get enamored with Pottery Barn’s vast selection of home merchandise, brought here by Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI).

 

These will be two milestones for SSI, as it’s also set to open Central Square, its first-ever mall, at Bonifacio Global City, where Pottery Barn will be located.

 

It will also be Pottery Barn’s first outpost in Asia. According to a statement from Williams-Sonoma Inc., the company that owns the Pottery Barn brand, “the agreement with SSI includes development rights in the Philippines for all brands in the Williams-Sonoma Inc. portfolio including: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen and West Elm.”

 

After Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma will launch in 2015, according to merchandising manager Gina Bonoan.

 

Pottery Barn will occupy 1,064 sq m while Pottery Barn Kids will take up 375 sq m of the new three-level Central Square, located just across the Ayalas’ BHS Central. The former will carry the entire line of merchandise—from flatware to décor to lighting and indoor and outdoor furniture. The Kids line runs from nursery furniture to beddings, rugs and toys.

 

Bonoan is particularly proud of the brand’s selection of “hostess gifts” or gift items. And, who knows, Rachel and Ross’ identical apothecary tables or Phoebe’s lamp just might emerge in the selection. (The “Friends” generation, after all, is the core market of Pottery Barn.)

 

In-house interior designer

 

“What makes Pottery Barn different are the assortment and the design,” Bonoan says.

 

“Other brands are very basic,” adds Jeanger Navarro, senior marketing officer. “Pottery Barn is classic American style.”

 

Like its stores in the US, the brand will have an in-house interior designer and consultant who can help customize a look appropriate to the lifestyle and taste of a client.

 

Filipinos might also be interested to know that about 1 percent of Pottery Barn’s merchandise is made in the Philippines, particularly the woven basket items, says Bonoan.

 

Pottery Barn furniture will retail from P9,500 to a high of P290,000, while Pottery Barn Kids will have furniture priced from P5,250 to P94,500. Since various knickknacks and smaller items like candles and trims will also be available, there will be items priced from P175 (Pottery Barn) and P225 (Pottery Barn Kids).

 

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the Williams-Sonoma Inc. portfolio of brands to the Philippines,” Anthony Huang, executive vice president of SSI, said in a press handout.

 

“More than ever, our customers are looking for unique, high-quality home products, and Williams-Sonoma Inc.’s family of brands exemplifies the innovative style, quality and service they expect.”

 

SSI now has over 80 international brands.

 

In a statement, Laura Alber, president and chief executive officer of Williams-Sonoma Inc., said: “The Philippines is a natural market for us, with a strong, steadily growing economy and consumer interest in high-quality, stylish home products.”