Honest Review of Pottery Barn Slipcovers in Premium Performance Basketweave
I’m sharing an honest review of the Pottery Barn slipcovers I purchased for my Cameron roll arm sectional.
I bought new slipcovers for my new-to-me-second-hand Pottery Barn Cameron roll arm sectional and I’m going to tell you all about them!
When I first moved into my house after the renovations were done, I had my favourite English roll-arm couch that I put in the living room and I still needed a couch for the TV/play room area in the basement.
This is what the couch looked like in my previous house.
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One of the teacher’s at my kids’ school was selling her Pottery Barn Cameron roll arm slipcovered sectional so I bought it from her for the basement of my new house and had it delivered shortly thereafter.
The problem was that it wouldn’t make it down my basement stairs!
The couch is very boxy and my staircase I guess is on the narrow side so the movers had no choice but to leave the sectional upstairs. I asked them kindly to move my English roll arm downstairs which they did.
But the sectional was way too big for my living room. The only way I could leave it in my living room was to take corner section out!
I don’t have a photo of the whole sectional in my living room as I had to remove one piece completely or you wouldn’t be able to pass in front of it to get to the kitchen! I took the corner section out in order for the couch to fit and I knew this would only be a temporary solution. The couch moved when you sat down in that corner because it wasn’t attached in any way, it was just butted up again the wall and I covered it up with pillows.
Luckily, Pottery Barn still carries the Cameron roll arm slipcover sectional so I was able to order that third piece and put back the corner piece.
Long Story Short – The Slipcovers
This is long story but I promise I’m coming to the slipcover part.
So now that I ordered a new shorter end piece, the current creamy-white cotton slipcovers wouldn’t fit so I had to order all NEW slipcovers from Pottery Barn. At this point, I could have just ordered a brand new sofa from Pottery Barn with slope arms but I’m too far in now to go back.
(Remember – this couch was supposed to be in the basement!)
I will say, I wasn’t happy with their cotton slipcovers anyway. When I washed them on cold, they still shrunk. You can tell in the photo below that they are quite tight around the legs.
I should have looked prior to washing them but afterwards I checked the label and it said dry-clean only. I have two kids and this is our main living space couch so there was no way that I was going to be running the slipcovers to a dry cleaner every month! I knew that I wanted slipcovers that could be washed and dried in my washer and dryer at home.
After talking to the design department at Pottery Barn, I ordered their Premium Performance Basketweave slipcovers in light grey. I notice online they don’t carry that color anymore and it looks like they have replaced it with slate. Their current Sunbrella Performance Sahara Weave in charcoal looks more similar in color and texture.
Pros and Cons of Slipcovers in Premium Performance Basketweave
At this point, if the slipcovers weren’t to my satisfactory, I was about to put this couch curb-side with a ‘free’ label on it and cut my losses but I have to say that I’m EXTREMELY happy with their Premium Performance Basketweave slipcovers!
1. They wear extremely well. I rarely need to fully wash them in the washer. I can spot wash them and the dirt/food stains easily come off. When I do wash them, I wash a whole section at a time and they all fit in the washing machine. I put them in the washer on cold or warm with regular detergent and push them in the dryer like my regular clothes. Ah-mazing!
So now one section is bare for only the amount of time it takes to wash and dry rather than an entire day or two leaving the slipcovers having all over my house to dry. Biggest win ever!
2. I’ve read reviews about lots of pilling and after a year we noticed a bit of pilling on one of the arms but I know it’s in part to one of my kids always doing antics up and down that side of the couch.
I have no cons for the slipcovers. I love them!!
The Pros for Pottery Barn Couches
Even though I didn’t purchase a Pottery Barn couch from the store, I do have a few things to note about their couches in general.
1. The couches are super comfortable! I have no complaints in terms of comfort, the right firmness and depth. My family loves them too.
2. I love that the slipcovered couches have a thick piece of velcro underneath the roll arms so the slipcovers stay put nicely to give it a more uniform (not sloppy) look.
3. They have these metal ‘teeth’ that grab the other section to hold it in place nicely. I’ve had another type of sectional in the past that had this too but these ones seem to really do their job.
4. Great customer service for defects. If you can believe it, when the third section finally arrived, there was not enough cushion in the top roll arm. You could really feel the wood inside and it wasn’t comfortable to lean on. We called Pottery Barn and two design consults came to our house to check it out and they ordered another section immediately and put a rush on it. The delivery and service was top notch.
The Cons for Pottery Barn Couches
1.You’ll be waiting a long time for your couch and/or slipcovers to arrive. I thought since it was just one couch section and slipcovers that it would arrive shorter than a full couch but nope, it took just as long. And it’s always longer than they say so count that into your timeline.
2. Expensive – I believe you get what you pay for and there is high quality in these couches as well as their slipcovers and I’m happy that I can wash and dry the slipcovers at home! But if you are on a budget, their couches are definitely pricey. And after what I paid for the one section and slipcovers, I could have paid a bit more and got one of their newer versions but my kids are young and it’s held up great so it’s not too big of a deal.
3. The back pillows kinda sag after awhile – We’ve noticed that the back pillows are starting to sag and need replacing. When the PB design consults were visiting, they did say that we can bring them in to get easily replaced but I’m not sure if they meant that would be free (probably not) or for a price so we haven’t done it yet. The couch was second-hand so I’m not sure how much wear it when through before it got to me but I’ve had the couch now for three years and so maybe 5 years in total the back cushions will start to sag.
Does the fabric pill?
I’ve gotten a number of questions if the fabric pills so I’ve taken a few close-up shots with my phone when the light is hitting it at just the right angle so you can see.
You can see there is some slight fuzziness but I honestly don’t think it’s major.
I hope this has helped make a decision on Pottery Barn slipcovers. If I buy another Pottery Barn couch, I will definitely buy one of their Premium Performance slipcovers again. The slipcovers rarely need washing and when they do, they are a breeze.
Let me know your thoughts if you have a Pottery Barn couch yourself.
Sources:
- Cameron Roll Arm sectional with slipcovers in Premium Performance Basketweave
- marble and gold coffee table –Delaney from Pottery Barn
- velvet pillows – I made them using my envelope pillow tutorial
- gold and glass frames on wall – Anthropologie
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Best review ever! Thanks for all the details.
Thanks Cheryl! I’m so glad you liked it!
Hugs, Jamie
Glad to read this post. I’m looking into one of the slip covered couches.
Finally need a new couch and I’ve always wanted one…now for colors!
I really love being able to wash my couch, Zanetta. I can’t go back to having a couch non-slipcovered!
Hugs, Jamie
My experience with my Pottery Barn Charleston sofa and chair & a half started out positive. I bought the floor samples at a reduced price, so that helped. At the suggestion of one of the clerks, I called around to all of the Pottery Barn stores and was able to locate a second set of slipcovers in a different color. These were also floor samples, so I saved A LOT of money on them. I was told that Pottery Barn was considering discontinuing the Charleston line, but not to worry – the slipcovers would continue to be available. I have gotten a lot of use out of the sofa and chair. They seem sturdy. After repeated cleanings – I have only had them professionally cleaned – the slipcovers don’t seem to fit as well as they did originally.
Now we are planning on moving, and I plan to change out my color scheme, so I returned to Pottery Barn to look into purchasing new slipcovers. Sure enough, slipcovers for the Charleston are still available. However, Pottery Barn has chosen to bring back the Charleston line, this time with different dimensions. I was disappointed to learn that while Pottery Barn does continue to carry slipcovers for the Charleston line, the current ones no longer fit my sofa or my chair. So now I will have no choice but to replace the pieces that I own. Thank goodness I didn’t pay full price for them!
Oh Linda, how frustrating! That is the only thing about slipcovers when you eventually do need to replace them and they don’t fit! I will say I’m so glad I’m able to wash mine but thank you for sharing this information with my readers!
Hugs, Jamie
Hi Jamie, I have had my PB Charleston sofa’s for 20 years! I am on my third change of slip covers. They did replace the down cushions once, for free. I replaced the cushions again last year (with some help from a wonderful friend who does upholstery) for almost nothing. She also made a slip cover for the loveseat out of 100% linen curtains from Ikea. I am good to go for a few more years, and still love the style.
Thanks so much for this info, Terry! I’ll have to find out now about the cushion replacement 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Hi! Nice website! I see you bought the Delaney coffee table with the marble top. I was thinking of buying the same, but Pottery Barn.com doesn’t show any customer reviews. Can I ask if you are happy with the table and if you think it’s good quality? The top is actualy carrera marble right? Thanks!
Hi Viraj,
I love the Delaney coffee table! It’s the perfect size for my living room (with the big sectional) but it might be on the small size for some rooms, just something to keep in mind. But yes, it’s real carrera and very heavy. It comes well packaged (I believe it came in a wooden crate), you just have to assemble the legs. I would say the marble is honed not too shiny but I love it.
Hugs, Jamie
Did your fabric get softer? Should I wash it? I got my premium performance basketweave today, and it’s so scratchy. I’m uncomfortable leaning on it.
.
Yes it gets softer after washing it! Mine is so soft after multiple washes.
Hugs, Jamie
Have you had any issues with the fabric pilling? I’ve read so many reviews about PB fabrics im scared to order
Hi Amy,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’ve recently taken a few photos with you in mind to show you what the fabric looks like up close for pilling. I’ve add the photos to this post if you want to check it out again.
Hugs, Jamie
Hi Jamie! The look is great & glad your sectional worked out for you. I was wondering on your new living room rug where it is from. I love it! Thanks.
Cindi
Thanks so much, Cindi. That rug is from West Elam, jute and chenille in herringbone and it’s a great price! Here is my affiliate link: https://rstyle.me/+_nqiJliIwnu9vIPAtazNJQ
Hugs, Jamie
Hi! We are waffling between Pottery Barn’s Performance Chateau Basketweave Light Gray and the Performance Slub Tweed in Ash. Which fabric did you choose? It looks great!
Hi Anne,
I have the Premium Performance Basketweave. I remember seeing it in the store and loved it! You can see all the photos above of what it looks like and how it looks a few years later in the last photos.
Hugs, Jamie
Hi, I have a PB sectional second hand from retired couple moving south. My cushions sag too. Even after turning and switching places on couch. Must be a PB thing.
Hi Bonnie,
My couch was second-hand too. I’ve contemplated taking getting all the cushions into a foam shop to have them replaced. I haven’t checked with Pottery Barn yet if that’s a free service or how much it would cost for them to replace them. I don’t like the slouching either!
Hugs, Jamie
I have a pottery barn couch 20 years old and it still looks brand new, I wanted new slip covers but they discontinued the Newport sofa so I bought a new slip cover sofa and chair. It does take time to get it but its worth it.
Yes, so true, Connie. And that’s awesome you’ve been enjoying yours for so long!
Hugs, Jamie
I found this while searching to find out where the label is for the slipcovers! My slipcover has worn out, I bought my couch new 15 years ago, and I’ve forgotten what the “style” is. I’ve washed the slipcovers a couple of times, and its gone well, but the red has faded quite a lot. I did not get great customer service the last couple times I was in the store though… thank you for this..the couch has held up really well, though.
Hi Catherine,
That’s so cool you found my post while searching for the style name. That’s too bad the red fabric has faded and the not so great customer service. 15 years is pretty good for a sofa though!
Hugs, Jamie
Love this info! Thanks! I bought mine new. I love PB Air sectional. I have sunbrella perf slub tweed-pebble. Paid too much but couch is well worth it. So comfy and beautiful. I need to have it cleaned or can i wash it? Cant seem to find info on website. Ive had only 3 years. Afraid to wash at home and have it damaged. I also Need to look into replacement slipcovers as well. Any suggestions? lol
Hi Cheryl,
I would call Pottery Barn to check if that specific fabric can be washed. They have a great design team!
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you for your review! I am considering purchasing one of their slipcovered sofas in the sunbrella performance Sahara weave in oatmeal. I took home the sample and tested it, and every stain came out, but after washing it, the fabric no longer has its waterproof coating. Have you noticed that yours is no longer as waterproof after washing it also?
Hi Sarah,
I haven’t noticed that the waterproof coating has disappeared after washing. Performance fabrics like Sunbrella have the resistance built into them, that’s what makes the fabrics so amazing!
Hope that helps.
Hugs, Jamie
Hi there. Which color is this slipcover? Platinum?
Thanks!
I’ve had a lot of trouble with the slipcovers not being fabricated well and they aren’t straight or even. Has anyone else had this issue? We have the sunbrella ones for the hawthorne slipcovered chairs.