If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably been to the Ballard’s Outlet in Roswell or on DeFoors Ferry Rd. I’ve been to both of them plenty of times, but since I now live in Birmingham, it’s not often that I get to browse this fun store. So, I made time while I was over visiting family at Thanksgiving to hop over to the Roswell store and take a look around. You just never know what you will find in here! I’ve scored some pretty good bargains over the years, some really cheap and some just OK deals. And it’s always fun. 
I couldn’t talk any of my friends into going, so I went by myself. They always have a pretty large selection of furniture pieces in here and they are usually good prices. This is a desk almost just like my Target black desk that I have, but the Target version is a lot cheaper, I can tell you that. 
And one thing you should know is this, I don’t think any of their furniture is real wood. If you check it out in here with the dings and dents that are very visible, it’s pretty obvious that it’s made out of some sort of man-made material, some even looks like heavy duty cardboard to me. Now, I’m not dissing Ballards, I like Ballards, but this is just what I’ve noticed about the furniture. Buyer be warned. 
They have some good-looking pieces, but I don’t believe you’ll find any real wood in here.
Plenty of rugs on clearance, so those are a good deal.
More console tables or islands. 
Round tables and chairs.
Plenty of artwork too, although it’s pretty expensive for what it is.
They have loads of mirrors and the prices aren’t really cheap, but better than the catalog. Love this sunburst.
This is where I bought those neat shelves in my office nook, right here at this store. I’d say the outlet prices are about 30% off the catalog prices on these. I love, love my shelves and didn’t mind paying for them, they have served me well.
Lots of clocks.
Plenty of lighting too, along with chandeliers.
Wall art
More mirrors, I love these. Can’t remember how much they were, but they sure would be pretty grouped together in 3’s.
More hung up on display.
Plenty more art on the walls.
Barstools galore.
And some office furniture and accessories displayed. 
Tables and chairs.
Oh, and this is really funny! I saw someone in there who I knew from an online decorating board for many years (hi, Susan!) and she lives in Mississippi and was up in Atlanta visiting HER relatives and decided to go to Ballards. She recognized me and said hello and that was really fun. It’s a small world, you never know who you’ll see. 🙂
So, what did I buy?
Just one thing…this pretty tall tabletop tree in a white urn. They had a pretty good sale that day and Christmas stuff was 20% off, plus another 20% off that Friday, so I got it for a total of $50 (including tax), which I didn’t think was too bad. It’s nicely made and looks real. And it’s going on my foyer table, which I’ll show you soon!
If you get a chance to go to a Ballard’s Outlet, check it out! Always fun!
And the winner of the Southern Beauty giveaway is Donna! Congrats, Donna, you are going to have some fun with that prize.
GREAT Movie Alert! We just saw the BEST movie last night, Blindside. Oh my gosh, it’s one of the most fantastic movies I’ve ever seen and me and my hubby as well as the couple we went with loved every minute of it (I think my hubby went mainly to see Nick Saban, but the rest of the movie was A+++) :). I had no idea what it was about, but it was truly wonderful. Go and see this movie!!
Thanks for the tour of Ballard’s Outlet Store. Living in Michigan I had no idea. Have heard a lot of hype about the movie Blindside (a true story) – talk about Sandra Bullock being nominated for an Oscar. Love the movie’s premise a LOT!! Have a great day! LindaSonia
We stopped by there on our last visit & I have to say I was a tad disappointed. The quality in their furniture just wasn’t what I was expecting for the price – but I always love to go look. You never know what you’ll find.
I have purchased a few things from Ballard and you are right – the quality is not as good as you would expect it to be. I do love their accessories and have gotten some great ideas from their magazine. I need to check out the outlet next time I am in Atlanta. Thanks for sharing!
i never knew there was an outlet…..even though quality of furniture is not great ….i agree with you…you have to stop just in case you find SOMEthing 🙂 which you did! cute tree 🙂
Hey Rhoda- I love the Ballard outlet, but haven’t been in a while. I was getting coupons in the mail from them, and that was always a great time to go. The artwork over my TV cabinet came from there and it was something I had my eye on for quite a while. I was doing a dance the day I found that deal! I could make their fake furniture work great if it weren’t for their ridiculous prices on it. I have bought several small things there. I love the ‘tree’ art print you showed, but I never liked the frame for the $200 asking price. I will have to get back over there one day. That was one of the first places I went when we moved to the north side of town, and the day we went those farm table/desks that you show in your post were marked down to $50! We didn’t have a truck, or anything to get it home that day and by the time muy husband got back there they were sold out. I almost cried! I already had my room set up for that to be my sewing table! You never know what you will stumbled upon there. Ballard is still what I model my home by. Love them! Thanks for taking me there with you!
~Misti
Morning, Rhoda! You gals who live in the South have the most wonderful places to shop! Shoot! No, no, I’m not jealous, nope not a bit! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Not real wood?! bummer. But I still love so much about this store. I always enjoy browsing their catalogue. cheers, -susan
BlindSide is wonderful isn’t it! It reminded me of how much I really have!
I really want one of those clocks, really any of them would be fine! Oh, and those lamps you showed with the mosaic look would be so fun in my bathroom! Too bad I live in Kansas. 🙂 Thanks for showing us what I won’t be seeing person too soon.
I love your honesty in this post. I love outlet stores, but sometimes they are a bit disappointing. I feel like they should have better deals than they do. If I’m ever in the area I’ll definitely check out Ballard’s outlet, though.
I hope you’re having a great weekend,
AnNicole
As soon as I am well enough to sit in a theater with other folks, we want to see this movie! So happy you enjoyed and thanks for the great review, Rhoda!
Hey girl…I was in there on Sunday…check out my awesome “berry” wreath that I got there! I agree you never know what you might find in there. I almost bought a light fixture for my morning room…then I discovered it wasn’t going to be enough light for that room:( Hope you have a FUN weekend…I will be decorating the inside of my home all weekend…have four…yes four trees to decorate…love them all!
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks SO much for the tour of Ballards!! I live 6 hours away, but visit every time I’m in Atlanta. It was like shopping with you! Anxious to see what you do with your new foyer tree!!
I would have bought that tree too! I have never been to Atlanta:”( Thanks for the info about the quality of the pieces though. It is very disappointing when quality is not what you expect from the price. Can’t wait to see the tree in your foyer!!! XO, Pinky
That was fun, Rhoda! I enjoyed touring there with you. Wish I lived closer and could pop over for a look see.
Like your tree a lot!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
I’ve heard good things about that movie, so I’m hoping to see it at some point. I am so jealous that there are not 1 but 2 Ballard outlet locations in Atlanta! I think I could spend a whole day there.
My in laws live in Roswell (mil hates this store) but I have found a couple of things in there. The quality is low for the prices they ask for some of their things. I did score 2 parsons chairs one year with my monogram on them. And a couple of years ago I bought the tabletop forms you put on file cabients really cheap for my office.
For the prices they sell their furniture for it should be made out of wood. I visited one of their retail stores in Vancouver and I could barely afford a couple of glasses. I do love their style of furniture, though. Thanks for coming by to visit my blog and leaving a kind message. Hugs, Cindy S.
what a neat store. wish we had one. I love that kind.
BD is one of my all-time favorite stores and I dream of going there someday!!