Monica Bhargava on Summer 2011 at Pottery Barn

To kick off Pottery Barn’s Summer 2011 collection, we caught up with Monica Bhargava, head of product development on everything from getting a designer look in the bedroom to what makes entertaining at home a matter of style.

Pottery Barn’s Summer 2011 collection feels really rich with nuance, texture and history. How do you see this aesthetic adapting to any space – indoors or out?

We feel that people have evolved they way they live even more than in the past. Before, they kept their indoor space and outdoor space separate; we now see them combining the two seamlessly. People are setting up outdoor living spaces from kitchens and outdoor living and media spaces. We designed the collections to be used in that manner. Lanterns, textiles, furniture etc. – it all feels at 
ease either indoors or out.  As always, we wanted to be inspired by and capture the look of authentic historical fabrications, which bring a soul to our product that our customers can relate to.

The Raleigh Bed fills an enormous gap in the marketplace – a completely customizable upholstered headboard at a very approachable price. Can you talk a little bit about your vision for this big introduction? 



We know that our customer likes to customize their homes. The Bedford and the Printer’s collections are two successful collections that allow the customer to configure their furniture to suit their needs. We saw that there was a need for such customization in our bedroom category. The team also saw an opportunity for an introduction of a “tailored” upholstered bed in the assortment. And that was how the Raleigh Collection began. We wanted to give the customer the experience of “designing” their bed to fit their needs. We realize that not everyone likes nailheads, nor does everyone like the same shape or fabric selection – so why not give the customer an opportunity to create the bed that they really want to live with? The Raleigh Collection offers something for everyone at a really great value.



What’s your take on how hosting a cocktail party at home enhances your style? What does an artisan-made drink have to do with interior design? 



Hosting a cocktail party in your home is one of the easiest parties to have. Focusing on a “house” cocktail gives you as the entertainer the ability to show off a bit as well as show your point of view on what you feel is the cool drink. The best drink to prepare is something that's shaken (think: Tom Cruise in Cocktail). It also shows your ability to pair alcohol with food. Of course, if you’re having a taco party you need to serve a margarita. Instead of buying a store-bought mix, use fresh squeezed limes and agave syrup. If your cocktail party appetizers are from the Mediterranean – like hummus, baba ganoush, caponata, etc. – you want to make sure that you pair it with something appropriate, like a pomegranate martini. This shows your friends that you are an authority! How boring is just having a party of wine and cheese.
And, of course, furnishings go far to make a house a home, but it’s not truly the warm inviting space you dream of until it’s filled with good friends having fun.

What do you think will be Summer’s big statement piece? The one item every designer will be ordering to use in multiple client homes? 



I definitely think it will be our new Mercury Lanterns! With their great, simple-but-historical forms, they are so versatile. And they just add that bit of shine that’s needed in every room. And they’re really well priced.