Have you looked at the Ballard Designs website,
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/, lately? They have added a new feature that is linked to their website called Style Studio,
http://ballardstylestudio.com/, as a free resource to ask questions about your room layout or ideas for decorating a particular space using furniture and accent pieces from Ballard Designs.
The website features Atlanta-based Interior Designer, Suzanne Kasler. The ideas and inspiration rooms are based on her design. In my opinion Ballard Designs really hit a home run with Kasler. She really shows you that purchasing from a catalog can look high-end style on a limited budget.
Check out Suzanne's new book, "Inspired Interiors", it looks like a great resource and a pretty book to display in your home.
I have several pieces that I have ordered from the catalog over the years and I think they have good quality. I do like how you can have custom upholstery, creating a one of a kind look using your own fabrics. Actually, they have a nice selection of fabrics to choose from, but you are not bound to only using what they offer, which is nice. I also like how they have started to expand their wallpaper selection too.
Here are a few of my favorites for the moment:
Marcello Stool
Louis Chair
Louis Sunburst Mirror
Quarterfoil Mirror
Stella Floor Mirror
Trellis Wallpaper
Pretty Mum Wallpaper
