Gilt Home Collection

Alex Sofa with Walnut Base / Alex Chair with Walnut Base / Noah Hand-Knotted Shag
[photo via Gilt]

Gilt launched it's own collection of home furnishings and accents Thursday to little fanfare, but despite flying under the radar, the offerings are impressive.

Designed by Gilt creative director Tom Delavan, the company's first self-branded line is influenced by his favorite vintage pieces. Top picks include the Hollywood regency-style X-benches and velvet pillows, plus walnut-framed seating and patterned rugs reminiscent of midcentury modern. Best of all, Gilt is promising to donate 20% of the purchase price of each item (up to $10,000) through November 21 to Habitat for Humanity to assist in its Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Of course, there's no mention of who manufactures the collection, so it's difficult to gauge the quality. And equally puzzling is the pricing model...

Items from the Gilt Home Collection

Gilt is, by nature, an online flash sale site, so all merchandise is heavily discounted. This includes the new Gilt-branded home furnishings, which were introduced at slashed prices. According to The Financial Times, the pieces will remain discounted through November 21, at which point the flash sale will end and the collection will be sold at full price on Gilt.com.

One has to wonder if Gilt is setting the price of its branded goods artificially high in order to sell at a discount. More importantly, will anyone be willing to pay full price at Gilt, a site famous for its deals? That remains to be seen, but its an interesting move for the flash sale heavyweight.