Let's see what the West Elm vs. CB2 thing is all about.

So maybe I'll have a certain bias because I work for one of the companies, but in terms of style, I'll try to be as frank as I can. Both companies are rivals in the market of affordable modern living, yet they have so many similarities that the products kind of speak for themselves. Look at how similar the products are (Who's copying who?):

Hicks Glass Top Dining Table $399.00 Silverado Rectangular Dining Table $299.00

The main difference is about $100, but in terms of everything else, it's pretty hard to choose which one is better. I like that the Hicks table's is a brushed metal instead of of chrome finish, but I like Silverado's design more because the middle gap is visually more interesting.

Corduroy/Linen Pillow $14.99 - $28.00 $14.99 - $24.99 Cord Pillow $19.95-$39.95

I like West Elm's corduroy pillow more than CB2's because I like the big ribs. Also there are more muted color choices to work with. The only advantage CB2 has in this department is that theirs are reversible.

Essex Mirror $299.00 Perspective Mirror $149.00

For the price and look, the obvious winner is CB2. If I wanted my mirror to look dirty, I'd let it hang unattended, but I wouldn't want someone to do it for me. Also, the Perspective mirror has more abstract pieces put into it, so you get more of the design aesthetic.

Butler Tray & Stand$59.00 - $149.00 $39.99 - $149.00 Formosa Tray Table $49.95

Even though they're pretty similar, I like them both for very different reasons. The Butler Tray and Stand seem very sturdy and has an assortment of materials and colors of the tray to choose from. The Formosa tray table is a lot more clean-lined and simple. However, I don't really know how much it can carry before it collapses.

Organic Cotton Knit Throw $49.00 $39.00 Cable Throw $49.95

Although CB2 has a lot of fun colors, sometimes, it's about versatility and West Elm's throws seem to have that. On top of that the price is about the same, but theirs is an organic cotton. Green products will always pull at my heartstrings.

Adjustable Metal Floor Lamp $149.00 Twine Floor Lamp $199.00

I want to think one is better than the other, but it's hard to say which one is better. They both have tripod-esque legs, but I do like Twine's shape more. Also the proportion is a lot more interesting.

Metallic Botanical Rug $109.00 - $799.00 Pod Rug $299.00 - $599.00

I like CB2's Pod rug a lot more because the leaves are broken up and have bits of red outline. The metallic botanical rug is too "obvious." I'm looking at it the way a photographer probably would.

Organic Noodle Bath Mat $19.99 - $26.00 Cirrus Rugs $19.95

Okay, I don't think I'm that biased because West Elm's bath mat has won me over. Not only is it organic, but also the colors are beautifully subdued and the nubs are thinner. I like color, but there are times when it can obnoxious.

Scoop-Back Chair $99.00 Toro Chair $89.95

It's hard to judge them because they're almost identical. The Toro chair's blue looks like it belongs to West Elm because that's their signature color while CB2's is orange. Now, the scoop-back chair comes in many different colors, but I really don't like any of them, so Toro wins this round.

Courtesy of West Elm, CB2