Ronbow vs. Kitchen Bath Collection?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I was at a plumbing showroom today picking out some fixtures, and I showed the (very knowledgeable) salesperson the vanity I had chosen for our master bath and she commented "oh, I know that vanity, it's Ronbow." I corrected her that it was from Kitchen Bath Collection (sold on Wayfair and elsewhere) so we looked it up and...

This is the Kitchen Bath Collection Eleanor (currently $799 including marble top and probably not great quality faucet)

And this is the Ronbow Laurel ($1,799, base only):

Digging around a little bit, there are some other twins:

KBC Madison vs. Ronbow Milano

KBC Manhattan vs. Ronbow Athena ($999 vs. 2795)

Given the pretty big price difference between the brands, I'm curious if the KBC vanities are blatant knockoffs, or if it's a case of the vanities being made in the same overseas factory and then branded under different names.

Has anyone run into this before? Just curious - I've already purchased my KBC vanities so it really has no bearing on my decision.

Featured Answer

pattyl11

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

The Ronbow Laurel is not exactly the same as the KBC Eleanor. If you look at the top and bottom of each drawer on the Ronbow, they are narrower than the sides of the drawers. Where the top and bottom of the draws meet the sides of the drawers, the joints are hardly visible.There are also metal disks on the bottom of the vanity legs. On the KBC, there are visible lines where the top and bottom of the drawers meet the sides of the drawers and no metal on the legs. It looks like it's just a knock off.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Deborah B.
8 years ago
Just a heads up- we are currently doing a bathroom remodel. We ordered and received a Ronbow floating vanity. It is gorgeous. Extremely well made. Can't say enough about the quality. we love it! Unfortunately we also ordered a matching mirror which has been back ordered. I was just informed this week by our supplier that Ronbow has been sold to another company. I am hoping that eventually I will be able to get my mirror. If you are considering Ronbow (and I would buy from them again) just make sure things are settled with the sale of the company because right now no one is answering the phone. If someone from Ronbow sees this- maybe they can chime in!
Related Professionals
Memphis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Keene Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Scranton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Diego Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Miami Bathroom Remodelers · Beckley Bathroom Remodelers · Muncie Bathroom Remodelers · Cleveland Bathroom Remodelers · Fresno Bathroom Remodelers · Sebring Tile and Stone Contractors · Owensboro Tile and Stone Contractors · Concord Tile and Stone Contractors · Lufkin Tile and Stone Contractors · Superior Tile and Stone Contractors · Cornwall Tile and Stone Contractors
Jules M
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Pamal66 - you have a sharper eye than I do!

Deborah - We're not considering Ronbow - but our contact at the fixture showroom said they are not even taking new orders for Ronbow any more and it's unclear if existing orders will be fulfilled.
Deborah B.
8 years ago
Let's hope we get our mirror! Our sconces are up. We placed them to fit the dimensions of the mirror. The company who made our showers walls was also sold in the midst of this renovation. Luckily we were put in touch with someone who was able to help us when we had an issue. And both companies have been around for a long time. (The other was Swanstone)
Deborah B.
8 years ago
***Correction*** Just heard from our salesperson-- Ronbow has not yet been sold and is still taking orders. I guess they are looking for a buyer. (?) Hopefully we will get our mirror soon.
Sounds like your salesperson already heard rumors of a sale. Again- totally thrilled with the quality of their product.
Libby Estell
8 years ago
I have visited the KBC warehouse/showroom and was not impressed. The finish on the vanities reminded me of plastic clamshell packaging the conforms to the shape of the product inside the package. For example, all of the edges on the shaker doors are sort of rounded, like they were dipped in a coating, without the crisp look of quality millwork. To me, it looked cheap and plasticky.
Sarah
8 years ago
They may look similar but there's very likely a difference in materials & over all quality of construction. The pros would know for sure.