Location, Location, Location

Retail is products & merchandise. Service, and experience. And sometimes, it's all about the setting. No brick & mortar store can compete with an outdoor location for a retail shopping event, or the way that nature provides the perfect light, colors, scents, textures, and props. Without any coaxing at all, she brings a glorious life to everything in proximity.

The photos shown above are of the effects of a natural location {the remarkable orchards, barn, & grounds of the Dana-Powers House in Nipomo, California} on our Retreat booth at the recent Remnants of the Past Antique show in California. Can you even imagine a more beautiful setting? I certainly can't, and I'd wager to say that the editor and photographers of Country Living magazine can't, either - they stayed all day and photographed everything and everyone for an upcoming story. This was the perfect show in every way, and I am so happy we were invited to participate.

Every one of the fifty vendors presented their glorious wares with such style and flair, you just have to see some of them:

Inspiring, yes? There are hundreds of great display ideas in these photos. Even if your store isn't located in the midst of a lemon orchard, you can utilize touches of nature each season to really bring your products to life. 

Today we were invited to return to Nipomo for the Fall show in October, and we are thrilled to be able to be a part of this remarkable experience once again. Now all I can think about is how absolutely glorious that setting will be in a riot of fall color!

{images: mine; of Retreat, The Tattered House, Blue Canoe, Pammy J Designs}

It's a Small, MALL World

We're already tired and we haven't even made it to Black Friday yet. sigh.

I was in a mall yesterday. Yeah, ME, in a MALL.  Insert eye roll here. (I don't shop malls. I don't shop major retailers if I can help it. I shop local, I shop small independents, and I shop for vintage items. I choose to support small businesses who sell meaningful merchandise, instead of major retailers who keep regurgitating the same drivvel around every corner year after year. I know - it's a controversial decision.) But my post isn't about that... really... it's about the MALL.

Thirty-something years ago this girl spent far too many hours in mall stores, installing displays of merchandise in windows & slatwall racks.  I wasn't a mall rat, I got paid to be there - but it literally sucked the life outta' me for two years. God Bless Jeans West and Hickory Farms for hiring a high school girl then handing her the keys to the kingdom and saying 'Do whatever you want, just make it look good!'. And I did, even though I winced after spending hours in the flickering blue florescent lights that gave me migraines. I finally recovered when I managed, as an adult, to find other ways to shop.

Then I walked into a nearby mall yesterday, and discovered a time warp:
It looked EXACTLY the same as the Buena Park, Anaheim Plaza, and Mission Viejo Malls did from 1977 to 1980. Dull florescent lighting casting its flickering blue glow across every surface. Flashing and neon lights glaring across the food court, overwhelmed only by the aroma of greasy fried food  - and popcorn from the theater. Music was playing somewhere off in the distant rafters, a tinny, thin nearly warped version of an unrecognizable Christmas song. Mall rats were everywhere - OK, I know, it's this Twilight thing. They are all camping out there to repeatedly see Edward and Jacob and Bella and... blood. Merry Christmas? (I'm old, OK? I don't GET IT.)

Then I started looking into the stores. Holy Terror. Forget the Vampires, people - this was horrifying. Spencers Gifts is still selling the same stuff we bought as gag gifts for friends in high school back in the 70's. There is a 'craft mall' in one space - and despite the presence of some incredible works of art by very talented artisans, it looks like a garage sale or church bazaar because it's all displayed flat on folding tables and hung from pegboard walls. There's a store selling Wrangler jeans (very hot with the cowboy/cowgirl set) but the faded plastic sign over the doorway says 'Country Western Wear'. I thought that term left the building with Johnny Cash?

As I walked along, a never-ending array of product merchandising unfolded to reveal the reason why malls and shopping centers are a dying breed with a ridiculous vacancy rate: Somewhere along the line, creativity died. It's all being done the way it's always been done... with the least amount of change, input, effort, and creativity possible. Christmas decor in most of these stores was limited to some twinkle lights draped hap-hazardly around the entrance and big red 'SALE!" signs in the windows. I was saddened by this lack of spectacle at the beginning of what is supposed to be the 'selling season'. I mean, truly literally sad. These businesses deserve to thrive, to succeed, to grow and provide for their owners, employees, and customers. They need to be inspired, empowered, educated, and assisted so that they can do so. They need a leader...

And as I rounded the corner toward the main anchor store, I had a glimmer of hope in my eyes that I would find the retail equivalent of General Patton: Macy's. This venerable icon of American Retail Excellence and Christmas effusiveness & affluence loomed large at the end of its own wing. The large star in the iconic signage glowed red. I spied some red glints on the main aisle.... but as I drew closer, my heart sank. Windows were dressed with mannequins in red clothes, a red 'SALE!' sign, and three red ornaments no larger than a softball hung from monofilament line. The lights in the windows were overhead florescents, aimed straight down to the floor. They barely illuminated the mannequins. Moving into the store, I saw squares made up of red ornaments perched on ledges and tucked onto plinths behind the makeup counter. The squares were 18" small. The main aisle held several freestanding units holding merchandise, with five to seven of those red ornaments hanging over them, again suspended by monofilament line.

No trees. No garlands. No branches. No snowflakes. No gift boxes with big red bows. No signage swagged across the aisles, heralding a glorious Holiday Season. Nuthin'.  There was not even a perfectly politically correct 'Happy Holidays' to be found.

I only made it as far as the housewares department. It was filled with chrome and glass tables, racks, shelves, and endcap units sitting on white floors against white walls under more flickering bluish florescent light boxes. Plates, napkins, glasses, and appliances were 'stacked & racked' in neat, soldier-like rows. Not one single 'lifestyle' display, not one focused beam of light, not one iota of creativity to inspire a customer to even slow down and look at the merchandise. The only draw was a red tag touting the 'SPECIAL Sale Price'. On every item.

And yet, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with dozens of moms dropping off legions of screaming teenage girls at the mall theater and then having to kill an hour and a half until they all emerged back into the light, teary-eyed and hoarse from screaming, there were no women browsing, shopping, or purchasing anything in this (or any other) store.

((Edited to add: I can't report on what's happening on Black Friday today, because I am not going out there. My daughter calls it 'going to the maul'. ;0) News reports look good, though.))

The thing is, it's not about '75% off sales' or two hour special offers.
It's about the experience you create. It's about connecting with your customer.
It's about offering what people want and what touches them, not what you think they need to buy, at a price that is fair to both of you.
It's about helping people live better, more creative, inspired, centered, fulfilling lives.
And yes, a new tablecloth can help them do that. If that's what they need to make their family celebration perfect, it most certainly can.

But shopping just for shopping's sake, hitting sales just to save half off of items you don't want or need, and buying a slew of meaningless items to give to people who DO mean something to you is the great myth of retail. The whole world has fallen for this sales tactic, and that has made retailers lazy and complacent. They think they can get by with a huge blowout the day after Thanksgiving, fine details be damned. I wonder how much better they could do for a longer period of time if they'd put some effort into it for the entire season?

If malls and shopping centers and main streets would just realize that success doesn't just mean 'running the holiday rat race' because it's what's always been done, selling the same old things in the same old ways, then retail could revitalize itself. Put some thought, some creativity, some fresh new ideas into it for heaven's sake!

((I WILL add that Bath & Body Works was, as always, a light in the darkness. And busy as heck. Check out one of their well-lit and signed, spaciously arranged, heavily- stocked and creatively displayed stores in any location and you'll see people touching, lotioning, spraying, smelling, and investigating their products. And buying them by the ton.))

I always tell my clients that opening your store's doors every day is like opening your home's front door to guests: it's an Event. Prepare for them - source, order, stock, display, clean, and staff your store. Invite them - send the emails, broadcast the ads, the fliers, the commercials. Welcome them - open the door, smile, say "hello" and "we are so glad you are here". Entertain them - show them something unique, new, inspiring, memorable. Appreciate them - talk with them, get to know them, let them get to know you, and give them something of value while they are in your presence. Finally, Thank them - with quailty goods, fair prices, excellent service, and a handshake or a hug. Yes, every day. If you can't do that, get out of retail and get a telemarketing gig.

Let's leave the 1970's decor and the 1990's attitude behind us, and redesign retail everywhere..... and if that's too much to think about right now, just remember: before you know it, the 'Christmas Rush' will be over and a New Year will be here. A good time to start fresh. What will YOU do in 2010 to challenge the retail status quo?

Image Credit: Life Magazine, 1948. Photographed by Nina Leen; found on Google image search.

Q and A: Store Lighting for Impact

I received the following email last week, asking for my assistance with a retail visual impact issue: how to counteract the darkness of dreary winter weather and early evenings during this season. I thought that since I had just completed a consultation with a new client to solve exactly the same problems, sharing some info about this issue might be helpful to many of you. So, here we go:

Dear Debi, I own a small card, stationery, gift shop in North Seattle (Richmond Beach). I need help with lighting; on a sunny, summer morning my shop looks so inviting but when it starts getting dreary out, especially in the early evenings the shop looks dreary as well. I'm also having trouble with fading. Some is caused by the sun coming through the windows but I think the lights are also a problem. My space has the (ugly) ceiling tiles with inset flourescent lights and I have added track lights. Any suggestions or ideas on where to go for help would be great. Thank you, Susan

Hello Susan, I read your email with interest and a smile.... just last week, I completed a consultation with a new client for exactly the same solutions! The darkness and this 'Northwest Gray' sky have more effects than many people realize! Let me offer you a few general solutions to try:

1. Take a look at the color of the walls in your shop. If they are white or a cool color (blue, green, etc) then they are working against the effect you want to have. Using warm, glowing colors such as ambers, golds, caramels, light browns, earthy oranges, etc. will serve to expand the light within your spaces. Even if you just paint the wall across from the windows one of these colors, you'll see a big difference in the way it feels.

2. Check your track lights and any other light fixtures you have in the store. Are all of the bulbs working? Are the track modules aimed in the most efficient direction? It's common for most light in a store or restaurant to be aimed downward onto tables, counters, displays. This is necessary - but you also have to bounce light around so it hits vertical surfaces and is visible from the street outside. This means aiming a few track modules onto those warmly painted walls so that they glow even more.

Introduce floor & table lamps into your space - several set into your displays throughout the store will serve to cast warm ambient light and draw the eye to them. Best to place these sparingly, and also use incandescent bulbs in them. (I know, it's not the most energy efficient way to do it, but CFL bulbs have a cold light.) You need warmth to draw people in, and using pools of light throughout the space is the best way to do it.

Those overhead flourescent fixtures you have are the bane of all retailers: you need light, but that blue light just flattens out all of the detail in your products. Counteract it with as much natural light as you can - yes, even our Northwest gray gloom is better than flourescent light! Place mirrors on walls & fixtures across from the windows, to bounce the light around the space.

Appropriate for the holidays (and actually any time of year in retail) try adding some twinkling white lights on tall tree branches or a tall garden trellis inside the store. Place them in the back half of your store, across from the windows, and make sure they are on well before dusk. This bit of light and movement will work to attract attention - and it needn't be in the window to work.

3. Although it is true that 'Windows are the eyes to your store', you can't expect them to do all the work! Window displays often get overloaded in an attempt to make them stop traffic. When building window displays, have the goal of providing a large visual statement that clearly represents your store - your brand image, your product offerings, and something interesting or whimsical like a seasonal theme.

Don't try to load every inch of the space with product, though. Use no more of 1/2 of your window space for this - build one large display in the window's center, or two smaller displays on either side - leaving some space open so that customers who walk or drive by can see PAST the displays into your store. This is where the lighting discussed above becomes paramount in importance: The space beyond the windows needs to be well lit to be seen, and to work to pull people in your doors.

This should help a bit with your fading problems, and changing out your window displays each month will also help prevent product damage. Your product is primarily two-dimensional and small, so you need to think a bit out of the box in order to make it work in large window displays: Try making blown-up, inexpensive color copies of interesting seasonal cards, (to an 8X11 size) and hang them from large tree branches or ribbons in the window. The movement factor there is good for attracting attention. Or, find a roll of wallpaper that coordinates with a new stationery line, and use it as a backdrop for a desk whose drawers are pulled out and loaded up with items from the line - and use a color copy of the item to front the box of cards, papers, etc. again to help keep fading to a minimum. A small lamp on the desktop will serve to attract attention, too.

These are general tips that I hope will provide a starting point for improving the visual impact of your store during the darker winter season. You can see in the photo at the top of this post that Cindy Sullivan, owner of Haley's Cottage in Mill Creek, Washington, has utilized all of these tips to help make her store interior sparkle year-round. She has the advantage of having doors & windows at both ends of her space, as well, but large mirrors placed on a back wall can duplicate this effect easily.

For more specific advice and solutions, I am happy to provide my consultation services in person in your store or via email & digital photos. Email me at Debi.WardKennedy (at) Gmail (dot) com for more info on my services and rates.

Photo credit: Taken by DWK of Haley's Cottage 2009; used with permission.

Retail Display Tips from Country Business Magazine

The article I wrote for the current issue of Country Business Magazine includes a lot of display inspiration from three very talented participants. They were chosen by the magazine for the Display Challenge, and include Paige King of Hodgepodge in Clarksville, Tennessee, Teri Martin of Precious Memories - Our Designer in San Bruno, California, and Nancy Borsodi, pro stylist for Country Business Magazine.

Nancy very generously provided me with a wealth great information for this article, in addition to answering my questions about her experience with the challenge. In the interest of space in the magazine, it wasn't included in the final print version. I know the information will help you in your pursuit of building better displays, so here are some very helpful tips & tricks from one of the best stylists in the biz:

“I create displays for a wide scope of merchandise and different styles, because many of our readers own country stores, and many of our advertisers carry merchandise that does well in any type of retail store, or crossed merchandised with country product in a display. I feel stores that successfully incorporate different styles of merchandise increase their appeal to a larger group of consumers. Even if your store fills a very specific niche market, don't rule out other styles of merchandise. Some products that you'd normally overlook will not only complement your products but actually enhance your original items! "

Nancy continued: "When I create displays, I do keep in mind the parameters that retailers are under and try to work within those guidelines. Usually displays can be altered to accommodate your specific needs. The size of the display, props, colors, all factor into personalizing your displays to fit your stores’ style. The key to incorporating different styles is having some kind of common element between them.”

This professional stylist also offers these additional ideas for creating a few different looks for similar product displays:
Garden Store: Base could be a potting table or flagstone, risers could be flowerpots or more flagstone, props may include watering cans, garden tools, wheelbarrow, moss, grapevine, bee-keeping related items, i.e. wooden bee hives, bee skeps,
Cottage Antiques Shop: lighter, more neutral, pastel wood tones. (I suggest using metal floral-motif furniture and chandeliers, and garden trellises & fences, as well).
Contemporary Store: Brighter colors, simple, fun or whimsical props such as oversized flowers, colorful flower pots and bees.

I’d like to express my appreciation to Paige, Teri, and Nancy for so generously providing information on their creative processes for the article. They have helped us to see what imaginative displays can do for our stores: Great display design starts with inspiration, so be inspired by the products you sell! Let them guide you into developing a story or a theme that is as unique as your store is, and design an interesting display with a timely mix of merchandise to catch your customers’ eye. In the process, you’ll inspire your customer as you express your store’s creative, artistic vision!

Links: (sorry, embedding them was causing a Blogger meltdown... not sure why.... just copy & paste to use)
Paige King: www.hodgepodge-home.com
Teri Martin: www.ourdesigner.com
Country Business Magazine July/August 2009 Issue: http://www.country-business.com/magazine/default.aspx

Image Credit: Country Business Magazine July/August 2009 Issue, pg. 59

Four Star Displays!

To celebrate the Fourth of July, let's indulge in a bit of red, white, and blue eye candy:
Window Display above at Ralph Lauren; Photo credit and flag created by Swell Dame.
Vignette display by Today's Country Store.
Lifestyle display by Seabold Vintage Market.Vignette Displays at Poppyseeds Boutique.

Happy Independence Day to all of you independent retailers out there... you make America great!

Photo Credits: all but first one (credited in post) by DWK 2009, taken & used with permission of retailer.

The Envelope, Please...

And the Award goes to....

Wanna' know who won the Gift & Home Channel's Holiday Display Contest? Interested in some helpful design and display ideas? I was the 'Guest Celebrity Judge' - See how I rated the entries (and get some helpful tips to better execute your own displays) here !

Counting Down...

It's a week before Christmas.... and all through the store, it's time to freshen and rotate your displays galore!

Take the ornaments off of the decorated trees and put them in baskets, bowls, and on platters to make shopping easier. Leave one or two main trees decorated for effect, but focus on making product accessible.

Restyle some displays by simply removing the holiday merchandise & props. The scene shown above has hot red silk fabric swags and glass ornaments in it. As shown below, taking them out makes the look crisp, clean, and ready for the New Year.

Consolidate lines that have sold down - combine them in a cross-merchandised display according to color, use, or style. And always always give your customers inspiring ideas to recreate at home: Only have six or seven of those glass ball ornaments left? Take them off the slatwall and heap them in a glass bowl on a tabletop. Just one handmade Santa left? Group him with a small tree and a heaping helping of stockings - maybe even display some great candles with them as a suggestion of a last-minute Hostess gift.

Start your markdowns on Holiday-specific merchandise. Decor, gift wrap, cards should all be on sale now to help nudge customers to buy. If you have a huge overstock of an item - a certain ornament, or card pack - you may want to consider giving away one free with a minimum purchase: "Receive a Free Gift with any twenty dollar purchase" works wonders to motivate! Just be sure the gift is commensurate with the minimum purchase requirement. And make sure you start promoting any after-Christmas sales now, so your customers can plan on coming in for them.

And one last thing: clear a space and create a display of NEW product near your entrance. Whether it's a classic line, a new design, something for Spring or home organization items (always hot after the New year!), you want to provide brand spanking new merchandise for your customers to buy with their gift certificates & cards. Don't offer them leftovers!

Photo Credits: Faded Elegance & retreat

O Christmas Tree

In the midst of moving my home and business last week, I installed the holiday merchandise displays at Columbia Winery. We did things a BIT differently this year...

For the past five years that I have been handling the visual merchandising for Columbia, installing the wonderland of Christmas merchandise, props, and decorations has been a massive undertaking. It has taken my crew of five fab chicks three full days to install merchandise displays & holiday decor in the facility. Due to many changes over the past year, there was no decor to install and a very limited amount of product to display. In four hours, three of us had it done! If there was ever a good time for this to be the case, this year was it. I have a lot on my plate right now.

Even with lots of changes, the focus in the shop remains on the wine. Holiday gifts and entertaining/decorating items are kept to a minimum. Making an impact with the displays is still possible, using effective placement within the space to maximize lighting and accessibility, plus use of a few unique props. Rather than go with anything remotely 'normal' or 'Christmassy', I chose to go with a contemporary holiday style that fits the brand image and customer demographic of this business.

On the left side of the shop, the more elegant items are displayed. The round table holds an ivory, sage, and gold theme. The longer table behind it holds a crystal, silver, and dark brown theme. Farther back in the space, there are displays of copper & glass items, and green ceramic & wood products. These are everyday items, but the colors work well when seen with the holiday merchandise up front. These combinations don't fight with each other visually, so a customers' eye travels all through the space and sees everything.

You see some stylized trees in each setup - I created those for each of the themes of product ordered. They fit well with the facility decor, don't overwhelm the products, and add a bit of sparkle and holiday cheer.

The gold trees sit on several clear vases that are filled with ornaments and topped with a gold charger. It's an easy way to get variances in height to add interest.

Here the trees are placed on top of large baskets and a fixture, to lift the white color up. It was important to add the white to this theme to express a holiday mood.

On the right side of the shop, the displays feature products that are a bit more whimsical and definitely more colorful. The sightline allows you to see them all from the entry doors, so the color story is carried through the whole space.

Not seen in this photo are two other displays, holding everyday merchandise & food products. They also include various shades of red, green, and yellow, adding to the whole look of the shop this season. Not to mention that it isn't necessary - or even preferred - to add holiday merchandise or props to EVERY display in the shop. Some neutrality is needed, and the color connection provides continuity.

Another pair of trees in red & white candystriped tinsel set off this display of snowmen and candy cane products.

This tree is a bit rustic, a bit industrial, with several tiers of greenery. It's a great way to display ornaments, even tho these basic balls are more for decor than for sale.

So, have you figured out the trees yet?

Cheap tinsel garland wrapped around..... (wait for it)....Tomato cages. Less than half an hour to make each one. About fifteen minutes to make the tiered green one, cause two of those tiers are wreaths. Oh yeah, I was alllllll about decorating the DIVADeb way: Fast. Cheap. Easy.TM

And I'm back to moving......

Autumn Alternatives

After my post on Deb Dusenberry's Curious Sofa displays for Halloween, I got a few emails about how the fall season seems to bring out a two-party system. And I'm not talking politics! What I'm referring to is the Halloween-ers (oh that sounds bad...) and those who don't celebrate that holiday. It's an issue that affects retailers, too.

I was chatting with my friend Kimberly, the owner of a local shop, last week, and she was frustrated about the 'invasion of the ghoulish' in store windows all over town. The windows and shops all seem to be overwhelmingly filled with bright orange, purple & green with black, and an abundance of goblins ghosts and ghouls comes right along with that. She hates it. "I don't DO Halloween", she said, and though that may seem like retail suicide to some, I understood what she meant.

Yes, it's true that Halloween has grown in popularity - sales of Halloween decor nearly equal those for Christmas. Some take the scary path - dark, creepy, gothic. and that's just fine. Some go the cute route, with scarecrows and pumpkins with smiling faces and kid-style decor. Hey, if it works for you and your customers, great! And some stick with the Harvest theme, for many reasons. Whatever you do, make it an expression of your store's style and brand. And make sure you are 'speaking your customers' language'. If they come to you for a particular type of merchandise all year, that should help you figure out their style so that you can use the info to guide you in your seasonal choices.

My friend owns a beautiful boutique, filled with antiques & vintage items, and new products that are either made from vintage elements or resemble them. It's soft, feminine, warm, cozy, and appeals to those who love Shabby Chic and Vintage French style. Bright orange does not work in a store like this. Not to mention that her customers don't do the bright color thing, either - so she needs to offer them items and ideas for their homes based on the style they already love. Just try finding manufactured Halloween items in pale colors...not so easy. So what's a girl to do?

Focus on Fall, Autumn, nature, and harvest. She already has a wonderful selection of items in soft ivories & tans, golds and crystal. By adding some pale colored gourds, pumpkins, apples, and candles to it, she's on the right track. A few bare branches, bundles of wheat, and some excelsior bring touches of nature into her displays as part of the pale scheme. Bleached out oak leaves are a soft touch and very unusual. The effect of being in the shop is of a soft, enveloping cashmere sweater wrapping around you - now who doesn't want to take that feeling home?!

If this doesn't say Autumn elegantly and serenely, I don't know what does...
Go out on a limb, make your own statement. You don't have to buy into the hype that things are done one way only. And trust me, your customers will love you for it!

By the way, my friend's shop is Faded Elegance...visit her blog here !

A Prime Example of 'How To Do It Right'

There is just no one - NO ONE - who gets the whole tattered & torn haunted Halloween thing better than Debbie Dusenberry at the Curious Sofa. NO one. No, not even Disney with the fun 'Nightmare Before Christmas' decor that envelopes Disney theme parks in fall. Deb takes the prize for originality, whimsy, and totally shoppable displays of unique merchandise.

Check out her inspiring photos of her store for this past weekend's Fall Grand Opening: Curious Sofa blog. You best take a big Trick or Treat bag along - it's a grand haul of ideas!

Jana thought Deb had a great idea - I spotted Jana's version of the 'upside down witch' in front of the Joyworks store today!

I have the utmost respect for Curious Sofa store owner Debbie Dusenberry. She is an independent retailer who is not just raising the bar, she's setting it for the rest of the world to reach for. Her inimitable style, fearless ways with display, and tenacity to be utterly original and unique in everything she does is why she is a raving success in a retail market that is less than ideal. I talk about how shops need to individuate, to 'tell their own story' - no one does this better than the Curious Sofa. To say it is a 'destination store' is a gross underestimation of the cultish appeal....Deb has devotees from around the world who have repeatedly journeyed to her Kansas City Shop for the past eight years like it is a holy pilgrimage.

No, I haven't gone on my own particular pilgrimage yet.
And yes, I will. I just have to decide if it will be next September for the Halloween unveiling, or in November for the Holiday reveal. Decisions, Decisions!

Deb also writes a blog filled with insights and tips for retailers: visit her shopowner blog.

Photo Credit: Deb Dusenberry/ Curious Sofa, Inc.

Inspiration Quotient

What Inspires You?

I am definitely - definitely - inspired by sunshine. Probably because I live in Seattle and don't get nearly as much of it as I'd like! What else inspires me?

Color - usually changes a bit by the season. Right now it's my favorite Chartreuse, fresh greens, sunny yellows, hot pink, aqua. And white. Clean, crisp white.

Sound - ocean waves, birdsong, wind in pine trees, rain on the roof, my grandson's laughter. A Gershwin symphony. The Go-Go's! Carly Simon, James Taylor, Madeline Peyroux.

Texture - green grass between my toes, bare wood floors under my feet, a soft knit throw, a rough weathered bench.

Nature - This is a big one for me. Right now, the sprouting tulips, daffodils & narcissus gracing my Cottage, budding branches outside, and mossy patches in the landscape just make me smile.

Fragrance - all-natural scents: green grass, daffodils, fresh laundry, lavender, rosemary, orange blossom, lime, grapefruit, vanilla. Sarah Jessica Parker's fragrance 'Covet'.

And of course, all things visual.

I'm always asked where my ideas come from...they come from noticing details everywhere. Online, in blogs & websites. In catalogs & magazines. In films & television. At trade shows, in booths, showrooms, & displays. In store windows & displays. At nurseries, in the flowers and plants. In clothing collections. Speaking of which, I have one word: FIERCE! Christian Siriano, you ROCK! 21 years old, and you have Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano shakin' in their collective hip boots. ('Project Runway' reference!)

There are a few places that never fail to inspire me with their creative visual presentation and stellar products: stores like Free People, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie. I know. There are issues there, and I join the throngs of those who heartily wish they would address the sourcing of their merchandise. But you gotta' admit, they design killer stores & displays & catalogs. Then there are Watson Kennedy's three stores here in Seattle - and no, I'm not related to or involved with those. (I would be if Ted asked!) Fab boutiques like Faded Elegance in Everett, and the Bunnies By The Bay boutique in La Conner where Suzanne and Krystal create charming vignettes of funnybunny life. Shows like Flourishes in Washougal, Washington and Farm Chicks in Spokane.

Where do you go to refuel your creative juices? What music do you listen to? What stores have a visual presence that makes you smile?

Yesterday, I was knee-deep in blueprints and floorplans for ten hours. Ack! Math and measurements. NOT my fave part of my work, and definitely not inspiring. So, today I am raising my 'Inspiration Quotient' with a bit of browsing, a bit of musing, and maybe even a bit of wine! We could call it 'research'....????.......naaaaaah. It's fun - and necessary. Be Inspired!

Photo credit: Anthropologie web site

Spring Fling

It's still cold, gray, wet, and miserable....and winter isn't about to let go yet.
But are you offering your customers a healthy dose of Spring Inspiration?
You should be!

Pull out all the stops and bring a blooming garden into your store or showroom. Grasses, flowers, natural elements like cherry blossom-bedecked branches and moss will give your store a shot of energy in more ways than one. Even silk flowers added to a display bring a sense of life and movement into it. (Make 'em messy, tho...bend the stems wildly, pull a few petals off of a tulip and scatter them on the table beneath the vase....make it realistic!)

Mix up merchandise you have had a while with a few pieces of new stuff in 'the' hot color of the season (gold, hot magenta, robin's egg blue - still - and earthy greens, by the way!), or a new color of linens & candles, perhaps. Use props that tie in with spring: terra cotta pots, a garden fence or trellis, topiaries, a wheelbarrow. Here's an idea for you: Simply cover a table with burlap, pile up terra cotta pots, add a large silk potted tulip and then place all white ceramic dishes & serving pieces on the pot stacks as risers, do a placesetting and lay a garden spade alongside it - instead of a a fork & spoon. Place a garden trellis behind the display, whether it is in the center of your store or against a wall. Whimsy, imagination, and a simple color scheme can make fast work of a new display. (Wish I had a photo of this idea to show you!!!) Portmeirion china would be perfect for a display like this - playing off of the floral images on the dishes.

Offer tablescapes that evoke lovely afternoon luncheons and teas on a sunny day...even if there is four feet of snow outside! Escapism and entertainment is what shopping is all about, so give it to 'em! Color, inspiration, and freshness are what people are looking for at this point in the year.

Get creative, put on some snappy music (I prefer big band or classic 40's crooners, but that's just me!), turn on ALL of the lights, and start spiffin' up. It's a proven science that when you are working, rearranging, restyling your store, you charge up the atmosphere with good energy - and customers respond to that with enthusiasm!

Gilt Complex....

On Wednesday we installed the new retreat display at Faded Elegance....for Winter, the theme is focused on warming things up with the hot shade for 2008: gold. Go check it out for great home decor ideas!

A New Place to Play, Part Deux!

The holiday display at the Faded Elegance Antiques booth went in on Thursday night!
This tiny space is like a jewelry box, filled to overflowing with sparkling & glittering Holiday finery. Ornaments, wreaths, stockings, vintage paper packs, and fab gift items made with vintage materials await...

Replacing the previous 'leaves made from music sheets' are a bevy of bells.
I took old but not-quite-vintage paper honeycomb bells (from about 1970, I think) and 'aged' them with a few of my secret methods. Then I dangled them from the birch branches. They look a bit softer, more 'shabby' and in tune with things here now, don't you think?!
(Dona is so smart - she knew they weren't really old! It was really fun to meet one of my blog readers in person,too. She's such a lovely,sweet woman, and when I have time I am going to go back in and check out the goodies in HER booth!)

Vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and delicate tree topper spires, ceramic sleighs, and more whimsy in soft creams and warm reds. Makes me ALMOST ready to decorate at home! (Almost)

And Faded Elegance is having a Holiday Open House this week...23rd thru the 26th. Lots of giveaways, discounts, and treats!

A New Place to Play!

I had a new display opportunity come up this past week, and it was really fun to do something different than my normal 'contemporary' style displays at the wineries and gift shows.
Take a peek:

Antique Mall Space.....Before......

And After......

The best part was being able to infuse this dealers' space with a mood that I'm really drawn to right now. Old worn surfaces, textures, and colors that evoke Autumn. This is really more 'me' than anything I do for other clients. Though small, it was a fun space to decorate!

Just goes to show that visual merchandising is valuable no matter what kind of space you have. And Antique Malls...well, it seems to me that anything you can do to add personality and a 'story' to them will be a good thing. Shelves crammed with dusty tchotchkes is just so old. This shop is filled with gals who really know how to set their wares off to best advantage....I love shopping here!

Detail shot: Since the mall owner covered the one wall with sheet music, I cut a bunch of leaves out of old music pages, and fluttered them from the branches of a 'tree' in the corner. This adds to the 'story' of Autumn gatherings.

Such a nice break from the 'norm' for me...Thanks, Kimberly!

If you want to see this booth and a bunch of great Shabby fun from other dealers, check out Faded Elegance Antique Mall in Everett, Wa. - 2112 Hewitt Avenue, just East of the Events Center. The tea is wonderful, too!
And tell 'em DivaDeb sent you!

It Takes A Village

I thought I might share a few tips for displaying Village collectibles this holiday season. Whether in a retail setting or home environment, there are some pretty simple things you can do to enhance the impact of this kind of holiday decor. I'm going to give a shout out to Linda & Margo at Molbaks here, because they are women who KNOW how to play up this stuff. They've each done the massive (and I do mean massive) display setups at the store for the past five years, and every year it gets better!

Remember Christopher Lowell on TLC tv? One of his taglines was 'Lifts, Levels, & Elevations'. Well, I call this the Chris Lowell tip: Get something to use as risers, and lift up some of the houses & buildings. Take the houses out of the boxes, and then use the boxes as risers - just cover them with fabric, or snow, or even wrap them in giftwrap if you want a cute look. Create hills with them, and then sit the houses on top. Put a few on the flat surface of the table or shelf to add dimension, as well.

In the setup above, a huge mirror from a client's dining table was used as the pond. The bridge sits on it, and we created a 'stream' by lining part of the mirror with rock walls and snow right over the mirror. Creates a cool effect and it really makes the light dance on the surface. And under those snowy hills in the background are cardboard boxes!

In this setup, I took a beautiful antique wood box and opened it, put a cardboard box in it, covered that with snow, then sat the conservatory building on it. This lifts the spectacular piece up and makes it the star of the show.

A closeup of the wood box as pedestal. You can also use books (old leatherbound ones are gorgeous!), small stools, plant stands, and flowerpots to add height. Be creative and match the items to the village theme!

Now, against the advice I just gave, here is a flat layout. This is a sofa table, so the village is visible from all sides. We set it up so that the houses are in two rows, with 'backyards' that are behind each. On the front sides of the houses, there are sidewalks & street, making it appear to be a block of homes in merry old England. Placing them this way eneabled us to fit more buildings into the setup, and it keeps it neat & tidy so it's not overwhelming to the eye.

This setup in the kitchen window uses a part (small part!) of the client's nutcracker collection along with the village houses. Everything has to do with food here - the nutcrackers are bakers and winemakers and such, the trees are made from gumdrop candy, the houses are a cooky shop, a candy shop, and the Rudolph & Santa village pieces. Glass cake pedestals hold some of the houses up high, and the nutcracker pedestals lift a few more way up above the scene.

Sorry it's fuzzy, but here's a closeup.

A really important tip for retail display of these items is to remember to create some SMALL setups along with the huge dioramas. Many people who love these live in small homes - condos, apartments, senior living centers - and space is a consideration. So show them how to display their villages on bookshelves, mantels, small tables, etc. in small groupings. The photos I've shared here are from a darling client who lives a in massive home. She has plenty of room to display her collections...but not everyone is in this situation.

Also, in retail, show a cross-merchandised approach in several of your displays. Incorporate photo frames, books, candles, lamps, and other decorative accessories (florals, even candy!) to show how this can be done in a home environment. You'll sell more product when you show the customer what to do with it!