Going back to art school with Urban Outfitters

Here's something we noticed....another set of canvas and wood frames used in windows. Last week Cole Haan used them to highlight their new hand painted line, this week Urban Outfitters used them in their back to school windows.

The canvases are used backwards and in some cases, the canvas has been stripped to show only the wood frames, adding another dimension to these artistically inspired windows.

With the addition of books and lockers, these windows make us want to go back to art school....or at least just look as if we do.

Trendspotting - Books as trees

here is recent trend we have noted....retailers like to make displays with books - and when really ambitious...make them into trees.

A few examples seen here along with a wall of books all covered in white as the "back drop" for the DJ booth of Macy's Bar III pop up shop where Solange was spinning.

Covering up the details at Restoration Hardware

Visual Merchandising is ALL in the details as seen here at Restoration Hardware. When a store that sells furniture and housewares uses props, they should do so with a clear sense of brand awareness and RH continues to excel in that realm.

It's obvious that a book case "shows" better with books in it, however, covering the books in a monochromatic fabric that is tea stained to appear aged, keeps the focus on the furniture and not the props.

This neutral and yet textural prop used throughout the store to highlight furniture and accessories is a great compliment to the palette of the store and a nice balance to the green of the topiaries.

A tree grows at retail.

trees made of books and leaves of paper -innovative, geometric and fantastic! Bring on the sweater weather.

Undercover Props

It's good to help focus customer's attention and simplified color schemes can do just that.

Here books are wrapped in paper within a narrow color pallet to keep the focus on the product (book cases & storage units) and help one dream of their own organized home.