Holiday is here at Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor is ringing in the season with it's Holiday 1 set - seen here in NYC - and bling is the thing.

With a nice mix of 2D as 3D chandeliers, glitter wall paper, and hanging crystal garlands this seasonal install is setting the tone for it's winter festive wear. A little glitter as the days get darker helps brighten the spirits!

What's behind the curtain at retail?

Most of us think of curtains in the traditional sense with drapes of fabric used to give shade to our windows. In visual merchandising the use of a "curtain" can be widely interpreted and help lend excitement to a store window.

Here are a number of ways stores create a "draped window" - ranging from the traditional curtain to much looser uses of the word. Whether it's to tie in a color or pattern as The Gap has done to highlight it's gingham collection or to add visual interest as seen here with a beaded curtains at Sears Kardashian shop in shop.

Curtains, traditional or in alternative forms, are an effective and simple tool to add dimension to a visual presentation.

Design on a Dime Part two

Here are a couple more shots of the Design on a Dime event. The printing of that pool water looks so real it makes me want to take a plunge!

For more info - see
http://www.housingworks.org/events/design-on-a-dime/

Also for more photos - check out Apartment Therapy's coverage

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/housing-works-design-on-a-dime-benefit-084096?image_id=122881

Design on a Dime

The 5th Annual Housing Works "Design on a Dime" event began last night. This is a great fundraiser for a terrific organization committed to ending the twin crisis of AIDS and homlessness. This event asks designers to create rooms on a small budget (as the name implies)and then everything in the vignettes is for sale. Here is a sneak preview of some of the room vignettes set up (more to come later) - I noticed similar themes from the interior design community as are being seen at a VM level within retail.

Lots of repurposing - seen here a door as a bedboard; frames and focus walls are still very strong; creating drama with use of curtains; books, books books; the use of a single item repeated - in this case flowers on the mantel; natural elements - tree stumps, sand, foliage, flowers, etc. Also - the red bedroom is Ty Pennington for Sears. Overall lots to see and great inspiration!

Have you seen any cross discipline themes recently? Where?