Spring time is coming at Lord & Taylor

Here's a pretty spring display highlighting the approaching Bridal season. Thousands of white butterflies made a serenely simple but eye catching display which was used in all windows so it had a continuous sculptural quality.

Simple but effective solutions at Club Monaco

Here's one of those "ah ha!" moments in window design. This month, Club Monaco landed on a striking yet appropriate back drop to this season pale pallet.

The Kraft paper 'curls' work to add texture and warmth to the cool, neutral styles of their fall collection and causes one to stop and take notice. Which is, as we say, exactly the point!

And this effective solution is all the more appealing when you think of the cost. Balancing budget and design is tricky but can be done with much success!

Tick Tock Tweet...

ah, the written word or music for that matter can be so visually poetic. Here's a page from a recent Bergdorf install that used printed scores and wrapped books to create an enchanting "notice me" window.

and all to the rhythm of the oversize metronome....tick, tock indeed.

Blushing Blooms...

Beautiful blossoms bloom bountiful breathing beams of beginnings.

Q are you?

To highlight their theme of renewal, this Texas based lighting and fan company redid its showroom in a bounty of butterflies. This blue winged menagerie lends an air of elegance to the entrance and throughout the rooms and helps tie back to their theme.

Bravo this abundance of blue!

Framing a trend

This trend just won't quit! Seen over the past year - visual merchandisers using frames to enhance their visual message and add a 3D element to thier product display.

We get the picture.

Let's poll the pole....

Do you love it or hate it?

We see this one often - a wooden pole used to promote one item; in this case shorts and polo shirts. Visual merchandisers seem to like this simple idea - hanging a pole with multiple examples of the same item - maybe to highlight available color or different fabrics. It does give the viewer the visual range of options available at a glance. But is it innovative or interesting? What do you think?

Milan - That's vial!

Here's a simple one with this summer's HOT/ Hot color (hot pink)

Seen at Tom Ford in Milan, this window was direct and effective. A wall of pink, glass vials were artfully hung behind a small grouping of shoes with the cologne acting as the branded sign and a pair of glasses lending an air of cool.

It's the one prop repeated in multiples idea that we see time and again as a solid window enhancement.

(it's good to be back & tune in for more from Italy!)

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?

Singular Focus

Sometimes it works to take one item and repeat it or use it in multiples. We see this technique employed often and here are 3 examples with varying results.
The multiple layered leaves and birds convey spring and were spotted in Shanghai. Though I like the large scale of the props and the whimsical shapes, I don't think the total window is a visually appealing - perhaps due to the choice of colors.
The umbrella's catching crystals (or "rain") was dramatic due to the tall ceiling and multiple layers and helped elevate the somewhat plain dresses shown here at Tadashi in Las Vegas. Perhaps April showers do bring may flowers.
The beach inspired driftwood "fence" seen below was also hung over the cash wrap and together proved interesting. The outfit might have reflected something a bit more 'seaworthy' but overall it directed your attention to the summer clothing.

What's your thoughts? Single Props in multiples - hot or not?

Repetition and multiples work

we have all seen grass squares used at spring time. but what makes this window work is the volume of grass (there must have been 20 squares of it) and the color blocking. each window was done in a different color and it did stop me in my tracks to take note. March on!