I Do ... Do Windows

For todays post I thought I would share with you one of my secret passions.  I love doing windows. 

via Martha Stewart.com

Let me be clear, definitely not cleaning windows!  I'll leave that chore to Martha :)

What I like doing is creating store window displays. 

Moving Designz Home & Cottage Feb 2012

It's one of my most favorite things to do because it gives me a chance to use my creative skills from a promotional and business point of view.  I have to think like a customer yet also like a business person who needs to get the message of their store, their brand and their products across to potential customers.  I really do consider it an art form.  It can't be too busy, your message has to be clear.

Image from my iphone taken Feb 2012 at The Bay Toronto

I like window shopping myself and find myself obsessed with taking images of store windows that I like or that inspire me.

L'Occitane window in Toronto March 2012

If a window is well executed it should entice customers into your store, give them a moment of pause perhaps possibly put a smile on their face. 

Over the past few months along with my work on design projects I've been creating windows for a local jewellery store.  Nortons Jewellers.  http://nortonsjewellers.com/ 
This is a special project I take near and dear to my heart as the owner just happens to be my boyfriend and very important to me.

It all started late last November when Peter had four of these suspended glass cubes installed in his storefront windows replacing a shelving unit.

He asked me, what would you do with them?  I said I would fill them with pretty things, which led to will you do them for me?  Yes, and actually I couldn't wait to do them for him.  And bring a rather uptown look (that's what he calls it) to his windows just in time for Christmas!

My concept was to have each cube hold a little vignette.  For Christmas I thought lots of sparkle with little silver Christmas trees would be perfect.   

 Fast forward a couple of hours later.  With my in store foraging for props this cube was done. 

The fake snow is actually epsom salts and those aren't real diamonds :) and they added just the right amount of sparkle.

Each of the four cubes holds a little vignette.  Next came the Valentines Day window display.

For inspiration I thought of love.  And then pretty thoughts of red roses and jewellery came immediately to my mind after all this is a jewellery store. 

The above photo I took last spring in Montreal while walking down the steet one sunny day.  I saw this single stem of roses lying on the pavement streets scattered by the wind yet perfectly placed.  The red just seemed to pop off the concrete background.  At the time I wondered how many other people would have noticed it.  Sorry I digress but I thought this was really unique.

With my inspiration in mind I let red roses set the tone for all the window cubes.

  They paired so nicely with Nortons corporate colour navy blue.  Incidentally the two cubes on the far right never hold jewellery only a message they are just too difficult to empty on a nightly basis.  This is necessary due to the possibility of theft which is something I had to consider.  

For this cube I thought the message was pretty clear.  I do! 

Next up I had to think of what I was going to do for Spring. 

And when I think of spring I think of the freshness of colour.  I decided to use tulips and moss as props to showcase a display of whiteware. 
At Nortons Jewellers besides their beautiful jewellery they also sell giftware including dinnerware.

   I am inspired with the Sophie Conrans line of dishes.   So I thought it was time to change things up a bit and showcase some of the other products they carry in the store. 

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"
Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519

http://www.sophieconran.com

 "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"
William Morris 1834-1896

I like that quote.

On another very positive note I had a computer malfunction last week where I thought I lost the hard drive on my laptop... Very scary.  Thanks to the techy guys at Computer Guru all my files were saved.  Note to self and reminder to readers.  Please do regular back-ups!

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!

Susan

I'm Not Afraid of Colour

For todays post I thought I would share a few pictures of the shop now that Springs has finally arrived.   Everytime a new shipment arrives we find ourselves looking for ways to display all the new merchandise in a fresh way so our customers can visualize it in their homes.
I'm always inspired by colour!

While Anita was away on vacay last week, Ellyn and I were busy rearranging the shop.  

The minute you enter the store we've set the tone for using colour including fresh sunny yellow.  We're pairing it up with greens, blues, reds, grays and turquoise for a fresh spring look.

Our livingroom display of yellow with grey, purple, silver, white, and black speaks fresh to me.

Pretty things for your table including whiteware bowls and candle holders, new placemats, napkins and lemons for added pops of colour.

On our Daniella sofa we've paired alot of colours with these wonderful seaside inspired toss cushions.  Beyond spring this has me dreaming of summer...

I'm totally in love with colour and coral motifs this year.  Cushion covers $27.50.  Feather inserts $17.50.

A little do it yourself project using river rocks, coral, rope and indigo coloured reindeer moss.

Easy, peezy.

In this section of the store we combined turquoise with white, vivid black graphics and yellow printed fabrics and artwork. 

Turquoise gourd lamps.

Our bedroom display is a mix of vibrant colours.

For those prefering a more earthy palette that's still very fresh, How about greens, oranges and brown?

We still using orange, this time pairing it up with teal blues and chocolate brown, yum.

One final look at some new colourful botanical prints.

I hope I've inspired you to have a fresh look at your spaces and add some delicioius colour this Spring.

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!

Susan