Stunning Anthropologie Window Dressing: the Old and the New

In keeping with the seasonal sentiment of remembering things past, let's return to one of our more popular posts.  Four years ago, we explored a variety of incredible summer window dressing at Anthropologie stores in the US.  The above image is taken from the original post, which can be found here.

Some readers might not be familiar with Anthropologie, a popular American company which features women's fashion, design, art, lifestyle products, and home furnishings.  I have visited a few of its US stores and can happily be identified as a fan not only of its products but also of its store designs. [Note: since my visits to Anthropologie in the US, they now ship to New Zealand. Check it out on this link here.]

Indeed, Anthropologie is highly regarded for the design strength of its visual merchandising, with  window dressing being a hallmark quality.  I believe it is a reputation well deserved.

Interior design and retail visual merchandising have much in common.  Both disciplines create focal points to draw the attention of anyone in a certain space and, importantly, to help people move through that space be it a store or a room in a house.  I once worked in visual merchandising for Country Road and my previous interior design experience certainly informed my VM work.

In this general spirit, it seems timely to revisit the Anthropologie windows across the US and see what they're offering during the current Christmas season.  Be sure to check out the video at the bottom of the post.

A (faux?) gingerbread car provides the window highlight at the Anthropologie store in South Windsor, Connecticut.   Note that the window dressing incorporates store product in a way that compliments the scene. 

Moving south, the store in Raleigh, North Carolina delivers on detail and tradition. 

The Princeton, New Jersey store window is cleverly constructed in a way that highlights both the apparel and the setting.

Moving to the West Coast, this beautiful Anthropologie window can be found in Portland, Oregon.  I am particularly drawn to the artful and carefully considered backdrops on display in this and many other store windows.  

This Chicago store front is wonderfully balanced, which I find very satisfying as an interior design.

Below is a short video that unwraps the work that goes into Anthropologie's festive window dressing. 

Words by Craig Greaves.
Photographs via Anthropologie.

Where We Work - Studio Marcus Hay

Karl Lagerfield once said "there's something boring about people who have to go to an office for a living".  Equating office work with boring people is, of course, Mr Lagerfield's choice to make.  But in many respects, the office can reflect the person and there's always something interesting about that.

Taken further, the work spaces of creative people are often as interesting as the people that occupy them.  In our view, such work spaces can inform and inspire the occupant and their work.  Indeed, the work space/worker relationship is important in all forms of labour but particular so in the creative world.  It is a relationship that we aim to explore further in the blog as a recurring feature.  Think of it as an ongoing rebuttal to Mr Lagerfield's argument.

The New York studio of Marcus Hay is an active endorsment of our rebuttal.  We have previously profiled the Australian-born style creative director, interior design and writer before.  Here are some visuals of his studio located in the vibrant Chelsea neighbourhood in Manhattan.  Let's visit and take a look around.

What is most notable is that colour dominates the studio.  Varied in hues and blushes, the colours lift the space and gives it an irresistible life.

Who doesn't appreciate the look of a beautifully designed bottle of alcohol and a well-stacked yet properly portioned bookshelf?  Both can add tremendously to the look of a room.  A case in point is Marcus' precisely placed bookcase and the elegant drinks tray above. 

[Note: the terrific Wellington bistro Capitol has a great display of interesting bottles behind the bar. It certainly adds to what is a quality eatery.  Great food and service too. Five stars.]

In New York, the dimension of one's office can greatly dictate the look.  We like the embedded desk here.  It is undeniable stylish, and speaks of a smart and economic use of space.

As an observation, there is a lot going on in Marcus' studio.  Nevertheless, it is beautifully configured and visually alluring.  The artefacts that populate the desks, shelves and walls are many as they are varied.  You get the sense that they all have a backstory that is important to Marcus, his team, and their work.  They are clearly things that matter and provide a semblance of insight into the occupants.  And in the absence of an explanation behind each artefact, it is far from boring to wonder about their respective origin and particular significance. What we can be certain of is that they look great.

Words by Craig Greaves.
Photographs by Jonny Valiant via Studio Marcus Hay.

Traditional Modern Kitchen

 Lately I have been working on a character-style kitchen. It's about finding a balance between a modern kitchen that functions well, yet retaining traditional details that will tie in with the rest of the character interiors.
I recently found this stunning kitchen on Remodelista, which is a great example of what I am talking about. This interior is on a grand scale compared to what I am working with, however you can't help but admire, and be inspired, by all the details and touches that make this kitchen, laundry and utility rooms so rich and successful.
This includes the use of tiles - the grey herringbone flooring in the kitchen and the terracotta hexagon tiles (which look original) in the laundry/utility room; that amazing charcoal granite butler sink in the laundry, the brass pull handles and knobs on the cabinetry, the dark blue interior of the drawers, the brass taps in the kitchen and laundry, the marble and timber bench tops, the wallpaper in the powder room, the surrounding black framed windows and doors, the open shelving and the list just goes on.
This respectful and classy renovation was for a 1910 Brooklyn brownstone in New York and was designed by architect, Gerry Smith. Read more about it here.

Photographs by Samuel Morgan Photography via Remodelista.

Stylish Family Home

This stylish family home was featured in New York Times last year and it belongs to Brian Faherty and his family. Faherty is the owner of Schoolhouse Electric Supply & Co, a lighting and homewares company based in Portland, Oregon - a brand whose products I have admired in magazine and interiors. This home is often where the company's catalogue is shot and is the testing ground for various products.
Brought in 2012, this building was later reconfigured and renovated for family friendly living - the architect was encouraged to create a house with materials and forms that could "transcend any idea of time or style. Images of Swedish courtyard farmhouses came to mind." I like the clean, functional design that blends mid-century and modern elements effortlessly. Read more here.

Also I would like to note that I was nominated by various readers for the SiteSmart Love the Web. I was chuffed to hear that readers who enjoy my blog took the time to nominate me, and along with such great company too. It meant a lot to read the lovely comments and to hear that you enjoy this blog - thank you for sharing the love.

 

Photographs by Jeremy Bittermann via New York Times.

Lumio

This looks like a book, doesn't it? However, when you open this book up, it becomes a warm, high performing LED light. Say hello to Lumio, a portable, rechargeable and powerful light that you can take anywhere with you. Isn't this very clever?
I first came across this dynamic piece of design via clients who were excited to share this product with me after a visit to USA. Of course I was intrigued and had to learn more.
Lumio "is the first product from a studio dedicated to helping people live large with less. The studio is focussed on multi-functional, everyday objects that are simple, intuitive and beautiful." The book arrives beautifully packaged along with a USB charger, magnetic wooden pegs for mounting and a leather strap for hanging. Think of all the possibilities! Stunning.

 

 

Photographs via Lumio.