When It Finally SINKs In...

Here on my retail design blog, and also over on my DIY decor blog HOMEWARDfound, 

my goal is to provide you with as many ORIGINAL ideas 

and as much seasonal inspiration as I possibly can. I'll go to [almost] any lengths to do that.

Heck, I'll even throw in the kitchen sink!
.

 In my 40+ years of designing and styling home decor and retail displays,
I've come up with some whopper ideas.

But THIS one is one of my faves - and it was a mistake.

uh huh. a total fluke. great story, too.

But you don't want the story, you want PICTURES!
so, here ya' go:

 
BRILLIANT IDEA, right?!!!!!

thank you. thank you very much.

[it's really not brilliant... scroll down to the end of the post and read the story!]

click on the 'Read More' link on the left for MORE ideas!

Smells Like Success!

I had the good fortune to take a trip to Wisconsin last week for my niece's wedding...

 and after the hullaballoo of the nuptials, the mother of the bride REALLY needed a break!

So, my Mom and I bundled my sister into the rental car and headed north

to Door County, located on a peninsula in Lake Michigan.

It was a truly relaxing and fun trip, at just the right time for all three of us.
We saw some gorgeous landscapes - even some fall leaves! - and did some very 'tourist-y' things.

One day, we took a ferry to Washington Island at the northernmost end of Door County, 

then hopped on the little red 'Cherry Train' tram for an island tour.

And THAT is how we came to arrive at a place that made my JAW DROP....

 Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm is the creation of a team of visionaries - Martine, Edgar, and Helene.
Martine's dream of re-creating the beauty of her French homeland here on the island was the guide,

and she has NAILED it, folks....

Click 'Read More' to see some great examples of brand-centric design and merchandising!