Vintage Fall Display Inspiration

from 2012 to 2017, i worked with and for Rita Reade,

the proprietor of the creative vintage business Mammabellarte 

and co-founder, along with her sister-in-love, artist Christie Repasy, 
of The Vintage Marketplace vintage show in Southern California.

Rita hired me as her visual designer and stylist

to style all of her beautiful creations into an inspiring booth setting for each show,
as well as doing the same for the entrance to the show as a photo backdrop.

you'll find that many of the techniques & tips used here
are just in time for vendors doing fall shows,
as well as fall store window displays!

continue reading for all of the usable details...

Farm Chicks, a Dollhouse, and Branding

In another chapter of my life story, I was a vendor at vintage shows.

The largest and most well-known show that I participated in was the Farm Chicks, 

a show with hundreds of vendors held every June in Spokane, Washington...

and a fanatical customer base of thousands of people who'd come across country to shop the show!

I was a Farm Chicks show vendor from 2007 to 2011

and I filmed my six-episode video series there in 2007. 

But I've never been to the show as a SHOPPER... until this year!
It was amazing... it's always amazing! 
There are many reasons why it's called 'The Happiest Show on Earth'!

I loved seeing my friends who are still vendors/curators.

I found a few special things to bring home, and snapped a LOT of photos.

But before I share the beauty of it all,
I wanna' share the BIZNEZ of it all.

Because founder and proprietor Serena Thompson is a branding WHIZ

and I know you can learn a lot from her... 

Every year, Serena selects a theme for the show. This year, it was 'Home Sweet Home'.
The centerpiece of her theme was the imagery of a dollhouse... 

and you can read what it was that inspired her here on the Farm Chicks blog
Serena also selects a color palette - and it's repeated in all of the elements she uses.

For example - the logo and all marketing collateral:

From the postcards to the vendor & guest badges to the show map
and even a photo frame for guests to use on social media, it ALL coordinates.

At every show, the main entrance features a HUGE display that reflects the theme...
I'm gonna' be honest here and say that I expected some big boxes,
assembled and decorated to bring that dollhouse artwork to life.
But nooooooooo, Serena surprised me with her eyepopping creation of BAKERY BOXES!
Read this post on her Farm Chicks blog to find out what inspired her

On the bottom right, you can see the Farm Chicks booth in the entry atrium.
The backdrop of that booth echoes the 'cross stitch sampler' lettering,

and the tables are draped in pastel quilts as they await final merchandise placement.
All of this reflects the qualities of a 'Home Sweet Home' and a dollhouse.

Vendors like the girls at Marigold Vintage and Unexpected Necessities
get into the spirit of the theme, too,
 by incorporating it into their wardrobes, booth displays and products:

The logo merchandise is thoughtfully coordinated with the color scheme, 

and displayed on the quilt-topped tables in groupings prettied up with simple props:
a few pieces of pastel-painted furniture, bright pastel tissue paper, and more

bring the small-scale coffee mug, flat fabric tees and canvas tote bags to life.

The attention to detail here brings the logo to life in living color,

and tells exactly the story that Serena wanted to.

She does this EVERY show! (see more Farm Chicks Show photos here).

There's a huge staff of Farm Chicks and Farm Hunks that help out at the show, too...
hauling purchases out to customer's cars and straightening displays... all.day.long.
(and how hunky do those guys have to be to be okay with wearing PINK tees, huh?!)

I've always been impressed with the way Serena brands her show...

I even filmed one segment of my video series in the Farm Chicks booth in 2007,

and discussed branding with her and Teri Edwards, her biz partner at the time:

Like Serena says in the video, she views the show as one big product
that needs packaging to sell it... branding is IMPORTANT!
Whatever you do, Tell Your Own Story* - 
and tell it with everything visual that you use!
*I've been using this tagline since 2002. And I really mean it!

In my next post, 

I'll share photos of some of the details of successfully merchandised booths that I saw at the show,
and you can see how truly PRO vendors / curators do it!
Until then... 

Calling All Vintage Chicks!

Have you ever been to The Farm Chicks show?
Do you WANT to go?!
Click over to The Farm Chicks facebook page and enter to WIN two tickets 

to the show this June 3 & 4!

The show takes place at the Spokane Fairgrounds in Washington state, 

and it's truly jaw-dropping... 

From 2007 to 2011, I was a vendor at this vintage, antique & handmade show.

Farm Chicks is one of the BEST shows of this type in the country, 

featuring hundreds of talented artists, makers, dealers, and 'junkers' 

all gathered in one place, indoors, once a year - with booths like these: 

(the last 3 photos are of my own RETREAT booths at the show)

My very first year as a vendor, I was pretty ambitious - 

because before the show opened on the first day, I ran around for two hours shooting 

six episodes of a video series for the now-defunct Gift & Home Channel!

In my videos, you'll learn about arranging small spaces for maximum accessibility,

be inspired by creative display tips & tricks, realize how your visual style impacts your brand,

and find out how these shows can be a terrific source for new & unique products for your store.

In my own high-energy, fast-talking, fast-moving style,
I packed a LOT of info into each 5 to 7-minute video, and some amazing women joined me

to share their tips, tricks, secrets, and lessons on camera... you'll learn a lot from them, too!

You can find all six of those videos on my YouTube channel.

I'm heading back to the show as a shopper this June, 

and can't wait to enjoy the atmosphere and experience of being there again.
If you get a chance, GO!!! And if you see me there, say hello!

(and don't forget to enter the ticket giveaway over on The Farm Chicks facebook page! )

A Jewel Box of a Store!

 San Francisco jewelry retailer BLISS a la' Mode has figured out

how to present tiny jewelry items with Blis-full Brand Visual Impact!

I discovered this jewel-box of a shop as I was strolling down Pier 39

while in the City for Christmas... and have been holding the photos for a post ever since,
because I think this color palette and ideas are inspiring for Springtime.

The color of the shop exterior grabbed me first

When I walked inside, I was captivated by the continued use of their signature hue - aqua -
and of course the sparkling chandeliers overhead:

I also love the way they have used many different white and aqua furniture pieces as fixtures:

 They bring interest and detail to a space that is anything but
the generic jewelry store model seen so often in malls.
There are layers of interest and style that speak to the way jewelry is layered into an outfit...
Speaking the language that your customers speak is just SMART design.
keep reading for more insight into successful presentation....

Brand Impact: Daisy*Shoppe

I discovered a charming little shop this weekend,

and it perfectly illustrates the concept of 'surround your customers with your brand':
Meet Daisy Shoppe!

 From the store logo on bags, signage, and even tee shirts

to the color palette threaded like ribbon through the store space,

this place is one of the best at telling their own story:
They are happy, and fun, and sweet, and pretty, and sparkly, and PINK.

(and black and white and gray and ivory and a few other pastels)

...and they can help YOU be happy, fun, sweet, pretty, sparkly, and pink, too!

The entry display is currently themed for Valentine's Day,

featuring large and small products from tableware to underwear

that would be a perfect gift for a girl you love... 

all in one very visible spot to make shopping easy.

 the centerpiece of the display is a vintage plastic typewriter painted soft pink,

with a graphic image that - once again - tells the story.

 Merchandise displays are clean, crisp, layered, inviting, and colorful:
They cross-merchandise product according to color and theme,
racks are filled in groups of color which all makes shopping for your faves easy.

The overall effect of this space is pleasing to the eye and the spirit...

the store was busy and yet everyone was calm, enjoying the environment, 

browsing, and filling their arms with items to purchase.

The cashwrap is simply a fab piece of furniture cabinetry, 

painted hot pink so as to be impossible to miss no matter where you are in the store.

Behind it, a gallery wall of art and quotes shares the philosophy and style

of a store that is unabashedly feminine.
Merchandise is tucked into side shelves and on the counter,

making impulse buys nearly impossible to resist.

The window displays are what initially caught my eye...

Simple paper hearts hang from lace ribbons. Mannequins in pink, white, and red apparel.
Nothing gimmicky, nothing expensive - but they caught my attention and made me go in!

I applaud the owner & staff of these three stores 

for the excellence in presentation they have achieved!

These are all very simple 'do-able' ideas that any store can use to improve their visual impact.

It doesn't matter what you sell or what your brand is, or what color palette you use...

just know what story you want to tell your customers  

and tell it well through every choice you make.

Though the staff was very kind in letting me take a few pics,

I was trying not to annoy them by snapping a ton of photos.
There are a few resources online so that you can see MORE

of what I find to be perfect branding, visual impact, and retail store appeal.
 
Visit Daisy*Shoppe online

View a video tour of a Daisy*Shoppe store here

and hear a little about their history and philosophy.

View more photos of displays inside Daisy*Shoppe stores:
parenting OC magazine
(scroll down to see the 2015 retail awards 'best boutique for mom' winner)
cute & yummy blog
images on google

...and after you look at all that, ask yourself
'How can I make MY store look that pulled together?'
If you can't answer that, send me an email. I can help you!

On Display: Take Me Away!

I traveled to Texas twice last summer, and was pleasantly surprised to find

some EXCELLENT examples of retail display technique in the AIRPORT!

yes, you read that right...

next to the endless Starbucks line and the bar and the news stand,

there was an airport shop that absolutely nailed using a regional focus as a theme...

Aptly named, amAZing (see what they did there?)
offers up the standard tourist-driven souvenir airport merchandise
in a fresh, fun, engaging and visually exciting new way...

Click 'Read More' for loads of pictures and details on WHY this works!

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!

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

You want Halloween display inspiration?
You've got it, from the best in the biz: the visual team at Roger's Gardens,

a nursery and home decor mecca located in a pretty ritzy part of So Cal.

For years, the visual wizards at Rogers have been giving their creativity full reign

and conjuring delightful, scary, imaginative and inspiring worlds

that showcase the products for sale for Halloween
(Halloween is the second-biggest sales season, 

surpassed only by Christmas. didja' know that?)

The visual team works for months designing and crafting fixtures, props, backdrops, and 'gags'

that will set off the merchandise and create an unforgettable shopping experience for customers.

This year, the theme is a circus sideshow,

with the ominous moniker 

'Something Wicked This Way Comes'

click the 'read more' link to see more fantastical details!!!

The 411 of a Vintage Booth Display

Last week, I headed out to the local wine country for a project....

My friend Rita Reade hosts The Vintage Marketplace 'antique' show there every three months.

Because she's so busy with show logistics, she's always rushing to finish her own booth setup.

Now she hires ME to design and style her booth!

It's a fun way for me to continue my involvement with the vintage industry that I so enjoy, 

and I love working with her...

 I thought I would take the booth design that I did for her last week

and share with you the process of what I did....

the 411 on how and why it works, so to speak. 

Click 'read more' to watch the design process unfold....

A Case for Creative Display

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS

 
A few years back, I presented a seminar to the vendors at a local Vintage show.

[ for those of you who don't know, a Vintage show is the new kind of 'Antique' show

where items can be made from vintage components or inspired BY vintage styles,

as well as being actual vintage & antique goods.]

My seminar was all about maximizing the visual impact that your booth has at a show.

Thing IS, before I ever took the stage to speak, I was impressed with what I saw!

It's commonplace for vendors in these shows to play with props, sets, 

and generally use some very theatrical methods to display their wares. 

I shared many of the tips & tricks I've used as a retail stylist

to help them get the most out of their efforts.

A great example is shown in the photos above...

This jewelry designer displays her beautiful pieces, 
made from various old components, in some creatively staged vignettes. 

The props of vintage suitcases, picture frames, books, mirrors,

textiles, and paper goods set off the lines and colors of her work to great advantage. 
The color of her backdrop and interesting props catch your eye as you walk past the booth, and draw you closer - so that the details of the intricate jewelry can be appreciated.

There's a Bonus to her merchandising method:

It shows that by using your jewelry as a decorative item in your own home, 

you're getting double duty out of your purchase!

I've created several posts about vintage booth displays - 
you can find them over in my RIGHT SIDEBAR >>>>

I've made my presentation outline available as a Google document: 

 click here to read

Please do not replicate, copy,  extract from, or otherwise use my original content.

It is copyrighted.

I apologize, but I no longer have the artisan's name... 

if you know it, please leave it in the comments here 

and I will gladly add it with a link to her site!

Display Inspiration

A few more incredible displays to inspire you, from dealers at the Funky Junk Sisters Antique Show & Flea Market.... If you click on the links under each photo, you'll see more photos and info on the web sites & blogs of each dealer.

In the photo above, American Country & Swedish style combine in simply fresh displays from very gifted designer Liz, of Seabold Vintage Market . She needs to write a book!
Stellar use of vertical space in her displays and excellent use of color in displays and products, from Stacie Tate at Tate's Totes
More Americana with a touch of Shabby Chic combine to present a front porch feel, from the talented Amy & Khris at Today's Country Store
Another front porch scene, complete with swing, from the talented duo of John & Bob of JOHNBob cooljunk (no online resources, sorry - but look for them at Washington & Oregon shows!)
A warm, welcoming display of primitives from Luann & display stylist Tammy at Folk Art Gatherings.

Thank you to each of these vendors for permission to share the photos I took at the show. I believe we can all learn from each other, not by copying something we have seen but by being inspired and then letting our own imaginations take us to the next level. I also know it is important to acknowledge the skilled creations & presentation of artisans such as these... they don't do it for the applause, but they do appreciate getting it!

Now, go create something new in your store that will inspire your customers...