COLOR

The design style that has become very popular in the

last few years is a very neutral pallet.  White, beige,

flax, grey, black, a very easy base to design with

and live with.  This is the way we dress as well.  It is a good base to build from, start with good classic pieces than you can add accessories to fit the season or our mood.  We see it in everything that Aidan Gray does and Pom Pom at Home surely has gone in this direction.  It gives a wonderful background to add color with no worry of being

over powering if done in moderation.

So how and where do we add color?

We can add color with textiles.  In the bathroom and

kitchen we can put color in our towels, we can put a

throw over a sofa or chair to add a splash of color.

I use a fouta from Scents and Feel

on my sofa for my dog. It is practical as well as Their spring introductions are bright, attractive, and there is no need to rush to remove it when I have company. Some of these patterns are done in larger sizes that can be used as table cloths and bedcovers.

fresh and happy with a large assortment of color.

chartreuse, anis green, veronese green

orange, turquoise

navy, aqua, azur

lavender, purple.

These colors are perfect to decorate beach or

contemporary houses, they can be worn as wraps, and

make a nice addition to casual wardrobes to be

worn anywhere and time this spring and summer.

The pastels speak for themselves, deliciously soft

and very much in fashion for spring.

The pastels are perfect to give as gifts for baby

showers and to decorate chidren rooms.

Than we have the neutrals which are classic and

popular for their versatility. They are universal, they have

 no gender and can be used in all rooms in the house,

indoors, outdoors as well as at the beach.

The black, white and reds can be used in a

contemporary or traditional setting.

Completely unisex, they are perfect for gifts.

Contact me if you want any additional

information on this great line.

scarrocino@aol.com

MORE FROM ATLANTA

I thought you might like to see some of the other

pictures I took in Atlanta.

DK LIVING

had some really great chandeliers, which they have

become known for.

This is a twelve arm wire chandelier and it has

a matching candelabra.

Both of these are silver aluminum, contemporary

but could also be transitional.  I love mixing

contemporary with some vintage, or shabby chic, or

very traditional.

Woven wire barrel shaped gold finish pendant

lamp, more casual and fun.

I really liked the way POM POM AT HOME

displayed their baby items

Here is shown a simple way to display crib blankets, which

also would be good for throws, pillow shams, scarfs,

 tablecloths and many other textiles.  It is just a wood

frame and dowls.

Here some pillows are added in front and totes

hung on the side with a little fancier rack,

but it shows a lot in a small space.

A crib is a good investment if you want to show

 baby bedding effectively and you can show a lot

of merchandise inside the crib and hung over

the crib.

Here is a very simple wood painted crib that is

available through POM POM AT HOME

for display only, not for resale.

Contact me if you want more information

scarrocino. @aol.com

BLOGS

A little over a month ago I really didn't know what

a blog was or didn't really care.  Today I see

it entirely different.  This business has changed so

much in the last few years, both retail and wholesale.

People are busier than ever, and working harder for less.

Store owners have less time to see reps and retail  customers have less time to shop.

The internet is making an inroad everywhere and in

every industry because you can see and do so much without leaving your house.  I have gotten very positive feed back

on my blog in just a very short time and it has been worth while in many different ways.   
It is much easier and cheaper to start up and do than
a web site. The blog post I use is
 http://www.blogger.com/ 
It does not cost anything to do a blog.
Once you get your format down and get use
to the different things you can do, it doesn't take a lot
of time, plus it can be fun.  I suggest getting someone
to help you to begin with, it cuts down on the frustration
level right away.  Once I decided this is what I wanted to do,
and I owe my inspiration to my customer Brooke, who does
the fabulous blog VELVET AND LINEN
http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/

I called a friend of mine who's husband did her web site
for her store and asked if I could hire him.  He was
more than willing since he had thought he might like
to do this on the side.  He was GREAT, knew what I was
about and knows the buisness that I am in so I didn't
have to explain alot, which made it much easier for
both of us.  If any of you want some help to get started
I can get you in touch with him.
scarrocino@aol.com
  I can't tell you how

many times a customer of mine has said  "well,
I am waiting for my SON to do my web site."  
 Sorry to break it to you

but it's not going to happen any time soon.
With a blog you can take pictures of an item (yes it is
important to have a digital cameral)
in your store, like this beautiful silk scarf from

 SCENTS AND FEEL. 

This makes it personal and your right there in

their house where they are comfortable and

looking to be inspired to buy.  I love this scarf!!

You can show display ideas.

Most of your customers are looking for help in

that area.

Like putting these trays on the wall.

Or how to fluff a bed.

There is an endless amount of things you can incorporate on  your blog.  It is a must to start

getting a email mailing list, so that once you are

up and going you can eblast everyone with a link to

 your blog.  One thing you could do

to encourage people to give you their email address

is to tell them you are having an on the blog

contest give away.  Nothing wrong with a little

bribery. 

ATLANTA--Last Day

Today I went around to all of my vendors and tried

to take as many pictures as possible.

Starting with AIDAN GRAY

this sofa comes in three variations but this is my

faborite, the new pillows look great on this sofa.

this is one of those items that lends itself to

creativity.  I could see it as a display piece for the

store, but for retail, photos would be a natural.

You could also have visitors write notes or draw

a picture when they come and visit.  It comes

with rusted paper clips.

Lamps, lamps and more lamps. 

AIDAN GRAY  has a great selection of lamps, this

is new and shows that they are stepping outside

the box with style.

POM POM AT HOME

showed some interesting display ideas.

These walls were created with chalk board paint

tinted grey.  I know that wall space is a premium

in most stores, but if you have any space I

thought this could be a fun way to high light

and create themes.

IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFO REGARDING

HOW TO DO THIS LET ME KNOW.

ATLANTA Day Three

SUGARBOO DESIGNS has a wonderfull new

item that I really love. It is a leather phone album

 

about 18 inches square.  The leather is distressed to

look a little worn.  In the middle is engraved

TO THE ONE'S I LOVE

inside are 50 pages for photos

under every space for a picture is a different

quotation.  What a great wedding present, anniversary,

could you inagine giving it for a 50th annivertsary or buy it

for yourself.  I think this is a really beautiful gift, special.

POM POM AT HOME has expanded on their

orgainic collection they introduced last July.

They have combined the white and flax in one

collection.

It is available in a queen and king duvet, bolster and

euro sham. This way you can cordinate the solids white

and flax in all sorts of different  combinations.

The also have a fun pair of shams with PEACE and

LOVE.

Contact me for information on all the other new items.

scarrocino@aol.com

ATLANTA Day Four

This has been a very good show in so many ways.

There is a lot of energy from both the vendors
and the customers. There is a positive feeling in
the air that I wasn't expecting, hope that doesn't
sound to Pollyana, but I like to think the glass
is half full!


I went to BARREVELD to show you some of my
favorite things.

These very rusted lanterns in three sizes look great.

I can see three of these doors panels hung side by side

 as a head board.

What a great addition to a garden or on a porch.  On

it's own or combined with a wood or iron

table.  I don't think has to have a

matching table.

I think this chair has lots of posibilites.  The plaid is

not too bold and would be wonderful in a den, a library or

or a man's office.  The fabric would blend with

many different textures and fabulous with leather.

ATLANTA--Day Two

There was snow and ice on the ground when I left the

hotel this morning.  I actually enjoyed it, especially since

I didn't have to do any driving, just walk across the

street. It would have been better if I had worn my boots

instead of the little flats that I had on, but they went

better with my outfit. 

I have been so pleased with the energy of this show,

most all of the showrooms are busy and have

positive things to say.  The customers are in a good

mood and seem to be happy to be here.

SCENTS AND FEEL
 looked fabulous.  Lots of new

colors in the hand towels and fouta's.

Light orange,  bright yellow, beautiful light blue, aqua which

is the color of the water in Patagonia.

Spring is in the air. Who would have thought the color straw could be so gorgeous.

The booth was over flowing with color.

One of my favorite things are their

100% SILK hand woven scarf/shaw

28 x 72 in size in the most fabulous color combinations.

This is something I will be wearing

alot.  I love scarfs anyway but these

are very special.  They are beautiful

on both sides, bright on one and mute on the other.  Since by wardrobe palete is mainly black and grey they will go with everything I have.

I really think it's important to carry some ladies accessories in the store.

Jewelry is a hugh category and I think something like

this fits into that same nitch.

ATLANTA SHOW- Day One

It is show time and I arrived today for the Atlanta show.  I have to

say, I really like this show.  For someone from out of town it is so easy once you get here.  You pick up your bags, go around the corner and get on MARTA, the high speed train, and the stops are so convenient to the hotels, which surround the Americas Mart.

My flight arrived at 3:00, I checked into my hotel and walked into the building at 4:20.  I don't think there is any other show you could do that.  Plus,  as a buyer you can see EVERYTHING from your vendors, they send it all to this show. 

Today I just wanted to get an over view before I start my appointment tomorrow    First Stop AIDAN GRAY.   Everything looked great, I had a preview the first of December, but seeing it in person is sometimes

a different story, and I couldn't be more plesed.  You hope things look as good or better in person and they do.

I love this new leather chair and the pillows are great, a perfect addition and very well priced.

Contact me if you don't get the new catalog, which should arrive by the first of the week.

scarrocino@aol.com

Next stop BARREVELD/DK LIVING  they moved so they could combine both showrooms which is a nice change.  Even though the lines are so different there are things from each that can cross over for the transitional and contemporary customer.

This line never stops to surprise in every category.

I really like the new collection for EASTER, the colors

are great, very bright and apealing. The chocolate rabbits

look very real and I wanted to take a bite.

Let me know if you didn't get a catalog.