Small Cute Single Story Home

Small And Very Cute Single Story also very suitable as a home price that I believe

Prefabricated House Luxury Duplex Very beautiful

Roundup for the week

A couple of quick notes from this week's inbox...

Seminole Heights Community Garden - Big planting weekends coming up! Get your new food in the ground so you can enjoy the big fall harvest! Check out the latest at developments at http://seminoleheightscg.ning.com - You've got to see it to believe it - a pumpkin patch in our hood!

I (Heart) Africa on Thursday! A benefit by One City Ministries for children and families in Uganda. They will have music, art, and some african crafts so have a good time for a great cause. This is at Grace Family Church in Lutz from 7-10 Thursday Aug. 27th.
www.onecityministries.org

Going Green Tampa Bay
The USF sustainability conference is holding its green festival on the same weekend at the Marshall Center. It should be a great time with lots of exhibitors and speakers. More details to follow but check it out for yourself at
www.goinggreentampabay.com

Last but not least! - Park(ing) Day
September 18th will invite an invasion of miniature parks downtown on the Franklin corridor. Come see what a dozen or so parking space park conversions look like when we pay the meter and sod the street.
www.parkingday.org

One last note,
Many of you know about the TSM crew's big trip to the birthplace of coffee coming up. It starts tomorrow, so go easy on our help in the shop while we are out. Send us emails if you need something. We'll be back after Labor Day so wish us luck!

-Charles and Amy

Virtual Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's

I know, it's been awhile since I delved into stock film photos to review retail store locations. I have so many projects underway that blogging is taking a back seat. While I am otherwise engaged, may I offer a small appetizer to tide you over?!

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is a classic film released in 1961, and is arguably the first one everyone mentions when I refer to 'retail stores in films'. It was adapted from a book by Truman Capote, and stars George Peppard and the always charming Audrey Hepburn (even though Capote wrote it for Marilyn Monroe to star in). We've all seen the screenshot of Audrey, as character Holly Golightly, standing on the sidewalk in the early morning hours after a night of 'working'. She's eating a danish, holding a paper coffee cup, and gazing longingly into the windows of the famed Tiffany & Co. jeweler's New York store - which is located at 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street in New York City, by the way. She dreams while staring at the glistening merchandise, her longing evident in her expression. (Don't we all wish we looked that good while window shopping?!)

Retail tip number one: Windows are the eyes to your store. What do they reflect? When customers step out of a cab or car, with or without danish & coffee in hand, and they look into your windows, do they stop? Do they gaze longingly? Do they dream of owning what they see? Does it call out to them 'Notice me!' (I do not mean scream. Effective displays never scream. They call, invitingly, like a siren's song, luring customers.) Is there light? Sparkle? Color? Interest? Is it clear what your product is?

Or, in some cases, is it clear what you are selling - the sizzle not the steak, so to speak. As in, 'It's not the clothes, it's the confidence that they inspire'. You know that philosophy. So did Holly. She's not longing for the diamonds per se - but the lifestyle and sense of accomplishment and worth that they stand for. She identifies with the image that the store presents. Here's what she said about that:

"I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is, but I know what it's like. It's like Tiffany's."

"When I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump into a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away."

"If I could find a real life place to make me feel like Tiffany's, then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name." -Holly Golightly

Do your customers aspire to live a lifestyle 'as seen in your store'? Are you inspiring them? Are you helping them to create, enjoy, improve, and enhance their lives? If you have ever heard the comment 'Oh, I could just LIVE here in your store!' , you're doing it right!

In a publicity shot for the film, Audrey is Breakfasting at Tiffany's as Holly Golightly, enjoying the luxury and excess of the lifestyle she longs for. There are a few key merchandising tips you can see in this photo:

That tablecloth next to Audrey? Note the color. Tiffany Blue. Signature color. Brand Image. There is no sign visible anywhere in this photo, yet because of that color and the jewelry, we know it is located at Tiffany & Co. This is what a brand image can do for your business, dear friends. Consistency in your visual presentation - using the same colors, fonts, taglines, style - will help your customers recognize your business in an instant.

Another note about color tips: the black tablecloths used on the other tables in this photo serve to make them stay in the background - our attention is focused directly on Audrey and that blue tablecloth in the foreground. This practice is called 'color spotting' and it is basically the science of using color to lead the customer's eye exactly where you want it to go. If there was a blue drape in the background, or a blue box on the counter, your eye would go there second. You can run a 'ribbon' of color from your windows through your store displays to your cashwrap, to make your customer move from place to place exactly as you want them to. Never fails!

Another tip: Simplicity when appropriate. The primary product of this business, jewelry, is small. It is delicate, and made up of many tiny details. Keeping everything else simple and subdued makes the jewelry stand out. Crisp lighting highlights the bling factor. Simple dark wood cases contrast with the bright shining metallic & jewel surfaces. Black velvet lining the cases serves the same purpose - when you look there, all you see is the sparkling jewelry. Don't over-prop or over-arrange small, delicate items. Let them stand out, so that all of the details can be noticed and appreciated.

Final tip: Attainable Status. HUH? I just pulled that phrase out of thin air. But what I mean by it is this: offer your customers (and potential customers) the ability to take a bit of the fantasy home with them. Create an experience, develop an image, position yourself in the marketplace. And if you are very high end - like Tiffany & Co. - don't apologize for that. Even in a 'recession'. Be proud of the quality you offer, of the excellence. Of the prestige, even. And then, make it possible for any person who walks in your store to take that home with them.

In the film, Paul and Holly go shopping at Tiffany's. They look at all of the wonderful offerings, both within and outside of their means, do some dreaming, and decide to have a Crackerjack ring engraved. It costs them ten dollars. They left the store with a Tiffany experience - for ten bucks. Holly was beaming. What can you offer your customers for ten bucks, or twenty bucks or five bucks, that exemplifies the experience, image, and prestige of your store? How can even customers on a strict budget share in what you are offering? Perhaps you can offer a votive candle version of your signature scent, in addition to a larger pillar size? How can you serve more customers, making them raving fans of your business who will spread the word about you? Oftentimes, it is a small thing that wins people over. When they need your product or service, they'll remember you, and you'll get their business. (Offering free retail tips on a blog serves the same purpose....wink)

Well my friends, that's the end of the appetizer course. I hope this post has sated your appetites for a bit... if not, may I suggest a danish and a cup of coffee?!

Image Credits: Property of Paramount Pictures, found on Google Image search at IMDB.com.
Buy the film here.

Flea With Me!

I asked fans on my Facebook Page to tell me what kinds of subjects they'd like to see me discuss here on my blog... and several cited Decorating. Happy to oblige!

Check out the brand new blog for soon-to-be-released Flea Market Style magazine. The blog just launched, the mag is on its way. Headed by Ki Nassauer (formerly of JunkMarket and now of Junk Bonanza & Junk Revolution) and Matthew Mead (formerly of Country Home magazine and author), this new publication will provide a plethora of tips, tricks, and inspiration for using secondhand items and bonafide JUNK to create stunning decor. The very talented staff is a virtual who's who of decor & blogging pros with a penchant for vintage style. I'm meeting my friend Heather Bullard, contributing editor, this weekend in Portland. I can't wait to hear more about what she's working on for upcoming issues!

You can see why I am on the bandwagon here, right? I've been preachin' this gospel to retailers for years now, and decorating myown home this way all my life. And it's ever so hip: When it comes to display & merchandising, as well as home decor, this is a whole new way to Go Green!

Eco-Friendly Stores in Tampa Bay

Today's awesome photo from downtown Tampa is brought to you by Elawgrrl via her Flickr site. Check out the rest of her catalogue here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elawgrrl/sets/72157606737215731/

This morning I sent out a call to all of our customer list asking them to take a few moments and vote for us in Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay. This year they have a category for Best Eco-Friendly Store. Our advertising has always been word of mouth and viral email-forwarding based on people that have seen what we offer and believe it is worth telling others about. To be honest, I don't know of that many stores like ours in the Bay. If we lived in San Diego or Brooklyn, that might be a different story. In Tampa eco-friendly stores are still blazing a trail that feels well-worn in other cities. We have visited places like Good Use in Boulder, Colorado and Sustainable NYC in New York where we love getting ideas and comparing notes with other shops.

In Tampa, you can find eco-chic clothing and gifts at Why Not Boutique on MacDill and in St. Pete you can find greener flooring and paints from Healthy Home for your remodeling and building projects. Tampa Bay Outfitters has some great green options for the outdoors. Finally, just this last week, I made it to Worm's Way Garden Center on 56th St. in Tampa and found an amazing array of organic gardening supplies as well as the natural ant killer, diatomaceous earth, that I'd been hoping to find.

We have also seen stores come and go here in our almost three years in business. We are always on the lookout for places that are doing the right thing. Let us know of other eco-friendly stores in the Bay in the comments and watch, as we will, for the results of the vote. I'm just proud to say that we have enough stores to actually have a category for the first time! Keep supporting all of us little green guys and we'll do all we can to keep you happy with quality products and knowledge. I would hate to see Wal-Mart or Whole Foods win the greenest store in Tampa Bay.

If you still haven't voted, then here's the link:

http://bestoftampa.technomile.com/bestoftampa.php

Vote now at Creative Loafing!

-Charles

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas.....?

I just knew this was going to happen. I mention the H word and suddenly I have a Christmas project!

This one's worth thinking about as I sit on the beach in the sun, however... it's for a very special event in October, for some very special gals. Check out the Funky Junk Sisters web site and the info on their Fall Antique & Flea Market Show. They've asked me to decorate an all pink Christmas tree for the 'Save The TaTas' special event on Friday, October 23 to benefit breast cancer research. I am most happy to support both this worthy cause and this show. Ideas for this tree are already swirling like cotton candy in my head!

I'm also going to be a vendor at this show with our Retreat Collection furnishings & home decor accessories, and will have to create some very special pink items to contribute to the festivities. I'm thinking that a pink addition to my famous 'Junk Queen Crown' line is in order.... sans ta ta's, of course!

Photo Credit: Country Living Magazine online, via google image search.

Five Star Design

Designer and HGTV show (Rate My Space) host Angelo Surmelis has designed a new line of affordable furniture. Not only is it great style, but it's available at Costco! The classic transitional shapes, friendly patterns and vibrant color combinations all speak to easy living and comfort - as well as reasonable price points. I love to see this kind of common sense used by designers and manufacturers alike. Go Here to ShelterPop to read more.

I love this promo shot because it shows the wide range of furnishings and fabrics available. Good move. But I love it mostly because the wonky angles and haphazard positioning of pieces conveys the energy and playfulness that are hallmarks of Angelo's style - it's a statement of brand image, even though there is no signage or designer name anywhere in it. His smiling face and trademark jaunty straw hat are all he needs to stand out. It's perfect. Angelo has a blog, too!

(And if I were rating the furnishings in that space, it would get five stars*****)
Photo Credit: ShelterPop

I'm Going to Say the H Word....

How are your plans for Holiday 2009 coming along? Yes, I said the H word. Holiday. 'WHAT?!' I hear you gasping. 'It's only AUGUST!' Yes, and that means the Holiday season is just weeks away.Yes, friends - WEEKS!

You do realize that the Holiday Season is not what it used to be, right? It begins immediately following Labor Day (if not before) and includes the fall holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving) along with those we traditionally think of as 'Holiday' (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan).....is your head spinning yet? Are you shopping the gift shows right now, adding last-minute orders and cash & carry products to your lists? Is your stockroom full of product for fall & Halloween and Thanksgiving? Are there boxes of Christmas merchandise stacked & waiting for floor space? Most of you are saying yes right about now.That's the easy part.

The hard part is that you need to have a plan ready for how, where, when, and why those boxes of product will make it to the sales floor. And you need that plan NOW, my friends. Before you pull an all-nighter to set it up. Before you leave a list of 'to do's' with the staff. Before you have the invites for your big fall decor unveiling event printed. (You ARE having a big unveiling event, aren't you?) Before your ads hit the media.

Since most retailers count on the holiday season for a large percentage of their annual income, it makes sense to plan for it. But far too many businesses just roll the stuff out on carts and start stuffing it into display. Don't sabotage yourselves! With a bit of planning, you can reap all of the benefits of a successful Holiday season.

First, determine where the main focal locations are in your store.
Front & center, windows and immediate adjacencies, and both behind & beside the cash wrap are always a good place to start, generally speaking. Stand in your store entrance and see where your eye naturally lands as you enter, just as your customers do. Then look behind your front & center display area - a bit farther back into your store. There's one great spot. And then back a bit farther, there is another. If you focus on these areas, you will create a corridor of display areas that will focus attention on your holiday merchandise and act as a device to draw your customers into the depths of your store.

I mention this because in my line of work, I see far too many retailers that pack the entire front of their stores with Holiday merchandise.... and it sells, yes. But they miss the opportunity to get customers into the other areas of their stores - the areas that hold the basic, day-to-day product lines, the bread & butter lines, that people use all year long. The ones you want them to come back to your store for after the Holidays are over. Build in a reason for them to remember you and return...

Next, look at what you've purchased for the season and determine what works together to create themes or styles. Will you have a white wintery look, a warm woodsy look, and a bright colorful look? Will you have country, shabby chic, French flea market, and modern vintage styles? Once you've determined that, look around your store and see what you already have that fits in those categories. Adding everyday merchandise to your new Holiday offerings expands the scope and impact, plus it helps you make room on your sales floor to FIT all that new stuff! You don't have to pack up the old stuff, just rearrange it in new groupings & settings.

Now, you need to figure out how you can take those Holiday products and create big, fabulous displays with them. Take that winter white theme I mentioned: can you add big branches sprayed with snow, and bring in a selection of old sleds to use as risers for the white ceramic snowman figures, dishes, and ornaments? Take a theme and run with it - add large-scale props like these to make it really engaging. Sprinkle some faux snow around to really give it a mood.

Then, add some NON-Holiday merchandise to those displays. To the example above, I'd add some plain white dishes, cups, red napkins, a selection of hot chocolate mixes, little bags of marshmallows, (and display some in big glass vases), and of course mittens and scarves. Youv'e just taken 'everyday' merchandise and elevated it to extraordinary by association with the Holiday theme - AND you have increased the likelihood of raising the per transaction total of a purchase. (How could your customer possibly buy a ceramic mug with a snowman on it as a gift without also buying the hot chocolate mix and some marshmallows?!)

A simple way to keep your displays looking fresh & new throughout the season is to create a 'set' that will help you feature many types of merchandise. To show off themed papers, stationery, partyware, and ornaments, a long harvest table, a few chairs, and a sideboard arranged like a dining room will hold a ton of product and will help you present it successfully every season:

In fall, use harvest baskets to present the items and an old ladder hung horizontally overhead to hang more baskets from. For Halloween, switch it out to black & white & orange, and hang lots of black chandeliers overhead. For Thanksgiving, group items on large platters and in soup tureens - yes, even cards and gift bags and napkins! This creative presentation will make your customers smile and notice those everyday items in a new way. When it's time for Christmas merchandise, bring in the everyday dishes and mixing bowls and cookie cutters and aprons and kitchen stuff.... make it look like an old fashioned cookie baking party. Then add in the holiday papers and cards that coordinate with that look to take it over the top. Add in some vanilla, birthday cake, and cupcake scented candles for a real sensory effect!

These are really simple, easy ways to be effective with your visual merchandising. Planning each display area's 'set' and use throughout the season will help you maximize your time, your effort, and your profits. And your customers will be clamoring to see just what you come up with next...

(Oh, by the way, have you started planning for winter/spring 2010 yet? Olympics, anyone?!)

Game On!

Just found this fun widget on HGTV's Design Star Blog! Test your designer mettle against the clock, and try to avoid hearing Clive say the dreaded phrase: "Your Show Has Been Canceled"!

Hitting the Right Note

Friday, I discovered a few new shops in Anacortes, Washington. One of them, Island Home Collection, offered this inspiring sight as we walked in. A baby grand piano, used as the cashwrap. The piano is fully functional, according to the nice gentleman there who talked with us and graciously allowed us to photograph it. With a computer screen up on top, it serves perfectly for this home furnishings store.

This is a stunning and inspiring example of using unique items to enhance your store image. It also helps sell product - those fab upholstered stools are just perfect here. Turns something like a piano into a serving area. Hmmmmmn.... what a great idea....kind of like a few Piano Bars I know of.... ;0)

PS: Tamara, in answer to the question in your comment, from ME. My husband designed & created those two Piano Bars, and we debuted them at Farm Chicks in June. We're not that far from you! Email me for more details..... debi.wardkennedy (at) gmail (dot) com

Here's an Idea - Bikes for Clunkers

Photo from Tour de Fat

Okay okay, I know it's not a fair trade, but just give me a minute to make my case. First off, cash for clunkers is burning through cash like a freshly bailed out Wall Street exec on a trip to the Caymans. The money will only last a few more hours apparently, so why let this help so few people and take in so few clunkers?

Second, the automotive companies are not the only American businesses worthy of saving. How about some of our great biking companies like Trek or Cannondale? These are entrepreneurial and what could be more American than biking? Okay, so maybe the Tour de Fat isn't as big as the Tour de France yet, but it is growing - go ahead look it up when you're done.

So here you go - you bring in your clunker- something horrible with at least 6, hopefully 8 nasty cylinders and a poorly functioning or nonexistent catalytic converter. Free helmet if this is your daily driver. Anyway, so you then get a brand new, CO2 free, commuter bike! At the rate of let's say 400 bucks a piece, we could put 5 million bikes on the road for $2 billion (check my math, but I'm pretty sure on that). So then, you have taken 5 million cars off the road in exchange.

This is a ridiculously green proposal! Now you have to build new bike lanes and bike racks (jobs for americans) and you might even get a shower at work! Productivity bonus! If you think this is crazy, then just go ahead and burn through the rest of that cash, but just think about it... 5 MILLION BIKES. That's something to get stimulated about.

-Charles

Design Star: REALITY Show? HAH!

A former Diva's Thoughts on HGTV's Design Star 'Reality' Show:

1. This is not reality, folks. It's entertainment. The challenges, schedules, budgets, and parameters of the 'design' work is not based on what a designer, decorator, or architect deals with on a day-to-day real-life basis. It's heightened with drama, infused with egos, and edited to within an inch of its life to portray each person/contestant as a character in a finely crafted story. It's allllllll about ratings. (Case in Point: Jon & Kate. 'Nuff said.) A soap opera with paint cans, basically. We talked about that here last year.

2. Therefore, don't expect to see the 'best of the best' that is promised in the TV ads. This is the 'best they can do with what they are given under the circumstances', if that. That being said, I personally and professionally am appalled at what I am seeing these supposed 'professional' designer/decorators turning out. All of the contestants either work in the design field or own their own design business. If their results in real life echo what they are showing us on TV, God help them. Dan's white room challenge design is an exception of this observation!!!

3. HGTV's web site has weekly Vlogs by first-ever (and best-ever, in my opinion) Design Star Winner David Bromstead, recapping each episode and adding his own comments. His OWN. It's just Dave and a camera, sharing his perspective on what's transpired. He's allowed to do that, they've asked him to do that, and he's very genuine and true to his own personality as he speaks. For those who are leaving nasty, snarky comments about his 'Tude, well, he's earned the right to say what he thinks. He proved himself already. Neither Dan, nor any of the other contestants, are competing against David, so lighten up already! David knows his stuff and he's uniquely qualified to share insights about this show with us. Rock ON, Bromstead!

4. I personally think team challenges should come later in the series. Start with the individual challenges, let us - and the judges - see the strengths and weaknesses of each person, see if they can bring their own sense of style to each challenge, and then go for the team projects. Why do I feel this way? Before any eliminations, I want to see WHY each of them were chosen to participate in thie show, above the thousands of other designers who auditioned. I want to see the color expert use color in a fearless and elegant way. Hmmmn. I want to see the set designer do something completely amazing that turns a white walled room into a mansion interior, just as he does for films. Hmmmn. SO not happening.

5. I am sick to death of the 'Designer vs. Decorator' wars and the attitude that if it's not 'designer label' or the hippest new trend on magazine pages, it isn't really design. UGH. Design is the act of creating something that has value. Period. Design takes creativity, imagination, thoughtfulness, awareness. All seriously lacking in the White Room Challenge. (Dan excepted).

I have to ask WHY on Earth no one went to the housewares aisle of that grocery store, to grab the sheets of cheesecloth on the canning supplies shelf to make soft, gauzy, billowy curtains or tablecloths or slipcovers with? WHY did not one single contestant use waxed paper, parchment paper, or foil to create a stunning wall treatment or faux window effect? WHY did we see a bunch of tiny little fruits and paper plates and freakin' plastic cups used as decorative elements????? BORING!!!!!!! And totally against visual principles for television - go for BIG impact, BIG effect, BIG elements, not a bunch of tiny things. And don't even get me started about the methods of 'construction' used. OI.

6. When I watch a show like this, I want something I can use, or that my clients can use. I want to see the competitors have to design a room for a woman who lives in a 600 square foot apartment in a senior living center, with over seventy years' worth of possessions that she has gathered on her life's journey. They would have to use everything that is already there - and she refuses to part with ANY of it. THAT is reality! Show me that, show me real-life dilemmas that require creative thinking, imagination, respect for the client, and with a budget of under a thousand bucks, and maybe I'll be able to watch an entire episode without reading a book or blogs at the same time. Sad that it's not even entertaining, just disappointing.

OK, I'm done. And yes, I'll keep tuning in. What about you?????

Community Garden Membership Meeting This Week

Photo from Robin Milcowitz

I visited the Seminole Heights community garden last weekend with my nephew to do a little sweaty volunteer work. It actually ended up being one of those extremely sweaty, change your shirt twice kind of days. Kyle was up for helping, so we went down and did some mowing and trimming. We also got to move some huge piles of horse manure for compost creation. We offered to do general labor because we are pretty new to gardening and can't really be trusted with actual edible plants at this point. However, our tomato and pepper plants in our little garden at home are starting to show early signs of food production.


We had a good time at the garden and shot some photos when it was all done. I always come away from the garden with some new knowledge from the seasoned folks that are consistently working there. Thanks Cindy and Piet! The horse manure apparently has lots of nitrogen but needs to be converted to something a little more user-friendly for the plants to accept it (my limited understanding). So they planted a lot of black eyed peas in this manure heavy compost to do the work. They intend to plow under the peas and use that newly bountiful soil to generate a fall harvest. I hate to see some of the sad poolies (what they call the kiddie pool container gardens) in such a poor state, but summer gardening is tough. I've seen plants wilt in one hot day without watering. The poolies with the peas look amazing though! Huge chia pet mounds of green just shooting for the sky! I hope that this meeting can help re-energize us all and get us back in the garden starting with the big Labor Day planting coming up.


We're not gonna let our first tough summer beat us down! See ya at the garden. Check out the meeting if you're in the hood.





-Charles

This was sent from Robin, the organizer of our local and new community garden in Seminole Heights. Details from her email follow below.

Hello! We have some new things happening! Be sure to check out all the events and take a gander at the front page too! We're adding gardening tips & Green News & Stuff blog entries daily. C U Soon!

Time: August 5, 2009 from 7pm to 8:30pmLocation: Seminole Heights United Methodist ChurchOrganized By: Robin Milcowitz
Event Description:Our first guest speaker is from the USF Engineering Department and they'll be talking about a program they'reworking on that converts trash to energy.Our second speaker is Willow Lamonte! She'll be giving an in-depth talk about organic gardening and she'llalso be answering your questions and helping you with basic trouble-shooting advice. She'll also be bringingin her books and some additional items to show us that she uses in her own garden.We'll have some drinks available. Please feel free to bring some light snacks to share.We'll have our T-shirts available to purchase and bumper stickers too!Don't miss out on this great event!This meeting is also a way for us to reconnect with people we don't get to see at the garden very much and allow people to come in and let us know how you think we're doing. Things we could do better and even some new things we aren't doing yet. We hope you'll join us.


Thank you!

Tying a string on my finger....

....to remind me that I WILL remember to stop anything I am doing at precisely 10 PM tonight and finally actually get to watch Design Star on HGTV. I've unwittingly missed it for the last two weeks because I just get so wrapped up in something, and at about 11:30 PM I suddenly remember what night it is and let out a yelp! (Tho from reading the web site, watching clips, and perusing reviews of each episode on blogs, it seems I really haven't missed MUCH...)

Tonight, I'm settling in with some popcorn and vanilla Coke well before the show starts. And I only posted the link to the HGTV DS blog - I didn't read it. No spoilers!!!!