I am ALL about vignettes. I was looking at a photo album a while back and realized that even as a 15 year old I was setting little scenes in my bedroom. One shelf was my “Rock shelf” where I displayed a Led Zeppelin bandanna as a backdrop for my moccasin suede purse, a leather bracelet and all my little rock and roll collectibles. By my bed was my punk rock area where my black plastic bat hung from the ceiling in front of way too many band fliers, pictures torn from magazines, a few postcards from England, and some Minor Threat song lyrics. On and on it went throughout my life. It seems I would rather set small moods in many little places rather than create one big thematic experience. In this way it’s like taking tiny trips to different environments all throughout my space. My store is a perfect reflection of this philosophy. I have the “Hipster Urbanite Lounge area”, the “Sexy Cougar area”, the “Hollywood Producer Bachelor area”, etc. I love creating different moods just by switching up a few pieces of furniture and adding and subtracting accessories.
If I’m going to make a pronouncement for summer it’s this, “It’s all about what you serve it in.” I am tired of boring glasses and I want to see the glamour and fun come back into our lives. Having a few friends over IS an occasion and it’s way more fun to serve them drinks from a great carafe, or to use beautifully colored Polish or Hungarian shot glasses for that Petron. I love the old school look of Bourbon and Whiskey in cut crystal bottles. I’ve started collecting antique bottle stoppers for the shop as they add so much class to a boring bottle.
Setting a scene is easy. Make it special by adding fresh flowers, taking some throw pillows outdoors and spreading a blanket, staging a prop or two ( a great chair here, an antique Buddha statue there) and enjoy the moment.
How often do any of us even get the chance to relax anymore? Do so in style!
Melisa
