Retail Odyssey: The John Robshaw Sample Sale

fergana lotus duvet cover by john robshaw - blanket stitched edges

My intentions were noble. Swing by the hallowed annual John Robshaw sample sale, locate a Primrose decorative pillow sham, buy it at an awesome discount and go home. If there were no Primrose shams on hand, I was to leave empty-handed. No other purchases, since more bedding is the last thing I need. 

That was the plan going in. Unfortunately, there were no Primrose shams to be had... To my credit, I only spent $20 on the duvet above.

Retail Odyssey: Earthy & Exotic at Pier 1

the moroccan coffee table base with glass round top

Is Pier 1 killing it, a little, kinda? Some of their summer offerings are shall we say, righteous. Sexy in that understated, clean & natural sort of way. Items that feel rich and stately without being too showy or ornate. 

Mrrrowwwrrrr...

Lotus Tableware by Michael Aram Designs

madhouse by michael aram's lotus platter (melamine)

This doesn't count as an impulse buy. It as good as called my name! I held out for a week before hitting the buy button. Look at it! It's a LOTUS FLOWER! Carved down to the last petal vein and seed pod. I mean- have you ever?! Of course I bought one! It's by Michael Aram. You know how gorgeous his tableware is. It was the right thing to do. I know because they accidentally sent an extra - and let me keep it...

Retail Odyssey: Madura Opens in NYC

909 Broadway - you can't miss 'em

On a street filled with the likes of ABC Carpet & Home, Safavieh, Design Within Reach, and Domain, a certain modern French flair has joined the mix. Madura has opened it's U. S. flagship store on Broadway in the Flatiron district: stripes, bold colors, jaunty patterns and luxurious textures.  

Now your stroll from Madison Square Park to Union Square just got that much dreamier.

Retail Odyssey: Patchwork Patterns at Vivaterra

vivaterra's kantha loveseat is a real showpiece

Thankfully this foxy little number is well out of my price range, 'cause that's all that stands between me and an epic impulse buy. Obviously it's best feature is the gorgeous patchwork Indian kantha in bright hues and energetic patterns. But it's secondary asset is the shape: those slimmed English roll arms, those carved legs (with casters!) and the tufted back. It's quite a stately little piece. I'd probably like it just as much in a solid color.

But it isn't solid. Not at all...

Retail Odyssey: Rustic Modern at Target

the new asmara furniture collection from mudhut @ target.com

One of Target.com's featured home dec brands, Mudhut, is now offering furniture in a clean, earthy style. The Asmara line looks warm and sturdy being made of four woods and metal hardware. The collection is on the affordable side with nothing priced higher than $179.99. I love the long, slim legs on the tables. Plenty of room to store other things underneath them, especially that console. These are pretty versatile. The product line is Indian/South Asian style, so it will coordinate well with various global styles, whether colorful or monochrome. 

Retail Odyssey: A Peacock Hamper

one of those things you can't find just anywhere

I was in Toronto this summer and tried to take in as much of the city as possible. One of the first things I did was stroll a good length of Yonge Street. I mostly covered the retail-heavy part that is full of malls, restaurants and shops. One of my first stops was HomeSense whose ads I often see in Style at Home and House & Home magazines. Turns out it's just like our own Home Goods/Marshalls/TJ Maxx in the U. S. 

Lotus & Fig: New Homewares

the paz pillow from crate & barrel

Not sure when I last set foot in Crate & Barrel. In recent years, I've seriously curtailed my window shopping. Much easier to keep what you make if you steer clear of temptation, right? But I may have found my 2014 birthday present! It encompasses so much of what I love in color + texture + pattern. The watercolor designe makes it seem like a rich silk, but it's actually printed cotton. Maybe I'll get rid of (sell off) all my other throw pillows and add this to the couch. Move forward with a lighter load and a fresh update at the same time. 

Maybe...

Someday: A Lotus Sink

My Friday evening was full of serendipity. Prior to the fabric run and stumbling on the new domino magazine, I was strolling past Gracious Home in Chelsea and spied a gorgeous sink in the window. 

Retail Odyssey: Springtime at West Elm

new organic bedding: bead print ikat

How they tempt me. Somehow, West Elm just keeps bringing the interesting and cozy homewares, season after season. It's no secret that their Moroccan and Indian offerings are my favorites. But I also find their Modern, Greek, Japanese, etc. compelling. Their latest goods zing with color, pattern and shape. How not to be impressed?

Retail Odyssey: MELT Candles at Target

bright colors and gorgeous designs carved into the candles

There's a cool new home fragrance line at Target called MELT.  The candles, reed diffusers and candle holders are handsomely packaged and shaped in Moroccan key patterns. Of the decidedly Holiday themed range, my money is on the Pomegranate & Sugared Cranberry followed by Salted Caramel & Buttercream.

Retail Odyssey: New Pieces at Pier 1

It was just one of those random evenings when I was heading down Broadway and decided to stop into a couple of stores. First, Anthropologie which has completely remodeled and actual feels smaller somehow. It is beautiful though...  Then into Pier 1 at 15th Street and there was quite a lot to catch the eye. They too have reorganized they layout including this gorgeous display wall full of African and Indian decor.  

Throughout the store some real gems stood out:

Retail Odyssey: Target's Global Shower Curtains

Saw some great shower curtains in Moroccan and Indian patterns recently. From paisley to key lattice to peacock and more modern prints, the range is pretty impressive. And the colors are largely cheerful and refreshing - something I prefer in a bathroom, no matter the size.

I took some photos of the store displays because the website photos are just too small to really appreciate:

Retail Odyssey: Global Designs at Target

Like a good girl, I've been staying out of stores unless I need something. What an aboutface! Five years ago, I went shopping every weekend to make sure I didn't miss something good or to get out of the house and get a little 'exercise.' Wow. Anyway, so I was looking for a good low price on a book and swung through the whole store besides. Some very cute things for good prices (that is Target's specialty, no?).

First, there were these awesome lampshades:

moroccan lattice - floor lamp size shade

Retail Odyssey: DVF Studio at BB&B

summer paisley: go ahead, scream down deep in your soul

So I swung by Bed Bath & Beyond in search of a certain moisturizer. (They tend to have the best prices on drugstore items.) Since I hadn't been there in a while, I decided to browse the entire store. ...And discovered that Diane Von Furstenburg is doing a dedicated homewares line (bed and bath) just for them called DVF Studio. And it be pretty as hell: 

Retail Odyssey: And Another Thing...

I did take that swing by my local Target to check out this collection. Of course, there were a lot more pieces in store than are listed online. Lots of handsome modern pottery, metal trays with a Moroccan trim, and carved candles. 

A couple of pleasant surprises were this lamp base and throw rug:

deep, teal ceramic with a lantern pattern around the midsection

Retail Odyssey: Target's New Modern Morocco

Looks like Target is ringing in the new year with one of those things it does so well: a mini collection of Moroccan-inspired home decor. The 'Modern Morocco' collection combines traditional patterns with modern color schemes for a very crisp looking line. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

The navy pillow seems particularly strong between the colors and the nailhead trim. Very chic and gender-neutral. The bone-colored inlay picture frames are very earthy and subdued. The pattern on that lamp shade is a personal favorite. I need a new lampshade like a I need a hole in the head, but if the embroidery was a nice brown... Poufs are always great and this on seems to be a sturdy canvas with embroidered pattern. Expect it to sell out. And really, that table is fantastic! Light profile, shapely, and a good size at 24"h x 18"w.

I might stroll over to my neighborhood store and check this line out in person.

Retail Odyssey: Pier 1

Over the past year or so, I have really fallen off visiting stores. It is so much easier to hold onto your cash when you avoid the temptation altogether. For several years my habit was to regularly visit places like Target, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Pier 1, and Anthropologie. Those places actually replaced my habit of visiting clothing and department stores. The habit developed from the feeling that I might miss something. A feeling that the retail industry fostered through  marketing and merchandising tactics, I'm sure. Get it before it's gone!

So, I'm actually proud of myself for having reigned it in. That said, I do occasionally still visit some of these places. The other day I went to Target to get a new curling iron. Yesterday, I went to Pier 1 because it was closed for a remodel all summer and I wanted to see the new look. Those stores have looked the same since I was a teenager. As a college student I used to be fond of their $6 tai chi slippers for wearing around the dorm. They were black on black. When Pier 1 stopped carrying clothes I was never able to find that color again. Not even in China Town NYC! Everyone carries black with white soles. Ugh. So, I swung by and had a look. The difference is not drastic. Departments have been switched around: dishes are now up front, rugs are at the very back. The red ceramic tile floor is now a very light color. They had both their longstanding assortment of candles/fragrances, plus a new higher end line. 

Overall, it was a freshened yet familiar experience. Here are some cool items I saw: