happy chic*

Who wouldn’t love Anthropologie?  And I’m not talking about the clothes.  Even before you walk into the store, shoppers have fallen in love with their ingenious window displays.  It’s like they can’t get it wrong.  Most of their displays incorporate all kinds of paper, cardboard, books, balloons and any kind of everyday object.  Their visual merchandisers are able to look beyond the window box and create spectacles for gazing sidewalk shoppers.  Their designs have never let me down.  You begin to wonder how they manage to keep dazzling us.

Even other retail stores are beginning to get in on the act.  Most notably, J.Crew, from what I can see.  Many store fronts are beginning to use exaggeration as a foundation for intriguing displays.  By this, I mean taking an ordinary object and multiplying it in number and arranging it in an aesthetically pleasing manner.  Interior designers do it everyday and are constantly searching for inspiration to continue to be ahead of the trends.

Next time you are shopping take the time to study the window displays, you might be able to use it in your own home.

Here are a few of my favorite picks:

Absolutely adorable-Paris Hilton inspired or Sex in the City west side worthy?

This royal blue velvet couch could not make a more appropriate cloud in the sky.

A very cool exaggeration of cut paper birds-very whimsical.

More beautiful paper sculpted into a mountain naturally amusing and unique shapes.  The different colors and folding add interest and shape.  Loving the flowers on top.

Here are some of j.crew’s similar designs:

What do you think?