Anthropologie In New Orleans

Anthropologie New Orleans
Handsome stacked stone facade

We finally have an Anthropologie in New Orleans. I don't think it's a huge deal, because we have such great boutique shopping on Magazine Street. But still it's nice to have another fancy big box store within the city limits.

Witty displays abound at Anthropologie

I was invited to the grand opening party, a hoopla that filled the 9,000 square foot store (on two floors), that previously housed another big box mega store: Pottery Barn.

Cute line up of table height stools

But I went back after the party on a quiet Monday morning to really see the store. It is a lovely space, something you would expect to see done by someone with deep pockets.

The only suspension staircase in North America!
That's what the shop girl said!
The cables remind me of The Brooklyn Bridge

Charming still life at Anthropologie

There are several clever display ideas that might be translated for home use. I was told by a shop girl that the display team designed things on the spot especially for the space, that they didn't have any preconceptions, though I find that hard to believe. Anthropologie is an identifiable brand, and each store anywhere looks like an Anthropologie.

Clever use of fabric pieces cover a settee

I loved many of the displays, finding them more interesting than the merchandise. This store feels light on home furnishings. I was hoping with this massive amount of space to see some of the larger goods we only see in the Anthro catalog.

The spoon and faux food make this bowl Pop Art
I tried to buy it as is, but they wouldn't sell the bowl with the display
Also love the witty table runner made out of restaurant guest checks
We can do this!

There are plenty of clothes and table top items, and other smalls displayed.

Table runner made from restaurant guest checks

I asked the shop girl if I could get her email and contact her later about some of the merchandise and displays, but she got very jumpy, saying that Anthropologie is super protective of what it does. She is very proud to be part of the team, and told me about the Bravo TV show (duh) as we walked to the dressing room area where the Magpie Chandelier is displayed.

Anthropologie Magpie Chandelier

She thought it was so clever how the owners pick up odds and ends "from all over the world" that magically get turned into a chandelier. I demurred that the idea of a magpie chandelier has been done by many artists, and sure this one is cute but (not magic)....

I'm a sucker for typography so I bought a metal letter
The lace on the letters is a bit twee

Still I bought a couple of things, though most things are just too expensive and not that unique anymore.

If money were no object, I would love the Union Jack ottoman

We are happy to have Anthropologie in New Orleans. It's a nice fit. They have employed some New Orleans artists HERE

Jack on the Union Jack
We work at perch. together

Maybe my years and years of experience are showing, and maybe because I work in the best home furnishings shop on Magazine Street, I just was not bowled over by the store. In fairness I wasn't bowled over in New York either.

I might impulse buy one of these metal hooks

It's the kind of place I'll stop in if I'm early for a movie date (the shop is in the Canal Place mall where there is a cinema).

Beguiling dog plate at Anthropologie

And I'm sure to pick up some little thing, beguiled by the displays.



If money were no object, I would buy the Union Jack ottoman, or any number of other pieces of furniture.

I would not buy this chair

What about you guys? Last year the blogs were all a-gush with posts about Anthropologie. This year, I don't see as many. Are you still in love with Anthro?

I might try to make this display chandelier
It's made from plastic lids from take-out coffee cups

Or is it just the lousy economy putting a damper on shopping posts in general?

I like the way the art piece becomes a 3-D extension of the wallpaper
This would work in home decor

And I really love the way the piece of art crawls onto the ceiling!

This store display is made from folded tin can tops!
It is an amazing work of art

Instant cereal or instant Pop Art?
A plastic spoon and a piece of fabric
A little wooden block underneath holds it up

Anthropologie has some great books
And the right one displayed becomes an art object

Cute cement pots only $8.

Table top merchandise
Rope chandelier has been done by some of you

Tented
Use canvas painters drop cloths in your home

A Dirty Little Secret

Dear Vern Yip,
My dirty little secret is that I actually like you and your work. You are oft ridiculed on the blogs as a veteran mediocre designer who relies on big box store merchandise, who uses an alarming amount of candles mounted on walls, who likes to over use multiples and lots of knick-knacks, who has a soft heart for those in need, who can be a bitchy Asian empress on Design Star, etc. etc.

But here you are designing an Urban Oasis in New York City, that is to be given away in a sweepstakes.

Italian made sofa, antique Peruvian rug, vintage bar cart as an end table

At first I wanted to hate it. All the "hip Yip", "urban" big box stores are represented: West Elm, CB2, Crate and Barrel. I read all the catalogs, so all the merch is instantly recognizable.

Couch converts to chaise

And I work in a home furnishing shop that is a dealer for Kartell, so I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw the Ghost Chair used in multiples.

And the couch converts to a bed
Maybe the dogs will like it

The apartment itself is a slippery slope. It's in a trendy hotel, and to me it doesn't seem very much like a home, but rather a glorified hotel room, something to visit once in awhile but not to live in.

The apartment at night

I will replace and lower the chandy

But if I win, I do plan to live here. I don't know if the building allows pets, because there are two dogs to be reckoned with. I also don't know if there is a monthly maintenance fee, or what the property taxes will be, or for that matter what the taxes will be on the value of the winnings of this prize. I will surely have to sell my home in New Orleans to afford these things, and then who knows for how long? But that's okay, because I will work my ass off to afford living in New York again.

Over size photo over the couch - it could be bigger
An image taken in the Natural History Museum in New York
I will change the side lamps, and ditch the knick-knacks

But back to the decor. As I poured over the photos of what you did for this space, I began to appreciate it. Your choices are thoughtful, and I suppose all you could do with this cold box of a small, impersonal place. That, and I am sure all those stores donated the furnishings.

Classic modern chaise

I wonder what you would have done if you were doing this place up for yourself, and money were no object. Perhaps you would not have chosen this address, or if you weren't looking a gift horse in the mouth, you might have purchased a larger apartment, or perhaps two small units like this, and joined them.

Classic modern chaise - this is a keeper

I like the way you tried to add some funky artifacts, and some photographs. Perhaps I would not have chosen photos with images of New York, since, duh, the living photograph of the city is right outside the window.

Groovy artifact with CB2 candle holder

And the apartment feels a little cold. The light is New York tends to be on the cool side, and this apartment just doesn't say cozy...yet. Gray is fine, but this is not the right one.

Nice wood floors - maybe too dark?

I of course can add the finishing touches, and style it to look much more inhabited and less like a catalog photo shoot. I would add some color, though you tried with that red rug, but man that red is so heavy looking. I would also add window treatments.

Ghost chairs in dining area shows how small the living space is

But overall I like what you did Vern, and Alberto, my co-worker Jack, and I are entering to win everyday. We have a three way pact that if one of us wins, we will share the place with the other two. The questions of who will sleep on the sofa bed, or how three adults can share a bathroom, or how we will get Jack's 60 pound dog Girl who is object phobic into an elevator, all remain to be worked out. (Cholo we can pick up and carry in, or for that matter smuggle him into the building in a tote bag).

But work it out we will!

Galley kitchen
The table used as an island is pretty cool
But the whole of the main room seems to fit on the rug!

The bedroom
The back wall looks like glorified cinder blocks - this is not witty

Bed is from Oly - hope it's a king!

Another clever artifact with another photo of New York
Duh, just look out the window
I will change the art work

Greek Key bedding from Williams Sonoma

Pocket door between living area and bedroom

Leather covered radiator cover makes it a window seat!
Oh boy hot leather!!!

On closes inspection it looks like faux ostrich
Nubby and hot!

The hotel size closets are painted a bright color inside

The skinny console came from ABC Home
It's a great space saver, and the mirror finish is nice
All the electronics you win look great

The bathroom
I do not like the asshatbox toilet

So dear Vern, thanks for designing this Urban Oasis. You did a heck of a job Vernie!!!
ex oh ex ho

Happy Weekend!

Painting of Cholo and the Visual Vamp enjoying life at Coquette
by the fabulous Fifi Flowers who loves life!

It's all about the joy of life!

Photo that inspired Fifi Flowers

Happy Weekend!

Check out page 186!


Our new issue (No. 4)

Is a burst of happy! We enjoy the enthusiasm and energy that comes from the creative, collaborative process...and we are in awe of the talented professionals who contributed to and are featured on each glossy-digital page! Here's a taste of what's inside: • Chef Lea McIntosh prepares an Old World fusion-feast • Going nutty over Lea's new BaklaPops! • Exciting times for Food Network star Tyler Florence • Find your own Casbah cool, rustic wonderland or urban oasis... • Celebrity Coops (our new feature)…See ABC's The Gates star Marisol Nichols at home • Living with art...with expert advice for starting your own collection • Meet the bloggers...and read their Nestimonials There’s so much more to discover—read about Iconic Nester Michelle Workman, Hollywood's A-list interior designer. Check out the must-haves for your kitchen pantry and your home. Discover Emily LaMarque's playful home design for a young, urban couple, and learn ingenious ideas from the hot LA designers who created rooms for Upward Bound House. Enjoy Issue No. 4! Don’t forget to enter to win the Bluebird Bag, our new Mag Swag Bag worth $2,226!

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Cigarette Tables

Karl Springer style cigarette table
in the living room of the Visual Vamp
from Neophobia

I never was a cigarette smoker, nor did I find it particularly glamorous as portrayed in the vintage movies I have always loved. My parents smoked and they had an array of Mad Men style decor accessories associated with smoking: fancy ashtrays and table top lighters, cigarette boxes and cups, and small tables sprinkled around the room called cigarette tables.

Things come full circle, and I was just gifted a lovely Karl Springer style cigarette table for my birthday. I saw it front of the shop Neophobia, attracted to the Lucite, and the clever design of the table. I have a thing for small drop-tables, called so because you can drop a drink or a book on them. Anyway, I told my friend Caroline about the table, saying it was in rough shape, that the price was good because of the condition, and most important, that I did not need another little table.

This lady also had an obsession for small tables
Image from The Peak of Chic

But the darling cigarette table appeared on my birthday, and I loved it right away. I cleaned it up, polished the Lucite, and gold leafed the brass, mainly because the bottom portion had been corroded and damaged.

Buy this Karl Springer style cigarette HERE

I did a little research about this style of table, and the name of Karl Springer popped up.

Go to ebay right NOW!!!!
This Karl Springer is a steal! HERE

There has been a huge resurgence in his popularity, and you can find many Karl Springer pieces, and in-the style-of pieces everywhere.

Stacked Lucite cigarette table HERE
This is for you Nicole!

The Duchess of Windsor loved and embraced Karl Springer's designs, and propelled him into further success in the 1960's and 1970's.

I spy a little Springer style table
in the home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

Whilst hopping around the internet looking for Springer tables in the rooms of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, I found a curious little site that sells DOW merchandise. I was charmed by the linens.

Buy these sweet linens HERE

Do you love and use drop tables too?

Cheerio y'all!