The retail landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years thanks to style influencers like Restoration Hardware. Among the retailer’s latest moves: a 680-page “Wish Book” that landed with a resounding “thud” in mailboxes across America this season. Like the September issue of Vogue, aka the bible of Fall Fashion, the sheer weight of Restoration’s publication commanded attention in the daily deluge of holiday catalogs. A lesson in brand strategy, the message to consumers was pretty simple: In a world of retail sameness, when it comes to the home category, Restoration Hardware is, well, Big!
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Take a look at this month’s major magazine covers. Whatever the weather report may be saying, the home fashion forecast is calling for a white winter. Why white? White in all its myriad variations is clean and immaculate, pure in heart and spirit. Like a porch light that welcomes us home in the darkness or a cold glass of milk after a cookie, white comforts, calms and refreshes. Sounds pretty good in difficult times, doesn’t it?
Still, as wonderfully crisp and clean as white feels in a messy world, studies show we often choose white for the wrong reasons. Fearing a costly decorating mistake, homes (and retail stores!) get stuck in neutral, with walls awash in all manner of white and beige. Herewith, a few ideas on how to play it for all its worth this season, rather than play it safe.
First, my pick for this month’s most inspirational magazine cover. A simple white sofa surrounded by exciting, color-packed pillows is a quick fix for the winter doldrums. The good news is that it’s easy to harness this energy to promote the purchase of new home décor at your store.
Demonstrate to your customers that the advantage to having upholstered furniture in neutral tones is that it’s easy to quickly and affordably change the feeling of a room setting with colorful decorative accessories. 
After all, the very definition of a neutral palette is that it works beautifully with every other color on the wheel!
Bear in mind that, for home and home décor retailers, the best thing about HGTV is that all of their content constantly promotes change. My advice is to hop on the coattails of that media monster and start promoting like the savvy home fashionista that you are!
As John Ross, chief executive of Shopper Sciences recently noted in a report on 2011 Holiday Shopping Trends, “Americans may be under pressure from the economy, but that doesn’t mean they want to endure a disappointing holiday… For those retailers and brands willing to share, support and empower shoppers – rather than just sell to them – it has the opportunity to be a bright season.”
IMAX has made it easier than ever to empower your shoppers with an ever-expanding collection of ColorPOST accessory pods. The pods make it simple for your customers to pull a room together and a no-brainer for merchants to project a fashionable image!
Check out this video walkthrough of our new ColorPOST program hosted by Connie Post! View our entire ColorPOST program by logging in to our online catalog at http://www.imaxcorplive.com/
Mix history and tradition with a lighthearted, whimsical twist or pop of unexpected color…
Experience the magic of the French Quarter – from architectural details such as intricate cast iron railings and lush, private courtyards to the jazz music heritage and magnificent splendor that is Mardi Gras! Interpret all of this into a look that is uniquely your own…
Quaint and rustic, this look will make your heart soar in its warmth and charm.
Refreshing shades of earth and sky come together in this celebration of spring. This look will make you want to go for a picnic or a nature walk, but don’t forget to take along your binoculars for bird watching. Fly into spring with IMAX!
Full of ethnic color and pattern, this look is rich in natural appeal.
Step through the jungle and feel the beating of drums. Feel the primal nature of life as you absorb the colors, textures and patterns around you. Now use that inspiration to create this look. Feel the beat…
Consumer spending is pointing to an improving economy. Retail sales have risen for six months in a row. In fact, they were up 6.7% in 2010, the best gain in more than a decade. Retailers are shopping the winter markets with a little more cash in their pockets. Here are six home décor trends to keep in mind as you buy for 2011.
Bright and Happy
Perhaps consumers are feeling a little bit more confident about their finances or they are simply tired of economizing. They are ready to perk up their homes. Look for bright colors in home décor. Brights can be matched with grays and neutrals for a stunning effect. Pantone’s 2011 color of the year is Honeysuckle, a reddish pink (read more, below). Classic nostalgic themes and colors are making a comeback. Colors of the 1970′s (purple, teal and olive green) will influence home decor in 2011 and beyond. Look for gingham checks, cabbage roses, metal toleware and butterfly motifs. Product designers have found inspiration in the farm, creating products like cow and pig figurines and stools made of tractor seats.
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Structured | Distinctive | Dynamic
Create a cool classic room inspired by the beauty and tradition of British interiors. The Honeybee trend weaves a base palette of moody neutrals with layers of butter yellow, ochre and shiny amber. This trend satisfies the senses with dynamic, structured accents and unexpected charm. Embellished highlights are inspired by men’s haberdashery with tonal houndstooth, herringbone, and pinstripes. The hexagonal honeycomb shape, architecturally admired for its dihedral ability to fit together, is subtly incorporated into the soft and rigid elements of this trend from mirrors to accent pillows.
Here’s a selection of products from the Honeybee trend. You can view the complete trend by logging in to our Online Catalog.
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Trés Chic | Lavish | Sumptuous
Like turn-of-the-century Paris nestled in the Arts district, the Parisienne trend is drenched with glamour and detail. Anchored by nouveau styling like the Mirabella tufted chaise trimmed in gold velvet and classic marble top gallery tables, this trend lends a feminine mystery to every room. Bring the boudoir to the living room with rich details including glass mosaic photo frames and boxes reincarnated from glass bangles. There are winks at women’s fashion in the embellishments including corset-like ribbon lacing on pillows and antiqued printed wall art. Add an air of sophisticated romance with bold jewel tones and Parisienne trend accessories.
Here’s a selction of products from the Parisienne trend. You can view the complete trend by logging in to our Online Catalog.
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The right now retail trend in home accessories is everything nautical. I am seeing tons of retail dollars going toward sail cloth inspired bedding, clean bright colored paint and shiny nautical inspired lighting.
Some are a literal translation with everything from artwork to window treatments involving sails and flags, such as the huge full color spread in this month’s Elle Décor. Other interior publications have evolved the trend to include mid-century inspired pieces and found objects with driftwood sculptures, canvas slip-covered furniture and wood louvered shudders, like in this month’s issue of Veranda. No matter how you interpret the trend, it is a spot-on, can’t miss classic direction to go for yourself, your business or your client. The clean lines and minimal color stories are pleasing to virtually every eye.
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