Ok so you are beginning to see more traffic in your store as the economy opens up. I’m hoping you have rehired your local Visual Merchandiser to create dynamic window displays to lead those customers back into your store. 
 
What’s next? I suggest, front and center, at the main entrance, a masterfully merchandised Table Scape. A table scape does not only refer to dining anymore, it can include any types of “lifestyled” merchandise, from clothing to grocery displays
 
A few tips when creating a top selling table scape:
 
1 Group by Color: 
Will there be one predominate color? This can be quite successful for holiday statements. For example, Red packaging for Valentine’s Day. Will there be two opposite colors. Check you color wheel. For an example of opposites attract, try purple and yellow.
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​2 Group by Holiday Season:
Don’t wait until the last minute to promote for the holidays. Work closely with your buyers so there is plenty of seasonal merchandise to display at least a month in advance. Here is an example of a seasonally merchandised table scape I created for the wine industry.

​3 Group by Lifestyle:
Know your customer! What would appeal to them in an aspirational way? 
You should take advantage of all the marketing research your company can provide. Here is another example from the wine industry that I titled “Lakeside.” Not much of stretch assuming a lovely day by the lake would include some delicious wine.

Remember: Color, Season and Lifestyle to create a top selling Table Scape!
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I was in mid-century heaven staying at one of my favorite hotels in LA. The Avalon Hotel combines world-class concierge service with a laid back early sixties vibe. The guests included working stiffs like myself along side Japanese metal bands and the size zero models found roving only in LA. The Yellowfin Tuna Tartar with Pine Nut Creama, Pickled Onions and Ciabatta Crostini at Viviane Restaurant was a sublime gift to a tired Visual Merchandiser!
After a quick dip in the pool I was out like a light, ready for my next stay at Beverly Hills' modernist gem.

Portland has it's own twist on the hipster oasis. After perusing the 2016 AIA Portland Homes Tour, including the modernist Doppelgänger house, we chowed down on juicy BBQ and sipped Sweet tea with Bourbon at the homey hot spot The People's Pig. Later that night there was a treat in store. Only in Portland could you find a 1920s home complete with rooms full of retro flocked wall paper converted into the Beech Street Parlor. Try the mouth-watering lime margaritas and Fettuccine w/ arugula pesto! Then it was off to Canon Beach for some outstanding views and awesome tide pool gazing. I'm starting to think the locals' dire warnings of constant rain are meant to keep us San Franciscans out!

Chickens everywhere!

I recently had the pleasure of organizing a Spring Celebration at my bros stunning home in Philadelphia. This historic gem is an 1856 Gothic revival mansion attributed to Samuel Sloan. The delicious catering by Catering By Design was top notch. The build-your-own cupcake buffet was such a hit that even Mr. Gravener forgave us for NOT forgetting his recent birthday! Thanks to Produce Junction in Glenside, PA, I created some simply elegant arrangements. Happy Birthday Spring babies!

A recent trip to New York City has recharged my creative juices! Central Park was in full Spring Fling mode. My spirits were not dampened to learn that the ramps were closed at the Guggenheim Museum. The outstanding permanent collection was chock full of my modernist icons. Talk about food! Cheesecake is all I will say.