Eco-Anthropologie

I have to give props to Anthropologie this holiday season for putting together some extraordinary windows in their stores.   As you know, I am constantly inspired by all the visual merchandising they do in their stores recycling everyday materials into something extraordinary.  I've seen plastic milk jugs made into lights...to large glass vases filled with nothing by walnut shells (and it somehow works)....

This post is dedicated to their very resourceful take on the holidays using everyday materials in very unexpected ways.   Check out this snowman, for example:    It's nothing but old white sweaters wrapped around into large balls to make a cozy and fuzzy snowman.   Sew on some old buttons, add a scarf and you've got something charming for your home.   Maybe you don't have to make one SO large, but imagine a tiny version just for your desk at home or the office.    And in that case, all you need is one beat-up sweater to make it happen.

And the snowflakes in the window!  Upon closer inspection, they are just pages from books and scrap paper cut into snowflakes:

You could just whip up a bunch using the Sunday comics and just scatter them all over a holiday tree.  All you need are scissors and some time!

Okay, this cardboard house is a BIT tough to recreate.   But I was thinking you could take a cardboard box---maybe a wine box---and cut out a door, windows, etc using a box cutter.  Paint it using leftover white latex paint (we all seem to have a half gallon can somewhere) and then add a roof to the top.   Here, they took spools of white yarn as "smoke."

You can find great ideas everywhere...

Comments

[Jennifer]

Hi Danny... I absolutely agree... I love what they've done with their holiday decor!!! I've even tried to recreate their yarn snow balls and trees, lots of fun to do!
Jennifer

[Ilana]

"You can't judge a book by its cover".

Danny,
the displays are lovely and I enjoyed seeing that they were selling An Inconvenient Truth (the book) when I last visited Anthropologie. However, upon closer look, their clothing is not eco-friendly and is mostly shipped in from other countries.

I wrote Anthropologie a letter about this recently and did not receive any response. I wish you wouldn't promote them on your blog!
Ilana

[shelby k]

i could honestly live in Anthro. whenever i'm home in boston and drive by the one on boylston, i always say "aw there's my home!" i absolutely love love love everything about the place!

[berton]

I just saw the windows. Their displays are the BEST !! I agree with you !! I love what they do !!

[DivaDeb]

The Anthro in Seattle has a HUGE - 8 foot tall plus - windmill, covered in the same sweaters! It looks like a giant kids' milk carton with a huge spinning wheel. AMAZING!

I love how this company touches on current hobby/craft/design trends for merchandising, lifting them above the prosaic PB look. Inspiring!

[LadyLaura]

Danny,
Just a short little note to let you know how much I LOVED the pictures of the sweater snowmen in this post!!!! I was so inspired that I made my own version from mis-matched (single) socks--which turned out pretty well!
Thanks for the inspiration!