Brent Gipson Design Takes NYC: New York Gift Show

 

This past week, I packed my bags and headed north to New York City to merchandise the Fortunata showroom at the New York International Gift Fair. 

Luckily I made it from LaGaurdia to the corner of 7th and 55th street without suffering from a concussion or vomiting from motion sickness ( I had tottally forgotten about the aggressive driving style of NYC cab drivers). Good Lord, it was rough. 

Unlike the Atlanta and High Point markets, the NYC show is housed right on the Hudson River (beautiful), with the largest portion of the show in the Jacob Javit's Center and more spaces in the Piers up the street. (see the picture above). I was blessed with the most amazing weather ever! The park beside the pier was beautiful (see the green area above to the left of Pier 94)...It felt so amazing to have a scone and coffee there before starting the day. 

 

 The third day of my trip was by far my favorite. Waking early, caught a cab to Chelsea Market....after standing starring at the Antrhorpologie window displays for a good 10 minutes I made my way into such an awesome place... First I hit up Buon Italia for some authentic imported pasta, which I used as props in the showroom. The next stop was Amy's Bread for a few other prop items for my tabletop display... I grabbed a oatmeal raisin almond scone while I was there, and oh my God..it was amazing!

With an armful of props, Margaret and I left Chelsea Market and headed to the wholesale flower district (28th street). It was heaven. From dried floral, exotic plants, to herbs, ferns, and ornamental varieties - it was breathtaking. The sidewalks were literally filled with live plants. It was a jungle within the city, and it felt fresh, clean, and simply sense engulfing. After choosing our plants at NYTopiary- we realized that we had way too much stuff to pile into a cab...

 

so....Milton at NY Topiary helped us find an awesome driver to load up our boatload of props and drop us off at the piers...I was actually amazed at how easy it was to get things around in NYC- I was really worried about this being a hard, strenuous task, but I suppose I learned that its actually only a mildly expensive one instead, wink ;)..

 

awful pic, but me and Margaret on the rooftop having drinks after a long day of work

 

when the showroom was styled out and pretty, I had a few extra hours to roam around the city. of course, my first place to visit was the Ralph Lauren Mansion on Madison Avenue, ole Ralph could never bore me, I'll love him until the end of time. on my walk, I stopped and took pictures of all the inspiring window displays...like this Calvin Klein display:

 

and then it was off to rooftop bar DREAM for drinks and nibbles before the most amazing dinner at Balthazers..if you've never eaten there, you should...

all this fun and work for this:

 

Fortunata Showroom entrance. Using a vintage burlap covered sofa as our base for the new Casa Mia Home collection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Brenton 

Coming together....

The long anticipated apron sink has arrived, the cabinets are painted, and things are moving forward. So excited to see everything continue to come together. Never been so excited about a sink in my life, haha...and it was a steal of a deal ($300)...normally around $950-$1,250! Stay tuned.

Little gratitudes...

I just got in from Atlanta and sat down at my desk to draft a floor plan for a client and I looked up and saw this little card from Ginny Branch Stelling.

It came in the mail in a vintage envelop with aged edges...such a cleverly crafted piece of stationary. I love Ginny Branch! Now I'm inspired to keep working. . . .keep up with Ginny's blog, and like Ginny Branch Styling and Designs on Facebook.

Merchandising Tip #1

 { Tip #1: Create a Clearly Defined Clearance Section }

When I go into a store, whether it's HomeGoods or an upscale boutique or gallery, I innately look for a clearance section. At Home Deopt, there's usually a section to the right side of the store that is inclusive of 2 aisles that are stocked clearance items...likewise, TJMaxx and HomeGoods usually have an aisle identified by a hanging sign that says "clearance". . .

The big guys have merchandising managers in corporate offices that have formulated this merchandising tactic. My advice: take their idea and use it in your retail space. Customers like me are drawn to a clearly defined clearance section. It doesn't have to be pretty - simply group clearly marked clearance merchandise all in one spot and bring attention to the area with a bright red or yellow sign (avoid hand written sinage, always)... I assure you, customers are sure to see the section and buy something...just as the old adage says, "just because its on sale, doesn't mean you should buy it" (but most people do! and, you need to take advantage of that.) 

The number one problem I face in merchandising is retail owners who are scared to get rid of merchandise; which creates a stagnant store environment - if it's been in the store for a while - get rid of it and make room for more merchandise! The store will look better and you'll at least make your money back as long as you don't discount below the wholesale price.

Peparing for Atlanta Market 2011

The time is drawing near for The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishing Summer Market 2011. If you haven't registered, you'd better get on it. And if you're planning on coming, don't miss my showrooms! Fortunata will be introducing some exciting new accessory pieces from the Casa Mia collection, Casa Mia Home. Winter market saw a snow storm, so I'm hoping for a great success for all the vendors this market!  

This weekend,I'm off to Orangeburg, SC to finalize fabrics and finishes for my other showroom, Designer Wicker.

Designer Wicker Showroom Winter Market ATL

Check back next week for a sneak peek of the showroom as it comes together :)

The Inspiration Board

So, yesterday I posted the before pictures of my new residential project: Walnut One. Today, I share the inspiration board...

  preliminary inspiration board  

• Antique Shutters - will cover a window above the bathtub in the bathroom.

• These pails will make great sinks atop, while a new vanity in "mourning dove" to soften the slate and aluminum... Can't get enough of galvanized...lighting too..

• Natural multi-colored slate with hints of soft and dark greens with brown and gray undertones. 

• Awesome cast iron apron sink (that I found at a steal, which makes it even more exciting!)

• Fun rugs by my friend Caroline at Michaelian Home in Hendersonville, NC. 

Stay tuned for more pics as the work progresses!

My Latest Project: One Walnut

 Here's a glimpse of my latest project....getting started right before my busiest time of the year: Summer Market 2011. I'm really excited about this though - and I can't wait to see things come together. I've planned for a while, and work began today :) yay! 

[ THE BEFORE ]

 

Here's a little sampling of what is in store for this quaint little mountain home:

- Refinishing the Floors and Staining A Dark Walnut 

- New Paint Throughout 

- Then , my favorite part: New Furniture!! 

Kitchen

- Painting the Cabinetry + New Marble Tops

- Awesome New Galvanized Lighting 

- New Cast Iron Apron Sink

-Possibly a new Antique Fridge :)

- Away with those curtains and in with a great shelf above that window. 

Bathroom

- Bye, Bye white, weary tile! 

- New Multi-Color Slate Tile

- New Vanity with a cleaver twist to a conventional bathroom - stay tuned

- Vintage Shutters to cover that window 

- Great New Lighting

Stay tuned and check my Twitter and Facebook to watch the house come together.

Graduation Pictures UGA 2011

 

A little off subject. yesterday I spent the evening taking pictures of Andrew and his friends who are graduating from UGA this semester...these are a few of my favorites. 

Summer Stylin'

 

This week, I had the pleasure of working alongside one of the best prop/wardrobe stylists ever, Ginny Branch Stelling, which was a true inspiration. 

While working for one of my social media clients this weekend, I decided to have my own little photo shoot, complete with props and all...and this is what came out. I'm no photographer, but I had fun styling this new inventory for Timpson Creek Gallery.

It's going to be a great summer. 

xoxo,

Brent

Mother's Day Picks

[Five Mother's Day Gift Ideas]

 

1 - saturn sunhat - graceful - anthropologie - [59.00]

2. unique art medal jewelry - sophisticated - debrahleonard.com

3. locally made soap - oh the smell - timpson creek [9.00]

4. your mother was right - funny  - anthropologie [13.99] 

5. custom made iphone cover - personal -  zazzle.com [40.00]

 and, that's me there in the red shirt - 6 years old- 

upload a picture or simply make a cover with your mom's initials.... fun idea. 

- BG

The Colors of Summer + Wish List

 

for the home : red, white, blue and nautically magnificent 

for me : the wish list, cole haan, lands end, brooks brothers, ralphy...

 Summer always reminds me of growing up on and around Lake Rabun, and these red white and blue picks for the adornment of both self and home are all time faves. 

[ I'm pretty square, and I like it. ]

- Brent