Christmas 2009

'TIS THE SEASON...

Our front entrance adorned with frosted berry wreaths and topiary wrapped packages.

112 boxes, 150 yards of ribbon, 82 red bows, 16 glue sticks and 13 hours of wrapping- all to make it simple!

THE REDS

THE BLACK AND WHITES

THE RELIGIOUS

THANKSGIVING AND FALL

THE VANILLA ROOM

THE SNOWBIRD ROOM
More to come this week or next....

Without a doubt this was our easiest year getting Christmas together. Well maybe 'easy' is not the word for it but for the first time we left at 9:30 on Wednesday night! and were vacuuming an hour before the crowds walked in- this is unheard of. We edited the glitzy gaudiness that comes with retail Xmas decor, fine tuned the themed rooms and focused on quality over quantity. Our 3700 SF store is now a melange of vintage Santa, scrappy Wendy Addison, a grandeur of religious items I have been collecting all year, to our anticipated white area and creamy vanillas.

With the help of Beth (back from maternity leave), Carol Spinski from Raised in Cotton, my 'ol prop master buddy from my former film days, Bryan Mangan who was up and down the ladder so many times, I cannot tell you; to my regular, hardworking staff: Heather, Abby, Dana and Jess- we managed to transform, unpack, hang, clean, arrange, tag, wire, glue and create another holiday wonderment for you. Only one real tragedy when the new awning I built came crashing down just missing Beth's child in his crib! Where is my Jethro to handle these things? Electrical wiring is everywhere and heaven forbid Fireman Bob walks in- we must have four dozen power strips and extension cords throughout. We were eating carry-out, drinking lattes, searching for the right nail, cussing the satellite music selections, but all of this keeps us laughing or whining depending on the hour.

We're still at it this weekend, adding more merchandise, fine tuning and doing all the little details that get away from us when there is so much to do. New gift items are arriving too and some Xmas is still not here. Please make a stop and if you don't know by now, this will change weekly so keep checking in.

It's always an undertaking but my staff is always 100% on board for this time of year without a moan or groan among them. Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

BH&G Christmas Ideas

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Curious Sofa has been extremely fortunate this year with receiving great press. First, the local Spaces magazine did a story on my home, then in August Romantic Homes did a great spread on my house and the store and now on the newsstands is Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas. Would you believe all these photo shoots happened within a three week period last February?! One angry customer had to phone in a complaint this summer saying, "Every time I need something, Debbie is on a photo shoot!" Sorry, but it just happened that way. We are also waiting on some press from Dubai, Saudi Arabia! Are you ready for that? Don't ask me how that happened as I honestly do not know. A newspaper editor found us somehow so an extensive interview and photo shoot happened, but so far, it has not surfaced. I also got another call from BH&G last week and we just finished a Halloween story for 2010. Whew.

Seeing this issue of Christmas Ideas was one big wow. Yes, I styled it and was there during the shoot along with editor Ann Blevins and art director Shawn Roorda but each time an issue featuring the store comes across my desk I hold my breath; praying for great printing, lovely layout, good cropping and interesting text- and this has it all. It is perfect (if I do say so myself). The colors are soothing and I think there are some great ideas for you to use. One of my best customers called me from the local Barnes and Noble just screaming. I had to laugh at her, she loved it so much. Take a look below. On the newsstands until December 29th.

My infamous mantle above. How may variations of this poor thing have you seen? I started here with the fabulous Madonna picture so everything else I gathered I wanted to compliment that. I ran to Hobby Lobby for the hurricanes and black candles but all else is from the store. There was a black tree to the right along with kraft paper packages but they did not use it for some reason. Not shown below:

This is my linen slipcovered sofa above, two whisper linen pillows from Bella Notte and the vintage tapestry which set the tone for the arrangement. The giant painting has a small lamb in the center. I called the shop to rush over the sconce as it was all we needed to finish the vignette. That tiny little step stool is one of my personal favorite things as it is bleached raw from the sun and has tiny tacks up the side. It's a keeper (and I don't keep anything!) I love this overall palette.

The famous tufted headboard from Round Top. It is just leaning against the wall, the tree was a project from years ago originally white but sprayed with floral paint to make vanilla and my favorite white violin.

I have been collecting the spools of thread for our Xmas Open House all year. The cake pedestal and ironstone are my own.

And where would we be without the silver thing? Some of it is from my collection but most of it is from the store. Plate hangers or a little wire is all I used to hang them. The photo on the table is my grandmother and we rigged the buffet setting to make it look more purposeful. I love it piled up like this. Why are some customers still asking why we don't polish our silver?? Argh!

I have always wanted to do a Xmas porch thing. A big garden urn for the chilled champagne, the bird bath for candles ...all we needed was real snow!

Our most challenging shot above. The black and white lettering items are what we will premier at the store this Christmas from artist Wendy Addison. The folded paper art was borrowed from Julie Reed our own Miss Frenchie's artist. We ran to Whole Foods for the dry foods, again to make it purposeful for the season. The flocked green reindeer and giant bottle are from my personal stash. ENJOY!

ALSO!!!

THIS COMING WEEKEND, OUR CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE!
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
OCTOBER 30, 31 & Nov. 1

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OCT 13

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Just a quick post to show you some new items just in.

A wonderful French style mantle mirror. 48" h x 54" w.

6' x 10' bamboo mat with floral design.

I was fortunate to score some great ironstone during my road trip through Kansas.

Some new fall table decor.

And again, our popular grain sack chair. The seat cushion cushion reverses to plain fabric for an optional look. The ottoman has wonderful string ties for tufting (instead of buttons) and I also love the small tacks we used.

As always, call the store or email if there is anything you might be interested in.
curiousstaff@curioussofa.com
913-432-8969

Also: all Halloween merchandise is now 20% off!! Lots of good stuff still left.
Christmas Open House October 30! (eegads!)
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October Article

My latest article for the Kansas City Star:

A Grownup Halloween

Somewhere around the age of 35, I lost interest in decorating for Halloween. As a photo stylist, I had the added pressure of arriving in the cleverest costume, which led me to declining most party invitations.

I suddenly I found myself turning all the lights out on Oct. 31 and planning a long dinner away from home, all the while hoping my house wouldn’t be egged and toilet-papered while I was gone. But then I became a retailer.

The customers in my neighborhood shopping center demanded I pay more attention to fall and Halloween decorations. The problem was, I wasn’t much into selling cute little pumpkin people with striped leggings. I wanted to put a new twist on ghoulish styling that would fit my store’s aesthetic.

My first plan of attack? Bring out the antiques — the older the better. This is one time the broken, the ripped and the crooked work for you. Dissecting an idea or theme is one way to come up with an unusual idea for seasonal decorating. For me, it means thinking of all things old.

One season, I started with Grandma’s squeaky rocker, then added old tapestries and cargo trunks, and the beginnings of a vignette started coming to life. But take it one step further: What would be in the trunk? Old letters, a faded wedding dress, high-top shoes, top hat, cane, gloves and books. What would Grandmother have in her parlor? Old portraits, smoking pipes, glasses and velvet drapes.

Once the elements are put together, it’s time to add your not-so-typical Halloween items. Old clocks are one of my favorites, as well as crystal liqueur decanters, cameo brooches and tattered needlepoint pillows. Add a black crow or owl, fake spider or taxidermy and there you have it — an adult version of a Halloween display.

Each fall, I build around a different theme for the store’s seasonal decorating. Any one of these retail ideas could easily work in the average home.

My first year, I chose to design around wonderful velvet crows I found, calling it the Year of the Raven. I decided to forgo the typical orange color of Halloween by using only black and white. A large chalky Grecian bust was placed in the center of a dining table, fallen branches were piled high in urns around her and dozens of black crows were perched on her head, shoulders and throughout the trees.

Another year, we titled our event Haunted Opera, with candelabras and drippy candles, tattered lace curtains blowing through salvaged window frames, crystal chandeliers hung low and torn sheet music covering the tabletops. Black masks- also a great decorating item- hung over sconces or in dried arrangements.

This year is our Freak Show theme, which is just a play on words for a creepy carnival display. We’ve used crazy old doll heads as shades atop small lamps. Oversized masks are hung like portraits and fun house mirrors are displayed under a makeshift circus tent. The image above is complied of velvet birds and old ladders. Imagine this image against the side of your garage for all the neighbors to see.

Speaking My Language

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See the show here.
Hear the man here.

Creep Chic

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Stacy Downs is a great style editor and writer for the Kansas City Star. When she called to say they would like to feature Curious Sofa in a Halloween story I was thrilled. We went shopping for ideas and inspiration to help her readers get a jump on their fall decorating. The shot above was staged for the cover story outside the shop. Stacy wanted to recreate what we had done last year for her readers. Read the article here. Enjoy!

Nine Years Today

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Happy Anniversary to Curious Sofa! Nine years ago today I opened my little shop in downtown KC on Southwest Blvd. Then 4 and 1/2 years ago we moved to our current location in Prairie Village, KS. Knowing I have been at the new location as long as I was at the old one is a special moment for me.

What I have learned over the years as a retailer and especially as a small business owner could fill volumes. Never did I expect to live my store the way I have. I assume it is a lot like having children: the glory, the love, the tears, the experiences, the worry, the joy. Those moments when you wonder why you are doing this and the other times when it brings such satisfaction you have to pinch yourself.

I added up the other day that I have had 20 employees in nine years. Not bad compared to some businesses. A few lasted a week or so, another only four hours (no kidding!) but as many of you know I have been especially blessed with three ladies who lasted with me longer than most. First it was Nicole who was my right hand on the Boulevard. Then Heather who joined me just months before the move (and has been with me five years now!) and finally Abby who will hit her five year mark in January. They are the women who have watched my back, put up with my ideas and change of plans, covered for my moods and rallied and rallied some more to make the shop what it is today.

It is one thing to be known for magazine spreads, inspirational displays and unusual merchandise but when a stranger writes or stops you and says what an amazing staff you have, how helpful and pleasant they are- well, it puts a big lump in my throat. How can I ever thank them? They certainly do not make the money they deserve and sometimes they are downright tired of seeing the same merchandise to barter for. They do it because they are just good people. Dana and Jess included and many others I have had over the years who had to leave for one reason or another.

We have been through a lot inside my store. Illnesses, celebrations, tragedies, family issues, financial issues, personal trauma- you name it. Just like any family. This year has been a test for all of us with the current state of the union. All retail is struggling so I am not ashamed to admit we are among the millions who are as well. Knowing my staff could walk out any minute because they don't need this worry (but didn't) is beyond what I can write about here. I have no choice but to stick it out, Curious Sofa is my baby, but they could go on to another opportunity that is much less stressful (and have a happier boss no doubt!)- but they are still here. You have to know what that means to me. I owe them everything.

My customers are also amazing. A few fell off after the move across State Line but new and dedicated fans came on board with the current store. We get complimented, cheered and sincere concerns from our fan base and we are humbled by that. I think of you often. What do you want? How can I impress you? What can I show you you haven't seen before? What event can we plan? -Exhausting? Well yes, but that is retail and truthfully, that is me. I cannot sit still and offer you the same 'ol retail thing month after month. It has to have some WOW, some drama, some reason to keep you coming back. I live for the unexpected no matter how freakish. (as one comment said, "Sorry, that's just creepy..won't be stopping by."). I have learned to go with the flow. Comments like that would have tore me up five years ago (heck, one year ago) but now I have learned to be true to myself knowing some will get it and some will not. Already I know that next Halloween will be completely different just because it has to be.

So thank you for your interest in the store. Many of you do not live in KC and just visually browse but those of you who do come in and buy something. We cannot survive with just kudos. We need real support: verbally, physically and financially. Many of you who have been with us for nine years are doing all that. We are forever grateful for helping us get this far.

For now, we continue. Christmas is just weeks away and we are planing, planning, planning. And I have already got the Spring Fever of what to design for you next year.

All of us remember where we were September 11, 2001. As I stood in my living room, getting ready to leave to open the downtown shop, I watched the towers crumble. As I stood there stunned wondering if the world was going to end I said to myself, "What is left that I need to do? Oh yea, I have done it. I opened my store." That was my little dream that was stuck in the back of my head to accomplish some day. On that day, knowing I tried it was a rewarding feeling. I encourage you to try your dream out some day as the clock keeps ticking.

A toast! To my fabulous staff, my loyal customers and wonderful readers. Onward to the big 10. Thank you for everything. It has been quite a journey.
Deb

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