The Art of Style 2008: Birds

Birds are timeless - and this year some of Vintage Verandah's top selling decorative accessories and novelty lamps are based on this wonderful icon.

Maybe it has to do with the idea that we want to "nest" in our homes...or maybe they are just welcoming and homey.

Here is a look at some of these great bird pieces:



Maybe you think novelty-inspired lighting and accessories are hokey. But consider this - the psychology of shopping dictates that a large percentage of shoppers buy based on impulse. What better way to create impulse-driven sales then by whimsical lighting and accessories?

Best - Todd from Vv.

High Point April 2008

Another April...another High Point market! It is amazing how the small town of High Point, North Carolina, transforms from sleepy little town to an internationally recognized destination for buying furniture and decorative accessories.

April in High Point means more than just azaleas blooming. It also brings the promise of new and exciting product introductions. Styles and trends that will trickle down to consumers over the next few months.

Pre-market buzz seemed to be focused on the economy and whether there would be buyers attending the show. The daily headlines screamed about the mortgage industry, gas prices, consumer confidence - which all translate into issues for store owners and buyers...large or small. Not to mention the looming reality of price increases in China.

So what did that mean for the show? Was it all gloom and doom? No!

Overall attendance was soft - but the mood was as upbeat as possible. Buyers repeated over and over - I have to have NEWNESS. I have to have fresh inventory. I have to reorder tried and true best sellers. After all, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when customers walk in the doors and don't see new items from their last visit - or exciting impulse-driven key items that they will want to purchase and take home with them.

For us in the vendor side of the business, this same principle is true - and Vintage Verandah took this to heart! Contrary to companies who cut back on their product introductions, High Point for us was centered on NEW items and great values on key items.

Jane Seymour was on-hand to introduce her newest collection - Cimarron Valley (inspired by the American West) - in the Jane Seymour Home Collection. Energized by her enthusiasm for telling a story about how each product was conceived - we had a very successful launch and party on Tuesday in our IHFC showroom. She looked incredible in her western-themed outfit!



In our Market Square showroom - you could find over 250 BRAND NEW items - in a broad range of lifestyles (from our best-selling lodge to coastal and cottage looks to traditional-styled lighting and home decor). By far, the biggest reaction was to our newly introduced Vv Too brand. It's a more contemporary influenced line of products that is almost 200 items strong. With a prominent space in our showroom - front and forward - you couldn't miss the brilliant spa blue wall with lighting and decorative accessories that have a more updated look with streamlined silhouettes.

Check out some of the Vv Too product images from our website:

Vv Too Lighting and Decorative Accessories

So all and all - April 2008 High Point market was a success! The takeaway from market would be....

In good times and bad - great product at the right price will win out.

Best - Todd from Vintage Verandah.

Jane Seymour Up Close and Personal

Vintage Verandah has worked up close and personal with Jane Seymour for over 5 years. First, working on product for her exclusive collection with Sak's Department Stores. Then, as her contract ended with Sak's, Jane asked us to work with her to market lighting and decorative accessories for the Jane Seymour Home Collection directly to independent retailers all across the U.S.

It was an easy transition for us, as we took into account two factors that we felt were the most important part of the process for doing licensed product:

1. The lifestyle represented by the Jane Seymour Home Collection closely profiled that of our core customer(the independent specialty gift and furniture retailer).
2. The ease of working with Jane, her talent, her broad appeal - and creative energies that seem to be boundless.

More times than not with licensed product, the name on the product is the only involvement the name has in the product itself.

For the Jane Seymour Home Collection, not only is Jane the name in the brand - she is the lifestyle for the brand - and the creative force/style maker for new product introductions. She comes to meetings with drawings (in some circles she is known just as much for her art as she is for her acting). And drawings from Jane come in all forms - from ideas copied from her ever-present sketch pad, to drawings and written ideas on the back of napkins. Yes, true to point 2 above - Jane is constantly working (with energy and enthusiasm that would make most of us jealous!).

Proof of the strength of the brand is public response to Jane through her many public events. Her enthusiasm for design comes through not only in her words - but in the product itself.

On a recent visit to Nebraska Furniture Mart stores in Omaha and Kansas City - Jane delighted hundreds and hundreds of customers in a "style seminar" where she presented them the Jane Seymour Home Collection (lighting and decorative accessories, soft home textiles ranging from top of the bed to throws to decorative pillows, rugs, home fragrance and dried florals).



Jane doesn't just show an item - she tells the "story" of how the item came from concept to reality. For instance, our "Castle Key" collection inspired by antique keys from her 16th century home in the English countryside. Or an embroidered bird decorative pillow inspired by her favorite bird from her childhood.

Typically, after a style seminar Jane likes to meet and greet, signing items ranging from lamp shades to face paper from picture frames in her collection. Her genuine warmth and affection for the public comes through.



Thanks to all of the wonderful customers in Omaha and Kansas City who patiently waited for hours to meet Jane and have her personalize their Jane Seymour Home Collection purchase.

Just as importantly - and true to Jane's character, these events are not only about selling the brand and meeting the public. In each store, charity auctions were held with art donated personally from Jane and lighting/accessories from Vintage Verandah on behalf of the Jane Seymour Home Collection, with proceeds benefiting worthwhile children's charities that are near and dear to Jane's heart.

After a lively auction in Kansas City, Jane is shown below personalizing one of her limited edition pieces of art to the winning recipient, who not only bid on the piece of art because of Jane - but ran the auction up purposely to add to the proceeds for the charity.



Vintage Verandah is thrilled to have partnered with Jane Seymour in launching her lifestyle brand nationally. Even more importantly for all of us, we are thrilled that the many many retail partners of ours across the country - are voicing their success in selling this collection at retail.

Thank you to Nebraska Furniture Mart for hosting Jane Seymour and Vintage Verandah for these successful events!

Next up for Jane... High Point Market! Join Vintage Verandah and Jane Seymour in our IHFC showroom (IHFC H-427) for the premiere showing of Jane Seymour's newest collection - Cimarron Valley. Inspired by Jane's love for the American West - and casual lifestyles.

Get up close and personal with Jane during our western-themed cocktail party on Tuesday - 4/8, from 5 - 7 p.m.

Best -

Todd from Vv.

Spring has finally sprung!

Winters in the South are generally not harsh or treacherous and snow for the most part - is a rarity. But it always seems as though when daylight is extended, that spring - and the glorious sounds, smells and colors were a long time in coming.

With spring in the air - it brings to mind one of our best-selling trends in decorative accessories for 2008 - butterflies. All have a touch of whimsy and generate impulse-driven sales, no matter what type of retail store you have.

Check this out:




See some of our other vides on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/VintageVerandah

We have found this to be a fun way to showcase our products and trends.

Best -

Todd from Vv