Burlap & Denim

Do you ever like to shopping for decor ideas?  I’m not talking about going to a big furniture store looking for your next sofa, although I enjoy that too.   I’m talking about Anthropologie.  I’m that girl that loves to go to EVERY Anthro but I am not interested in the whimsical skirts and funky jackets.  No, it is their store displays that always have me coming back for more.  They are so inspiring and unique.  I can usually be found with my draw dropped, eyes wide open, and mind spinning trying to figure out exactly how they “did that” and figuring out where I could do something similar at home or on a job site.  I have to confess that doing store displays for Anthropologie would be THAT dream job for me, you know, the one you would do for free if they let you?  For now I’ll just use one idea for my own Anthropologie knock off here and there.

(Check out my Anthropologie Inspired Kitchen HERE)

When I visited my sister in England we made sure to explore the Anthropologie in London.  Today I want to share with you my Anthropologie London Tour.

Check out this amazing vertical hanging garden right in the middle of the store.  There was a skylight above as well as spot lights to help them grow.  The wall was three stories of fabulous-ness (yes, that is me, don’t mind my disheveled look, it was raining sideways that entire day and yes, that is the best pic I could find, ha ha).

It appeared to be large black squares of granite with a pattern of circles drilled out.  They were held to the wall with dirt behind it and the variety of plants were grouped and planted in the small circles.  I was grateful this small section wasn’t growing too well so I could check out the construction up close.

See, THREE stories!  I couldn’t believe it.  At first I thought it must be plastic plants, but it was a living wall in the middle of London.

Down in the basement was where the housewheres were kept.  How cool is that natural crate with a block of wood, books and lamp inside? And that the inside is oxblood red?  Anthro dishes are always on my wish list too.

Up on the top floor there was a bedroom display.  This airy wrought iron canopy bed was flanked by thousands of feathers that had been hung with fishing line as a sort of half halo around head of the bed.  So dreamy.

Now that I have a dog, I am embarrassed to admit that I am a bit of a dog fanatic.  I thought this squared off grouping of tiny dog heads in an almost random breed pattern was adorable.

Looking down from the top floor I saw this box light.  It was made from dark stained plywood and old white windows.  They hung it with ropes and chain and threw a lonely bulb in the middle.  To keep him company some genius added a miniature head statue, a green bottle and tiny plant.  It reminds me of a small hanging terrarium with a couple of twists.

Another light that caught my eye was this little hanging lantern light.  It had eight or so beetles etched on to the glass on each side.  So small and subtle but what a cool thing to etch, not birds or butterflies, but beetles.

For the stationary display there was a huge spiral bound notebook made from plywood and plaster.  It was movable and held cards, calendars, and quotes all hung on these funky clipboards that were attached to the inside of the notebook.  That would be a really fun display to make for a school project or maybe a Burlap and Denim display (Notes from an Interior Stylist).

From an architectural point of view, these stairs were stunning.  I loved the industrial feel of the steel and glass stairs with glass railings.  But adding all of the glass dots or bubbles in each step really gave it a vintage industrial vibe.  They looked like mini glass bottle bottoms packed in tight together.  They let the light from the other two floors peak through giving these heavy metal stairs a light airy feel.

Check these out up close…Iv’e never seen anything like it.

Being a Cali girl, I loved the concrete bear that was just thrown in the middle of the clothes.  Doesn’t it remind you of the California flag?

This next display was wood sheets cut into subway tiles.  Some of which were left natural, some white washed, and the rest painted solid white.  They were placed like a tile backsplash behind what looked like a sink.  This could be so cool if they were varnished and actually behind a working sink!  I love the natural texture.

 What was in the faux sink?  Bars of soap of course!  Neatly stacked inside the quarter sawn reclaimed wood box.

 Would you copy one of these for your own Anthropologie knock off?  Would you put any of these items in your house or incorporate them into your decor?  Tell me about it in the comments!