Home Décor

Enhancing Home Spaces (From page 101)

Laguna.” Visitors to this beachside community love to take it home with them.

Areo’s aesthetic is best described as eclectic. “We’re very specific about the kinds of things we bring in here. I’ve noticed when I go to trade shows there is a lot of modern style décor. We prefer items that aren’t commercial looking. We don’t bring in super bright, colorful stuff either. We stick with more neutral tones,” said Haneckow. Part of the Laguna Beach design community since 1992, Areo is known for elegant yet simple décor with a decidedly Californian touch. Customers never know what exquisite, handcrafted home accessory they might find – which is precisely what keeps them coming back!

Decorative signs have been very good sellers for a number of years at Across the Way in Cape May, N.J. Everything from small varieties that sit on a shelf to large, inspirationally themed ones that hang on a wall. “The majority of people are buying them as a gift for someone else so it’s usually a positive statement for that person or it’s something they want to reflect on in their own home,” said store Owner Chris Cooke . A line of salvaged barnwood signs has always been popular in the 1,200-square-foot retail space. “They come in different color palettes but usually the whitewash ones are a pretty safe bet for beach homes or just a beachy-type theme.”

Across the Way leans toward rustic, natural looking home décor items, often featuring found materials. However, farmhouse as a style has never struck a chord inside this beach community store. “We’ve tried a few different things over the years. The beginning of this year, we brought in a new line of

What Are Your Decorative Sign Best-Sellers and Why?

Afew message-adorned decorative pillows notwithstanding, Rosemary Beach Trading Company in Rosemary Beach, Fla., has moved away from selling decorative signs. “I felt like that trend kind of slowed down for us. We’ve gotten heavier into picture frames,” said General Manager and Buyer Kiki Gillespie

Areo in Laguna Beach, Calif., doesn’t carry decorative signs. However, they do carry a selection of picture frames in the event customers want to mount their own witty saying or words of wisdom, according to Store Manager Heidi Haneckow

Decorative signs continue to be a strong category at Across the Way in Cape May, N.J. Their number one seller is a large 20-by-20-foot barnwood sign which communicates a lengthy message centering around family, laughter and love. “It’s usually something people are buying for themselves to hang at home for their family to reflect upon versus smaller signs they might buy as inspiration for someone going off to college or as a hostess thank you gift.”

Otterlei Coastal in Oceanside, Calif., carries a good selection of wooden and metal signs. The latter are particularly versatile. “You can put a metal sign in your patio area or bathroom and not have to worry about it fading or rusting,” said store Owner Stacey Holmes ❖ painted wall art pieces featuring roosters and different types of vegetables but it wasn’t very successful. The country farm style just doesn’t seem to resonate with our customers,” Cooke said.

Anyone wishing to insert a little tropical flavor into their home environment will find everything they need at Otterlei Coastal in Oceanside, Calif. The 1,200-square-foot store specializes in beach and coastal décor with a special emphasis on Hawaiian accessories. “We have things in here that are actually pretty hard to find even in Hawaii,” said Stacey Holmes who owns the business with her husband Greg.

When the Holmes travel to that island oasis, they visit little villages seeking unique, handmade items to add to their inventory. “We bring back lots of things that people never find in the average tourist gift shop in Hawaii,” said Stacey. Wood carvings and authentic tikis made from coconut palm trees rank among their best-sellers. Sea life figurines and coastal-themed home goods such as starfish etched stemware and shell-shaped serving dishes are also quite popular.

Given its Oceanside setting, Otterlei Coastal favors a coastal color palette. “We tend to stick with aquas, greens and light brown.” The formula appears to be working. The couple have enjoyed a very busy summer catering to many visitors from nearby resorts and hotels. “We like to say whether your oasis is coastal, tropical or Hawaiian, we can help you reach your destination,” concluded Stacey. ❖

90 day buy-back guarantee – try them virtually risk free

Enjoy Music on the Wind

Close your eyes beside one of our wind chimes and for an instant, you’ll think you’re in the percussion section of an orchestra. Handcrafted in Austin, TX, tuned with sophisticated equipment using weather-resistant materials:

• Powder-coated tempered aluminum alloy tubing

• UV-stabilized synthetic braid

• Stainless Steel components

For information or to order: Motschimes.com – 888-324-4637

Grace@motschimes.com

SEVIERVILLE, TN NOVEMBER 9-11, 2021 PIGEON FORGE, TN NOVEMBER 10-13, 2021

Iges 2021 Schedule Of Events

Sevierville Pigeon Forge

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 | DAY 1

Complimentary Donuts + Coffee

*while supplies last

Swag Bag Giveaway *Available to the first 200 buyers

It’s BACK - The IGES Hoedown

Live Band + Drinks | 5 - 7pm

Turn in Buyer Bucks

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 | DAY 2

Complimentary Coffee *while supplies last

Sustainability Shopping Tour

Limited to 30 people. Includes lunch at 12:30 - 1:30pm, tour 1:30 - 2:20pm

VIP Buyer Dinners for Amusement Parks, Water Parks, Campgrounds, Caves & Museums *held offsite

Turn in Buyer Bucks

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | DAY 3

Complimentary Coffee *while supplies last New + Trending Tour

Limited to 30 people. Includes lunch at 12pm, tour 1-2pm

Beers Around the Campfire

2:30 - 3:30pm in NEW

Campground Pavilion

Last Day to submit Buyer Bucks

Buyer Dinner Rsvp

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 | DAY 1

Complimentary Donuts + Coffee

*while supplies last

Swag Bag Giveaway

*Available to the first 200 buyers

VIP Buyer Dinners for Amusement Parks, Water Parks, Campgrounds, Caves & Museums *held offsite

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | DAY 2

Complimentary Coffee *while supplies last New + Trending Tour

Limited to 30 people. Includes lunch at 12pm, tour 1 - 2pm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 | DAY 3

Complimentary Coffee *while supplies last TGIF Happy Hour 3:30 - 4:30pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | DAY 4

Complimentary Coffee *while supplies last

Sustainability Shopping Tour | 2 - 3pm

Buyer Dinners are open to attendees who buy for Amusement Parks, Water Parks, Campgrounds, Caves & Museums. All dinners will be on Wednesday, November 10th and held offsite, with complimentary transportation provided from each event center. To confirm your attendance, please contact Brady Kimball, Attendee Concierge at brady.kimball@asdonline.com or (310) 403-7835.

Buyer Bucks

Look for IGES Buyer Bucks coupons in the printed directory that will be distributed at the show. Use these coupons to take advantage of discounts and special offers from participating exhibitors. When you make cumulative purchases of $500 or more, IGES rewards you with money back. Don’t miss out on big savings on unique top-quality finds on the can’t-miss Sevierville show floor.