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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Missing Vocabulary

When I think about our times at the NY gift show, I like to recall a common reaction from buyers as they approached our booth. First there would be the curious, Ooh what's this? Then I'd watch their eyes scan for the signage where they would see our company name and location. Then the comment "Ohhhhh whaddya know, they're from California of course" So what does this mean? I've had plenty of time to think about it over the years and I've come up with a theory. Obviously designs from the west coast have a recognizable style or look that these buyers identify; untraditional, unexpected, over the top and trend setting. But a good solid finite description seems to be lacking. This brings me to the subject of this post.-

I' ve been trying to find the right words to describe our look for awhile. Even the designers, editors, and other professionals, etc , have not pinpointed some choice words to describe our style. Funky tends to be used for lack of a better word and whimsical seems to be the choice word for any indulgent use of color. We need some new descriptive words in the home furnishing industry. Yes we have art deco, or antique, paris flea market, post modern and so forth. But I think we need a California label, an umbrella that will encompass the uniqueness that California designers contribute to the mix. We are obviously not from a particular school of thought or movement. Could it be the magnificent vistas, plentiful sunshine or proximity to the far east and Mexico that affects our creations?

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