Interior Design Inspirations From My Anthropologie Visit

When I lived in Los Angeles, I strolled into an Anthropologie store in Santa Monica one day — and never wanted to leave again.

These stores always have the most beautiful displays of their funky and vintage home decorating items.

 

Landon and I visited the Anthropologie store in the Westchester Mall in White Plains a few weeks ago. I had a business meeting nearby, and just had to combined it with a stop there.

What are your favorite items in Anthropologie? When I walk in, I always check out their kitchen and dining decorating items first. I want their pretty glasses, measuring cups, soap dispensers, kitchen towels… There isn’t much I don’t like!

I love how they always decorate in a surprising way — here L is checking out the coffee beans they used to display spice jars with chalkboard labels.

I wouldn’t mind living in an Anthropologie store. How cute is this little “kitchen” setup, again with the chalkboard influence, which is such a hot trend right now. And I’d like this bedroom — but that Big Bird pillow would have to go.

One day I’ll use their pretty and unique knobs for one of my furniture pieces.

Too bad that a lot of their items are pretty pricey — I have a hard time justifying buying one pretty bowl for $38 when I can buy a whole set of dishes for $6 at a thrift store, which I just did today.

But I dream of that day when I have extra money and can just go crazy in Anthropologie.

L had a lot of fun looking at all of the knobs. I’m thinking of replacing the knobs on his dresser we inherited with animal pulls from Anthropologie; that would make it really unique for a kid’s room. And I might even spray paint them in some surprising colors.

How fun must it be to be the person to find the one-of-a-kind, vintage “found” items for Anthropologie! I would love that job.

See this turquoise wall color? I just partly painted L’s room that color! It’s called “well water,” which really misrepresents the color. I didn’t want a blue room for him, that’s so predictable, so turquoise it is! He loves it.

I wouldn’t hang orchids on my wall, but I do like the simple use of different frames to display objects in them. What a big statement! I especially like the big key — remember that I just bought one for pennies at the Women’s Club tag sale?

The window with the mirrors is something that reminds me of my parents — they used old rod iron windows and replaced the glass with mirrors 35 years ago to hang them in our house I grew up in.

I hadn’t seen it done with a huge window like this one, but the effect is pretty awesome and makes any room look much bigger.

Of course I never miss the Sale section. I scored the fabulous “Found, Free & Flea” book by Tereasa Surratt, which now sits on my side table. Found, free, and flea just happens to describe my decorating style :)

Have you ever been to an Anthropologie store? What are your favorite items?