The Style Center
The $tyle Center
Welcome to the $tyle Center! Why does style matter? Having style or a particular point of view on style can make you and your business stand out from a sea of "same-ness" and equal money in the bank. This blog presents creative observations of style and inspirations. I will be including photos of trends and emerging trends in color, interiors, products, and anything that looks new and exciting. It may also include photographs of unusual, creative and dynamic stores, and inspiring store windows. I welcome feedback as well as your own creative ideas and suggestions. I hope you will find this an inspiring place to visit!
Bridget Kelly
Owner & Designer of The Little Acorn,
where kids Grow up Happy!
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To Bumper or not to Bumper
I own an infant bedding and room decor company, so this "outlawed bumpers" issue is as close to the bone as things can get. As a manufacturer of said, "outlawed item", I would like to say a few words. Let me start by saying... I would like to see STRICT standards for bumper constructions. I believe BUMPERS can be safe if used correctly.How can an entir... Read More
Comments (9)Are you up on Color Trends?
Are you up on the latest color trends? If someone came into your store and asked you: "what colors are fashionable this year?" could you honestly tell them? Every season I research color, looking at Women's fashion, Kid's fashion, home products, automobile and home appliance colors, wall paint, and much more. I like to look around me, see what people are wearing, watch films and see what... Read More
Comments (5)Interview with Rosenberry Rooms
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Rosenberry Rooms, known for their lovely on-line store. I found out they have a brick and mortar boutique which came AFTER the website. That was a twist I wanted to know more about. After hearing their story, I thought it was one we could all relate to. Most of us in this business are from humble and hardworking root... Read More
Comments (0)Interview with a Specialty Store
One of my favorite kids stores in the San Francisco bay area is: Mill Valley Baby & Kids Company. It is nestled in the heart of, you guessed it: Mill Valley, a lovely and relaxed village here in California just across the magical Golden Gate Bridge. The store Is owned and operated by Ammie Bach. The location could not be more ideal- directly across from the Mill Valley town square where paren... Read More
Comments (3)Art is not optional!
I recently met an artist who is "the real thing." He lives his art everyday, and is an exquisite painter...but as a child he was not encouraged to foster this ability. As a result, it took him years of heartache and struggles to find his true calling- to be an artist.This made me wonder; how many children TODAY are not encouraged to take their own artistic expression seriously? or even g... Read More
Comments (14)scaaaaaary!
So what is Halloween REEEALLY all about? Face it... It's about CANDY! But for those of us in the decor business, it's our chance to be as ridiculous as possible! I've been on the lookout for THE most head turning, spine tingling Halloween silliness I could find and just for you special Kids Today monsters & ghouls, here are my top votes: All of these frightful funnies are from Grandinroad ... Read More
Comments (4)Long Live Turquoise!
When I find something that resonates with me, I usually take a photo, or pull the image from the web and they all end up on my computer, and lately most of these images are all about TURQUOISE.Here is a quick little post showing some of my favorite ways turquoise is being used. Now I know it has been a trending color for a few seasons, but I'm here to tell you, it is still here for a few more! Do... Read More
Comments (8)Where to find Trends
Many people ask me where I find trend and color forecast information. There isn’t an all-knowing color/trend God who tells designers what to use next year… We just slog through all of our resources, then make some decisions of our own. To tell the truth, it’s an endless search which requires updating resources all of the time! There are SO many places to look, but here are a few resources I’m lo... Read More
Comments (8)Color! IN the shelf.
More on Color! If you have your own boutique, and you want to find a new way to update your display shelves, or even if you don’t have a boutique and you just want to update the old humdrum bookshelf in your home… COLOR is the most current way to do it. What I love about ALL of these photos are how BRIGHT the colors are. These are not shy colors; BOLD is the direction of color, so pull out you... Read More
Comments (7)COLOR! what's happenin'?
You might ask yourself; "Say, where did this yellow trend color come from anyway?" I love to analyze the whys & wherefores of color. "Why is lavender so right? Why does tomato red feel like the right red? " Why does yellow work? and which yellow is working? why that particular one? I’m sure you’ve all seen the color YELLOW. Nothing new there. It’s been coming for a while now…But have you looked l... Read More
Comments (7)Hang it up!
Happy New Year! Festive decor for everyone, including little ones! This post is all about "hanging it up"… from the ceiling, on the wall, the lights, the mobiles, and the best thing of all, super creative ways to hang the alphabet for your little Einstein. I find all of these ideas great inexpensive ways to update old ideas. Groups of similar things always make even Chinatown paper lanterns or pa... Read More
Comments (8)The snow show at Anthropologie
Looking around for wonderful holiday windows took me to the "queens of display" … Anthropologie. Just take a look at these amazing window displays… I asked the display manager how they did the white pompoms and snow. She shared her secret with me: white garbage bags, and a simple circle die-cut from a local craft store. What an amazing effect. This effect is achieved the same way- white plas... Read More
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