I was at a buying show looking for apparel when I walked past a furniture showroom window and saw a standing lamp that stopped me in my tracks. It was the most beautiful, unusual lamp I had ever seen. The lamp consisted of teapots stacked on top of one another, beautifully painted in pastel colors with an exquisite chenille lampshade. Even though I didn't sell furniture, I went inside to look at it. The showroom representative told me that it was made in Texas, each teapot handcrafted from ceramic and then carefully handpainted, wired, and assembled on a stand. The lampshade was meticulously handcovered in multicolored chenille. The lamp and lampshade together retailed for approximately $1100. The salesperson told me virtually everyone that saw the lamp had the same reaction, and had to come in to get a closer look.
I left the showroom and sat on a bench in the hallway to observe people passing by the window. Sure enough, the lamp was attracting as much attention as a celebrity. People would stop and gasp, shriek, and stare at this incredible work of art. Then they walked inside to see it better. If it was happening here, I knew it would happen at my store. I had to have this lamp as a window display. I bought the standing lamp, a matching table lamp and a matching chandelier.
I put the lamp in my store window. From the moment I set it out it drew a crowd. People stood and stared at it outside and couldn't resist coming in to inquire about it. The volume of inquiries was so great that I eventually made a postcard with a picture and description of the lamp on it that everyone could take with them. People started bringing their friends to the store to see the lamp in the window. As soon as they came in we would tell them about the lamp, then point them to its matching chandelier and table lamp, drawing them further into the store. By the time they were done admiring the fixures they were in the middle of the store, at which time the products caught their attention. We made many apparel sales and captured many new, loyal customers that were not otherwise headed inside our store because they had to come in and see that lamp. It was a great attraction and fun conversation starter with our visitors.
My sister, who did the interior design of my stores, told me that everything that's not nailed down should be for sale, so even though I purchased it as a store fixture and didn't expect to sell any, I put a price tag on it. Much to my surprise, I sold several, as well as the chandelier and the desk lamp.
While the whimsical design and colors of this lamp fit the children's section of my store perfectly, it may not be the right item for you. But if you can find an item that fits with your store's style that stops you in your tracks, chances are it will have the same effect on passers by. Once they walk in the door, it's your show!
The lamp I refer to in this article is the Tea Party Floor Lamp by Just Too Cute (www.justtoocute.com). It is pictured below in my store window. The second photo is of the matching chandelier above a display in my store, and the third is of the table lamp with the lamp postcard I had made in front of it. My apologies that my photos do not do these items justice!
