3/28/08

Some of my fave things in the USA...


GARDEN RIDGE!!

I adore this store, we just do not have anything quite like it in the UK, partly because we don't go in for decorating around the home in the same way you do here.

If you're a Brit' I will try to describe it for you! I guess it's like the Ikea marketplace area, with a bit of The Pier thrown in, a posh Garden Centre and all reasonably priced. But the real part I love is the HUGE field of amazingly realistic fake/silk flowers in the midst of every store. All sorted by colour or seasonal styles and just totally awe and design inspiring, even for non-artsy type like moi!

I usually run around like a headless chicken as the Hubster tries to be patient, but eventually gets worn down as I dilly-dally back and forth trying to decide between all the overwhelmingly beautiful flowers. You see here just about every home will have some fake (and using that word is doing them a great dis-service) flowers somewhere.


They have inspired me to make 2 doorstep arrangements for Autumn/Fall and Christmas that I can interchange. This Christmas I decorated all round my front door with them and am now about to shop to do a similar door display with sunflowers and foliage for the summer. I also have 2 arrangements indoors that look great and don't die! Garden Ridge also has pictures, dinnerware, stemware, seasonal decorations (and we decorate for them all here!), furniture, knick-knacks, vases, candles, crafts etc etc....

Trust me you Brit' girls would love it as much as I do!

4 comments:

fishwithoutbicycle said...

Ahh, we don't have that store in NYC as far as I know. My personal favourite householdy stores are Crate & Barrel & Room & Board. Love those stores.

Expat mum said...

Ah, well seen you don't have severe weather where you are. That lot wouldn't last five minutes at my front foor. It'd be wrapped round the Sears Tower in the blink of an eye!

Unknown said...

LOL you do KNOW I am in WINDY OK right?!

What you don't see is the half a ton of rock weighting down that arrangement on the right! I have had to recover it from all corners of my yard in the past and have now learned my lesson. There's also half a box of staples around the door ;-)

Sherri said...

Sarah, we have Garden Ridge stores here in NC and I love going there. I was just there the other day and I bought 20 glass dinner plates for $20.00. Can't beat that price! I love their silk flowers and trees! They look so real. Shop on!!