The Buttery in Canon Beach did the perfect inner smile display. I pulled out my camera for the bunny in the bowl. Small visual surprises like this can make your store memorable.

Double Up
I wish more stores would look at their merchandise and find a way to combine two pieces as well as the people at Shorelines NW did in the resort town of Canon Beach, OR. Look at your merchandise and see what disparate pieces work together to create a charming or interesting story. You may be amazed by what sells as a pair.

Cute + Contrast
Seen at Hovel in Portland, OR, was this reclaimed wood wine holder, with the round holes repeated by round bird's nests and eggs. Colorful birds pull the eye down to the "twee." The combo of sophisticated repetitive images and cuteness is memorable.

Plant A Smile
In a more modern vein, Velocity in Seattle, WA, did a great job of of showing their selection of 3-legged cups mixed with air plants and a larger black container. The repetitive round, colorful images work beautifully with the polka dot rug below. The interior of each cup creates its own polka dot. Hard edges are softened by the fragile plants. There is an innate sweetness in small plants. They are like plant "babies."

Naturally Appealing
Soft blues and greens compliment one another in this sweet yet sophisticated display at Tilde, Portland, OR. Nature is a huge trend in decorative accessories as well as visual merchandising. When you add a plant it softens the entire visual area as well as bringing the outdoors into the store. Natural elements and lighting are proven to create more sales as well as higher ticket sales.