How lucky was I to get my picture taken with Suzanne Kasler, Marcia Sherrill, and Suze Surdyk Jones? (I am second from the left!) Oh my goodness, 3 fabulous design icons who shared their time speaking at Atlanta’s Mart. They were mainly speaking to bedding retailers but I picked up a few interesting tidbits. I must say Marcia has a very witty personality. One of her suggestions was to take an old fur coat and make a throw out of it. She also said that she recycled her old wedding dress (post divorce) and made pillows for her daughter’s room. I thought it interesting too that hers and Suzanne’s daughters did not want their rooms “done”. She said she just purchased Manuel Canovas sheets for her bed, she likes color. 
Suzanne showed her bed which has been featured in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine.
She used ivory sheets, and ordered cashmere fabric and trimmed it with black grosgrain ribbon. She used metelasse curtains and bedding. Isn’t the mirror above the bed fabulous? I like color, but I also adore black and white. The geometrics on the bench add such a nice dimension.
Suze, who has been named Southeast Designer of the year and lives in Atlanta, added that by changing a few elements in the room such as adding a candle, bringing in some china or a new lampshade can transform the look by not spending a whole lot.
They all agreed that a good foundation (mattress) is key and that mixing and matching the other elements is definitely OK. Just as in fashion we don’t necessarily wear the same designer, our beds don’t have to be dressed by all the same manufacturer…many different lines blend with each other.
I thought it interesting too for the retailer to partner with an antique dealer to make vignettes in the store, it makes a beautiful display of the product being offered. It is good for the retailer and for the antique dealer as it will create sales on both sides. Also, put items needed to complete a bedroom in a basket tied with a beautiful ribbon. Items such as pillows, throws, candles, and perhaps some shams. Price at a slight discount of what each item would cost separately. Customers want to see value. Maximize the square footage in the store, do not just look at floor space, but walls and ceilings. Add artwork, and lighting, so the bedding store becomes much more! Hold special events in your store to bring people in...it all creates sales!
One thing I appreciated the most was the reminder of the importance of personalization. It creates a meaningful room. One way to start is by using our client’s favorite color as a starting point and remembering to add some monogramming or embroidery somewhere. The ladies all agreed that lavender and magenta pink are the colors coming into focus now!
I was honored to be in the company of such fine business women, creative, vibrant and down to earth.
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