Last week I was invited to join fellow bloggers at the West Elm (Portland) to check out their summer line. I was super excited to be invited because I have just recently fallen head over heels for their products. More affordable than Anthropologie and slightly more artisan-esque than Target?
Sign me up!
(Don’t get me wrong…still love me some Target and dream about Anthropologie nightly.)
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| Pretty outdoor lanterns and chairs. |
I was happy to learn that West Elm actually works with artists around the world to collaborate on items for their stores. Check out their collaboration list:
Yep, Etsy is on that list.
I even learned that that location hosted an Etsy pop-up shop before and is planning on a floral pop-up shop soon.
I totally love the wonderful products using the illustrations by Claudia Pearson—Perfect for a summer outdoor dinner party! Also, lots of handmade items being highlighted at the store. I was given beautiful Maria Moyer pottery at the end of the tour and was super excited to add it to my home decor. Clinton Friedman’s photos and prints were swoon worthy (check out the huge flower photograph from the photo above).
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| Succulents were everywhere! |
The purpose of this event was to get to see West Elm’s Summer collection and the inspiration behind it. They are featuring a lot of neutrals with bright (and BIG) pops of colors. Nature is also taking a big role in all of the items featured in the store. While there, we got to see all the different DIY elements that can be brought in with their items and given suggestions on how their items would fit in with the items in our home.
Of course, I couldn’t walk a store full of beautiful home elements without thinking of a thousand ways I’d incorporate those elements into a party. So, I’ve decided to start a semi-regular series based on party inspiration that can be found at stores near most people…
West Elm, Target, Dollar Tree, Rite Aid, etc.
(If you have a store you’d like to see on my list please let me know!)
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| Really gorgeous cloth napkins in a variety of colors and prints- and not too expensive at 4 for $16 |
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| I want this table SO bad. |
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| Sam from Sam Rosen taking a photo of The Paper Mama at a really cool West Elm Coffee Table in front of some awesome paper mache animal busts. |
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| Sam and myself right before the tour. |
If you want to see more posts about the West Elm Summer Collection then
check out #WESummer on Instagram and Twitter!
Full Disclosure: While this post reads a little like an ad it was not a sponsored post. I was invited to the West Elm Summer Preview, but did not have an agreement to post about the event. I was given a gift for coming to the event and received a really yummy cupcake from
Jones Cupcakes. I enjoyed my time and thought you’d enjoy seeing some of these products. Hey, it also explains the inspiration behind my new series. Check back tomorrow for the first installment!
