Redwash and Sparkle

The Bay has chosen a strong but uniform colour scheme for the flagship store windows this Christmas season, and the winning shade is RED. While the backdrops are ablaze with red props, the visual team has added sparkle to the windows with hits of metal and glass. These displays get my vote for most eye catching on Yonge Street. In fact, I think that one of those dresses is calling my name, which means the visual merchandisers have done a great job!!

Nautica at The Bay

As I was snapping up bargains left, right and centre yesterday, I managed to pause on the 5th floor of The Hudson Bay Company's flagship store at Queen and Yonge to check out some of the new furniture lines being featured. I was pleasantly surprised by two new collections from Nautica with sophisticated and clean, modern lines. For a traditional decor, the Henderson Collection features pieces constructed from Beech solids and Ash veneers with Antique Bronze accents. For a more contemporary decor, the Governor's Island Collection uses Beech with South American White Mahagony veneers and polished nickel hardware. Both collections are well priced, extremely visually appealing and they make me want to redecorate right away!!

How I Saved $748.53...

...by spending just $151.47.

The opening title may sound a bit like an infomercial, but I'm glad that summer is winding down because it means that seasonal merchandise has been reduced to clear!! Today I scored some serious bargains at The Bay Queen & Yonge and I need to brag:

Sandro Dress:

Regular $325.00

Sale $48.74

Lida Baday Skirt:

Regular $485.00

Sale $71.24

Franco Sarto Gold Sandals:

Regular $90.00

Sale $31.49

The best part is that in reality, there is still plenty of time to break in the new duds before the season ends!! Happy Shopping!!

Bedding at The Bay Flagship

Searching for new bed linens? You may be pleasantly surprised to see what The Bay has to offer. I visited the Toronto flagship store on Sunday afternoon, and I was impressed with the improvement in selection, service and overall presentation throughout the bedding department. Check this out: The sales staff were attentive and friendly, displays were pristine, and the linens were very well organized. Thank you, Bonnie Brooks and team!

Hudson's Bay Collection

Distinctly Home Bedding

Distinctly Home Bedding

Gluckstein Home Bedding Collection "Midori"

I'm about to share a little secret with you: One of the best things about shopping at The Bay downtown at Queen & Yonge is pausing for refreshment at the City View Cafe on the 8th floor. To get there, take the west set of escalators up as far as the seventh floor, pass through the carpet department and then ascend one final escalator to the 8th floor cafe. I learned of City View while working at Simpson's during my college co-op, and although the weekdays see a steady stream of store employees, you can always get a window seat with a view on weekends:

Red, Gold & Green

A few weeks ago, I intended to post about the Christmas windows at The Bay flagship store when I was distracted by the fabulous windows promoting the relaunch of The Room. Today is a follow up to that post, now that the Christmas windows have been installed in the east windows along Yonge Street. The windows feature traditional Canadian winter scenes and are bathed in shades of Red, Gold & Green. I particularly like the window containing the canoe and classic Hudson Bay point blanket and pillow. It's so Canadian, eh?

Red

Gold

Green
(My favourite!!)

The Bay Flagship Revitalization

Since I posted photos of the Holt Renfrew Christmas windows, I thought it only fair that I should also check out the Bay's flagship store to take pics of their festive windows. Well...I got a little sidetracked from my mission when I arrived at Queen & Yonge to discover that the best windows were those lining Yonge, Richmond and Bay Streets. These displays highlight the recent relaunching of The Room on the store's 3rd floor.

Above & Below: Balmain

Above & Below: Erdem

Above & Below: Josh Goot,
Gianfranco Ferre, Barbara Bui

Above & Below: Proenza Schouler

Above: Matthew Williamson, Wayne Clark,
Antik Batik, Herve Leger

Above: John Galliano, Army by Yves Salomon
Ralph Lauren Black Label

Above & Below: Matthew Williamson, Elie Tahari,
Manoush, Harve Leger

Bonnie Brooks, recently appointed President & CEO of the Bay, has taken on the daunting task of resurrecting the Canadian company to its former glory which is by no means an easy task. The initial steps are promising - Brooks hired design firm Yabu Pushelberg to create a refreshing look for The Room and the transformation is simply stunning.

What I love the most about the redesign:

• Windows have been uncovered along the east and south sides, letting in natural light.
  
• Bright lighting and modern fixtures illuminate the formerly gloomy space.
  
• White walls, white fixtures and gleaming white floors allow the merchandise to stand out.
• Clutter has been cleared from the aisles, and there is less merchandise per square foot which allows customers to see more. The phrase "less is more" definitely applies in this case.
• Mannequins are grouped in multiples for bigger impact.

Modern light fixtures are featured throughout the space.

Groups of mannequins create effective displays.

South facing windows let in natural light.

White floors & walls allow the merchandise to stand out.

Incorporated in 1670, the Hudson Bay Company is a Canadian retail survivor. There is hope that this upscale makeover will guarantee the company's continued success well into the 21st century.