A behind-the-scenes look at how Anthropologie displays are made

Ever wonder how Anthropologie constructs its beautiful store displays? A couple of weeks ago, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a part-interview, part how-to with Rachel Robertson and Amber Van Weerden from Anthropologie’s Market St location. The duo represented the visual and display departments for the store, demonstrating how they create beautiful pieces of art from unlikely sources. See that gorgeous portrait behind them? The article shows how it was made and includes step-by-step instructions on how to reproduce the piece. There are even photos!

There’s also some background on why Anthro creates the displays, and its choice to recycle materials when possible:

“This philosophy comes from the organic need to re-imagine and reinterpret what is already part of our environment,” says Karen Heilbronner, Anthropologie’s visual director, in Philadelphia. “We are always working with our presentations in a state of evolution, and that lends itself naturally to the reuse and redevelopment of existing material.”

At the heart of each of the company’s projects – changed seasonally – is an air of playfulness, a bit of intrigue and a whole lot of surprise. With the upswing in do-it-yourself decor, the shop’s enviable exhibits are garnering more curious, how-can-I-do-that gazes.

Rachel T. Robertson, senior display coordinator, designs and creates window and interior displays and fixtures for the Market Street store. “I think our customers really value that touch of the hand, appreciate what we create and often want to create it themselves.”

I found this to be a fascinating read. The instructions to recreate the displays is an intriguing touch, and I’m tempted to take on a canvas-to-fabric art piece of my own. How about you?