Just over a week ago, Des Moines enthusiastically welcomed its newest retail destination. The Des Moines West Elm opened its first Iowa store on Grand Avenue in the East Village. I didn’t make it to the grand opening party, but I did stop in a few days later, and the place was packed. People in Des Moines are definitely hungry for stylish, on-trend alternatives to our limited options for home decor and furniture. As a designer, I’m thrilled that I can finally sit on upholstery and check out the scale and finishes of the items I’ve been coveting online for both clients and myself.
I only snapped a few photos on my first tour of the new location because there were just way too many people around. But, I wanted to share some of the newish pieces that caught my eye for Fall and have me wishing for a bigger home decor budget.
I’m still dreaming about the day when we can finally decorate our new master bedroom properly. It’s way down on the priority list below everything baby. But, when we do get around to it, I think this low mid-century style bed would be just perfect. I like the mix of materials, the upholstered headboard, and clean lines.
Do you switch our your bedding based on the seasons? I never do, but this flannel pin dot bedding looks incredibly cozy and would look fabulous styled with the plaid throw below.
I love the soft, painterly quality of this abstract wool rug. The understated color palette would pair beautifully with white oak, light leather, copper, and marble.
This teal settee has a distinctly 80s vibe. I think it would be perfect in an office for guest seating or in a formal living space. It has a pretty small footprint so it could also be a nice option in an apartment or tight living space as extra seating.
I spotted these graphic vases at the Uptown West Elm in Minneapolis and was immediately drawn to their playful shapes and the elongated dot pattern. I fully intended to bring the larger black and white version home from my first visit to our West Elm, but I didn’t see them there.
I love this black leather chair for a man’s office or a bachelor pad living room. I’m a little short to find it entirely comfortable, but that’s nothing a good throw pillow couldn’t fix. I think the proportions would fit a taller person better.
West Elm has a strong planter game going on right now, and I thought this little, spotted dog was just adorable. Don’t worry, there’s also a cat version.
I love a good swivel chair, especially a smaller one like this super cool velvet design by Roar+Rabbit for West Elm. At only 30″ high, they provide extra seating without blocking the view. The pleating detail and brass bass elevate the overall design.
Never underestimate the power of a sculptural table lamp to inject interest and style into an otherwise lonely corner. This piece would work perfectly on my vintage mid-century credenza to provide a little mood lighting.
Simple in form, the mix of materials on this little side table drew my eye. At 20″ round, it’s large enough to be functional, but the glass top keeps it from feeling too dark or heavy.
Is it just me or is it really hard to find a decent bar stool at a good price point? After an almost ludicrously extensive search, I ended purchasing a brass and leather version from CB2 for our kitchen peninsula. These gorgeous mid-century style stools hadn’t been released at the time, or they would have been a strong contender. They could only be better if they a. swiveled, and b. came in multiple fabric options (although they would be easy and fairly inexpensive to re-upholster).
Who wouldn’t love a petite footed planter with polka dots? I’m partial to the blue and think it would look adorable on the shelves I’m planning to install in the nursery. I’m not great with succulents though, so maybe a tiny tropical plant instead? And, don’t even get me started on ferns. They die so quickly you can actually see it happening.
I was immediately drawn to these throws in our new store. They are so much more impressive in person with a thick chunky weave. The blue is going to look amazing in the nursery and could easily work in our living room as well.
Do you live in Des Moines? If so, have you visited the new store yet? I’m hopeful that this shop will lead to more retailers opening locations in the downtown and East Village. Both areas have undergone major transformations over the past several years and already feel so much more dynamic than when I first moved here in 2008.