55 WESTAND COMPANY

QUITE POSSIBLY... THE COOLEST STORE ON THE PLANET!!!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2008!!


We wish you a fabulous and prosperous New Year.
We look forward to seeing you at 55 WEST and Co. and welcome your comments.




The new year is a good time to take stock and put things in order so let us know if we can help with some of the unique items we have re loved and recycled.
We've had fun working up wild color combinations for furniture and have had a run on our original jewelry designs and directional signs. Stop in and see what's new.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

NEW handbags!



Pat, or Paaaddy (as her southern belle mother refers to her-- and now me, too!) was working away on our Millersburg community quilt square when inspiration struck! These cool bags include multi-colored fabrics, hand-beaded embellishments, cool linings, and soooooooo much more! Watch for these cool bags on our web catalog!-- Stefanie

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Glamour Shots





Help! I'm having an identity crisis! If you saw our group picture a few frames back, I'm the granny in the back row--the one in the coat with a fur collar--very prim and old-fashioned beside the cool, long-legged babes who work at 55 West & Co. I have an explanation: I'm Mennonite! (See photo on the right).


Stef is doing her best to help me maneuver myself into a new image and has promised to give me a great look for the next group photo. My excuse for the frumpy Grandma pix is that: #1 I AM a Grandma, and #2 I was so busy sewing our beautiful bags that I just grabbed a coat and ran to the photo shoot. Really, I'm truly grateful I've finally found a place where I fit in and I promise to live up to the 55 West glamour code in any future photos. Joanne

Decorating for Christmas on Halloween


Monday, November 26, 2007

A Night to Remember...

Posted by Jamie


Bright displays and a trail of silver glitter welcomed guests to our annual Holiday Soiree on Saturday, November 24.



If you weren't able to join us for the big party, be sure to stop in soon to see our magnificent Christmas tree. It will certainly inspire you to begin your own holiday decorating!

It's a good thing we're open late Monday through Saturday. When the sun goes down in the evening, 55 WEST really comes to life in the light of crystal chandeliers and designer lamps.

Our beautiful tuxedo buffet was the perfect bar for the big event. Here, Stefanie's mom Melody prepares to welcome guests with a glass of wine and a big smile.

Three tiers of fresh fruit and red roses was almost too pretty to eat!

Food, friends, wine and incredible shopping... our Soiree only happens once a year, but it's always worth the wait!


After lighting up Historic Downtown Millersburg with Fox 8's Robin Swoboda at his side, Santa made sure to stop in and say hello at his favorite shop.

One of Santa's helpers (Stef's niece Brooke) was also on hand to make sure all of our guests were having a good time.

The Holiday Soiree is always a fun time for old friends to reconnect and for new friends to share their love of all thing 55 - from antique treasures to modern home accessories.


Erik Escola, Timken High School's culinary arts teacher, tends to a beautiful spread of tasty hors d'oeuvres, that included crab cakes, spanikopita, baked brie cheese and shrimp cocktail.

As the evening began to wind down, Stef's crew of party-lovin' employees presented her with a special gift to thank her for all she's done to make 55 WEST the best place to work.

Of course, we certainly want to thank all of you as well for making our Holiday Soiree a night to remember. We wish you all a very happy holiday season and bright new year!!!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Decked out for the Holidays!!!

We hope to see you at the Holiday Soiree this evening from 6-10 p.m. You don't want to miss all the fun, food and incredible shopping... EVERYTHING in the store is 25% OFF!!!!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Magic in the air!

This is but a tiny peek at our beautiful 12 ft Christmas tree. We put an interesting twist on traditional holiday colors by bringing out Red's funky sister - Magenta!!! You have to see it for yourself to appreciate this bold and beautiful work of art!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Christmas at the Cabins



The cabins at Trailside Lodging are dressed in touches of greenery and splashes of gold and silver, offering a cozy place to gather with family and friends this season. Spend a week or weekend in Amish country and you'll find everything you need from incredible shopping and dining to luxury accomodations and plenty of holiday spirit!
Check out the cabins at Trailside and our beautiful rooms at White House Guest Suites at www.trailsidelodging.com.

Monday, November 12, 2007

All in White

New guests to the store are often amazed at how great Stef's prices are on such incredible antiques and shabby-chic furnishings. If you join us for the Holiday Soiree on Nov. 24, gorgeous pieces like this dresser are 25% off their original price! I can assure you that I will be shopping as well!!! ~ Jamie

One of the many paint finishes at 55 WEST & Co

Friday, November 9, 2007

HOLIDAY SOIREE


The 55 crew had a blast with wall to wall people at our annual Holiday Soiree!!! We partied on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 6-10 p.m.with spirits, hors d'oeuvres, and 25% OFF all of our antiques, hand-made jewelry, Woolrich and vintage clothing, Burts Bees, lamps, pillows, artwork and so much more... Robin Swoboda, of Fox 8's "That's Life" was here to celebrate with us!

We all gathered together a few weeks ago to take our annual "family photo," but we were a few short that day. Tara, Peg and Breanna weren't able to be with us, but they were there in spirit and will hopefully be joining us for the big event!

In the photo above, from left to right are Stefanie, Cute Sarah, Joanne, Paaaaddy, Big John and Jamie. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Soiree!!!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Sparkle & Shine

Adorn your home with mercury glass candlesticks and tree toppers to add a touch of class and elegance to your holiday decor...

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Decorating with Black and White?

Everyone is excited about our black & white dramatic entrance. Sometimes the best thing you can do is rearrange! Whether it is your furniture at home or at the store--or even your life in general. You never know exactly what is going to happen when you start moving stuff around! Joanne

Thursday, October 11, 2007

WEASEL BOY


Big John, also known as "WEASEL BOY", loves his new T-shirt that I had made for him. John walked into the store one day many years ago and hasn't given us a moment of peace since! We love him--and 55 simply wouldn't be the same without him!--Stefanie

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Sneak Peek - New Floral Design Workshop!!!



Posted by Jamie

Though it isn't quite finished yet, I just had to give a sneak peek at the new floral design workshop that Pat was working on today. It's actually more of an artist's retreat than a workshop, and I'm sure you can see why from the photos. The workspace is ideal, the flowers and the walls bursting with color, and the painted window on the wall just says it all. I hope you all have a creative space to escape to, but if not, then you've got to visit us soon for some free inspiration!!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Favorite Photos








Posted by Jamie
I was looking through some of the photos I've taken of 55 WEST over the last year, and I just wanted to share two of my favorites. The top photo is absolutely my favorite. The colors and the energy of that little vignette are what 55 WEST is all about. The teal bedroom set was so sad looking when it came here to 55, and once we'd given it a bold new coat of color and a shabby chic finish, it really commanded attention and just lit up this corner of the store.
The second photo shows just how much floor space this beautiful building has... and this is only the first floor! (* The man at the bottom of the stairs is our buddy John. He stops in each day to say hello and to take Stef's dog Otis for a walk. He's a real hoot, especially when he and Stef get to teasing each other. She just got him a T-shirt for his birthday that boldly proclaims his nickname - WEASEL BOY. He calls her THE WEIRD ONE, so their love and respect for one another is mutual!)

Burt's Bees





Posted by Jamie

I never imagined I'd find a Burt's Bees product that I liked more than the Lavendar Complexion Mist, but it's finally happened. Last week, I took home some of the Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, and I LOVE IT! I have really sensitive skin, and the product that I was using before was more drying than I realized. This new Burt's Bees facial cleansing cream feels really velvety on the skin, and it washes off well too. I love what it says on the back of the bottle... "This natural, rich cream cleanser is all bark and no bite." It's true!!!





Hall of Pillows




Posted by Jamie


If you've been hunting for just the perfect pillow to compliment your bedroom or living room decor, then you definitely need to see our hall of pillows. When you walk upstairs, you're first greeted with our comfy fitting room and then the cozy kitchen setting with all of the colorful cups and dishes. Just past that, you enter a long path lined on both sides by tall wood shelves. And every inch of those shelves is stuffed with pillows in all shapes, sizes and colors. You'll find everything from country florals to Asian prints, but my personal favorites are the patchwork pillows. Made from the most beautiful designer fabrics, these pillows are really works of art.

Friday, September 21, 2007

A Fresh Coat of Paint



Posted by Jamie

There are times when I am convinced that Stefanie has no fear. She will climb to the tops of ladders and stretch her body as far as it will go to hang a piece of art near the top of 55's 20-foot high walls. I've seen her lift huge antiques by herself, while grown men watch and decide whether or not to offer their assistance when she's doing just fine by herself.


This week, she decided it was time to add some fresh paint to the outside of her two-story shop. Without a moment's hesitation, she bravely rode a boom lift 26 feet into the air and got right to it. In about 24 hours time, she had added a rich golden color to the large wood window frames and bold magenta to the enormous back doors.


This building is gorgeous, and Stef continually finds ways to reinvent and reinvigorate all of its decorative details.