Orla Kiely for Target: Oh YES WE CAN!

Just when I thought life could not get one smidge better: A line of housewares designed by Orla Kiely is coming to Target on February 1. That's Sunday. Get up early, or blow off church (they'll forgive you) and get over there, because very little of it will be available online--you'll be at the mercy of your local Target and its vicissitudes. If your Target is in an area with a high-density of design freaks, pickings might be slim. You know how it is when they have a limited-edition designer range. Some pieces of it go gangbusters, like those elusive John Derian melamine trays, and get talked about and talked about in blogs and higher-end magazines. Those pieces don't stay in stores long, but they should be available right after the line debuts if you're on the ball about it. (Actually, I didn't think that Derian stuff was so stinkin' hot, but Orla Kiely is a whole 'nother thing.)

You might be saying, "What is an Orla Kiely?" Orla Kiely is an Irish designer who is best known for handbags and stationery with pretty, graphic prints. She makes clothing and other things too, but if you know me, you know I'm all about the purses. Her patterns are so appealing and modern, yet to me they also have a kind of 60's Pop-Art sensibility. So she's doing a line of kitchen stuff and organizing accessories for Target. This is kind of a big deal because in the U.S. her stuff isn't just everywhere. You might have seen it in the Garnet Hill catalogue, but that's the only mass retailer I know of who carries any Orla Kiely. The rest is here and there in little boutiques, though Nordstrom has a few things. So she has some crazy devotees, kind of the way those Cath Kidston people are like a cult.

I am behind in my design-blog reading, or I would have known this was happening before today. Caught unawares, people! Here's the folks at Apartment Therapy freaking out about it, and here's Holly at Decor8 freaking out about it. And here's me freaking out about it: I was at Super Target today, pushing my man Hank around in the buggy, and on an endcap back near the throw pillows, I spied some pretty storage boxes. From across the store I knew it was something new and different. I am, like, straight out of that Malcom Gladwell Blink book when it comes to retail. Thinking without thinking, that is my way. But I thought it looked like more Dwell stuff. When I got close enough to see the label, I had a talking-out-loud-to-the-merchandise moment. I said, "Stop it. No way. Just STOP IT!" People were too polite to turn and look. And Hank is used to shopping with me--he knew Mama wasn't fussing at him.

I don't know why my store had a few things out early (the storage boxes), but it wasn't the stuff I really wanted. So here's what's coming (pics from Apartment Therapy). There are canisters (ooh, according to the NYT the canisters have wooden tops), trays, dishes, boxes, tablecloths, napkins, cork placemats, aprons, and more. Holly at Decor8 says it's all priced between $2.49 and $21.99.

What do you think? I saw the storage boxes today, and they weren't a must-get. That flower print is not that special. And the whole over-the-door organizer thing does not really work. But I see several tumblers, placemats, napkins, mugs, serving bowls, and plates that need to come to my house. My fever for melamine has been documented here before, and Mama needs more. Really anything with that pear print will be mine. Those pear seat cushions? They'll be cushioning my seat soon. My only Orla Kiely thing right now is this bag. Hi, precious.

The only problem is that Matt will most likely divorce me if I bring home any more coffee cups or dishes. So I have some tough choices to make.

Thanks for scrolling. I needed to tell someone. Have a great Friday!