January 2, 2006

Relish the Thought

Trunk Shows by Relish at Home

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

An overstatement? Perhaps, when describing your experiences at retail home parties. But between the pressure to buy ugly hippie necklaces and the massive doses of wine imbibed, things can take on pretty Dickensian proportions.

Unless it’s a Relish at Home trunk show.

Proactive in their mission to bring a real retail experience into your home, Relish will spruce up your space into something that’s equal parts swank boutique and indie craft show. With an insouciant mix of well-known designers (like bags by Tote le Monde) and locally crafted homespun wares (like stationery by Good on Paper Design), it’s a wonderland of shopping delights.

Best of all, they usually sherpa enough inventory so you can walk away with your newly discovered treasures: The host has the enviable position of getting both a Relish at Home gift plus 10 percent of the total sales.

So yours will be anything but a Bleak House.

Relish at Home, 2703 Seventh Street, suite 112, Berkeley (510-981-9400 or relishathome.com).