Mission Missoni

You came, you saw, you bought everything. Now how do you incorporate those Missoni pieces into your existing home décor?

The Missoni Collection crashed Target's website in a matter of seconds. Within 20 minutes of stores opening, the women's wear line was almost completely sold out. Soon customers were lined up at the check-out aisles, their carts overflowing with merchandise baring the Italian designer's unmistakable zigzag pattern.

They came, they saw, they bought everything. Fans of Missoni cleared out the store displays, leaving many others waiting for Target to be restocked. Good luck with that.

But if you're one of those lucky shoppers who managed to lay a hand on the luxury brand's limited-edition collection of home goods, ranging from bedding to dinnerware to picture frames, you may be wondering how to incorporate those bold pieces into your existing home decor.

Baltimore interior designer and stylist Stephanie Bradshaw suggested adding from the collection one piece at a time.

"There were some select pieces that I really liked," said Bradshaw, who owns Bradshaw Styling. "But I wouldn't want my room to look like I bought the entire Target line."

Tell that to the customer who left the Target in Cockeysville with four carts full of Missoni merchandise totaling more than $4,000.

"She said that she spent $1,100 on one Missoni scarf, she might as well spend that money on this entire collection," said Anitra Washington, executive team leader of guest experiences at the Target on York Road.

The collection, which featured more than 400 pieces for fashion and home, ranges in price from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items less than $40. The collaboration, which will be available through Oct. 22, marked the largest collection ever in the history of the national retailer.

"Our past collections don't even compare to this," said Washington, in reference to the shopping frenzy her store experienced Sept. 13, the day of the collection's unveiling.

"People were lined up at 8 a.m. Someone was literally pushing on the doors. They went straight to women's [wear]. They cleaned that out within 20 minutes. People were running for shoes. Some were running for home [goods]."

Within hours, most of the Missoni collection was completely gone in Cockeysville and at other Targets around the region. Officials for the company, based in Minneapolis, Minn., have said that stores will be restocked with certain merchandise, but not an entire restock of the collection.

Nonetheless, Bradshaw said the piecemeal approach fits perfectly with what her customers want.

"Our designs are very eclectic anyway," she said. "They are more statement pieces. You don't want your room to look like it exploded with Missoni."

Contrary to popular belief, Bradshaw said that it won't be hard to incorporate Missoni's iconic zigzags into your current home décor.

"Mixing and matching patterns is really trendy," she said. "We're doing it in fashion and home décor."

When incorporating the Missoni look, Bradshaw suggests following a color palette consisting of no more than three hues.

"Stay within the color palette," she said. "If you mix and match within the color trio you'll be fine."

Bradshaw checked out the collection and selected some of her favorite Missoni for Target pieces, offering tips on how to use them in your home.

Picture frames: "A desk would be a perfect place for an accent frame like that," Bradshaw said. "It's stylish and chic."

Rugs: For a spark, these make the perfect addition to the bathroom, according to Bradshaw. "Because they are so small, they might be pretty in a bathroom with the black and white theme and an accent center," she said.

Throws: Bradshaw liked the collection's throws, in particular, for a touch of Missoni. "They're very traditional. It's a nice print. And nice fall colors. It adds a pop of color to the room," she said.

Fabric pouf: This furniture piece, similar to an ottoman, is very trendy right now, according to Bradshaw. It's perfect for seating. Add a tray and use them to place your drinks. Combine them to make a coffee table, or use them to rest your feet while rocking a baby to sleep, she suggested. "They are great because they are small enough for seating," Bradshaw said. "You can also tuck them under a sofa table. They are a great accent piece and they can be used in multiple applications."

Dinner plates: "They are perfect for lunches for the kids," Bradshaw said. "They aren't going to break." The square plates, made of melamine, can also be used as accent pieces, she said. Add a candle and you have the perfect accent piece for a sofa table. Arrange several on a wall using plate hangers for a decorative piece of art. "You can really get creative with them," she said.

Ceramic vase: Bradshaw would use the short, black and white vase for a work desk or a kitchen table. "I always like to bring fresh flowers and herbs from my garden," she explained. "It's great to have a little ambience at night. It would also be a great thing to hold pens and knickknacks on my desk."

Patio sling sectional: The set would be perfect for a rooftop of a rowhouse similar to the ones in Federal Hill. "You need something chic," she said. "It's a great little set."

Media bins: "Those are perfect for storing all kinds of stuff: mittens, gloves, all types of things at the door for active families," Bradshaw said. "They're also great in kids' rooms to store toys and books. They're also really great in the closet."

Shower curtain: Bradshaw liked the different curtains in the line for different reasons. "The curtain in the traditional Missoni pattern is a little more modern; it's clearly Missoni," she said. "The passion floral curtain is more fun. It's definitely fine for adults, but I would like it in a teenage bathroom."

Toss pillows: Use them everywhere from the living room to the bedroom, Bradshaw said.

Bicycle: Bradshaw even found a use for the bicycle. She would mount it on the wall for decor. She quickly added: "But it wouldn't be my first choice."

john-john.williams@baltsun.com