A narrow entrance invites shoppers to a unique light filled shopping experience. Brightly illuminated vertical displays and jewelry case are the primary focus within a white and grey architectural interior, creating an environment both serene and intimate.
Early lighting challenges were to convince the owner not to fill the ceiling with downlights, but allow the interior finishes and display strategies define the light. A ceiling above, painted dark for contrast, conceals a cove to provide ambient glow to the perimeter walls then folds down to create a vertical display, and lead shoppers to the lower level.
Downstairs sales areas are divided into merchandise galleries: jewelry, flatware, china, silver, and crystal. A dark and light interior palate delineates gallery zones. Indirect lighting accentuates the contrast between dark and light spaces. The owner’s unique collection of crystal chandeliers and illuminated objects further emphasis each gallery’s individuality.
Indirect lighting above display cases and architectural ceilings creates ambient illumination, while accent lighting provides highlight and sparkle but kept to minimum to avoid visual clutter.
Uniform display niches allowed for creative curating and organizing of objects by style, material, and color. Lighting was optimally positioned within the cases to provide focal front lighting of the objects, and also fill the surrounding vertical surfaces with a soft diffuse glow.
Flatware, highlighted by concealed lighting within millwork cases, defines the gallery’s’ bright vertical surfaces. Jewelry cases are illuminated with a fiber-optic system to optimal light quality, and an indirect cove above provides soft ambient fill light.
The jewelry gallery ends with a bold architectural wall display, and summaries the overall retail environment intent – to create a refreshing and exciting visual experience for the shopper.
Architect: Morris Adjmi Architects
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