Cameron's is a veritable temple for all things gifty. The store was designed in the 80's to serve as a craft gallery and has since evolved into an eclectic gift shop. Sleek surfaces and angles make for a dynamic space full of unique alcoves and zigzagging aisles ideal for meandering. The facade is a dynamic cluster of bluish blocks, mosaic tiling and playful displays reminiscent of a Peter Gabriel Video. Light wooden flooring and warm track lighting pairs well with Cameron's colorful, quirky merchandise, which ranges from glittery Elvis heads to beautifully crafted watches. Certainly not for the timid shopper, Cameron's is a digger's delight, providing a seemingly endless array of gift options around every corner. And if that wasn't enough, there's even a shrine upstairs for meditative relief from the burden of... consumerism perhaps? Unfortunately, some of the original design elements which once effectively served the space as a gallery, now stand in contradiction to Cameron's current reincarnation as an accessible gift shop brimming with displays and attractive items difficult to sell from inside locked glass cases. Other difficult spacial elements center around the stair case, and upstairs area (originally a cafe), which have visibility and accessibility issues. Not to worry, Cameron's is up for a serious renovation (let's hope the spirit of the 80's will prevail). When asked about the shop's concept, staff members said it was truly centered around the strong connections between the customers and the staff who have shared a long history in Chapel Hill, where Cameron's has become something of an institution.
Cameron's owners: Bridget Pemberton-Smith and Wendy Smith. www.camerons-gallery.com
Dramatic angles create non-conventional circulation.
Sky lights and balconies illuminate windowless space.
Unique clusters and moody lighting add intimacy.
No comments:
Post a Comment