Design Blocks: Case Study 1

Modern Times

Modern Times radiates sophistication and elegance. The shop itself has been designed to function as a large display case, which communicates well at its corner location. Bright white and lipstick red provide a clean backdrop for the eclectic modern fashion and accessories Modern Times has been providing Chapel Hillians for years now. Plush carpeting underfoot keeps stylish heels stealthy and globe pendant lights hover at different heights to create a cosmos effect overhead. Perhaps the most striking design feature, is the red curve that works its way through the boutique like a diva displaying merchandise with finesse. Other swoon worthy elements include marble counter tops, industrial racks (which the owner intended to be red) and birdie silhouettes on the store front windows. Please note, that the changing rooms are not visible in the following photos, which should serve as a sigh of relief to those who don't fancy parading their fitting forays on the main floor. Instead, customers try on clothing in spacious rooms set apart from the boutique's large glass facade. Whew. And for those who are not so fashion savvy, a large desk serves as Modern Times' consultation hub, where one can chat comfortably with staff about all things stylish.

Modern Times owner: Hillary Fisher. www.shopmoderntimes.com

A red undulating wall at eye level adds intrigue and sensuality.

Layered objects create dynamic depth and engaging visuals.

This ideal location is enhanced by a revealing glass corner.

Cameron's

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.

Cozy

At the corner of Hillsboro and 9th street in Durham stands a building which was once a gas station. This gas station then became a seedy pool hall and that pool hall is now Cozy, which is anything but seedy. Cozy is a place to find the comforts of home: reading glasses, tea accessories and balls of yarn nestled into cubbies... one can even find a group of women clicking their needles at the wooden table in the knitting corner. Here, old bed frames are suspended from the ceiling to support whimsical ornaments overhead while the original wood flooring remains clear and unobstructed for easy navigation. Shaped a bit like a boomerang, the building itself is a cozy nook curled up in a corner lot. From the street, an old bathtub full of rosemary sits like a loyal lap dog in front of Cozy's beige stucco facade (functioning as a planter AND a road barrier to keep over zealous drivers in check). Sunlight streams into this little store, thanks to large windows, glass shelving and relatively shallow awnings. Consequently, window displays are kept to a minimum and carefully composed with sun damage in mind. Cozy's large quantity of yarn, clothing and leather bags creates a warm tactile experience on the back windowless walls, where displays are grouped with like items for easy browsing. This textile rich merchandise is then balanced by the bath, tea, stationary products and jewelry, which display well near the windows. Issues such as storage and parking are touchy subjects here at Cozy... which has remained true to its original gas station form. Thankfully, the owner has some storage up her sleeve for bulky holiday retail props.

Cozy owner: Deb Nickel.

Clear circulation along the spine of a non-conventional space.

Like items in large quantities create playful displays.

Glass shelving against a window takes advantage of natural light.

Touchwood Antiques

Tucked between Neal's Deli and Open Eye Cafe in Carrboro sits an impossibly small antique store (500 square feet) with no running water, heating or cooling... what is going on? In spite of the most basic retail design rules, Touchwood antiques proves to us all that going against the grain can keep you in business for 15 years! Owners Emily Long and Christine Watt come across as witty and delightful as they chat about the eccentric side of retail and the curious nature of antiques and the people who collect them. Emily is a seasoned antique dealer and Christine has gone from landscape design to visual merchandising and branding for a high end home and garden shop. The result is a pairing that defies the odds with a strong sense of composition and a conviction to sell the items that Emily and Christine truly appreciate and love. Touchwood's displays are dynamic arrangements of unique furniture (original surfaces only), bizarre farm implements and delicate china. In the true marche au puce fashion, there is a conscientious jumbling here that wets that appetite for hunting those much coveted "objets". A warm gray coats the brick walls where doors are hung to provide a convenient backdrop for the various prints and paintings, which keep customers gazing upwards in the narrow space. Diverse textures in a similar palette bring intrigue and continuity to the shop and soft lighting from the various lamps and chandeliers prevents glare in close confines. When asked to describe Touchwood's concept, the Emily and Christine ponder for a moment (speaking about shops with shop owners is a bit like talking to parents about their children). And then they let me know that Touchwood is an approachable antique store, which celebrates the intrinsic qualities and unique character that can be found in the Americana pieces throughout. Having stated this, the owners still seem to be in awe of the fact that their lovely store has survived this long. Against the odds indeed-- and with so much charm.

Touchwood owners: Emily Long and Christine Watt

Strategic jumbling wets the appetite for treasure hunting.

Touchwood's take on the "cabinet de curiosites".

Wall displays emphasize an upward shift of the eye.

Nested

It's no surprise that Nested is owned by a graduate of NC State's department of industrial design. Jenny McMillan has created so many satisfying moments throughout her shop... it's ridiculous. Her eye for detail and her ability to compose disparate items into one cohesive display is just so pleasing. She is approachable and inviting as she describes the building's history which has been a barbeque joint, 5 & dime, and office space in the past 90 odd years. Jenny points to a large interior wall and gives credit to its beautifully distressed patina as the inspiration for the Nested's design aesthetic. Warm and pale, Nested's color palette consists of sophisticated pastels, which are both nostalgic and contemporary. This balance between old and new works well with the store's historic setting and modern contents. Reclaimed wood flooring, original windows and antique furniture exist comfortably with track lighting, glass shelving and Nested's well designed modern merchandise. Shying away from the title "lifestyle store" Jenny describes Nested as a place for home, for giving and for life, which is evident in the character and content of the store's three spaces: a side for homeware, a side gift items and gallery for fine art. Located on Carrboro's bustling main street, Nested's brick facade, flower planters and window displays are inviting. Jenny points out that the only draw back to the building's traditional entrance is the alcove set between the display windows. Here, local postings and publications are set on racks where customers can get a sense for the town's activities. Unfortunately, this set-up lends to a cluttered and slightly cramped feeling at a serious junction in the building's circulation. Jenny hopes to one day update this alcove with some design solutions of her own. In the mean time, Nested will continue to convince customers of the balance achieved when we appreciate the old with the new.