Stripped
back interiors have been around for a while now, particularly in retail and café society. This style still seems to be as popular as ever and
personally, I think it works.
I may
be a bit of sucker for industrial finishes but, why I think this works in retail is
because of the combination of texture, natural colour palette and great
lighting, which shows up every crack and surface finish. This all helps create
character and sets the tone for great retail product.
We are
very used to seeing this interior style in fashion, lifestyle stores and super
cool urban cafes but its appeal stretches even further and would suit any
number of retail stories.
I think
it works best when the contrast is well defined between interior finish and
product. There is something very appealing about the contrast of new against
old, shiny against matt, rough texture against smooth and decay against new. It’s
a very touchy feely approach but in retail this is a good thing, instantly
creating an atmosphere that is sadly lacking in many shops
Of
course, this stripped back look isn’t just about hacking off a bit of plaster;
it needs some serious design input and greater flexibility in the shop fittings. We
have to remember that retail is about change, the interior needs to be able to reflect this and visually demonstrate change without the need to completely
refurbish. Ultimately, this comes down to some all encompassing retail campaigns
and inspiring visual merchandising. Without the ability for simple change or
enhancement of the shop interior, as with any strong theme, customers will soon
tire of the look.
Personally,
I don’t think this interior style is going away anytime soon and, although I
don’t want to see it everywhere, I’m more than happy to see it flourish for
some time to come.
All the best
Peter
#retail -consultant -designer -visualcommunicator -educator
tel 07907 691711
email info@artysmith2.com
shop images - St Vincents, concept store, Antwerp
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