Open!

The new General 54  store opened this week and I am really happy with the results. Take a look at these before and after pics:

As you can see, the space is completely transformed. It is warm and cozy and exactly what the client wanted: a more sophisticated and inviting space. What I especially love is how everything was either made from scratch or found and transformed. This is becoming my commercial design trademark! Because of budgetary constraints, a will to recycle, and maybe just because I love transformation in design, all of my work seems to follow this mandate. Lawrence, the Lawrence butcher shop, Cocoa Locale – transform what is there, buy used and paint it or change it somehow, and build what you need. There are very few elements that were purchased new and used as is.

Here is a rundown of what was done to the space:

A key element to the decor is the lighting. We decided to keep the existing track lighting (and although I generally dislike tracks, I believe that in commercial situations they are sometimes a necessity). We had the lights that Jen purchased spray painted:

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We had these gorgeous Lambert & Fils lights installed over the merch table:

They add a warmth and a beautiful glow to the room. I love these so much.

And we had this light made by them and installed over the cash:

I found some beautiful fabrics and we had the armchairs, that Jen already had, reupholstered. We also had the change room curtains made (by Jen herself):

We needed something to separate the front of store from the back office area. I wanted light to come through as there is a window at the very back. We came up with a rope and ribbon wall:

You can still see the back space but it is less noticeable and a nice way to break up the space.

We painted the exterior and brought in the always delightful Mr. Sign (Dave Arnold) to paint the window signage.

I really like the stripe running through the windows. It helps to connect the smaller, weirder shaped window space with the rest of the store.

And then there is the floor. Love the floor. Love it. It was primed plywood when we got the space. We painted it this great grey blue colour and then found this stencil online and voilà! A beautiful, statement floor that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Really nice and a cheap and cheerful solution to a drab floor. Everybody wins!

Here are a few more detail shots of the space:

The space looks great. It was a true team effort and everyone worked so hard. With a great layout, beautiful statement lighting and pretty details, the new General 54 is ready to go and open for business. I wish Jen and Dan tons of success in their new work home. Go check it out!

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