FASCINATION STREET

PART of THE attraction of Nuffield Street is the sheer exuberance and personality of the shop fit-outs. Interior designers and architects RCG created the distinctive interior for opticians and spectacles retailer Occhiali Optical. RCG's director of retail and commercial environments John Lenihan explains how the fit-out made good use of the available space and created a balanced, welcoming ambience.

"The look we wanted was chic and well-heeled, without being cold and intimidating. Store requirements included capacity to display 500 pairs of glasses, two examination rooms and a back of house area. All this had to be achieved in the shop's modest 85m² space."

To take the client's brief further, RCG wanted to create intimate private areas to browse and try on glasses and yet have a wide, glazed shopfront for display purposes. Occhiali Optical's joinery and walls are in wenge veneer, chosen for its warmth and texture. All the glasses sit on glass shelves, set against backlit white acrylic surfaces which contrast with the dark wenge. Champagne metallic leather wall cladding and seat upholstery add to the eclectic mix.

Display islands in the same veneer provided the privacy elements required and are home to high-end eye wear and frames such as Gucci, Prada and Paul Smith.

"Magenta carpet provides a shot of warm energy to the space, adding a feminine touch to what would otherwise have been a quite masculine design," says Lenihan.

A wall of mirrors helps create the store's spacious feel and allows Occhiali's staff to see the entire shop interior at a glance. A distinctive plywood chandelier, imported from Italy, completes the design.

"We had earlier completed a Ponsonby fit-out for the same company and this attracted a prominent local retail award in 2003," he says. "It was on the back of this successful fit-out that we were asked to create the Nuffield Street store interior."

For details, contact RCG, phone (09) 303 1501, or visit the website: www.rcg.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas