Opting for something a little more luxurious and small, I discovered Linda Farrow, an exquisite eye wear boutique in Soho, New York. With evident elegance and finesse, this wonderful store was designed by architectural studio, Giancarlo Valle.

The difficulty behind this design was the lack of space and managing to create around that. Giancarlo Valleovercame this through a minimal approach, with subtle patterns and smooth finishes to avoid the look of ‘too much’ and ‘overdone’. Stand out features of the space are the materials and the way they are merged within one confined area, including cast concrete and rough plaster, onyx, brass and suede.

A combination of reflective, gleaming and matte finishes brings together the Linda Farrow Store, creating a perfect canvas for the displayed glasses to sit against.

Its concrete façade and typical New York exterior, influence the interior with a distinct relation between the use of concrete on the floors and the large marble structures that separate the room up for guided circulation.  

The designers transformed the building completely, with custom mirror and product display designs, whilst the furniture is supplied by Dimore Studio, with that velvet green texture and those golden streaks, contrasting beautifully against the softer tones in the store.

A wide selection of sun glasses is neatly displayed on golden framed boxes that hang in assortment on the walls, while a large showcase of what looks like layered beams, holds a collection of more eye wear, inside the long, stacked forms, with seamless glass tops and brass features that allow for additional viewing stations and complement the golden tones used throughout.

For me, this design is as lavish and deluxe as any high-end, eye wear store should be and I look forward to visiting next time I find myself in New York city.

Photos © Brooke Holm,and Giancarlo Valle

Photography courtesy of Brooke Holm