Contract - July/August 2013 - (Page 136)

ago in the extravagant Edwardian era, when Great Britain indulged in a brief flurry of peacock fashions and bombastic ornament. Jenner found a rather gloomy, 540-square-foot storefront sandwiched between two large emporiums and turned it into a jewel case that draws in shoppers from the sidewalk. The façade is historically listed and couldn’t be altered, but the curved glass windows that flank the narrow entry provide an ideal proscenium for the interior. “In retail, we are moving towards a theatrical representation of brands,” says Jenner, who researched the heritage and aspirations of the venerable company. Penhaligon’s holds two of the coveted royal warrants, supplying fragrances to the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales, and their coats of arms are proudly displayed. The design had to embody that tradition of quality, and was also shaped by the fact that the clientele is equally composed of men and women. Every surface is richly ornamented and impeccably crafted. The entry is paved in checkerboard tile, and a tiled border outlines the walnut floor. Tiny vitrines for the fragrance vials are attached to padded 136 walls of purple vinyl, and these are juxtaposed to an expanse of sandblasted antique mirror and white oak marquetry set four ways to create an illusion of depth. Fabric is printed with labels of the company’s 50 fragrances and applied as a wall covering in the back of the store, and on side walls near the ceiling. The glass ceiling, inspired by Tudor moldings and studded with brass roses, is modeled on those in the chapel of Henry VIII in Westminster Abbey. Chandeliers were inspired by the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, a Regency-era extravaganza created for an earlier Prince of Wales by John Nash, the original architect of Regent Street. The bow that ornaments Penhaligon’s scent bottles is implemented as a recurring motif in the interior. No such thing as sensory overload Scent is an invitation to seduction, and the interior of Penhaligon’s is a feast for all the senses. Every surface is tactile and reflective of light. Each element enhances its neighbors, and the aesthetic draws on an contractdesign.com july | august 2013 http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - July/August 2013

Contract - July/August 2013
Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Columnist: Tips on Developing Winning Proposals
Product Focus: Geometry Rules
Product Focus: From Brazil to London
Product Focus: Drawn from the Sea
best of NeoCon®
Google Dublin
Autodesk Milan
Dental Clinic
Botín Foundation
Penhaligon’s
Competition: Inspirations Awards
Designers Select: Surfacing
Sources
Ad Index
Exhibition: MoMA Explores the Design Mind of Le Corbusier

Contract - July/August 2013