RUTH MELLERGAARD, PRINCIPAL of GRID/3 International, has noticed a new interest in the environment in the interior design world that she says is long overdue.
“Vendors are talking about how they manufacture in a carbon-friendly manner, customers are asking for sound abatement and realizing the importance of low VOC wall coverings and paint (volatile oil compounds that contribute to poor air quality),” she says.
Along with this increased awareness has come a longing for hints of nature indoors, even (or especially) in places of business.
Green retail space, which incorporates plants, living walls and other greenery into the space, along with natural features including wood and stone, is a burgeoning trend, says interior designer Leslie McGwire. She enjoys bringing nature into the interior if it aligns with the store owner’s vision. In the right setting, green accents can be a breath of fresh air literally and figuratively.
Advertisement
When it comes to a living green wall, the only way to keep the greens looking great is to have a professional service come in weekly, McGwire recommends. “They water and replace old plants. They use common plants so they can change them out for a low cost.”
McGwire says employees and customers alike are more relaxed and productive when surrounded by nature. Positive emotions can lead naturally to a happier shopping experience and increased sales; extra oxygen can fight inertia and fatigue.
An Oasis in the Desert
At Occasions Fine Jewelry in Midland, TX, interior designer Leslie McGwire worked with owner Michael Fleck to install a living green wall, which has become a focal point of the recently reimagined showroom. The greenery acts as an oasis in the store that has an ambience and color palette that Fleck describes as desert luxury.
Moss Makes the Scene
While a rolling stone may gather no moss, that’s not the case for Wendy Woldenberg, who enjoys collecting it. The jewelry designer founded her retail business, WEND Jewelry in Seattle, on principles of sustainability. She has incorporated moss into a sit-down jewelry display. The jewelry, which is inspired by natural elements, both complements and contrasts with the organic backdrop.
Seasonal Sensation
At the Village Goldsmith in Wellington, New Zealand, the plants in the green wall installation are automatically fed three times a day and tended to by gardeners twice a month. Different plant species are added, sometimes to create seasonal color palettes. “It’s a wonderful and ever-changing vista,” says Allette Ockhuysen, brand manager. “It creates an environment that produces oxygen, filters the air and provides a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for clients and staff.”
Subtle Serenity
At Murphy Jewelers in Whitehall, PA, pops of green add refreshing accents to a neutral color palette in the expansive, 4,050 square-foot showroom, which opened in 2020. The store is owned by the Murphy family, who designed the interior.
Advertisement
A Relaxed Vibe
At Mitchum Jewelers in Ozark, MO, planters filled with vibrant green foliage take center stage, but can be seen along many sight lines throughout the space. “I think one thing that customers notice immediately in our store is how comfortable the vibe and energy are,” says owner Randy Mitchum, who undertook a major expansion and remodel in 2018, under the design direction of Jesse Balaity of Balaity Property Enhancement. Another appealing organic feature is a stacking stone wall in the bridal enclave.
An Enchanted Garden
Ellie Thompson in Chicago has an organic theme throughout her jewelry boutique. A shade garden adds warmth and curb appeal out front. Inside, sterling silver jackalopes, designed by Thompson, hide among miniature ferns. Jewelry pieces, including a snake, pop up on plants and natural stone surfaces, lending them an organic air. A magical rose motif adorns one wall.
Picturesque Party Space
Interior and exterior seamlessly converge on the patio at Provident Jewelry in Wellington, FL, where palm trees and a lush, green border add tropical ambience to events ranging from polo season parties to more intimate affairs. Owners Rob Samuels and Scott Diament own Provident Jewelers.
Blending with Nature
Karina Brez, owner of Karina Brez Jewelry in Palm Beach, FL, has framed her entrance with greenery, easing the transition from exterior to interior. Once inside, expansive windows allow for views of palm trees. The store was designed by Romanov Interiors.
Advertisement