JHA was recently tasked with creating a fresh, modern vocabulary for Peter Millar’s new Chicago Store (located at 675 N Rush Street). Peter Millar embodies luxury, elegance and a dedication to superior craftsmanship.
“I envisioned a contemporary, yet classic space inspired by Chicago’s significant architecture designed by such giants as Mies Van der Rohe and Louis Sullivan. Throughout the space you’ll see a nod to these greats including the ceiling, furniture and fixtures.”
– Jeffrey Hutchison
The 3,000 SF space is organized into two main spaces. The Front Hall is a large open room surrounded by windows with views of the Chicago streetscape. This space incorporates gray washed wood floors and ribbed wood walls with soft accent uplighting. Fitting rooms are bright and dramatic, utilizing soft lush furniture, brass hardware and navy-blue raffia wallcovering. The rear of the store is an intimate, private shopping experience with an area for custom tailoring.
The ceiling is a modern interpretation of the coffered ceiling, and the contemporary recessed light cove pattern and soft curved “cornice” is inspired by the more classic decorative ceilings by Louis Sullivan. The furniture and fixtures were a modern interpretation of Van der Rohe’s “form follows function” mantra.
JHA used minimal lines and sleek automotive paint finishes in various colors along with acrylic blocks to provide an interesting backdrop to highlight the colorful Peter Millar offerings. Modern decorative objects, paintings and black and white photography of Chicago Architecture are incorporated throughout the space to embellish the design vocabulary.