This Jewelry Store is the Epitome of Modern Gothic Luxury

It's true that retail is suffering given the prevalence of online-only brands and e-commerce. But if the interiors of the new Adam Foster Fine Jewelry outside St. Louis are any indication, in-person shopping can still offer an experience incomparable to scrolling a website.

Located in the suburb of Frontenac, Mo., the new Adam Foster Fine Jewelry showroom occupies 3,700 square feet and features a dramatic, moody palette to showcase the designer's hand-crafted pieces.

“The goal for the showroom and studio was to create a unique retail experience that provided a minimal and dramatic backdrop for the client's distinctive, one-of-a-kind pieces," says Rita Radley, a design lead at local firm Arturis, who worked on the project. “The space provides the opportunity to showcase the work and educate clients on the design and creation process."

Upon arriving at the showroom floor, customers step from the elevator onto a custom engraved brass floor plate and are welcomed by Basel, Foster's taxidermy peacock who is perched in a case on the wall. Inside the main showroom, black walls and luxe velvet furniture contrast the ample natural light provided by a large skylight overhead.

The lighting was a critical component for Arcturis' design, given the role that illumination plays in displaying fine jewelry. “With the use of a dark color palette, the lighting strategy was important to make sure we were highlighting and creating sparkle without any harsh glare," Radley explains. “Adjustable downlights in the main client room allow for flexible aiming when showing jewelry. The cooler light temperature is ideal for highlighting the gemstones and details of the designer's work."

In a surprising twist, the retail space also features an outdoor patio, a dining table, a five-seat fully stocked bar with open brass shelving for alcohol, and a mirrored backdrop. This material palette is present throughout the showroom, including for the custom display cases, which are made of ebonized wood, brass, black mirror, and glass. These details, Radley explains, reinforces Foster's emphasis on “intricately detailed hospitality" for clients. Foster intends to use the showroom for special events of up to 40 people.

Arcturis also created a separate space for Foster to work called the Production Studio, which features a more neutral color palette and lots of natural light for the jewelry designer's work with gemstones. “The full cycle of making occurs here, from initial sketch concepts, to digital rendering, to full realization and creation of each piece," Radley explains.

Overall, the renovation has offered Foster the opportunity to create a unique retail experience for customers. “The design challenge was to create a place where beautiful jewelry and sophisticated customer experiences worked alongside each other," Radley says. “The space is functional, refined, and one-of-a-kind—much like the work within it."