Hidden Gem: An elegant jewellery boutique set in an art deco apartment
Occupying a former apartment unit in one of Istanbul’s oldest residential buildings, this jewellery boutique offers a memorable retail therapy in a chic, art deco-inspired setting.
By Asih Jenie -
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For avid shoppers, discovering a great shop in an unexpected location is like finding a rare, hidden gem. Turkish jewellery brand Melis Goral’s new showroom is one such example.
Designed by multidisciplinary studio Sanayi313 Architects, the 150 sqm boutique occupies a former apartment unit in one of the oldest residential buildings in Istanbul’s scenic Bebek district that overlooks the Bosphorus, also known as the Strait of Istanbul.
Third-generation jeweller Melis Goral founded her eponymous brand in 2014, which quickly gained a following for elegant collections that draw inspiration from art, architecture and travel.
“It was important for us to echo the brand’s elegance, contemporary aesthetic and art deco influences,” says Enis Karavil, co-founder and creative director of Sanayi313 Architects. “We wanted to create a design scheme that would give visitors a memorable experience without overriding the pieces showcased.”
The spatial experience starts at the entrance, where a flight of stairs leads to an airy area dressed in white and bronze with a custom-designed octagonal bronze display unit.
The main area of the showroom features ornate arches with sinewy timber parts that beautifully emphasise its size while denoting different zones. Striking marquetry flooring completes the tribute to its art deco heritage.
“Maximalist expressions in minimalist details” was Enis’ mantra when he curated and designed some of the showroom’s furniture.
The selections include a desk with curved features for consultations, pedestal-like Sanayi313 07313 Side Tables and custom glass display cabinets set on a wooden base with drawers for accessible storage.
Curving shelves, a circular table, marquetry flooring and a neon pendant light convey a unique juxtaposition.
As lighting can make or break a showroom, Sanayi313 collaborated with On-Off Lighting Design and Consultancy for a system that optimises both natural and artificial light.
The effect is especially amazing in the private room that showcases Melis Goral’s diamond collections in a plush, minimalist space with wall-to-wall grey carpeting and a mirrored ceiling.
The same sense of understated luxe extends to the bathroom with marquetry flooring, wood-panelled walls and a custom sink from an exquisite black and white Bianco Lasa Vena Nera marble block.
The whole place is a gem of minimalist details that are so much more than the sum of its parts.
photography by İBRAHIM OZBUNAR