The Field of Flowers Store in West Dade, Florida lives up to it’s motto “The Greatest Flower Store on Earth.” Since the prototype opened a few months ago, its fan club of flower lovers has blossomed. The FOF store is a finely tuned version of a prototype created two years ago that was developed to remodel the existing Davie and Boca Raton Stores. The contemporary and fresh space designed by LS+Team‘s President Lisa Sallwasser and consultant Beth Howley feels like an open, light and airy garden.

The Flower Market with hundreds of fresh flowers anchors the center of the store. Surrounding the market are a do it yourself counter, work counters for staff assembling fresh arrangements, and a concierge counter all made of maple with galvanized tops. A fresh green palette together with the warm woods, galvanized tops, light blue ceiling, industrial galvanized pendants, and sparkly LED lighting all reinforce the outdoor garden and market feel. The friendly staff are all flower experts, creating an engaging hands-on store.

A key element of the space is the 50-foot softly curved storefront wall of windows. The designers selected the Rakks system for FOF storefronts going forward because they create a merchandising vehicle that can span a vertical installation (this one was over 12 feet) and allow for a semi-transparent inside/outside solution. LS+Team created 8′ X 8′ double-sided lexan signage panels with elegant green botanical silhouettes reminiscent of Henri Matisse’s decorative period. These panels are supported by Rakks poles made of extruded aluminum with channels designed to incorporate Rakks Shelf Support Brackets. The designers utilized both sides of the Rakks pole system to unify the space. The street facing side supports the signage and the interior side of the system is outfitted with Rakks aluminum shelving that displays flowers, pots and decorative accessories.

Rakks Style Spy is back and we’re highlighting a new Boston project.

On tree-lined Clarendon Street in Boston’s chic South End neighborhood, is the newest outpost of the award-winning Boston bakery/cafe The Buttery, aptly named The Buttery 2. The new cafe offers fine coffees, espresso drinks, loose leaf teas, homemade baked goods and unique sandwiches, soups and salads.

The Clarendon Street location designed by Hacin + Associates (H+A) is clean and serene. H + A transformed the former retail space into a sophisticated bistro with old world charm. The space features handmade cement tiles from Nicaragua and pristine white subway tiles that line the walls and serve as a backdrop for sumptuous items on display. One wall of the shop is lined with packaged coffees, teas and specialty items – all of which bask in their clean and simple presentation. The space feels open, airy and welcoming.

In keeping with the original Buttery’s history, the shop features a warm but sophisticated color palette, materiality, and texture. Painted tin ceiling panels were used to mimic those found in original South End buildings. Counters are polished carrara marble and handsome glass display cases showcase the delectable assortment of foods made from organic and locally grown ingredients and provisions supplied by local producers. It’s a little bit of culinary heaven just steps from the Boston Ballet and Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street.

Stay tuned for more Rakks Style Spy discoveries this year!

When we designed the signature Rakks shelf support bracket, we believed that fundamentally books are beautiful and meant to be seen. They bring character and warmth to a room, or in some cases, an entire building. Here are a few of our favorite spaces for books.

We know people covet books, they take pride in displaying them. We covet books – even if their spines are a little shabby or their covers a bit worn, they reflect personal style. We’ve have been lucky enough to have our shelving systems in beautiful bookstores, famous museums, spectacular homes and venerable universities and we support the vision of talented architects who have created beautiful spaces for books.

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