New Work - Store Front Gate Installed

The new store front gate of Minerva.

Up close.

There would be a padlock to close the gate together - you can see Anne (my client) behind the glass doors on her way to lock up.

I had a late meeting this evening so I went via Cuba Street to see Minerva's new store front gate in use as it would be at the end of the working day. I have seen the gate since it's installation but hadn't had the chance to see it fully closed. The steel guys did a great job producing this gate and the client is happy with how it turned out. It has been getting many positive comments from customers too.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

New Work - 'Minerva' Store Update

Before - the original 'Minerva' layout with the old counter on the right by the threads area.

After - now the new magazine area with new window display cabinets.

Before - the original front of the store on the left side with display units and a large antique table.

After - The new counter now at front of the store between the antique table and window display cabinets.

There is also a new back unit for the counter (you can just see the corner of it).

'Minerva' is a book store and gallery that I designed a couple of years ago. My client called me back to replace the old counter (we had kept it on board for budget reasons) and to add more shelving in the front area of the store.

We removed the old counter and created a new magazine area. We designed a new counter and located it by the main entrance on the left hand side for more visual impact and a better view for those working behind it.

I took the 'after' photos above the other day while it was getting finished. The clients were still setting up the store, locating the new computers/phones and getting the books/magazines back in place - however, it was already looking pretty good. The clients are happy with the results.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

New Work - Store Front Gate

Minerva is a retail store that I worked on a couple of years ago. We are updating the store this month with a new counter, extra shelving and a store front gate.

I went to the steel factory this morning to check on progress of the gate (hopefully you can distinguish it from the background) and it's looking good. It is a simple design and I used the 'M' as the focus for the central panel. We also added some leaves and flowers trailing out out from the M to relate to the Minerva logo. Just need to choose the powdercoat colour (a dark charocal grey) and hopefully it will be installed in the next week or so.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

New Work - Minerva, Bookshop and Gallery

After looking at the library inspirations yesterday - I thought of Minerva - a bookshop and gallery dedicated to crafts and textiles. I designed this store last year.

Check out the old furniture we kept from the client's previous space - big chunky table, chairs and an old counter; which we combined with simple white walls and book displays. The orange lights and central runner divide the space up and leads to the retro orange doors (which I posted last week) at the back of the store.

I enjoyed this job as we transformed a dark concrete shell to this warm and inviting retail space and the client is delighted - which, at the end of the day, is essential.

Click on the images to see them bigger.

Photos by Neil Pardington.

New Work - Pop of Colour

Here's a bit of retro and bolt of orange - these salvaged doors were found in Wanganui. We had them cleaned up, re-painted and installed in a vibrant book store/gallery. A good contrast to the crisp white and colonial profile of the skirting and architrave.

Photo by Charlotte Minty.