Luxe Flagship for Judith Ripka

Design details include textured mirrors and custom lighting.

Stephen F. Milioti -- Interior Design, 5/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

Judging from the crush of jewelry lovers lined up outside the new Madison Avenue Judith Ripka store earlier this month, Judith Ripka's got quite a following. The opening marked the launch of Ripka’s Couture Collection--which combines matte 18 karat gold with rare gemstones. The inviting new store, designed by New York interior designer Tristan Harstan and architect James D’Auria, is larger and more prominently situated than the old one.

Inspiration for the store came from French 40's Moderne, a la Coco Chanel, with a palette of butter, blush, and chocolate. The floors are covered with a dark Emperador Mocha marble, and the lighting features a floating Murano glass chandelier by Lorin Marsh which plays nicely with wall sconces made of strands of crystal balls.

The store, which feels more like a salon, incorporates furniture designed by Tristan Harstan and Nancy Corzine, and bespoke fittings reflecting design themes from Judith Ripka's jewelry. In combination with hand-painted silk mural by DeGournay of London, and the Elizabeth Dow wallcoverings, one begins to notice the feeling of being inside a luxurious jewelry box. In the window displays, the designer used LED lighting behind behind the transparent Ripka signature Love Goddess intaglio, mesmerizing passersby with gently changing jewel tones inside the four mirrored and silver leafed showcases.