Studio Sofield

If a store could be an exquisitely tailored men's suit, it would be this New York flagship by Interior Design Hall of Fame member William Sofield. The 8,700-square-foot, two-story emporium is a showcase of precise detailing and sumptuous materials. A double-height entry, with walls paneled in gray suede and flooring of heavily veined marble, sets the supremely elegant masculine mood. Beyond, standouts include the Macassar ebony spiral staircase, an octagonal perfumery, seating upholstered in silk velvet, leather, and suede, and pieces by Jean Arp, Lucio Fontana, and Claude Lalanne. Of course, the picture wouldn't be complete without bespoke suits. They're on the top floor, at Tom Ford Made-to-Measure.

PROJECT Holt Renfrew, Vancouver, British Columbia.

STANDOUT Exterior glass walls and a three-story central atrium handle retail's key requirements: clear sight lines and intuitive circulation.

PROJECT Fornarina, London.

STANDOUT A wall and ceilings of molded polycarbonate, backlit with LEDs that shift from blue to white, leave the city's gray weather at the front door.

PROJECT Davids, Toronto.

STANDOUT Sandblasted acrylic, polished steel, seamless mirror, and dove-gray suede com-bine to create an industrial elegance.

See photos of all the projects in the December 2007 issue of Interior Design. Photo by Bill Jacobson.