When owner Susan Knabb took her made-to-order baked goods business out of her home kitchen and into a commercial one, she decided to add a retail component for selling her gourmet cupcakes and cookies. Designer James Frederick worked with Knabb on mixing the right design elements that were rich and vibrant – just like her treats – but still approachable. “We used basic materials that feel high-end,” says Frederick.
For example, the laminate cashwrap looks sculpted thanks to a mottled, luminescent finish that mimics the icing on the cakes. Vinyl flooring in a neapolitan-striped pattern underlies the bright space, which is accented with handmade ceramic earthenware light pendants and a blue woodgrain shelving unit. And a circular design language – from the logo and pink “candy button” dots on the walls to the pom-pom fringe on the custom window shades – provides a nice contrast to the angular cashwrap and citrus-colored ceiling soffit.
Project Participants:
The Sweeterie, Cincinnati -- Susan Knabb, owner
Design
Frederick Woods Design, Cincinnati -- James Frederick, owner/design principal; Joe Woods, designer; Mariel Westermeyer, materials specialist; Jenny Friedmann, project coordinator
Architect
McClorey & Savage Architects, Cincinnati
Outside Design Consultant
Cindy Kaer, Graphica, Dayton, Ohio (branding)
General Contractor, Custom Fixtures
NorNab Construction, Cincinnati
Flooring
Armstrong World Industries, Lancaster, Pa.
Laminates
Abet Laminati, Englewood, N.J.
Formica Corp., Cincinnati
Lighting
J. Schatz, Greene, N.Y.
Signage/Graphics
Greg Barnhart
Details, Dayton, Ohio
Window Treatments
Designtex, New York