Chanel Facelift

The Chanel boutique in Beverly Hills, Calif., received a long-awaited makeover recently. The 9000-square-foot Rodeo Drive location is the second of the Chanel stores to be renovated in the U.S. so far. The company plans to spend the next two to four years on a general overhaul of all its stores worldwide.

The boutique now has more selling space. New York architect Peter Marino moved the double staircase – once in the store's center – closer to the two-story windows at the storefront. The shoe department moved downstairs, from its original second-floor home to the back of the first floor.

Some new design elements include faux ivory tiles on the second floor, where they highlight the ready-to-wear collection. Modern furniture was upholstered in haute couture tweed. Black, square end tables present 30s-style lamps. The third-floor salon was also updated, with a new inlaid ceiling dotted with tiny light fixtures over the VIP dressing zone.