Johnson Family's Diamond Cellar

After operating for more than a half-century from a single store, The Johnson Family's Diamond Cellar(Columbus, Ohio) has opened its first branch. The chosen locale: the Fashion District within Easton Town Center, a sprawling upscale retail/entertainment complex on Columbus'northeast side. Designers at Cowan & Associates (Worthington, Ohio) had to help the home-grown, independent jeweler shine in a retail neighborhood populated with such high-profile national names as Anthropologie, The Limited and Wilson's Leather.

Consequently, the Cowan team created a high-end environment – both inside and out – for the 9000-square-foot space. Design director Thomas Morbitzer says interior elements include custom wood and glass casework, light and dark cherrywood accents that set off designer shops for such brands as David Yurman and Rolex, and polished limestone and granite flooring. The store's granite-clad exterior features black awnings, lighted display boxes and a hanging clock that Morbitzer describes as “a signature brand element” for the retailer.

Client: The Johnson Family's Diamond Cellar, Columbus, Ohio – Jeff Johnson, president

Design Team: Cowan & Associates, Worthington, Ohio – Thomas Morbitzer, design director; W. Philip White, design architect; Louis Cowan, principal architect; Jennifer Metz, Stephanie King, interior designers; Janet Taylor, Tony Crawford, design development/construction documents

General Contractor: Schaffer Construction, Columbus, Ohio

Suppliers: Armstrong World Industries, Lancaster, Pa. (ceiling, vinyl flooring); Mock Woodworking, Zanesville, Ohio, Pionite, Shelton, Conn., Nevamar, Odenton, Md., Eurotex, Philadelphia (fixturing); Designweaves, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Dupont Flooring, Columbus, Ohio, Catco, Port Reading, N.J., Daltile, Columbus, Ohio (flooring); Continental Office Supply, Columbus, Ohio (furniture); The Artglow Co., Columbus, Ohio (graphics and signage); Lightolier, Fall River, Mass., Advent, Greenville, Wis. (lighting); Electric Time Co., Medfield, Mass. (custom clock); Sherwin-Williams Co., Cleveland (paint); Kawneer, Horcross, Calif. (exterior window muntins); Catco, Port Reading, Pa. (exterior granite); Sunbrella, Glen Raven, N.C. (awnings)