Ultimo Boutique
Dallas, Texas

The Ultimo Boutique in Dallas is located in the prestigious historic neighborhood of Highland Park. This boutique and another in San Francisco were designed exclusively for a Chicago retailer and share the same design concept- that of a red lacquer chinoiserie box.

The main entrance to the boutique is located at the base of a three-story Spanish mission tower whose facade is unified by a bluestone plinth that frames the merchandise and draws the window shoppers to the boutique after-hours. The perimeter of the space is formed by curved, red walls that are filled with merchandise and displayed within a rich, warm light that flows from the ceiling in a wave of overlapping vaults. The ceiling plane floats freely, sailing above the walls it is engaged by elliptical columns, and curves down slightly toward its edges.

A rich material palate extends into custom designed display fixtures designed by Gabellini Sheppard Associates. Silk banners, mirrors and walnut hang bars are suspended from the ceiling by tensile fibers typically used for mountain climbing. Many of the floor fixtures were designed by George Nakashima Woodworkers in association with Gabellini Sheppard Associates as dramatic set pieces to complement the elegant materials and textures of the merchandise.