Christopher Jenner: Atkinsons Burlington Arcade
Christopher Jenner designs the interiors for Atkinsons, a historic perfume house that returns to London after a 67-year absence in the city, making its new home at Burlington Arcade.
A historic perfume house that opened its doors in 1799 and boasted customers such as Napoleon and King George IV, has finally returned to London after a 67-year absence from the city. Known for its 24 Old Bond Street location between 1832 and 1950, Atkinsons has made its new home in the equally iconic Burlington Arcade a stone's throw away. Relaunching the brand in 2013 with a contemporary take on fragrance and style, Christopher Jenner was asked to design the brand new Burlington Arcade Store, its first UK boutique since 1950, to replicate the unique style of the brand and its fragrances.
From the incredible book-matched black marble with its striking vein detail to the thirty-one solid crystal carved pendant lights suspended above the fragrance bar, this is a design that screams luxury at the top of its voice. The entire ground floor has been designed with interaction and evolution of the brand in mind. The bar features a long raised podium, inset with glass and internally lit to showcase the brand's ever-expanding range of fragrances. The surrounding shelving and displays include intricate detailing whilst not detracting from the contents displayed within. This simplicity breaks down the boundaries between customers, staff and the desired products available to allow for a smooth journey and experience from start to finish.
As guests make their way to the first-floor consultation room, the scene s set as a soft and comfortable environment, showcasing the very best in bespoke furniture, lighting and accessories. The finest of details have been included throughout the entirety of Jenner's designs but it is the consultation room where they really come to light as guests sit back and enjoy the space. The curtain pelmets have been crafted by using cross-hatched metal, pressed and then handwoven for an elegant finish. The pendant lighting suspended above the two abstract coffee tables has also been created from scratch using handmade glass inserts and a white marble counterbalance.
Visitors will immediately feel at ease within the characterful and homely surroundings, inspired by the rich history of the brand and Burlington Arcade itself.
The lower ground level houses the gentleman's lounge, complete with its very own barber, allowing visitors to experience the Atkinsons Grooming Collection the way it was intended to be experienced. This level has a much more traditional feel than the other rooms, displaying framed vintage labels and designs that reference back to the past of the brand. Walls are adorned with brown tones and rich chocolate leathers replace the colourful upholstery seen in the consultation room whilst the use of a third bespoke colourful rug connects these two designs and spaces together.
The store marks a welcome return of the brand to London and a wonderful new addition to Burlington Arcade. It is great to see a business with an equal balance of past and present, acknowledging their rich history but not using it to dictate their future. Atkinsons manages to showcase designs in a beautiful and contemporary environment, making guests feel welcome and familiar with an iconic London brand.
