When Wendi Koletar, owner of Texas women’s boutique Kick Pleat, set out to open a second location in downtown Austin, she assembled an inspiration folder containing images of stucco villas in Greece, whitewashed homes in California, earthy landscapes, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home. Working with designer Jamie Chioco and project manager Mikel Bennett of Chioco Design, Koletar translated her vision into a 4,900-square-foot retail space that’s clean but not stark, considered but accessible, in short, a platform for slow fashion with a side of Texas grit. Join us for a tour:
Above: When she started her business, Koletar realized that exploring subtle versatility in texture, shape, and palette was necessary to differentiate Kick Pleat’s vision. The space is a study in these same nuances unto a range of natural materials: stucco, white oak paneling, concrete, steel, marble, copper, and brass.
Above: The shop counter was designed to be an elegant focal point, with rectangular marble volumes cantilevered on wood bases. Light floods the space via a full wall of windows and multiple skylights.
Above: Small objects, such as the oversized driftwood branch, were sourced from vintage markets, the Austin citywide garage sale, or brought back from a Paris flea market.
Above: The varying light sources also play into the interiors, creating shapes, lines, and angled rays that shift with the sun’s position. The Afteroom Lounge Chair by Afteroom for Menu is $1,500 at Nannie Inez.
Above: Garments are hung on simple steel clothing racks designed by Chioco Design and built by Hewn. Clothing is also displayed on raw edge slab tables constructed by Fox Fine Woodworks.
Above: Lights, such as the copper tube and glass globe fixture seen here, are all custom from Chioco Design and made by Warbach Lighting. The vintage rugs were each sourced online, the result of “a lot of hours of late-night internet research,” says Koletar.
Above: The X-shaped brass light is also by Chioco Design. The custom brass and leather bench was upholstered by Sabrina Stewart from Undercover.
