DALHOUSE
a store for children
Raleigh, NC
When I studied abroad in Spain, I realized a few things: big things, like wanting to become an architect, and smaller things, like how to be satisfied with 3oz of coffee, and how well Europeans, and their children, know how to dress. The Spanish dress their kids with the same effortlessly chic vibe as themselves. Many mornings walking to class I would ask myself, “Is that a uniform? Are they going to church?” No, it’s just a Tuesday and I need to take mental notes…
So, when Caitlyn approached me about her concept for a children’s European clothing store, I was sold. She wanted to transform an old dry cleaner into a sophisticated retail space with the neighborhood feel of Five Points where it’s located. Like many retail stores in Europe, square footage was limited. Every inch of space needed to be maximized for product, while still feeling like a showroom. The space needed to be flexible enough to sell merchandise, as well as accommodate different functions like after-hours trunk shows, birthday parties, or story time.
After proposing two schemes, The French Pavilion and The Haussman Apartment, Caitlyn decided on the latter. Incorporating elements of the quintessentially Parisian housing style such as herringbone floors and ornate molding, juxtaposed with modern furnishings and lighting, brought Dalhouse from concept to reality.
Five Points Neighborhood
Old Dry Cleaner becomes Dahouse
SCHEME 1
FRENCH PAVILION
In an effort to create a memorable and immersive shopping experience for children, this scheme takes inspiration from glass pavilions and the classic European tents found along the Mediterranean Sea. Blending elegance and transparency, the store could use elements like arched doorways, ornamental detailing, and a barrel-arched ceiling. Adding skylights would introduce natural light. Alternatively, using “tented” elements could introduce playful and imaginative components like adding a draped ceiling. Adding whimsical murals along the walls would give children the illusion they’ve stepped into another world.
SCHEME 2
HAUSSMAN APARTMENT
Referencing the Haussmann-style apartment involves incorporating the classical elegance of Parisian housing with modern functionality. This scheme takes advantage of the high ceilings to create a sense of grandeur and openness, while large, strategically placed windows—either actual or interpreted with glass—invite natural light into the space. Using herringbone wood floors, ornate moldings, and a centralized fireplace enhances the character of this Parisian style. A storage wall along the entire length of the store organizes the merchandise, maximizing space and creating smaller zones within the store. A palette of natural materials like stone, plaster, and brass accents adds a timeless and yet modern feel.
