The materials the company chose for the jewelry department of the store -- in order to evoke the desired effect -- include a black-and-white pattern of granite and marble on the floor, with aqua tile and mahogany blocks as well as glowing light elements.
"Looking at the overall palette, a decision to create a strong degree of contrast while maintaining a degree of neutrality made the classic combination of black and white appropriate," said Kenneth Nisch, AIA, chairman of JGA, Inc. "Pure black and white, however, could have come across as a bit harsh and lack the added sense of style that was being communicated throughout other areas of the environment. The use of the black and white underlay, with highlights of metallics and mica, added just the right amount of sparkle and shimmer to this classic combination."