The Plumb Club [plumbclub.com]Great lighting is crucial for a successful jewelry store. In this podcast, Leslie McGwire helps listeners understand the goal of lighting and how the proper intensity of light impacts the merchandise and customer perception. She gives...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] The threshold area, also known as the “decompression zone,” is the very first space that customers step into when they enter your jewelry store. It typically consists of the first five to 15 feet worth of space, depending on...

Southern Jewelry News [southernjewelrynews.com]Lighting is Essential to a Successful Jewelry Store: Great lighting is crucial for a successful jewelry store. In this podcast, Leslie McGwire helps listeners understand the goal of lighting and how the proper intensity...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com]2023 marks the 40th year of The Plumb Club providing education within the jewelry space. In keeping with that focus, the successful Plumb Club Podcast series introduces its first two podcast topics for the new year. January’s...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Color affects us in profound ways. Our brains are designed to respond to color. Color sets the mood of a store’s expression. It also can allow you to make mental associations. This fact ties into the interior design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Customers will never forget the waiting areas in your jewelry store. Make sure the chairs or sofas are very comfortable. The seating area is a place where your customers can relax and feel at home. So, it’s only natural that...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] No single jewelry logo design works for everyone. Your business is uniquely yours, and your logo should reflect that image. I would like to share what is important in the look of your logo. First: Make it your own! A proper...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] To help my clients understand this idea of space planning and flooring, I ask them to close their eyes and imagine walking into their store and asking themselves “What does the image say about this business?” I ask them to...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Specifically, the first impressions and sensory cues a customer will receive at a store’s entrance, causing them to think, “There’s something here for me.” One of my favorite topics to talk about to my clients is the...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com] Retailers will get an in-depth understanding about why each is important to their business, along with strategies and tips on how both augment sales. The Importance of Your Store’s First Impression Just as the saying goes,...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] According to color experts, the feeling is that cool toned, flat mid grays are out, and the softer warmer gray colors are in for retail or jewelry stores. The neutral color can go with most any other color paint you chose for...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] The great news is there are more independent jewelry stores enlarging their space than closing them, meaning it is as important as ever to make a good impression with your exterior and interior designs. Often when I do design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Recently, many of my clients have asked me about summer trends to incorporate into their store. This summer, trends I am seeing are natural materials and shades of green. Many clients are wanting to use more natural materials...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Traditionally, drop ceilings have been a standard design element in high end jewelry stores. It has always provided a creative look to the overall space. Here are a few new design concepts to think about while remodeling or...

The Plumb Club [plumbclub.com] The Plumb Club at JCK Las Vegas has brought together a group of companies with the newest ideas and products geared to helping retailers with daily business and sales. Leslie McGwire & Associates: Turn-key retail interior design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Defining your space is all about your brands and images, how it gets people into your store, and what they do once they are there. This is the big picture: what are you selling, and who are you selling to? There needs to be a...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When working with my clients, my design process always starts with the style, look and color of the floor. For the past three or four years, most of my clients have chosen a wood look for their floors. The wood look creates a...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]In my design meetings, clients often ask me what is the best type of flooring to use in their store. Majority of clients want real wood but are unaware about the pros and cons. I always recommend designer vinyl over wood. One...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When designing a jewelry store, I am often asked about using drapery in other parts of the store in addition to around the windows. Draperies can create an exquisite backdrop for interior walls and comprise a design element...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com]Interior Designer Leslie McGwire, for example, throws most rules out the window when it comes to choosing the style of chandelier that packs a visual punch. She might suggest a traditional crystal chandelier in a modern space...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]As an interior designer working with jewelry store owners that are ready to plan the redesign or remodel their stores, the goal is to give the best experience to your customers while they shop. The way customers interact with...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When remodeling or starting a new building construction, clients often ask me about the use of accessories and decorations to impress their customers. I believe that a jewelry store without accessories is a showroom that lacks...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When remodeling or starting a new building construction, clients often ask me about the interior design trends for cabinetry, furniture, and other accessories that impress customers. My experience proves curved interior design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When starting a design project, clients often ask about what designs to add to their walls. I suggest that commercial wallpaper significantly enhances the store image. Commercial wallpaper is durable, water-resistant, and...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Today more than ever, jewelry stores need to excel in visual jewelry merchandising. Using mirrors in the showroom can be an effective and low cost tool to create a visual experience for your customers. Mirrors not only enhance...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When I start new interior design projects many of my clients ask what jewelry cases give a selling advantage and save space. This is a big decision for jewelry store owners, and I often recommend side-by-side jewelry case...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When remodeling or starting new building construction, clients often ask me about the use of a unique ceiling to impress their customers. My response is that while dome ceilings are typically a little more expensive than a...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com] Zorells’ Old Hollywood motif is designed to emphasize romance. One challenge was sourcing chandeliers with the right look and fit; McGwire ordered many crystal strands and the general contractor assembled them on site. “Our...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Jewelry retail is all about the customer experience. When designing a new store, owners often ask about different types of ceilings they should design or remodel. A particularly interesting and effective approach that’s...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]CEO Michael Fleck truly gave back to the industry with his candid sharing of the details behind his store's recent remodel. He and store designer Leslie McGwire, president of Leslie McGwire & Associates Interior Design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]The Centurion will present the answers to the above question and many more in a free webinar on Thursday, November 11 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The webinar will feature owner Steve Williams, President and his daughter Shaina...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When remodeling or starting a new building construction, clients often ask me about the use of a unique ceiling to impress the customers. My response is that drywall drop ceilings are more expensive than a basic 2” x 2” tile...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]West Bloomfield, MI--Clients often ask me "how can I add different technologies to my store?"  My response is that you can transform your business and even make it more valuable by adding different forms of technology. With so...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Midland, TX--The recent remodel of Occasions Fine Jewelry was a major success for store owner and CEO Michael Fleck. As every better-level fine jewelry store owner who has ever considered or completed a store remodel knows, the...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]When working with clients from planning “Concept to Completion” or remodeling of their stores, they often ask me: "why should we use backlit lightboxes in our spaces?"  My response is that lightboxes add an inviting dimension...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Jewelry store owners often ask me what is the biggest step in a renovation?  The most important step in a renovation is to have a clear plan for the total process, including all logistics, whether you do a complete or a partial...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Jewelry store owners who are looking to bring customers in the door need to update the shopping experience with added amenities like drink bars, cafes and VIP rooms. The VIP experience attracts high-net-worth customers who form...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]The exterior doors of your jewelry store can impact your revenue.  If you want to make a great first impression, you need to have a great front door. Here are a few reasons why you will not want to ignore this essential design...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Jewelry retail is all about the customer experience. From the moment a customer walks through your store’s front door, he or she should be immersed in the shopping experience that encourages return visits and reflects your...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]During the interior design process my clients ask me, “What are the characteristics of a well-made jewelry case?” Also, many clients ask me if they should keep their existing cases when they are remodeling the space. My advice...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Jewelry store owners often ask me during a consultation, “Should we welcome customers into our store as if we are welcoming them into our home?” My response is that you want customers to truly feel at home. It’s time to make...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]My clients ask me during the interior design consultation process, “How important is correct traffic flow and space planning for the jewelry store?” it is important for store owners to look at their stores from a customer’s...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com]Visible from any angle of Kelley Jewelers showroom is the textured stone wall behind the cash wrap, which features the Kelley Jewelers logo offset with LED backlighting. It's' a significant part of the store and an...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]My clients always ask me during the initial consultation: “What is the importance of the waiting area for my jewelry store?"  My advice is that creating this space needs to make the customer feel relaxed, comfortable, and...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]My clients often ask me in the initial consultation with them: “How important is lighting throughout my store and in my cases and do I need to put a certain budget aside?  LED light technology is rapidly changing. It is...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] My clients often ask me in the beginning of our design meeting: "How do I make exterior and entrance draw customers into the store?" I say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This is especially important...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Many of my clients asked me how I chose the correct chandelier for their stores. If you are looking for the correct chandelier, my advice is to look with an open mind. As I have said many times, you need a WOW factor when...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] When customers walk into your store, the Point of Sale (POS) should give them an immediate idea of your store's personality and brand. My clients often ask me why it’s so important to have unique design elements in the POS...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Clients often ask me during the beginning of the interior design process, “What is the right type of signage that is needed to increase sales?" Excellent question. In her classic book, Let Them Eat Cake: Marketing Luxury to...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]Many of my clients ask me, “What should my signage strategy be for our new or remodeled space?” I really love writing about this subject because I have read and studied Paco Underhill for years. One of his great books that you...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] 2021 trends are finally here for many of my clients. They ask me, “What are the interior design trends used to keep our showroom updated and refreshed?” See Full Article  

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]By placing your logo on a prominent wall, you make the entire showroom look more professional by supporting your company image, and it increases brand recognition. If you have a truly clever logo that creates trust and positive...

INSTORE Jewelry Magazine [instoremag.com]Author: Eileen McCelland Few features can give a jewelry store a homier feel more quickly than a fireplace, especially in the winter. Interior Designer Leslie McGwire, ASID Allied says that while fireplaces are usually thought...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] One of my first questions when meeting with a new design client is: "What residential design elements would you like to bring into your store?"Answers vary from a full-length mirror so clients can see the jewelry on their...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] My favorite design is the drywall ceiling. For example, for Crocker’s Fine Jewelry in Texarkana, Texas I dropped the ceiling in different areas of the space, which helped the client highlight the focal points below. I also...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] First impressions speak volumes in any retail space. A great way to maximize this effect is by painting an accent wall. For those who are unfamiliar, an accent wall is any wall painted or designed differently than the other...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com]In my opinion, there are a lot of valuable benefits in using carpet tiles. Most all of my design projects have gone with carpet tiles and are very happy with their selections. The reason why I specify carpet tile is the...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] Many jewelry store owners contact me with the question: What is the best hard surface flooring to use in my showroom?  Technological advances in commercial flooring have created a variety of applications that have made...

The Centurion [news.centurionjewelry.com] The main goal in designing a lighting plan for a jewelry store is to keep the clients eyes looking at the jewelry cases and not at a busy ceiling. For example, a busy ceiling has many track lights that get mounted in different...

Centurion Jewelry News [news.centurionjewelry.com]To convey a simple idea of meaning and differentiation requires you select a color that properly fits your strategic positioning. Selecting a color (and color scheme) for your brand must represent the client's...

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is a saying that you have likely heard many times. However, in these extraordinary times, an especially important concept when it comes to the interior design of a retail store is essential. Every time a...

Build brand recognition with color.  According to studies, colors can boost brand recognition by 80 percent. Finding a way to work your logo colors into your interior design will help customers associate those colors with your store. A good example is the robin’s-egg...

Hello!   I am excited to start connecting with you more each week here in my blog. I have been doing interior designing for over 35 years and loving every minute of it. Prior to this post, I have written many articles for national interior design magazines. Now I'm...