Horst Design International wins gold award for design.

On Aug. 19, Horst Design International (HDI), Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island received a gold award for design excellence at the 50th annual Merchandising Achievement Awards ceremony during a gala reception and dinner.

Gifts & Decorative Accessories presented Bernhart Rumphorst, HDI principal designer/planner, with a crystal trophy in recognition of the firm's design for the Wind & Water gift store on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Winners were selected by Gifts & Dec editors and George Little Management, a trade show organizer and sponsor of the awards. This is the second design award HDI has recently won for this store.

According to editor-in-chief Quinn Halford, the Wind & Water store was bestowcd the highest honor in the store design category, under $1 million in sales, for its application of outstanding retail design that appeals to discerning customers. HDI transformed a 1,500-SF pharmacy in an Art Deco building to an upscale shop that offers a mix of unusual gifts and home decorative accessories.

"We are thrilled to win this award for Wind & Water as it allowed us to maximize our creativity and develop innovative design details that would create a unique image for this eclectic shop," says Rumphorst.

Guided by the principles of feng shui, a philosophy adhered to by Frank and Theresa Ilagan - the husband-and-wife team that owns the store - HDI developed a sense of peace, balance and harmony with nature in the store's interior. In a successful design solution, HDI used cabinetry made from luxurious cherrywood, stained maple floors, soothing and warm colors of seafoam green and ochre tones, textured natural materials such as coarse sisal wallcoverings, carved ornamental detailing along the perimeter and soft lighting.

Another challenge HDI faced was to draw customers through the store. To achieve this objective, the design firm developed a huge dramatic ceiling oculus and overhead panels that draw the eye to all areas of the store. The oculus is echoed by a circular green slate floor below for greater interest.

A painted wooden fireplace adorned with carved ribbons and cherubs flanked by slim faux columns encourage customers to walk to the rear of the store, which houses the children's items. Elephants carved above the display shelves reinforce the ornate and quality image of the store.