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:
Photos courtesy of Kick Pleat.

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. Th...