Deliberate Design 

Jennifer Stewart, O.D., knew she nailed the interior design of her new practice, Look New Canaan—housed on the bustling restaurant row of New Canaan, CT—when a friend walked in and said, “I feel like I am in a high-end shop in Aspen!”

Dr. Stewart shares that every aspect of the practice’s interior, for which she enlisted the help of local design firm Gibson & Schaffer, was deliberate, thoughtful, and meaningful.

Here, three takeaway tips for practices old and new.

1. Evoke Warmth 

“Our design vision was inspired by the midcentury modern architectural history of New Canaan, and my dream of having a warm, inviting space that was unlike a typical optometric practice,” says Dr. Stewart. 

A cozy, picturesque seating area that goes beyond the clinical feel helps achieve “stay-awhile” vibes. “Après exam?” shares @LookNewCanaan on Instagram. “We can’t wait to welcome you to our cozy seating area!”

2. Don’t Forget the Details

For Look New Canaan, a focus was made on “the often-overlooked small details—pocket doors painted a unique color, navy grout in the bathroom, custom concrete sinks, unique fixtures, and furniture not typically found in optometric practices.” 

Looking to incorporate daring design details at your practice? Try thrifting showstopping staples from Facebook Marketplace or a local secondhand store.

3. Pinpoint Inspo 

Ask yourself and your staff members, “Which spaces inspire you?” 

For Dr. Stewart, the answer was Disney.

“We added a drop ceiling to the ‘clinical’ side of the practice to delineate a change from the optical portion to the consult rooms,” she says. “As a huge fan of Disney, this reminds me of the small changes that occur every time you walk from one area of the park to another.”

Brainstorm by breaking away from the standard blueprint of what an eyecare practice should look like—to create the most magical practice on earth.