A Zimmerman Store Stopped Me In My Tracks
With organic modern layouts to borrow, tweak, and make your own.
In my neck of the woods, Tampa Bay, FL, it’s rare that I’m stopped in my tracks by an impeccably designed room. I’m usually dodging oversized dolphin mailboxes and trying to ignore “Life’s a Beach” signage. So when I was strolling through Hyde Park at 10:00 a.m. and the Zimmerman store came into view, it hit me like a visual shock.
There I was, pushing a stroller in one hand and dragging my four-year-old with the other, when I let out an audible gasp. In the window: a gorgeous, handcrafted vase cradling a wild bunch of monstera leaves. The vase was large, organically shaped, and splashed with a bold, abstract painting. It was special. Next to it, a rattan floor lamp with brass detailing gave off a warm, unexpected glow. I peered inside and saw a stark-white interior waiting for me, like an oasis. I had no choice but to throw my children at the nearest adult and make a beeline for the door. Thankfully, that adult was my husband, so they were in good hands.
Inside, the bright white walls were mostly bare, save for a few off-center Spanish abstract still-life paintings. Cream-colored sconces with woven textures felt more atmospheric than functional. A massive plaster chandelier echoed the modern organic feel of the space, tying in beautifully with a raw wood table and a bubble-glass vase holding more dramatic monstera. I was in heaven, and the girl behind the counter could tell.
“You’re into interior design, aren’t you?” she asked.
All I could do was nod. She had me pegged.
I wandered deeper into the store, through soft arches and into a space where the lighting shifted. Less daylight, more curated ambiance. The back of the store introduced playful patterns, layered textures, and color in a way that felt like a reward for exploring further. The whole place was an experience. You were surrounded by stunning clothes, fit for a princess, but the space was presented to you as a place to play. Come to shop, but stay a while.
Before I left, the sales associate shared the name of the studio behind the magic: Studio McQualister. An Australian design group responsible for many a Zimmerman store, their portfolio is a masterclass in imaginative interiors. Each project is distinct, and yet all have a spark of genius. Thanks to them, I’ll be stopping in any Zimmerman location I pass, for the clothes, sure, but also for another hit of interior inspiration. I’ll be investing in several monstera plants…immediately. Like I needed another reason to go to Home Depot.
That visit sparked something. I had to get a few design ideas of my own out of my head and onto (digital) paper. This week, I’m leaning less into European vintage furniture and more into contemporary, organic elements. I love oscillating between the two. It’s a delicate dance I never tire of. With the bareness and heat of summer comes a different kind of styling inspiration: earthy textures, sculptural shapes, and restraint used as a design choice. It’s something Australians seem to do effortlessly.
