Katey Walker describes her new flagship store in Old Saybrook, Conn., as a seaside jewel box and the most exciting milestone to date for her jewelry business, allowing her to sit down with customers and create their dream pieces.
The Katey Walker Fine Jewelry store at 103 Main St. in Old Saybrook—located on the Long Island Sound, about 30 miles east of New Haven—centers on Walker’s workstation, spotlighting her expertise as a bench jeweler. The 425-square-foot shop opened over July 4th weekend.
“I love working directly with clients. I wanted to create a space that would be my working studio and also somewhere people could come to view, touch, and try on pieces from my collections in person,” Walker says.
By seeing the design and production studio area, customers also learn about jewelry-making, which Walker says some clients have asked about. She wants them to feel involved in the process from start to finish.
“There are very few jewelry designers in the area who are actually producing the work themselves at the bench,” says Walker. “I’d like this aspect of the store to help tell a broader story about the importance of craftsmanship, so that people come away with a true understanding and appreciation of how fine jewelry is made.”
Showing off their commitment to her company, Walker’s family all played roles in the shop’s creation. Her sister Laura Putnam, of Laura Putnam Design, helped bring Walker’s vision for the space to life. Her mother, artist Lynn F. Walker, contributed custom oil paintings depicting Old Saybrook and its waterfront location. And dad Wayne Walker, a master woodworker, handcrafted the display cases using reclaimed maple.
“They truly make the store feel elegant but also kind of beachy, and their front-pull design [for opening the cases] allowed me to house more pieces in such a narrow space. I plan to switch out the displays from time to time to keep the rotation of the assortment fresh,” says Walker. “I also love the cases because they are handcrafted and custom-made in the United States, which goes hand in hand with my design ethos and personal values.”
Working with her sister—who lives across the country, in Santa Barbara, Calif.—was a wonderful part of this experience, Walker says.
“She knows me best, and after walking through the raw space and hearing my request for a working studio and storefront, she created the most beautiful, inviting space for me to feel at peace and inspired to create new pieces,” she says.
Inside the store, the walls, ceiling, and trim are all painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground, a warm and cozy hue that complements the wood jewelry displays. This monochromatic approach also directs focus to the jewelry, Walker says.
Her sister picked out an olive tree to include in the store, an element Walker says is not only beautiful but calming. “It makes me feel like I am sitting in nature while I work. As nature is a constant touchstone for me as a designer, this detail was critical,” she says.
The store features Katey Walker jewelry collections, archival pieces, and custom work, including engagement rings.
“I want the store to feel inviting and approachable. I know many people can be intimidated by fine jewelry stores, and I really wanted people to feel comfortable entering and trying pieces on,” she says.
“One of my favorite things about what I do is to see someone’s happy reaction with a new piece or re-creation of a sentimental family heirloom. I love to hear the story and connection and make them something to continue to treasure.”
Top: Katey Walker’s jewelry bench is a focal point of her Old Saybrook, Conn., flagship store. (Photos courtesy of Katey Walker Fine Jewelry)
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