This past summer we went on a tour of a few Moscow sites.  The oil tycoons and the nouveau riche of Russia have really changed the way luxury interiors in Moscow are designed.  Sure the palaces of Russian Czar's were grand, but who would have thought that a grocery store could be this ornate.  In fact, growing up my dad used to crack jokes about things being as 'barren as a russian grocery store'.  Needless to say, he hadn't visited Eliseev Gastronome in Moscow.  Things have changed thanks to the Russian oligarchs, and this grocer makes Whole Foods look like a discount grocer. My personal favorites are the chandeliers - they are just gorgeous.  Ornate without being too formal - they still have movement and whimsy.  They remind me of my post about chandeliers in the kitchen.  The rest of the decor isn't my personal taste, but it was amazing to see.  Worth a visit if you're in Moscow, and great inspiration if you're designing a restaurant or boutique retail store.  While we had nothing that we needed to buy, the sheer atmosphere caused us to buy $20/person in random snacks. While I wouldn't have ever thought of designing a grocery store, if I had this type of creative license it could intrigue me.  What do you think - does the decor or the interior design of your grocery store influence your mood, cause you to visit a different store, and/or change how much you purchase?