One of the reasons I was so eager to visit this store is that its unique decor package is so much more visually interesting than its mainstream Lifestyle successor! Part of that is simply because it includes multiple wall colors (as much as I like Lifestyle, especially v2, I've never been a fan of the walls being 95% beige), but a lot of that is due to all of the 3D elements in this store -- the bumpouts behind the department signage, the projecting faded Proto-Lifestyle ovals, and the curved elements. Lifestyle was rolled out in an attempt to make Safeway more premium, but while the service department improvements the original concept included brought an upscale touch, Lifestyle v1 was a very plain and cheap decor package, and seeing this far-fancier version that we could have had makes it look even worse by comparison.
It would be neat to see this decor package in a normal rectangular box location with Lifestyle or Proto-Lifestyle tile floors to really give it a fair comparison to Lifestyle v1 and v2. Lifestyle v1 was quite basic in many ways and relied on the overall dark, warm, relaxing ambiance more so than the wall decor and colors. That was certainly an unusual take on supermarket decor, but maybe this would have worked as well. If nothing else, those ovals would have aged better than the Lifestyle v1 ovals which have a tendency to fade even with the lack of lighting in the stores!
ReplyDeleteOh well, in Texas at least, Lifestyle v1 is almost extinct, if it isn't completely extinct by now, and regular Lifestyle v2 is almost on life support as the Colorful Lifestyle v2 remodels continue to happen. Mike from HHR got some interesting remodel photos from inside my local Randall's. I'm not sure if he'll do anything with those on his blog, but I hope so because they are pretty neat! If nothing else, we now know the name and maker of the Colorful Lifestyle v2 fake wood vinyl flooring, lol.
It would have also been cool to see this store when it was new, before the lighting was brightened -- I remember Lifestyle v1 and v2 when they were new, but not this store, obviously.
DeleteLifestyle v1 is largely gone in Washington, too, but seems to still be somewhat common in Oregon and parts of California (especially in Vons stores). I can't say I'm overly sad to see it go!