The Entertainers

The client: An event planning family business needed an office makeover. This larger than life family has been in business for decades. The younger generations are now taking a stronger role in company strategy, growth and greater responsibility. It was time for some basic functionality changes within their space to assist with the changing of the guards. Aligning office operations was a priority; at their former space employees were on top of each other, private office and private meeting space was limited and productivity was being diminished. Lighting was also a huge issue. There was minimal natural light and out dated overhead lighting required a mix-match of task lighting be used. After several design iterations at there existing location it was determined that the sister company, a dance studio, would expand and headquarters would move to an office down the road.

We did the following:
Assessed the program, the who, the what, and the where. We tweaked the budget and finishes, time and time again and finally forced the hand to make some decisions.  It was a challenge to accommodate a comfy more home office feel for mom, a tech/party vibe for son, and the stuck in the middle dad. Here's what we came up with for this class B-ish office space.


Reception: Seating for three, office for one. Create a fun energetic entry that reflects their ability to throw a killer party or a sweet afternoon shower.

We designed and in our shop our carpenters built this mirrored reception desk.

Confetti inspired flush mount fixtures by Quizel are highlights in both the reception and the showroom.

 
Mid install picture - the reception area is comprised of a long bench and two sleeper chairs that surround a center table. The space was tight - sourcing a table in the dimensions required was difficult. Ultimately we settled on a smaller base and added a glass top cut to size. This simple customization is a great option when standard items don't fit your needs.

Adjacent to the reception and just outside the showroom is a coffee station and wine bar to serve clients as they arrive or that special event in the office - like Friday.

Showroom: Seating for six, ample storage for party chairs to display, linens for tables, fabric and invitation books and samples. Provide showcase area for client specific items. Create a comfortable space for clients to review and view the plan for their party. Also a media station to showcase past projects or to show clients pictures and videography of their party.



The showroom required lots of storage for fabric samples and invitation books. This media wall was created out of Ikea cabinetry. Stacking cabinets can help fill a wall and create limitless amounts of organized storage. When planning storage for a room don't limit useable space to standard lower & upper cabinets, vertical and horizontal space should be utilized to it's fullest. One wall utilizes floating picture rails to display invitations or other client specific items during a pitch or meeting. Two storage closets were provided to house a rolling rack for linens and example chairs for parties.

Office for Dad & Son: Dad I need lots of filing storage, son I don't want any. Dad ok whatever he wants. We came up with a mixed both open and closed storage with a simple desk design to compliment the other modern selections throughout the space.

Scoop chairs and a mixed media desk station with storage appease the younger generations need for an inspired workspace and Dad's need for more traditional .
  

For mama bear we utilized her exiting Pottery Barn office furniture and added some bookcases of the same series to give her more storage. We added a more feminine bench seat for any office guests she might have. We were able to position her in a corner office so her style doesn't compete with the atmosphere of the remaining space. Using neutral colors allows for an easy transition for the eye into her office.

The open office area seats seven and hosts a team lounge space for informal meetings or parties. A low profile cubical system with fabric partitions was utilized to allow for sightlines between employees. A simple table set up in the break room/kitchen area for a quick semi private phone call or meetings.

Pictures and styling were postponed by the companies productions - back to work, work, work, work, work. Photo shoot with artwork installed not yet scheduled - its always hard to go back into a space after a significant time after delivery has gone. This happened in Q1 of this year 2016.

 

 

But happy clients are better than pretty pictures anyway. It will be interesting when we catch up with the Siagel's this fall to see how there space has evolved with all there reenergize productivity.

 

Design Team:
Resa Gray, Design & Project Manager
Molly Pidgeon, Design

Custom Carpentry:
Latitude Corporation
As designed By MP, House of Dietrich

Furniture Sources:
Creative Office Pavilion, Ikea, CB2, World Market, West Elm, Amazon, Wayfair