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



Wallcovering Obsessions

 Wallcovering is a great way to make a big impact in a little or big space. It can be intimidating and quite costly if you need a professional installer so most people shy away. Don't do this, be bold. The apartment lifestyle has opened up a whole new market for self adhesive papers.
 
  It is no secret I love a project and getting my hands dirty. I was psyched to see these wallcoverings hit the market and couldn't wait to get my hands on some. It wasn't easy but I'd do it again. I am also getting brave and trying out the real thing - full paste and all. You'll see the adventure here come December. For now here are a few tips for installing self sticking wall covering and a couple of the best options I've found in the market.



CB2 Traditional Black & White Palm

  CB2 has great options from urban to updated takes on traditional patterns. We used a variety of the traditional palm in a navy and gold print in a Hollywood Glam bathroom. Install tutorial below.

Bloomies has your Boho to Traditional with a white Carrera option that will knock your socks off.


 One thing to note test cleaning your wall paper - most are either printed vinyl or fabric and cleaning with harsh chemicals can blur and ruin the image.

Bloomingdale's Grass cloth

 This grass cloth is a great neutral for any room. Any of your fabric peel and stick wall coverings are going to make for an easier install when it come to corners of a room. The vinyl coverings will bend and stretch which can distort the pattern.


Brewster via Houz

 Brewster has a large amount of options from Damasks to natural stone or brick.

Great options for the apartment dwellers looking to add architectural elements to a space exposed brick or concrete and create the studio loft atmosphere is spaces that maybe lacking character. Don't be fooled I know you don't have 14' ceilings and the expanse shown in the picture - but these can work just as good in you 8' ceiling heights in your 4th floor walk up.

For all the nursery creators out there Chasing Paper has amazing playful options. Like this jungle theme. it comes in multiple colors and animal options. 

Ok so here are the goods. Get your supplies ready.  If your not great with space relations don't go with a geometric pattern or anything with a repeat. Stick to a design that can be blended well from sheet to sheet. This is what you will need for an install:

1. Cutting mat or a large piece of cardboard

2. Utility or X-Acto knife

3. Measuring tape

4. Straight edge/ruler

5. 4' Level

6. Pencil

7. Shower Squeegee/ or other smoothing tool 

8. Step stool or ladder (depends on your ceiling height)

Step one: Pick as starting point. I like to start at door frame. It gives you a nice clean start for your first piece. Measure the width of the roll away from the frame or starting point and draw a straight line - checking it with the level a decent length - 4' to align your paper.

Step two: Measure the height floor to ceiling. Give yourself about a 1/2" play when you measure and cut the roll. The ceiling and floor might not be level (once you have placed the wall paper you may need to cut the excess off the top at crown molding or ceiling line and at the baseboard. If you hanging a striped wall paper you want to be sure that the install is plumb.

Step three: Measure and cut the wall paper. A few tips - always cut away from your body with the straight edge. Use your cutting mat so not to damage floors or counters. If you haven't done it before watch a tutorial. I won't be responsible for lost digits.

Step four: Hang the paper starting about a third up the wall. This will allow you to follow your pencil line. Smooth wall paper horizontally first - left to right and then vertically up to the ceiling and then down to the floor. Take each direction slowly and intentional pushing out any air bubbles. You can do this with your hand or a rubber squeegee.  

Step five: Repeat until complete

Cut Outs: Your bound to run into outlets or light switches, emergency devices etc. Take the width and height of these items and trace it onto the paper. If you don't want to mark the dimensions on the face of the paper you will need to reverse the image on the back. Make a simple square and draw a line from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Repeat from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. This will create the opening for the switch/outlet etc.

 Need help picking the right wall covering for your space? Let me know how I can help find the right product for you or tell me what you've ordered and how the install went.

                                    

Don't think this piece has any life left? Think again.

Sanding, new hinges, a fresh coat of paint (s) and some love will do wonders.

  This unique farmers hutch will add a much needed injection of history into a new kitchen renovation with a Summer 2016 delivery date. Don't forget to mix pieces that show age with newer items to maintain a level of lived in sophistication. 

Storage for root vegetables, dog food, and oversized plate wear are great options for the oversized piece with a hinge top lid. Also perfect for scooping flower or other baking goods. The revived hutch will have a full tile wall back drop with floating shelving above. It will be surrounded on both sides by kitchen cabinetry.