Hi Friends ~
A small but growing environmental consulting company recently opened a new office and needed a lobby/reception area design concept on a limited budget. What made this project especially exciting was that the new office is in a restored firehouse with many of the original features intact! The lobby area has extraordinary original stone floors as well as the original mustard color subway tile extending 4 feet high on the walls of the lobby.
To coordinate with the existing yellow/tan historical subway tile I selected Benjamin Moore’s Nightingale. The neutral/cool tones of this color will coordinate with the tile while letting it shine and tie together the area rug and furnishings.
The size, function and budget for the lobby was taken into consideration in selecting the chairs and end table. The lines and small footprint make them a perfect fit for the room, as well as incorporating the company’s brand of blue. I was drawn to the end table for its nod to the industrial look, the warmth of the wood top and (of course) the price! Again, with a small footprint, the Edison bulb lamp will be a fantastic focal point and conversation piece with its reference to the historical element of the restored firehouse.
The zinc top and natural wood of the sofa table is a tribute to the industrial edge of the restored building and the customer’s offices there. Situated across from the seating vignette it is the perfect place to display the company’s marketing materials, business cards, etc. for waiting clients and guests. The rope on the lamp will provide additional texture and its round lines will soften all of the squares/rectangles going on in the room.
Tying the colors and furnishings up in a tidy bow and lending warmth to the lobby is this amazing and affordable rug. It’s leaf design pays tribute to the “environmental” nature of their business!
Picture these letters (which is an acronym of the company name) matted in white with black 16×20 frames and hung on the wall between the seating vignette and the long zinc topped table. As visitors enter the room the name of the company will be prominently displayed in a very unique way! The best part is that the pictures are free downloads and kept the customer within its budget! All that the customer needed was a custom cut mat to fit the pictures in the frames which can be economically purchased at a number of places.
Live plants will breathe life into any room and these plants were selected due to their low maintenance as well as the light source coming from the window in the lobby. The palm tree will provide height variance and interest in the corner and the peace lily will welcome all who enter without obstructing the entryway.
The clients were thrilled with the design plan for its aesthetic appeal, consideration and respect for the integrity of the building and for meeting their budget!
If you have a design need or would like information, check out this page and/or contact me here!
Until the next time ~
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