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A a furniture nerd, I love learning about new products in the marketplace and learning about how different manufacturers are making a difference in the industry. As an interior designer, I am most concerned about providing a solution to my clients and helping them achieve a well designed space that meets all their needs.
This week I had the opportunity to visit the HON plant in Muscatine, Iowa for training and to learn about some new things that are coming out soon. In the past, when I thought about HON, I thought about cheap product, not only from a cost standpoint, but also from a materials and product standpoint. I would only have recommended it if my client needed something on a tight budget and didn’t care about the aesthetics.
During my time at HON headquarters, I had the opportunity to see how HON has successfully turned its image into something that any facility manager or business owner should be proud to use in their space. HON has worked hard to develop a panel system (cubicles) that are inexpensive, yet have a beautiful fit and finish. Abound is design friendly and flexible. I think it was very brave of HON to introduce a new panel system in a time when LEED certification requirements have encouraged an open office environment, however I still believe it will be successful based on it’s offering. Abound also features a panel skin that is created using a reclaimed materials from its nearby manufacturing plant.
We also learned about Voi, a new product that is able to move from the open office to the private office with ease. Often times when working a client, one of the challenges can be to find a product that offers maximum flexibility, sincerely protecting the investment. Because of the thought and ingenuity that went into the product development of Voi, this is the best product to work across a wide platform. Voi can be used with Abound, and even Initiate (HON’s more classic panel system) to create workstations that are either open or traditional, then be used as freestanding components in the office setting. Facilities can standardize on the product, design around using a small kit of parts and take advantage of low inventory when reconfigures come along. It’s remarkable platform that offers many standardization opportunities.
HON has come a long way from the company it used to be and the products that it used to develop. They are expanding, growing and becoming more sensitive to the overall marketplace and what the customer needs. HON is in a position to take the furniture world by storm, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Over the weekend my husband and I stumbled on a secret, The Habitat for Humanity ReStore store. We were driving around the suburbs and in Aurora, Illinois we found it, just next to the mall, a thrift store for the homeowner. People bring used fixtures, furniture, doors and so much more to the store and the store sells it to benefit the Habitat for Humanity mission.
We covered every inch of the warehouse-like space seeking something I’m sure we didn’t need. We found partially used gallons of paint, commercial flooring, lockers, and dozens of brass light fixtures. Just before we came to the deep eggplant colored toilet and bidet duo, there it was, in a halogen lamp glow, a bright cherry red claw-foot bathtub. I saw it from an aisle away and by eyes got huge as I saw thing thing with the biggest sign on it saying the price was reduced. In mint condition with all the hardware, I was in awe. I was conflicted. Who on earth would have something like this in their home? Why on earth don’t I have something that makes such a statement in my home?
In all it’s Art Deco beauty I could not draw away from the thing and it was a topic of conversation for the entire weekend as my husband and I joked back and forth that our lives were not complete unless we had such a gaudy piece in our bathroom. Of course this gets me thinking about the story. Not only wondering what the previous owners were thinking, but about the history behind the tub and each piece that had been donated. The story isn’t over, as these unique items get chosen, they are creating memories for their new owners and the homes they reside in. Some lucky kid is going to be able to remember crazy grandma’s red claw-foot tub and live to tell their kids about it. Stories aren’t only being created for the new owners of each piece but also for those who are helped by Habitat for Humanity. All profits generated through ReStore are applied to helping build homes for those in need. That red claw-foot tub has surely created some memories in the past and will provide in many more ways than one might first think.
There’s this little robin that lives outside my window at work who I have become quite fond of. As I clack away on the computer he hurries about gathering twigs and rushing them into a crook in the tree nearby. He works all day building his nest, stopping only occasionally for a snack. The space he occupies is rather small, but he seems to find everything he needs, he doesn’t get bored with doing the same thing every minute of the day, building a nest just like the one in the bush not too far away.
We are sometimes so consumed with innovation that we fail to recognize the beauty and simplicity that lays in front of our eyes. We take for granted the small things and are always aiming for bigger and better. A bigger nest, more to eat and not content with the space that fits our needs.
While I am a huge advocate for impressive interior design, it’s also important to recognize the beauty of function and simplicity. Is there a simple space that you take for granted?
Recently I was visiting a client and got to see their office for the first time. The space that was filled with designers, however it looked like it could have been a factory. The lighting was dim, the walls white, furniture old and the carpeting stained. The space to circulate was awkward and was clearly designed so the cubicles didn’t require a floor core to be powered up.
When the unemployment rate was at an all time high, one thing I estimated would happen is what I call the Popcorn Effect. The economic downturn forced many companies into survival mode, which created layoffs and changed the focus from employee growth into implementing as many cost cutting measures as possible. As the economy has begun to pick up, talented employees are searching for a new company to work for, creating the popcorn effect. Employers showing appreciation to their employees is important, but so is the physical environment that they are working in.
Employees need to feel valued and appreciated. One way to do that is through the way their workspace is designed. A depressing workspace is one more reason for an employee to look for a new venture. In the case of my client, the space should have been more uplifting and maintained properly. How can an employee feel good about the work they are doing when their employer is unknowingly using the environment to actually stifle their creativity?
The work environment should reflect the kind of work being done at the company. A creative profession should have a workplace that inspires and energizes while an analytical profession should have an environment that supports task oriented work. Interiors should be designed for the specific task at hand and work hard to support those who occupy the space. Interior design is visual and one of the first impressions a company makes on visitors and people who work there. It’s a constant reminder about the work they are doing and how valued they feel. Naturally, it’s one of the easiest ways to make an employee feel good about their work and the company they are working for. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an inexpensive way to guard against the popcorn effects on a company.
These past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and challenges. I gave my two weeks notice, went to Jamaica, had some interesting lunch appointments, design consultations, started a new job, took on a new volunteer opportunity and completely neglected my blog and social media accounts. It’s been a great time of learning, stretching, growing and excitement!
That being said, my online presence may be a little more scarce as I get settled, stay tuned for more updates and things I’ve learned!
I love vacations, especially tropical vacations. I’m a huge fan of working hard and vacationing hard, and when I say vacationing hard, what I really mean is not committing to anything and leaving technology behind, totally unplugging and spending a great deal of time on the beach reading mindless trash.
In order to get completely unwound though, I go through an adjustment period where I take in the local architecture and design, decide why they made the decisions they did and critique what I would have done differently. It’s done without thinking and something my friend actually called me out on when we were checking in as she leaned over and asked it the lobby met my design standards while I was counting the number of lampshades on an enormous light fixture hanging from the ceiling and trying to estimate the energy costs that the three identical fixtures generated. (In case you were wondering, yes, the lobby met my expectations.) Let’s back up…
On our drive to the resort, we passed dozens of buildings that had begun construction and appeared to be abandoned. My heart broke a little for the people who lived there, or were meant to live there, considering the conditions. A slight twinge of guilt came over me, as I knew the resort coming up was going to be nothing like this, finished walls, a roof and more food than anyone could eat.
The resort was beautiful. There was bright color, manicured gardens, fountains and our biggest complaint was how slow the elevator was and that the stairs were not available for public use unless there was an emergency. On one of our excursions, we were on a tour bus where the guide was giving us information about landmarks and history of the island. I learned that the humble partial buildings strewn around the hills were actually occupied. In Jamaica it’s rare for a resident to have a credit card. They first purchase land and then begin building their house, one room at a time until five to fifteen years later they have a completed building. The Jamaicans only build what they can afford at that time and save for each stage in the building progression.
Building one room at a time, and construction spread over many years made me think about the design process and how as Americans we are continuously striving to build bigger and better. If a client came to me and said they were only going to build a house one room at a time and the project would be phased over the course of fifteen years, I can’t even imagine the reaction I would have. How would the flooring match up? Forget about matching dye lots, we’d be lucky if the fabric was still in production in fifteen years!
Having an amazing space is such a high priority for Americans, and I’m not against beauty and creating amazing interior environments. Sometimes we get so lost in the process and value engineering process that we forget what we are creating. We are creating a space for people to live, to work, to learn, to heal. Bells and whistles are great, and have their place, but we need to remember the basic purpose of what the space needs to be about.
Have you ever encountered a manufacturers rep who claims to have average furniture? Of course not! Everyone believes theirs is the best and anyone else is just an impostor. Being an interior designer, I have had the privilege of hearing many different sales pitches from many manufacturers, and every time I walk away thinking the same thing. It’s not about how good you are, it’s about how good your target audience thinks you are. Perception is reality.
These are things I think about. These are things that I want to remember when presenting an idea to a client and when designing a space. I prefer to not just sell them on something, but create a better environment for them, something they need and will help them to achieve their goals.
I have sat through countless seminars about how people interact with each other during the course of the work day. Seating is always at a premium and if we can incorporate minimally invasive guest seating in a cubical, we are alleviating a multitude of issues. The contract furniture world has decided that a great way to do this is to put a cushion on the top of a mobile file and call it a day. In theory it’s an amazing idea, revolutionary, right? Wrong. I had one in my cubical for four years and it never moved. Once it was loaded with paper, it was heavy. The steel box with a seat on it was cumbersome and difficult to move. I wasn’t the only one who thought this, so many other clients and designers who I spoke with felt the same way. However sitting in a room hearing about how great it is to have both guest seating and files in one compact unit makes us jump for joy.
While there are some things for each contract furniture manufacturer that stands out, the design should really about meeting the clients needs. We should be pushing back the curtain of gimmicks and tricks and really focus on how the space will perform over the course of time.
Interior design is not always a simple feat. Sometimes it’s just plain crazy. It’s amazing how many people believe that their office furniture is a life or death emergency, and in the frustration of computer crashes, dye lot availabilities and punch-lists, it’s easy to forget about the everyday things that make a difference.
After a conversation with a friend the other day I realized there is so much I do on a regular basis, that it’s easy to take my own skills for granted. She was amazed at the number of standards programs I have been involved in for various corporations and health-care projects. Standards? Really? It’s just an everyday thing, and everyday task that I work on and don’t think about on a regular basis.
Space planning was something that I couldn’t wait to dig into as a college student. I was thrilled to become embedded in the working world and actually get to space plan, someone was really going to pay me to do this? Now, as I look back so many years later, I’m more concerned about my deadlines as opposed to getting up to my elbows in tracing paper to space plan. It’s another everyday thing that I take for granted.
It’s interesting at gatherings where I am meeting new people, they become fascinated with the idea that I am an interior designer. People’s eyes get big and they begin getting excited about their recent kitchen remodel and usually comment on how they would love to go into interior design as a living. As I smile to myself, I try to remember all the everyday things that I take for granted and love about my profession. It’s interior design everyday and fabulous.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently regarding customer service and how people react to certain situations. It’s amazing how many vendors and service providers forget who the customer is. Everyone has been in a situation where they are frustrated with the lack of results or the way a service provider is interacting with them, and it’s a good lesson for interior designers and architects (or any service professional really) to consider.
Projects do not go smoothly unless expectations are managed appropriately. When I am working with a client, it is solely my responsibility to understand the client’s expectations. If they are expecting to see a layout for an entire buildout and I have only provided them with a new kitchen design, even if the client didn’t communicate they wanted an entire build out plan, then it’s my fault. As the service provider it’s my responsibility to ask the questions that expose what is at the heart of the design solution we are creating.
At some point in their careers, an interior designer has created a beautiful design and worked through design solutions with someone to find that they are not the decision maker or the person authorizing the final layout and product selections. As the interior designer, it’s important to understand everyone’s role and design to satisfy all parties involved.
Students often graduate with the impression that as long as they can create a beautiful design, landing their first job and moving up in the ranks is the natural progression of the interior design profession. What they don’t realize is that designing is only a small portion of interior design. Selling the design is just as important a creating a beautiful design solution. If an incredible design is not able to be communicated to the client, then it’s a failure.
I have had the opportunity to partner with some amazing designers and architects who understand that they are only as good as the information they have and are continually looking to learn more. Learn more from their clients, vendors and life to become better at the jobs they do. It’s a contagious disease and I’m happy to have caught it.
One thing that I love about my gym is how they use colors and materials to divide space. Standing at the mirror in the busy corridor of the locker room, I noticed that while I was getting ready to leave, at least fifty people passed behind me and not a single one ran into me, even the texting teenagers passing by. Considering I was literally standing in the main circulation space, it was nice.
Looking at the floor, I realized why people stayed at least three feet from the mirrors lining the corridor. The tile changed from beige limestone to green granite. The granite also flowed into where the actual lockers were, creating different zones without walls or furniture. The hard contrast on the floor created a barrier that without conscience thought lead people how to behave and interact with the space.
I began thinking about the other successful ways that the club uses flooring for way-finding purposes. Walking into the club earlier, they swiped my card and I followed brown carpet past the spa, cafe and past the offices, gymnasium and past the towel area to the locker room. Between the carpet and the green sofit, I was lead exactly where I needed to be.
Many businesses use these techniques to help guests find what they are looking for and generate revenue. In the home, this technique can be used to divide private and public space. Architectural elements are a powerful way to enhance the consumers’ experience and guide them to interact with the interior design in a pre-designed manner.
Next time you are choosing flooring for a space, remember that the way it divides space is a demonstration on wayfinding and can be used to help people get to where they need to be.
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