Posts
INTERIOR DESIGN PIONEERS: A Look Back at a Few of the Early Innovators
October 28, 2018
Many designers will tell you that great ideas are built upon the concepts and creators that came before them. This month we are highlighting a few of the earliest innovators who paved the way for today’s interior design professionals. Although there were certainly others who came before these few we’ve highlighted here (in fact, some sources trace interior design all the way back to ancient India), the following individuals have been heralded as some of the earliest American influencers for what has evolved into the contemporary interior design profession.
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: Critical Interior Design Features You Don’t See
September 26, 2018
Furniture, accessories, color – these things are typically among the first that come to mind when we think about interior design. However, these terms relate only to interior decorating rather than the full breadth of interior design. While interior design does involve these important final touches, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface that can have a tremendous impact on how a final space feels and functions. We’ve asked a few of our designers about some of those behind-the-scenes features that can easily be overlooked.
WORKING WELL: The WELL Building Standard and Contemporary Office Design
August 23, 2018
Physical workspace is an important, often overlooked, component of employee satisfaction – not only for recruitment of new employees, but also for maintaining your existing workforce. The evolution of the WELL Building Standard reflects growing awareness and interest in creating healthy workspaces that promote employee engagement, productivity, health and well-being. Launched in 2014 by a former Wall Street veteran, Paul Scalia, WELL originated to promote a healthier version of the modern office.
Taking the Plunge: Interior Design Strategies for Indoor Pool Areas
July 30, 2018
Outdoor pools are associated with warm weather fun, relaxation and low impact exercise. Indoor pools can offer these same benefits year-round in every climate. However, indoor pools require careful considerations by the design team to provide a comfortable and appealing space that will endure for many years. We’ve asked a couple of our designers for their thoughts and ideas to create a successful indoor pool space, also known as natatoriums or aquatics centers, whether for a retirement community, school or college campus, community center, hotel or other hospitality venue.
THE RIGHT RUG: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Area Rug
June 27, 2018
An area rug is a great design tool for anchoring a space. Few finishing elements are as fundamental or transformative—so it’s critical to choose wisely. Size, color, pattern, texture and shape must all be carefully considered. At best, a wrong choice will be a missed opportunity to create a cohesive and appealing first impression. At worst, the wrong rug will clash with other finishes or throw the room off balance. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when choosing an area rug for your space.
THE RAGE FOR GREIGE: Interior Design Strategies for Using Neutrals Effectively
May 30, 2018
Beige, gray and everything in between are today’s go-to neutrals for creating subtle and sophisticated spaces. For those who may be wondering, greige is simply a combination of gray and beige, merging the soft, cool tones of gray with the warmth of beige.
Understated gray and beige tones provide easy appeal and are especially valued for their timeless qualities. However, as is often the case, you can have too much of a good thing so we typically recommend not relying exclusively on neutrals. We’ve asked a couple of our interior designers to share their thoughts about working with greige.
JUST ANOTHER BRICK: Using Brick as a Distinctive Design Feature
April 30, 2018
Since we focus primarily on commercial interiors, our goal is to balance constantly changing trends with timeless design solutions. The spaces we design often need to maintain their initial appeal over the course of several years. Brick can be a great option for a design accent that will stand the test of time. This distinctive, yet flexible element can take on a number of different looks to make an appealing statement without feeling too trendy.
NATURE CONNECTIONS: Biophilic Design Strategies for Interior Spaces
February 27, 2018Biophilic design 
Biophilia is a relatively obscure term for a basic principle – humans are instinctively drawn to nature; it nurtures, calms and inspires us. German social psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term in 1964 to describe our innate need to be connected to nature. E.O. Wilson, American biologist, researcher, theorist, naturalist and author of the book “Biophilia,” came up with the biophilia hypothesis—that the deep affiliations humans have with other life forms and nature as a whole are rooted in our biology.
WINTER INSPIRATIONS: Taking our Cues for Interior Design
December 21, 2017
The holidays, with the festive decorations and sparkling lights, often create feelings of warmth and vitality while evoking memories of cherished times spent with family and friends. Likewise, the natural world provides a unique color palette and new textures during the winter months. Despite the cold, sometimes dreary days that winter brings to the Northern hemisphere, there is also much beauty to be found. For instance, the absence of leaves and lush undergrowth focuses more attention on the artistic features of bare branches, the bright feathers of a cardinal or the deep reds of winter berries.
We asked several of our interior designers to share a favorite inspiration photo for incorporating winter holiday beauty into interior spaces.
DESIGN GRATITUDE: Thanksgiving for Interior Design Professionals
November 22, 2017
Although the origins of Thanksgiving are disputed by various historians, we do know that it was President Abraham Lincoln who made it an official holiday in 1863. Since that time, Thanksgiving has evolved into the celebratory feast that most of us enjoy with family and friends. Regardless of its history, we appreciate the opportunity to pause and reflect about the many things for which we are thankful. We’ve asked a few members of our interior design team to share something they are thankful for that relates to their profession, whether a current trend or timeless design element.