Commercial homeliness

I thought this morning I would talk about commercial projects as I have a few floating around! I have just finished designing a reception for a very corporate office in the centre of Bristol and my biggest challenge is making the space feel homely! It’s a brand spanking new building so lots of hard surfaces making it feel even more corporate and boring. For me adding the right amount of furniture is key, I see so many receptions with small sofa’s, chairs and tables, usually plonked in the corner and in black leather! So my first must have was:

1). Add plenty of furntiture, large sofa’s and upholstered chairs in fabric not leather

2). Add splashes of colour, a printed wallpaper is a great way to add this, almost like art on a wall (but much cheaper) and go for fabric in a daring colour on some items of the furniture.

3). As the floor was already tiled a super large rug was in desperate need!

4). Lighting is another key element, a focal pendant or 2 have been added to create interest but also to break up the big expanse of ceiling.

5). Ambient soft lighting was a must, which was added with lots of floor lamps. This is the game changer for me, not only does it create a much warmer cosier light but also makes the space feel more homely and attracts the eye, breaking up dead space.

6). Another way to break up the space is adding screens, this could be fabric panels, I opted for slatted screens which has helped zone the space.

7). Fabric was another thing that the space cried out for, so a simple curtain was added to one section of the glazed wall to add softness and also help with the acoustics.

8). Greenery, large planters with lots of foliage

9). Add something of interest, this could be sculpture, piece of art, on this particular project there was a very dark metal slatted wall,   so we added big backlit letters, welcoming you as soon as you enter the building.

A few pictures but there are not that many around which nail it for me.

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The fabric screens and ambient lighting totally break up this space.

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Have a great day!

Comments

  • David
    With work just about to start at Finzels Reach I do hope you will be putting some ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures up here in a month or so. Keep up the good work.

    • Will do Gavin, just written a blog about it and will post next week. I will include a link to the Finzel Reach website

  • Thank you!

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