Office buildings of the past were meant to be intentionally lifeless. The idea was that an office – with its grey cubicles and joyless office chairs – would allow people to focus on work, rather than experience any type of distraction or sense of comfort.
We know now that this is a mistake. Offices that have a sense of aesthetics – those created by an interior designer – provide a connection to the workplace, a sense of value and class, and keep people feeling positive, productive, and loyal to the workplace.
Rodriguez + Gambino – a Staten Island based specialty consulting and design firm – recognized the importance of creating a high-end, modern, high-class office design, and hired CRAFT by Anika to create an office for the new age. They needed an office that reflected their brand, and CRAFT by Anika was chosen to deliver.
Let’s take a look at the renovations and designs that helped Rodriguez + Gambino brand itself as a the high class consulting firm its clients deserve.
The Reception Area
The reception area is the first place new clients – and employees – see when they enter an office. This makes it, in many ways, the most important room in the entire office.
We needed this room to have the clearest branding, with colors and materials meant to convey all that Rodriguez + Gambino have to offer while also serving the functional needs of a reception area. We did this by:
- Providing input on design and placement of a large acrylic logo at eye level.
- Recessed storage, so paperwork could be hidden out of sight.
- An oyster quartzite reception desk with dark wood paneling for a bold first impression.
We wanted to create a reception area that had a modern feel but had elements that would withstand the tests of time, and the combination of wooden design with a countertop that looks like high end marble offers just that for both Rodriguez + Gambino and for those that visit.
Conference Room
Most of the time, functionality is as much the focus as aesthetics. While still true of the conference room, these rooms necessitate what can best be described as “a vibe.”
They need to have that air of professionalism. They need to have modern appeal. They need to portray a look of class that makes it useful for those that need to have critical meetings with clients and employees.
Of course, we needed to have functionality as well, starting with a walnut veneer conference table that anchors the room equipped with accessible outlets. There is concealed cabinetry, recessed shelving for a television, and black ergonomic chairs for comfort.
But we also needed to make sure that this room “spoke” to Rodriguez + Gambino. We have a mounted decorative logo sandwiched between two windows, dark wood-tone cabinet fronts, and let’s not forget the tree to provide a bit of life to the space.
Executive Office
When a business owner contacts us for interior design, they’re usually thinking about others – they are thinking about how their employees and customers will feel and interact with the space.
Still, when an owner makes the choice for a re-design, a part of them is always going to be interested in how they’ll feel in the executive office. This is where they’ll make some of the most important decisions of the business, and the place they’re going to spend the most time.
It’s also a place that has a natural gravitas to it anyway, and the design needs to reflect that along with individual touches designed for the only person at the workplace that will always be a part of it.
This room has the most individual character of any room in the office, and we worked with the owner to add and place items that included:
- Live-edge Walnut Desk
This desk is a custom piece that embodies our client’s love for reclaimed wood and steel while adding rich color to the room.
It’s a bit hard to see in the photos, but the center epoxy also has a subtle glitter that can be seen in the natural grooves of the walnut wood. It gives it a bit of a river like quality, and instantly captures the attention of anyone entering the room.
It also ties into other elements, like the wooden details of the shelving, so that – despite this being a custom piece – everything can flow together naturally.
- Warm Leather Seating Area
We wanted two separate types of communal seating near the entrance to fit multiple scenarios. Of particular note is the Vaughn 76″ Leather Sofa, which was available on Joybird but is now available only on the secondary market.
We then added a dark metal coffee table and then placed two armchairs, the Mid-Century Leather Show Wood Chairs available at West Elm, on the opposite end to create numerous meeting scenarios or to simply relax and look out on the workplace.
We also gave the executive office plenty of shelving for personal decorations, family photos, and even the occasional libation. By adding multiple TV mounts, this office not only serves the personal needs of the boss, but is also a room that can be utilized in many different ways.
Employee Workspace
Of course, while all these individual rooms are beautiful, a functional employee workspace is where much of the magic will happen. No one wants cubicles anymore. They want to be able to feel like they have their own space, while also offering plenty of opportunities to collaborate.
We’ll talk about the individual decorative items in a moment, but first, look at the desk placement. You’ll notice that while the employees may appear close together, they actually have plenty of privacy, as they’re all facing different directions with natural barriers. If they want to talk to their coworker, they need only look over, but in the meantime they can feel like they’re working without distraction and without eyes on them.
As far as the choice in design is concerned, we utilized black ergonomic chairs to match the deep black desk spaces. There are TVs on either side of the room, plenty of floating shelving and storage, bulletin boards, art, and more.
There was also space for a small kitchenette. We added a backsplash of Gems Grigio fluted tile, added numerous small appliances including both a microwave and toaster oven, and provided everything this shared space could need for meals, snacks, and drinks.
Every NYC Business Deserves its Own Design
Interior design is not about putting in all the stuff we like. It’s about matching the personality of the business in ways that are both stylish *and* functional.
Working with Rodriguez + Gambino was a genuine pleasure, as we were able to get to know them personally in order to bring their vision and preferences to life from consultation to final walkthrough. We set out to provide a design that would match their professionalism and character, and we believe we were able to do just that.
If you’re interested in learning more about our interior design services in NYC, please reach out to Craft by Anika, today. We provide both commercial and residential design services, taking on projects both large and small.
