We have all experienced the feeling of satisfaction that comes from finding a great deal on a product we love, or the thrill of building something all ourselves. The idea of “luxury for less money” holds an allure most of us can’t resist, so when it comes to applying the same idea to our interior solutions for clients, the same opportunities are out there – probably now more than ever.
Highly creative or rich spaces can be attained with some very simple ideas and solutions, which help lower budgets, maintain schedules and satisfy clients. As a result, there exists an increasing demand for today’s designers to create spaces with more affordable options, while simultaneously producing the same atmosphere or aesthetic they would achieve by utilizing higher-priced materials and products.
Below, we’ll look at several cost effective and creative solutions that interior designers and architects can use to transform a variety of office environments.
Simplifying Materials to Minimize Costs
Careful material selection is the single most important factor in determining a project’s final cost. Name any surface, including flooring, walls and ceilings, and you can find a cost effective alternative to higher-priced materials. Examples include concrete, green walls, weathered wood and characterful graffiti. For the beer garden Ted Moudis Associates designed at its Initiative project, we wanted the look of a rooftop space that had just been “discovered.”
We applied weathered graffiti on one of the main walls to create the impression it had been there a long time. We applied the graffiti over a very cost effective stone veneer, and also used sheetrock ledges rather than custom furniture in the agency’s sunken team rooms to create the “ribbon effect” we wanted.
Veneer wallcovering comes at a cost almost half that of millwork-veneered panels, which also require more labor to create and install. Yet, it can provide the sophisticated look of minimal, refreshing bleached oak or a richer, more established cherry or walnut. We utilized this effect at Initiative Chicago in a number of locations, including the ceiling in reception and the main presentation room, to create a warm, laid back and more organic environment.
Flooring It
Solid wood floors bring character and warmth to a space, but usually at a steep price. At Initiative Chicago, we used a white “wood look” porcelain tile flooring installed at angles to achieve the look of real white washed wood. This provided the residential and more casual look we were aiming for. Simulated wood vinyl flooring has also claimed a large niche in the market, and with its “hand carved” textures and varying widths, it is also a fantastic solution for spaces with more sensitive acoustical requirements.
For flooring, pattern is key in expanding visual energy and movement, especially in large floorplates and open areas. At Initiative New York, we maximized our flooring opportunities by using a variety of low-cost but high impact materials. Examples include the installation of pebbled floors in sections of the beer garden, which pay homage to the nearby Herald Square, and a variety of faux antique rugs at the Grandstand.
Playing with Wall Art and Wallcovering
When designing a space, we are always looking for impactful new ways to be creative with wall branding elements. For our BPN Chicago project, we used brilliantly hued film on clear glass entry doors, allowing for a branding opportunity and a booming glow in an otherwise crisp reception area of white floor tile and gray walls – at a lower cost than tinted glass. At RW Pressprich & Co., we laminated a semi transparent and sepia toned image to a glass wall between the pantry and trading area, with the image harking back to the company’s Wall Street beginnings.
Color is also a designer’s best friend. A blue wall costs no more than a white one, so when it comes to adding depth and richness to spaces for zero cost, it’s our go-to solution. A warm grey can transform an otherwise vanilla space into a sophisticated and elegant volume, and a bright lime green can call out a brand and invigorate a space.
For nonprofit organizations that don’t typically have a large budget, color can serve as the key branding element. At Chicago Scholars’ new headquarters in Chicago, we used a bright orange to provide a welcoming atmosphere to students.
Success is in the Details
Accessories play an enormous role in shaping an office environment, and there are a number of cost effective options. For our work at Compass, a fast-growing residential brokerage firm in New York City, we used the client’s existing books and arranged them by color to create a bold focal point in a neutral-colored lounge. The TMA team also created the impression of large chandeliers throughout the office by clustering smaller globe lights together, rather than purchasing more expensive fixtures.
Innovative artwork was also a key element of our design strategy at Initiative. We created custom art from existing materials, which helped to drive down costs. Since the office is free-address and no employees have assigned desks, the “Culture Wall” in the central lounge offers a space for everyone to share photos and images with their colleagues. Crafted of string, the informal structure adds an art gallery atmosphere to the office. In keeping with the artistic theme, stacking empty kegs at the entrance to the company’s beer garden was an inexpensive way to brand the space. And in the boardroom, we created a dramatic effect by dripping paint down the wall.
At full-service media agency BPN’s Chicago office, colorful faucet spigots serve as a piece of art, but also have a practical purpose, doubling as a place for the staff to hang their jackets. Similarly, NSA Media in Illinois chose to use colorfully painted boat cleats mounted on the wall for the same purpose. These solutions are less expensive than building a dedicated drywall and millwork enclosed coat closet and deliver added character and whimsy to the space.
Achieving “luxury for less” is certainly possible for interior designers. With an open mind and creative partners, the perfect vision – one that matches your client’s budget, schedule and culture – is waiting to be uncovered.
With more than 20 years of experience in interior design, Jacqueline Barr has established a reputation for creating dynamic environments for a wide selection of corporate, financial, legal and retail clients throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. As design principal, Jacqueline is responsible for the design direction of all of Ted Moudis Associates’ projects and provides overall creative direction for the design team. Her experience in workplace design, combined with a strong background in planning and trend awareness and practices, assures that Ted Moudis Associates obtains the most innovative and practical results for clients and creates spaces that surpass their expectations.