Vintage Hutchinson Ad Used in Wall Décor at 616 FAB House
The last layer of interior design includes wall art and r.o.i. Design has learned planning for meaningful wall décor has incredible influence on how the space impacts employees, customers, and guests.
It is an opportunity to support a company’s brand, communicate values and goals, as well as add aesthetic interest.
For Wolverine Power Cooperative in Cadillac, Michigan we worked with them to create an assemblage of their customer logos using a cable system to suspend the logos. This brought a sense of pride to staff and board members as they passed by. In the same project, we created a custom wood “service map”, that outlined where they provided power; but the map was interesting as “art” in addition to telling a story. They also asked us to help them create a “word wall” using words that describe how they want to be perceived. We created a graphic and then had it printed on vinyl wallcovering.
For multi-family developer Eagle Point Properties, they like the common areas of their projects to have photos and imagery that represents the location of the residences. For downtown Grand Rapids we found historic photos of landmarks and purchased the rights to print those photos. For their project in Virginia, close to Washington D.C., we featured the architecture and landscapes that describe this region, rich in American history.
Hutchinson North America built 616 FAB House in Grand Rapids in 2016. This space serves as a gathering and meeting space but is surrounded by displays and imagery that demonstrates their tradition of innovation. Working with them and their Paris, France associates, we selected historic images and arranged them throughout the space similar to a museum exhibit. In the same space, were close up details of machinery and operations of the past alongside robotic demonstrations of current technology.
Wall art and décor can be personal, and any effort we made to create custom wall art programs have resulted in positive “returns”.
Wolverine Power Cooperative, Cadillac, MIHistorical Photos Used in Wall Décor at Stuyvesant Apartments
Do you ever wonder how those cool loft-type condos suddenly seem to emerge as if they had always been there? The answer is they are the result of years of planning, a developer’s vision and commitment, a great piece of historic real estate, and a team that knows how to put it all together.
r.o.i. Design is lucky enough to be on one of these teams, and we are so excited to be part of making RiverView Flats in historic Lowell, Michigan a dream come true for 14 home owners.
Todd Schaal and Jerry Zandstra have come together as developers to create this opportunity. They want to create homes in the former “car barn” of Unity Middle School along the picturesque Flat River. This building is complete with vintage masonry, tall ceilings, and spectacular views.
r.o.i. Design takes on the roles of interior design and marketing, as we work to set the stage for some creative living.
For more about RiverView Flats, we have attached some of the marketing materials we have created that describes the look, the feel, the layouts, and finish options. Download them here:
And if you have more interest than just design and would like to learn more, contact Todd at todd@estesgroup.com or 616-822-6477. Their website is riverviewflats.com
“Your Home for Compassionate Service and Exceptional Care” is the phrase used by the team at West Michigan Dermatology to describe their practice. It is with that in mind that First Companies set out to fulfill their needs for two new locations. Craig Baker from First Companies reached out to r.o.i. Design for interiors and to r2Design for architecture to create the designs for their new Holland and Grandville locations.
The new Holland location was just a move “across the street”, but the new space feels much refreshed. The desire for a residential “cottage feel” resulted in an interior that includes painted millwork, decorative light fixtures, as well as a feature stone veneer wall. Furnishings also reflected a feeling of hospitality. All clinic and exam areas were designed for comfort and medical excellence.
The layout gave West Michigan Dermatology the convenience of exam rooms with two doors. One allows patients to enter from the lobby side, and the other for staff to enter from the clinical side. With a variety of procedures from skin care to surgery, this layout fosters privacy and a professional separation for the maximum comfort of patients.
While r.o.i. Design was fond of many aspects of the interior, the color scheme of black, white, grey, and blue was one of the most satisfying elements.
Kudos to First Companies project manager, Jason Beekes, and to architect, Jon Blair, for their expertise and focus. We wish West Michigan Dermatology in Holland great success in their new home.
Gone are the days of one ruling color. Forecasters and color experts alike are suggesting we are going to see a range of colors rising to popularity this year.
r.o.i. Design sees the significance to this year’s forecast to be a further departure from grays and moving more towards browns. And while commercial interiors lag the residential interior trends, they always do follow. We have already seen a broad acceptance by our office clients of warmer grays that could be taupe, and much more willing to see shades of brown as accents. We also resonate with the projected trend of more complex blues for interiors.
But what do the experts say?
Pantone has been a ranking authority, but r.o.i. Design also pays attention to our favorite paint companies opinions, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.
While Pantone has announced Living Coral as their “Color of the Year”, they are also suggesting two general palettes that are going to be widely used. One is called the Cravings Pallete and the other the Classico collection.
From Coastal Living’s article, “Trend Alert! These Will Be the Hottest Colors for Homes in 2019”:
The “Cravings” palette, according to Pantone, includes allusions to “fetish foods”—from rich Butterum and Cappuccino to spicy Chili Pepper and Cayenne. The hues will “draw upon memorable sensory experiences to inspire new ones that will be just as pleasing.”
Pantone Classico Palette
There’s also a Classico collection of 8 hues that includes Rich Gold, Mallard Blue, and Apricot Brandy. According to Pantone, “the colors are “fundamental, basic, and everlasting, while at the same time, elegant and forever fashionable.” With hues that pay a subtle homage to sunsets, sand, and sea, that’s certainly true on the coast.
For your personal research, here are a few articles to get you started:
Bonchon Chicken, Korean Fried Chicken & Wings, is an established restaurant franchise in many metropolitan cities around the U.S. Now West Michigan has one right here in Grand Rapids!
Pinnacle Construction, in their retail development of Knapp’s North on the East Beltline, attracted Michigan franchise owner, Randell Ganchua. Randell was looking to open his first of many Bonchon restaurants on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids.
Pinnacle Construction engaged r.o.i. Design to help design the exterior façade of the retail development as well as coordinate the interiors for Bonchon. Using established standards, r.o.i. Design created furniture plans, lighting design, finish selections, construction documents, coordination with kitchen designers and advocacy for the owner.
Bonchon had their soft opening in mid-November, and the reviews are great. We look forward to their continued success and expansion.
Campus View Apartments are located directly adjacent to the campus of Grand Valley State University. Campus View had the vision 50 years ago to purchase and develop property near GVSU to provide apartments for students. Today they have more than 400 units and continue to expand to serve the off-campus student housing needs.
r.o.i. Design had the privilege to work with them in 2016 to update their main lobby and leasing offices. This year we were asked to help them refresh the look of the four original apartment buildings. Those original apartment buildings were built in the 1960’s, featuring shag carpet and paneled wood walls. While the apartments have been updated, r.o.i. Design recommended a retro look for the common areas and corridors.
Our design included a mid-century modern use of patterns, colors, and light fixtures. The apartment hallways leave little doubt where the entries are with a bold accent of color at each door.
In addition to the corridors, r.o.i. Design designed building signage for the site that blends with the architecture but again, has a bold retro look.
The reports are that students are loving the upgrades, and Campus View is realizing new leases.
r.o.i. Design continues to work with Campus View in new projects that will open in 2019. From more information on Campus View go to campusviewhousing.com.
