designinspo

Office Design

Why the Design of Our Workplaces is Important

Photo: Unsplash

Photo: Unsplash

At James Décor, our specialty is residential design. The design of the places we come home to every day is infinitely important.

What about the place we spend most of our time during the day?

That’s right — we’re talking about the office.

Like it or not, much of our time is spent sitting at desks and conference tables. We work hard in the office so we can play hard when we go home.

The world of office design is rapidly evolving. Research is showing that the design of boring places like offices can have a huge impact on how we work and, therefore, how we live.

An article on ScienceDaily about research conducted on how the environment impacts us says, “the scientists explain that well-built environments are important for well-being. A relationship to the space we're in is a fundamental human experience and so it is evident that built environments need to address everyone's needs.”

This is why fluid, collaborative spaces are quickly replacing the rigid cubicle farms we have grown accustomed to. Companies are working smarter — not harder — with innovative office design.

Interior Design is a magazine that keeps up with the ever-changing trends in interior design around us. Their May 2019 issue was dedicated solely to office design. The offices they featured and products they discovered were nothing short of inspiring.

Take Sunbrella’s headquarters in North Carolina, for example. The fabric and upholstery company converted a former mill into office space. The design included making use of natural light as much as possible. The building lets in so much light that there are two internal gardens in the office space. The gardens are two of the spaces referred to as “accidental spaces” in the office. These spaces aren’t assigned a specific use. Rather, they can be used for casual meetings or quick conversations — whatever they are needed for at the moment.

The North American headquarters for the Campari Group, a beverage company, incorporated four bars in their office space. The reception desk is an espresso bar. The office space also includes a cafe. It’s not all a party, though. The office features plenty of work spaces, like sit/stand workstations and conference rooms. However, there are no assigned desks. Employees work wherever they want to that day and store their belongings in lockers at the end of the day.

Trask Solutions, a technological and consulting company, has an office in Prague, Czech Republic, with a unique seating option — swinging chairs suspended from the ceiling. Little details like this bring a unique touch to office spaces. This keeps potentially boring work interesting.

Small environmental details can make all the difference in the quality of one’s work.

An article titled “How Your Office Space Impacts Employee Well-Being” from Forbes says, “A quality workspace design leads to a less stressful and more productive atmosphere. It’s essential that employers take the physical work environment of their employees into consideration.”

Good design doesn’t end at home. Take it to work, too. The office is an equally important place to pay attention to interior design.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160509105546.htm

https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/16454-interior-design-may-2019/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2019/01/24/how-your-office-space-impacts-employee-wellbeing/#2db02e864f31

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Winter Design Inspiration

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Design inspiration can be found everywhere you look.

The changing landscapes brought about by the seasons are an easy place to see this. Bursts of color in spring, summer and fall are easy to incorporate in interior design, but what about the duller setting of winter? There is inspiration to be found even in these slow and quiet months.

Green trees, powdery snow, sparkly ice, and earthy tree bark inspire patterns and colors to create a cozy space.

Go with soft or shiny textures in winter-inspired spaces.

Color schemes include silver, white, gray, gold, blue, and green. Find a combination that works for you.

In the Details

The Importance of Accessorizing

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In a bustle of fabric memos, sofas and rug samples, the accessories can get lost. They are the final touches. They seem like minor details. In the end, though, they make all the difference.

Good design is in the details.

Accessories are a way to let the room play. One of the best ways to show your personality, they add splashes of individuality. Sculptures, clocks, books, bowls and statues dance around a room to tell a story. They must be used tastefully, but accessories could be what your space is missing. Whether you want to choose a single statement piece or several accents, our showroom is filled with options.

Get Inspired By Some of Our Favorite Accessories

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: James Décor

Wrap It Up

Throw Blankets to Wrap up in This Winter

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No living room is complete without a throw blanket. Throw blankets are a functional addition to any room, which also add an extra pop to your décor. Easily changeable, these accessories can pull triple duty by adding texture, pattern and color to a room. In our showroom, we have throw blankets from several of our favorite lines, like Sferra, Paul Robert and Eastern Accents. Stock up on some new blankets so you’ll be ready when winter hits.

We have options for every style and taste.

Cozy

These blankets are thick and warm. Perfect for curling up on the couch, they bring a comfy touch to any sofa or chair. White and beige shades remind us of snowy winter forests. Choose one with fringe for extra texture, or keep it crisp and clean with a smooth edge.

Glam

Like a luxurious fur coat, these blankets are glamorous and chic. Cheetah and snow leopard prints bring an exotic flare. Extra soft and thick, these throw blankets will make you never want to leave the sofa.

Retro

Reminiscent of the Brady Bunch era, this throw blanket adds a splash of fun color. Unexpected color pairings and simple patterns are trademarks of this timeless style.

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Simple

For those who want their throw blankets to blend in with the décor they already have, these blankets add a simple, cozy touch without creating a fuss. They come in several shades, like easy-to-match neutrals, and don’t use a lot of pattern.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: Michaela Satterfield