meilun

As a creative, I am always eager to learn how others stay inspired, but today, I’m here to share what is inspiring me at the moment. Truthfully, I find that I am inspired almost everywhere I look.  Being a visual learner and a designer, I am always noticing inspiring color palettes to incorporate in my NYC lobby design as well as in my hallway design schemes, in particular. 

Today, for example, I was visiting our local gourmet supermarket and found the vegetable selections and display absolutely inspiring. For example, the colors of the aubergine (eggplant) and the variety of lettuce colors (fresh greens with subtle reds) can inspire upholstery hues for the lobby as well as hallway design scheme colors. Then, the Romanesco cauliflower’s collections of spirals and delicate peaks led me to think of intricate lobby carpet patterns that will hide daily wear and tear. And carrots and fingerling potatoes both come in an array of unusual colors that are so appealing and visually interesting and inspiring.

In New York City, I’m inspired by the Gilded Age mansions that have been converted to museums and hotels, oozing with deep rich woods and saturated colors. These spaces are so timeless and sophisticated. When I spot the spectacular moldings and carvings on the walls and ceilings, I’m always eager to take reference photos for our lobby design and hallway design work, and I encourage my team members to do they same when they’re equally enchanted by something. Even in my day to day life in NYC, I’m awe-struck by building architecture, tile patterns, carved limestone, wrought iron door patterns, hardware, retail store windows, eyeglasses, jewelry…it’s all eye candy to me!

I also find inspiration in nature. Early morning mist mutes the landscape in a way that is so elegant and understated. Ice “sketches” on a pane of glass allow for a contrast between cool blue grays and darker background colors. This contrast, as well as the organic shapes that take place, lead me to think of carpet patterns once again. I am also in awe of the sunrises and sunsets I experience as I drive in and out of the city at dusk and dawn, which are filled with salmons, blues, golds, smoke, lavender and get my interior design juices flowing. With these remarkable and awe inspiring natural color palettes, how can I not be inspired at every turn I take?

As a New York City lobby and hallway designer, I am often called in to evaluate not only the functional needs of a lobby but also ways to make a lobby appear outstanding and memorable in order to distinguish a given building from others.  

Essentially, a lobby should be filled with items that are aesthetically pleasing but non controversial. To help you get started selecting accents that will shine in your lobby, I’ve put together some guidelines to reference during the design process. 

 Probably the toughest thing to select and finalize in any lobby setting is artwork.  Artwork is the most common finishing touch of any lobby installation, the last item to go in. 

Painted canvases and sculptures are commonly seen in NYC apartment lobbies. I advise staying away from genre pieces, like pieces with people, and instead have opted for universally calming landscapes, depictions of architectural elements, and photographs. I always work to avoid art that is readily available in the marketplace—a cookie cutter solution is not the advisable choice here. 

Instead, I advise sourcing images that complement the building’s architecture, pay a nod to its history, or reference a place in the neighborhood.  

Looking to go in another direction? Try an eye-catching wall treatment. In the lobby shown here, this was done with a wood veneer wallcovering installed in a starburst pattern. The visual is powerful yet neutral enough to avoid being the subject of criticism.

There are many products on the market that can be used to bring a natural or organic feel to any lobby. The living wall is becoming more popular because it is more accessible, artful, and unexpected. It also serves as a tie between the indoors and out. That said, a living wall will require maintenance, but this care pays off—with proper care, a living wall will last for four to six years on end. Additionally, live plants are associated with a slew of benefits, ranging from increased oxygen levels to an overall feeling of ease.

Have you ever visited a wonderful restaurant or hotel with striking flower arrangements? Why not include this type of element in your NYC apartment lobby in the form of fresh flower arrangements or potted plants such as orchids? As with the living wall, live plants boost people’s moods—and who doesn’t want to feel a little less stressed when arriving home at the end of a long day?

The light fixture over your vestibule, doorman station, or seating area should be classic, suitable in scale for the space, boast LED for energy savings, and keep with the overall building design.   Lighting is generally a larger ticket, investment item and can make all the difference in adding oomph to a space. Take your time when selecting lobby lighting, though. Include a variety of fixtures: table lamps, floor lamps, pendants, and sconces are all fair game.

I have always admired water walls; a fountain is always a wonderful focal point for a lobby. There is little water needed because a pump re-circulates the water, and if properly constructed, there is zero to little issue over time. Plus, the sound can drown out unpleasant street sounds, which is always a plus in New York City. Best of all, a water wall doesn’t need to be large to make an impact and brings a calming and spa-like quality to your lobby.

While some of the options outlined above involve a one-time cost and others require a bit of maintenance, they all make an impact in a NYC lobby. Consult with your Board to determine what is accessible within your building’s budget; you cannot go wrong with any of these additions.