Historic Building Lobby – working with a group

Historic Building Lobby – working with a group

Sound familiar?
We’re familiar with the ‘old song’ about the difficulties that can occur getting 2 people who share a home to agree on design decisions.

As pleased as I was to be asked to consult with the owners of a historic Boston co-op building, I was equally aware of the challenges in satisfying the requirements of a group of property-owners sharing a very real interest in the same building.  The subject of my work for them was to create a new color palette for the lobby and vestibule of their 1924, “classic Old-Boston” building in the historic heart of Boston.

The Challenge
My first meeting with the property owners included at least one person representing each unit. After our introductions, we had a vibrant dialogue that consisted primarily of their expressing personal likes and dislikes. Starting with the existing bright yellow in both the vestibule and the lobby itself, opinions were effusive and diverse!   “I Hate Yellow!” …”I’d Kill for Yellow!”

Original colors: Yellow Entry

Well, the fact is that the existing color Was yellow, in the lobby area as well as the entry vestibule. The dialogue continued, then, with a review of the purpose of my working with them and defining the goals. Having listened to–and Hearing–their concerns, I described the approach I would take to meet the goals.

The Process
Basically, it came down to “what is best for the building will be best for the group.”  This is a good example of communicating when it’s necessary to leave the individuals’ strongest color preferences in their own interior spaces. As a core belief I hold for this kind of situation, it was my consistent emphasis at that time and throughout the entire extended process of the renovation.

During that first day, I selected a variety of colors to create an overall palette direction. I focused on a range of warm and cool “earth-tones” with a few accent colors as options to consider.

The points that were the focus of my approach in meeting their requests included:

  • Make the most of the beautiful, historic building.
  • Classic colors that suit the building. A palette that’s distinctive, not “ordinary,” yet one that’s comfortable and welcoming.
  • Focus on the architecture.
  • It’s often about moving beyond what is currently there, what we’re used to seeing. Change can be traumatic.
  • What’s the experience we, and others, have when coming into–and leaving–the building?
  • Respect for and reflection of the quality and style of the current panel murals. Not matching, but rather enhancing and supporting.

The Spaces
I was asked to consult about paint colors for “a lobby.” When I arrived at the site for our first meeting, I discovered something a bit more complex. Yes, it was actually two spaces–not one. But what a pair! The entry vestibule, and the actual lobby.

Here are the new colors you can compare with the original yellow, shown above.

Final colors: 2 Views in the vestibule, left and right sides.

Timing is important!
Because the color selections were just one part (but a critically important part!) of the process of the extensive renovation of the space, it was good to be brought in at the beginning of the process rather than right before the painters were to start. I visited the site throughout the construction process for color-plan reviews with the group’s point person. Sometimes 2 or 3 people met with me but that was a good thing to continue to communicate and confirm our direction and the ultimate selections.

After developing the main palette for the two spaces, which included a variety interesting, yet conservative, colors, they asked me to add an alternate palette they described as “bolder, brighter, and  ‘cheerier’.” Remember, they are coming from …bright yellow.

Entry vestibule
Coming in from the street, the vestibule has some natural light–but of course being very dimly lit at night with limited light sources. Lots of an almost-pink color marble, a high ceiling, and beautiful black, wrought-iron crafted doors. Bright yellow walls!

Original colors: Entry – come up the stairs

The Lobby Area
A long, narrow rectangle – you enter on the long side. At each end of the room there’s an entrance to an individual condo. Each of the upper stories of the building has only one unit per floor. The walls are divided into sections, with moldings framing mural panels. The walls below the chair-rail molding are divided in the traditional manner with sectioned frame-style molding.

Original colors: Half of the lobby area.

Overhead fans with lights, and 2 table lamps make the yellow walls even more glaring.

The Murals
As it happened, and what came out in conversations, people had reactions to the murals that were as strong as their feelings about the current yellow wall color!  Some of the owners even said they had never really liked the murals.

But most were wanting to keep them, so the questions became:  How to select a color that will support the hues and tone of the mural panels, yet not have to “match” anything there?

Original colors: Mural wall – closeup

Near the murals, the space called for a particular color type.
The lower part of the wall had some other requirements because it was adjacent to the marble (same as vestibule) as baseboard, with a multicolored stone floor that had very different color indications.

Even though I intended to keep all the background wall colors very “neutral,” personally I thought that it could be interesting to pick up one or another of the mural colors in an accent…even a very thin pencil-outline around the mural frame, as if using a fillet in the mat and framing of artwork. I still think this would have been an interesting way to make the murals be more like individual fine art pieces, since they were each already framed as if they were individual paintings.

I was asked to consider a variety of decorative treatments that would have been completely appropriate to the space, the history, and the architecture, but budgetary considerations brought us back to the paint-only model. For this, even though I had many years of experience in these artistic applications, I would have brought in another professional to do that work.

The Floor
In any location the floor is usually a large portion of visible surface. Even with furniture in a room, it’s a big consideration in any space because, after all, it is at the base of what every other surface relates to in some way, either perpendicularly or in parallel.

Original wall colors – Granite tile floor.

One of the parties had  a personal request to see something like a very pale pink on the walls with a grayish greenish white on the trim–or even perhaps a stronger color like “a soft orange, with a cream trim.”  She mentioned it being difficult for some people to go from bright yellow to “gray,” so they wanted to see a brighter, more vivid, option. Having no problem with this request, I did present another palette that would also represent the goals for this space. Ultimately, they selected one of the original color combinations.

The Lighting
Knowing that there would be an entirely different lighting setup once the construction was done–yet working in a very yellow type of low-light situation during the entire paint specification process was interesting. It required quite a bit of imagination and awareness of the impact of lighting on how color will really ‘look’ in a particular area under different lighting conditions.

I had no real examples of the specified lighting, where I could refer to my actual painted color cards for a representation of my palette in the renovated space. I just knew somewhat the type and basic “color” of the specified lighting.  It was helpful to consult with the lighting designer for this project, Doreen LeMay Madden of Lux Lighting Design, about what I might expect, in general, from the lighting plan she had created for this space.

Getting Married
All these elements that were not so noticeable at first glance, with the overpoweringly hued yellow walls and the inadequate lighting. But when you take away the distractions of the extreme yellow and the green rug, the marriage had to go forward into a future of the two spaces having compatible and complementary, harmonious existence!

New Colors, New lighting, Elegant New Look!

Put the “Fun” back into “Functional Color!”

Put the “Fun” back into “Functional Color!”

     What I call “Supportive color design”—meaning, using color to really help create the desired results—does not have to be boring. In fact, part of the “function” in the functional-color-focus of supportive color design will vary depending on the location and goals. 

It’s the word that skews the imagination. We’re aware that language, and words in particular, can really create an impression that precedes the experience. Paint color names are just on example, setting the mental stage for what to expect. Flowers, food, travel, history…just a few of the kinds of associations that come with paint color names and other types of marketing.

The phrase “functional color” sounds so Dry.  In reality and practice, however, the function of a space or place in general is the key to creating color palettes for paint and other materials that will help achieve the goals of the homeowner, architect, business owners.

It’s actually a very exciting process regardless of the size of the project.

     For example, the goal might be to create an environment that facilities study, quiet time, communication, comfort and security, celebration, relaxation, or energizing. In a workplace or business maybe it’s communicating elegance, authority, delicious food, efficiency, safety.

Health care spaces have their own concerns, the function being to create surroundings that will help with healing and create a comfortable and welcoming, ‘supportive” surrounding for visitors. 

Locations specializing in care for elders have their own unique set of additional concerns about how we are affected by colors as we age, and about designing spaces that focus on the needs of the particular people using the space—whether they are residents or visitors.

It’s always easiest to generalize about color use, like: “Blue is relaxing, Red is stimulating. ”  In a sense that’s true but the larger picture is to examine the specific goals, and architectural configuration of any space, to arrive at the choices of the best colors to apply in each material used, and how they will be used together.

That’s where the FUN of color design really enters in.

New construction allows for the most creativity. I’d call that “Fun” also. But what we did in this orthodontist’s office, that I enjoyed being part of, were all the elements.

This included design of the reception desk, paint colors, carpeting and lighting selections, and furniture selections.

The unique reception desk was challenging and exciting at the same time. Selecting the laminate colors for all the surfaces, and implenting the colors in the 3-d design, was a tactile, visual, and spatial experience.

A bit of creative “whimsy” was intended, yet wanting to be far from a childish space  since the orthodontic patients are of all ages. From the shapes to the color use, the enironment is one that welcomes vistitors with a smile, and that feeling of  “welcoming confidence” carries throughout the other areas.

Not all the spaces in this office are as whimsical as this area…some are of course more serious and focused, as they should be, while providing a space where patients of all ages can be comfortable.

I look forward to addressing the effects, “meanings,” and the use of specific colors in future posts.

Glorious Gray…Better Think Before Painting!

Glorious Gray…Better Think Before Painting!

A good friend was asking me about using gray for interiors, and it gave me a great reason to do a blog post about it!

According to a Zillow survey: “…dark gray may attract more prospective buyers — and higher offers — when you’re getting ready to sell.”

True, there seems to be a big flutter about the color called “Gray” for interiors. But actually, as with many “trendy sound/news bytes” about color, it’s not as simplistic as it’s made to be. It’s more than one color, that’s for sure. And, what if you’re not selling? Creating and updating your nest at home will be the focus and goal.

But questions arise to me. Like: Whats the appeal, beyond “Trends?” Where does that interest come from: social, emotional, and/or other things in the marketplace? What are benefits of using those colors in living spaces? In work spaces? What are negatives? This post will address those issues, for interiors. Exterior colors post will be forthcoming.

Example of a gray wall color supporting artwork.
Example of a gray wall color supporting artwork. Artwork can be enhanced by using a deep color behind it.
Shown on fireplace: China Camp Shapes, Archival print of original photograph by Barbara Jacobs

So, more questions arise, like: Where to apply it? What paint finishes are best for maximum quality effects? And from a deeper, more specific design perspective…what actual color gray are you going to use, to create your new environment.

That’s where creative color — and what I like to call “color discernment” — comes in!

Is “gray” considered “Cheerful?”
Not usually, and in fact that is not a word I would ever associate with a gray-toned color. However, here’s another way to look at it. It’s about the language of describing color and the psychology and emotions that come with various colors. For example, a more high-vibration color like “yellow,” for example, is typically considered Happy or Cheerful. That’s understandable, when you look at where we usually see that kind of color…flowers, nature, sunlight associations, greeting cards, etc. Then on the other hand, do you want a really bright yellow color in your surroundings? Depending on the actual color formulation, and lighting in the space, the color can be desirable or could also be uncomfortable, making one agitated. That’s just quick example of the kind of things we need to consider in selecting colors.

Deep gray wall color

See the difference. Two version of the same room, as examples of using variants of deeper gray. The top image is more blue and the Lower image is towards more purple.

Deep gray, warm tint towards purple.

Many colors can be up-beat and still comfortable and homey. That will be a great topic for a future post. In interiors, the more low-keyed versions of these colors are the way to go for this kind of result. So, it could be a blue, a red, a green, a purple…even an orange or a yellow!

But in the realm of Gray, I like to consider various tones in that field, so a gray can be warm, cool, light and soft, dark and deep…you get the picture.
Following are a few examples of colors I’d not call Gray, per se (as in black + white = gray), but toned-down colors that are beautiful, comfortable, and great options when you look for something in the wide world of beautiful grays for walls, ceilings and even cabinets–which can offer a beautiful color field as important as walls or entire rooms.

Traditional Style Living Room.
Two forms of warm gray are a good complement to the style and furnishings of this historic home.

Artwork below by Barbara Jacobs

Warm, earthy gray creates a cozy nest.
Warm, earthy gray type color in a bedroom can help create a cozy nest
Warm deep gray on window casings.Interior.
2 photos of the same room shows a warm gray on the wood trim in this Arts and Crafts home. The combination of colors is a good fit for this space in particular and the house in general.
Warm gray trim with gold tone walls: Arts and Crafts home.

Above: 3 examples of the same room shown with various color options.

Finally, one important thing to consider is to not be swept away by the latest trends, especially if you have more long-range plans. But one way to use this kind of social and product-influenced color is that even typically smaller areas like trim can offer distinguished and sophisticated options.

Below: 4 views of the same room, same color except…what is different?


I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments,
and to see your own pictures of how you have used Grays, in any form.
In fact, I welcome your suggestions for future posts on topics of interest to you.