Category Archives: Branded Spaces

Current Project: Design of Johnston Regional Airport

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The new Johnston County Airport Terminal puts Smithfield on the map for more than just air travel; with first class conferencing facilities and a business development office, it serves as a hub for corporate development for the surrounding areas.

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We were involved with the design of this new terminal from the ground up.  Our interiors accent the soaring ceilings with unique light fixtures and architectural details that embody the excitement of flight.  Sophisticated patterns and materials lend an upscale, cosmopolitan look the client was hoping for, while keeping the spaces inviting.  A large fireplace graces the waiting area, which has become a cozy meeting place for members of the aviation community. (For more pictures click here.)

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Photography By: Dustin Peck Photography

Current Project: Titan Flow Corporate Office

Rob recently, completed a serene office environment designed for an executive, combining modern lines with richly textured surfaces.

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The guest chairs (above) are upholstered in a luxurious cut geometric velvet.

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Quartz leger stone on the back wall gives a rough texture, casting subtle shadows that give the room dimension.

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Perforated metal on the desk and industrial-chic exposed steel beams add to the urban feel of the space.

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Current Projects: Employee Lounge Makeover

Did you see our post about the recent updates to our office?  We’ve already re-done the conference room, ladies’ room, and entry.  Now, we have some big plans for our employee lounge!

Our square table already got a makeover thanks to the guys at Muddcreek Custom Cabinets in Willow Springs.  Now, we’re finalizing a design for a sleek new kitchen.  We want to incorporate both stained and painted finishes in the design —  because a two finish kitchen looks so fresh!

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In our design, we incorporated the dual finish look by surrounding painted cabinet towers with a thick stained wood frame.  We also incorporated some special features that are popular with our clients – including pocketing doors to hide small appliances, glass–front cabinets, and deep storage drawers with dividers.  Here’s a concept sketch:

As a place where we conduct lots of meetings, the kitchen needs to be able to hide our appliances, food, and other mess!  But it also has to be functional and easy to use.  Integrated appliances with paneled fronts keep things looking clean & professional.

We’ll update you as the work continues!

-Rob

image 1: pinterest

image 2: Design Lines

 

2012 Dreams & Aspirations for the Team

There are brief periods of time reserved during the new year for reflection, strategic planning, and goal setting. In fact, this is one of my favorite times of the year. As we look ahead into 2012, here are just a few of our dreams.

1. Get published in a national interior design magazine. We are truly honored each time we receive press on our design projects and to step into the national arena would be a dream come true for Judy and the rest of the team.

2. We are always trying to find ways to improve the client experience. As a team, every year we go back to the drawing board to fine tune our business strategies all in an effort to give our clients the very best.

“Rework” by 37 signals founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson is a national bestselling book and a must read for this year. We were first introduced to 37 signals’s online project management tools several years ago and use Basecamp on a daily basis to communicate with our out of town clients.

3. While we support one other in the day-to-day operations of the business, we also find joy in celebrating those personal life milestones with each other. In 2012 we will be celebrating a wedding, moving into a new home, cutting a child’s 2nd birthday cake and all the little in between occasions as well.

4. Branded Spaces – At Design Lines we believe design affects everyone both within a residential setting and a commercial space, or as we like to call it the “branded spaces.” “The branded spaces serve as a tangible extension of marketing messages and corporate culture, becoming touchpoints where first – and lasting – impressions are made.” Last year, we had the honor of working with a team of talented individuals to build the NC State’s Chancellor’s House, and other commercial projects, which are outlined here. This year, we dream of continuing to take on more branded spaces projects. Wouldn’t it be cool to design a restaurant, a store, or even a hotel?!

5. Judy and I will attend “Blogfest 2012” in New York City this Spring. We are super excited!   For us it is important to hear and engage in this social media conference. The media platforms we use to communicate with are always changing and we want to be prepared for those changes.

In the new year, what do you want to see from the Design Lines blog? We care about what you have to say, so email us at hpickett@designlinesltd.com.

images: 1. Ruzzel & Hazel 2. Design Lines 3. Amazon 4. Cupcakes & Cashmere 5. Pinterest 6. Blogfest 2012– Kravet

A Closer Look: Corporate Art Culture at SAS

When I think of art collectors, names like Cosimo de’ Medici and Peggy Guggenheim come to mind.  But art collecting these days is not limited to individuals and their families.  In fact, many of the most impressive collections in the world belong to large corporations.  The local software company SAS is among them.  I spoke to Roxanne Hicklin, the director of Art and Scenic Operations at SAS, to find out more. 

The Art department at SAS began with a love for artwork and creativity shared by CEO Jim Goodnight and his wife, Ann.  The couple began avidly collecting art in the 80’s and 90’s, and soon after established an Art department at their company capable of managing the growing collection.  They believe that art contributes to a pleasing environment for employees, inspiring creativity and enhancing productivity.  They must be getting it right:  for two years running, SAS has been named No. 1 on the Fortune 100 list of Best Companies to Work For.

SAS has a unique approach to supporting art.  Unlike most companies, who simply buy art from outside sources, SAS chooses a more active role in the creative process.  They strive to create from within, employing two prolific artists-in-residence to create many of the paintings on their 900 acre campus.  The Art and Scenic Operations departments employ nearly 20 additional people with a vast array of capabilities: from CAD design and cabinet-making, to painting and framing.  They even have metal welders, who can fabricate large-scale sculptures like this one at Wake Med Soccer Park:

 

Among Roxanne’s favorite pieces from the collection are three glass bowls by Dale Chihuly (below) and a mixed-media piece by Antonio Arellanes.  But I discovered from her that the collection is not simply a group of objects;  it’s also a way of enriching lives.

 

For more information about SAS’s art collection, visit the employee culture section of their website

-Robert

images: sas.com and caryvisualart 



Branded Spaces: Task Lighting

Good lighting is one of the most important components of any work space – whether at the office or at home.  For a clean modern look, choose the perfectly-engineered Tolomeo desk lamp by Artemide.  Or for something more traditional, check out the Frasier desk lamp from Arteriors Home.  The below task lights are some of our favorites, and they are sure to brighten up any space:

The Tolomeo task light by Artemide can be mounted on a desk, the wall, or even the ceiling.  Designed over 20 years ago, it became an instant classic.  But the advanced engineering and perfect balance of this original will never go out of style.

If you want a modern design that makes a statment, the Leaf Personal Light by Herman Miller is a great choice.  Utilizing efficient LED technology, the color temperature of this lamp can be adjusted at will.  It’s no surprise this fixture is in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.

 The Graduate Lamp by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Company is a great option if you’re looking for a classic fixture at an affordable price.  Its mid-century modern lines means it can fit in with a variety of styles. 

 

The Sabine Desk Lamp from Arteriors Home is stylish and sophisticated, without sacrificing flair.

 Arteriors Home Fraiser Antique Silver Adjustable Desk Lamp

For a more traditional look with endless adjustability, the Frasier lamp by Arteriors Home is an excellent choice.

-Robert

image 1: lighting universe

image 2: herman miller

image 3: schoolhouse electric

image 4: arteriors home

image 5: arteriors home

Branded Spaces: The Public Face of Design Lines

We are excited to introduce a new section of our website this week.  Branded Spaces encompasses a variety of projects that we want to share with you, because in addition to our residential work, we also relish the challenges and opportunities of projects with a more public face – offices and restaurants, showrooms and meeting spaces, banquet halls and hotel lobbies. 

At the intersections of business and customer, host and guest, landlord and tenant – great design can open eyes, and doors.”

Please take a moment to browse the site, and discover something new about Design Lines.

 

 

Designed by: Everest Agency