Episode Six: Eco-offices

PRESTON The client specified he wanted a masculine, modern, clean, and sophisticated space. The challenge was to create a conference room using a desk and bookcase. Additional furniture was purchased for seating and storage. The room was very simple due to the limited amount of space, a small amount of time, and difficult budget constraints. Fabric was brought in to create slipcovers and roman shades. A painting was created using a leftover piece of the desk and a used drop cloth. At the end, the room was easy on the eye, tailored, and functional.

Items in Preston's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Ondine) Bertil Wood Chairs by IKEA Kvartal blinds by IKEA Dragor Brown Rug by IKEA Red Lack Shelf by IKEA Folders by The Green Office PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 077 Classic French Grey satin 2 gal SW 6219 Rain satin 2.5 gal SW 7006 Extra White gloss 1 gal SW 6258 Tricorn Black gloss 2 quarts

ANDREA I came up with a concept for Traci's reception office. I was hyper-focused on doing a great job, plus I was excited to work and design for a girl. Halfway through the challenge, we switched rooms and I finished Eddie's design for Jed's office space. I found the already chosen colors difficult to work with, but it forced me to try something new. I am happy with the layout, and the great functionality of the office, and I hope that Jed likes the colors he chose. Overall, the office looks a thousand times better.

Items in Andrea's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Eddie) White Lack Side Table by IKEA White Coffee Table by IKEA 2 Norvald Black Brown Chairs by IKEA 2 Square Reed Lamps by Pier 1 Imports PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 6759 Cooler Blue flat 2 gal SW 7012 Creamy flat 1 gal SW 6990 Caviar flat 1 gals SW 6767 Aquarium flat 2 gals

ONDINE I created an executive "eco" office using the existing furniture in the room combined with "green" materials. The molding details added throughout the room created an elegant executive feeling. The once plain pressboard bookcases, painted and adorned with molding, flanked either side of the window with a shelf joining them. This provided an extra workspace for the client while creating the illusion of a built in wall unit. The recycled water bottle chandelier is my own version of an Italian Venini waterfall chandelier and is the centerpoint of the room. Not only was the chandelier made entirely out of bottles that we all drank that day, but it highlights the client's main business- the water recycling industry.

Items in Ondine's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Wisit) Brown Lack Side Table by IKEA Branas Wood Woven Box by IKEA Ristoft Natural Rug by IKEA Besta Tombo boards by IKEA Taljare curtain rod by IKEA PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 6148 Wool Skein flat 3 gals SW 6176 Liveable Green flat 2 gals SW 6187 Rosemary flat 1 gal

NATHAN I was completely inspired by Droog Design for this space. From the desk, I created a desk top, a side table made of drawers, shelving from the side panels, and a credenza top. I think my space ended up looking more like the office of a fashion editor or architect than it did a "green" conscious exec.

Items in Nathan's Room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Preston) Set of Recycled Chairs 100 % Recycled Rubber Bulletin Board by Ore Originals. Sold at The Green Office. Recycled Paper Notebook by Envirotech. Sold at The Green Office. Recycled Paper Magazine Basket by Pier 1 Imports Blinds by IKEA Wood Side Table by IKEA Melina tan curtains by IKEA

NATALIE My eco-office was a neutral palette with browns, greens, white, and a touch of pink. It was to be saturated but with a girlie touch. That's why I did the covered panels with floral patterns. The bench had a cushion stuffed with recycled paper and fabric.

Items in Natalie's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Andrea) Lack Shelves by IKEA Anno Inez wall hang by IKEA Besta Tombo whiteboard by IKEA Melina Brown Curtains by IKEA Lingo Flora Brown and White Folder Boxes by IKEA PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 6332 Coral Island flat 1 gal SW 6067 Mocha flat 2 gals SW 6179 Artichoke flat 1 gal SW 6084 Modest White flat 1 gal SW 6069 French Roast flat 1 gal

EDDIE I won this challenge. I created a bulletin board out of old carpet padding attached to the back wall. I also recycled the office's existing blinds and used them to create a light fixture and a privacy panel on the back of the door.

Items in Eddie's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Nathan) Recycled 3-ring binders by Wilson James Wood Lack side table by IKEA White & Black Lack Shelves by IKEA Lindman white blinds by IKEA PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 7006 Extra White Satin 2 gals SW 6795 Major Blue satin 1 gal SW 6068 Brevity Brown Satin 1 gal SW 6373 Harvest satin 1 gal SW 6375 Honeycomb satin 1 gal

WISIT My design for the Eco Office was actually for Natalie's original client, Emily, who is a 23 year old analyst who likes art, architecture and bold modern prints (so I'm told). The color for the walls of the office was Sherwin Williams' Festoon Aqua. Natalie selected a variety of fabrics, including grey corduroy, a leopard print lurex, orange and white cotton, and sea green polyester. I chose to make the design a little less wild and fun and opted for a sophisticated modern scheme. To do this, I created a floor to ceiling grey curtain wall to minimize the unattractive architecture of the window wall. I also had the carpenter install a large built in bookcase centered on a wall for storage and display.

In addition, I created a functional L-shaped workspace that faced a seating area for clients. To stay with the "green" idea of the challenge, I used all of the original furniture, painting it with a fresh coat of paint in shades of gray. Since we were told this was a real office, I chose not to create anything that I would personally find unattractive or not useful. In addition, I feel that a minimal and clean workspace forces its user to be more "green"--less wasteful and more respectful of the environment. Some of the details I incorporated were original artwork, lucite accessories, and well-placed objects. I felt that an office should be uncluttered and functional, and I thought my office was open, airy, and well suited for productivity. The scheme was timeless, elegant, and adaptable to any person who uses the office.

Items in Wisit's room (purchased in Top Design Showroom by Natalie) Vika Fintorp White Table by IKEA Blue Jute Boucle Rug by Cost Plus World Market PAINT (all Sherwin Williams either NO-VOC "Harmony" or LOW-VOC paint) SW 0019 Festoon Aqua semi 3 gals SW 0052 Pearl Gray semi 2 gals SW 7006 Extra White flat 2 quarts SW 0054 Twilight Gray semi 2 quarts