A Job Well Done
This year, MCA has been busy with a number of multifamily projects. Each project begins with an analysis of client goals, existing spaces, and target buyers, so when a troubling pattern became evident, we took notice. In many instances, we were hired to revamp ineffectual and indirect existing designs, some less than a year old. Clients confided that the spaces were 'missing something', that they 'felt smaller or darker' than they truly were, or worse, that buyers just didn't 'relate'.
During the housing boom, when it took only the glimmer of granite and stainless steel to make a sale, creating great public spaces and demonstrating function and versatility in models was deemed more an intelligent option than an absolute necessity. The rules have changed. Times might be tighter, but buyers have had a taste of the good life. Even though they want to make responsible decisions, and are evaluating every penny (not dollar) spent, the demand for luxury and expectation of quality remain the same.
Now that risk is back on the table and here to stay for awhile, we need to show the worth of these big ticket purchases by demonstrating the ultimate livability of the spaces. Thoughtful design goes a long way in selling a model. Today's buyers want to see opportunities for entertaining guests, housing visitors, and working from home. They have taste and desires, and it is our job to paint a picture they can't refuse with interiors they want to come home to.
The challenge we face today in balancing budgets with principles is to create something special with less - less cost, less waste, less of a footprint on the environment. One of our favorite clients says, "Better to come out right than to come right out." The sentiment has never been truer. In order to remain relevant, it is imperative to start designing the best possibilities the first time around.
trend spotlight
Paint & Wallcovering - Doing Double Duty
One of the most exciting parts of any project is deciding on the color palette. Color enhances mood, piques interest, and both creates and stimulates memory. Besides being one of the 7 commanding principals of good design, color in the form of paint and wallcovering can produce the biggest cost to impact ratio. Wall color, applied in contrasting bands or blocks, can often be used in place of costly trim and molding details, balancing proportion and scale while cutting project cost. It can also help define areas in rooms with multiple functions by grounding furniture vignettes or groupings. Choosing the right color, texture, and pattern for a wall is a smart way to impact buyers' emotions while remaining budget conscious.
At a time when every cent is considered before it's spent, paint has become a powerful multi-tasking alternative to some of the more expensive tools and principles of the trade. One of the most versatile expressions of color, it is instrumental in making spaces feel larger or smaller. We often use it to highlight components of the space with architectural interest. Our projects this year have made great use of this season's stylish shades, including rich blue hues, sophisticated grays and slates, and vibrant yellows and golds.
Wallcovering has been making a comeback, and patterns and textures range the gamut from sedate to psychedelic. Our favorites this year are the natural textures and weaves found in grass cloths or other natural fiber wallcoverings, as well as bold geometric prints in rich contrasting colors. These striking patterns do double duty by integrating color, pattern, and texture while helping to balance scale and proportion in the overall space. Whether you choose to integrate paint, wallcovering, or both, it is a fabulous way to create big impact with very little effort.
Green Space
Staying Out of Tomorrow’s Landfills
According to the Clean Air Council, the average American creates about 56 tons of trash a year, only a tenth of which is recycled. Seventy percent of the remaining solid waste ends up in landfills each year, and the EPA estimates that currently about 9 million tons of existing U.S. landfill waste is made up of furniture. We as a culture have become so obsessed with 'feathering the nest' that we have created the need for disposable furniture that can be tossed to the curb when the next new style comes along. Not only does this trend pollute our planet with landfill waste, the materials used in most cheap furniture these days releases poisonous toxins into the atmosphere. MCA is endeavoring to lessen our role in this cycle of waste, and remains committed to expanding our use of recycled, vintage, and sustainable furniture and furnishings in our projects.
Project Spotlight:
Midtown Crossing at Turner Park
In 2006, Mutual of Omaha announced its plan to help revitalize the neighborhood surrounding its corporate headquarters in Midtown Omaha. The cornerstone of this effort is the seven-building complex of Midtown Crossing at Turner Park. Completed last year, this new neighborhood landmark features shops, restaurants, and entertainment, all bordering a family-friendly green space that hosts a farmer's market and various seasonal activities.
Despite the growing popularity of the area, condo sales at Midtown Crossing stalled. MCA was called to re-imagine the design of the model units and public spaces, with a goal of creating cosmopolitan interiors that would capture the interest of local buyers. We addressed this using a combination of upscale finishes, vivid color and pattern, luxurious textures and sleek shapes that evoked the idea of sophisticated comfort.
Since the redesign, sales have increased and Midtown Crossing has seen a lot of positive press. We are happy to have lent our efforts to this wonderful project.
STAFF PROFILE
Elizabeth Houston
Project Designer
Elizabeth Houston is one of the core members of Mary Cook & Associates' design team. Since joining the firm in 2006, Elizabeth has worked on a variety of projects across the nation, with a focus on single and multifamily housing. She finds ideas for her designs in nature, antique and thrift stores, fashion, and through frequent exploration of the vibrant galleries and studio spaces in her home neighborhood, the Chicago Art District of Pilsen. "As a designer, I love exploring and being on the go," she says. "Inspiration is everywhere."
In her spare time, Elizabeth teaches Vinyasa yoga, plays co-ed soccer, is an avid recreational cyclist, and is currently taking full advantage of everything the gorgeous Chicago summer has to offer. She credits her love of the outdoors with her great interest in green design, and is deeply invested in creating eco-conscious interiors wherever the situation allows. Elizabeth holds a Bachelors of Interior Design from the Harrington Institute of Interior Design.
Upcoming Events:
- NAHB Executive Officers Council Seminar, August 4 through 7, Santa Fe, NM
- Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, September 14 through 16, Chicago, IL
- ULI Fall Meeting & Urban Land Expo, October 12 through 15, Washington, DC
- National Parks & Recreation Congress & Exposition, October 25 through 29, Minneapolis, MN
mary’s wishlist:
Not long ago, I read an interesting article discussing the practice of Vedic architecture. By adhering to a number of rules related to the laws of nature, proponents of Vedic architecture believe in creating 'ideal' buildings that can enhance productivity, create peacefulness, and promote energy in those who live and work within them. One of the points of the article was simply that buildings affect people, and it is an architect's job to be sensitive to this fact when creating the built environment.
This holistic approach is something we have been doing since day one here at MCA, though I had never stopped to put a name to it. The foremost goal of interior design is to create spaces that truly mean something to the people experiencing them. By understanding and using the natural principles of design - scale & proportion, light, color, pattern & texture, function & livability, significant and relevant ornamentation - and combining this with a deep understanding of demographic & geographic influences as well as overall client objectives, we create more than spaces. We create experiences.
Used independently of the whole, any of these principles could fall flat. However, when properly balanced and integrated, the resulting spaces are not just places of beauty. They actually affect viewer's emotions and energy - and if you can affect the way a person feels, you can elevate their entire experience in a space. As a designer, I consider it a duty and an honor to have this profound effect on mankind; if only more people could begin to realize just how far their sphere of influence reaches when choosing to create and share interiors.