Office interiors take on various styles

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When Promoter Advertising owner Wayne Wilson bought an old farmhouse at 1601 E. Republic Road for his business, he knew he wanted the space to look like a cross between a lodge and an office.After taking the farmhouse down to its original framing, Wilson set about to create the desired look. |ret||ret||tab|

To accomplish this look, he painted the walls an earth tone color, had three fireplaces built, had the ceiling textures to resemble tree bark and put beams in the showroom area. He also installed ceiling fans in all five offices, landscaped the front yard, added a deck to the back, put in home lighting instead of fluorescent and installed thick carpeting.|ret||ret||tab|

"I wanted great curb appeal because there are people pulling out of the Chardonnay (restaurant) and the stores in the French Quarter Plaza ," Wilson said. "Hopefully, when people see a quality building, they think of quality in service, and that the people in the building are creative in their thinking."|ret||ret||tab|

He drew on his graphic design education from Evangel University to create the style he wanted.|ret||ret||tab|

"I never really consulted people about my ideas, but I did ask people their opinion," Wilson said. "People say they'd like to live here."|ret||ret||tab|

Design options|ret||ret||tab|

While Wilson went for a lodge-type look, local designers say there are a number of other styles from which to choose.|ret||ret||tab|

Kris Evans, a principal and interior designer with Interior Planning Consultants, said employers are trying to create a more relaxed atmosphere through use of sofas and lounge chairs for their conference rooms.|ret||ret||tab|

She said the office design a company selects depends on budget, the needs of the people in the company and what kinds of jobs they perform, privacy requirements and the clientele.|ret||ret||tab|

"We go through an interview process with senior management, and sometimes the employees, about their specific needs and what they like and don't like about their work space," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Evans, businesses are being run so that there's a breakdown of hierarchy levels and more communication between all employees.|ret||ret||tab|

"Today, you might see a CEO and a manager in the same size of office, instead of the CEO being in one huge office," she said. "Square footage costs are high and employers tend to be more open in their communication."|ret||ret||tab|

Evans believes the open communication and a spirit of teamwork are being fueled by the younger workers coming in to the workplace.|ret||ret||tab|

"Companies are becoming less formal in order to attract the new employees," she said. "Younger people are looking for a work space that's visually interesting, creative and energized."|ret||ret||tab|

Susan Sivils is the director of design at Sifford Contract Interiors. The company offers a wide array of design services.|ret||ret||tab|

"We sell all types of furnishing, have our own installers, complete interior design services, meaning we do the drawing and the space planning," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

Sivils usually sits down with the person in charge of the design project to learn what the needs are for each employee.|ret||ret||tab|

Right now, 70 percent of what Sivils sells is freestanding furniture while the remaining 30 percent is work stations.|ret||ret||tab|

"A work station is usually used in large offices," she said. "They work well because they offer privacy without having a closed in feeling."|ret||ret||tab|

Sivils said a growing trend is having several small conference rooms instead of one large one.|ret||ret||tab|

"The small conference rooms are good for those in work stations," she said "Employees may need a room to give a presentation in or a manager might want a place to meet with the lower-level management."|ret||ret||tab|

Sivils said more companies are going with mobile furniture.|ret||ret||tab|

"Sales departments often work in teams," Sivils said. "The teams may work in various combinations so they need furniture that can be arranged differently. They want mobile storage units, like a mini mobile desk."|ret||ret||tab|

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Desk help|ret||ret||tab|

An articulating keyboard, monitor lift and the right chair are items that allow employees to work in comfort.|ret||ret||tab|

"Employers are more aware of the need to have comfortable work space for their employees because they're getting workmen's comp claims," Sivils said. "The articulating keyboard, which sits on a platform, allows you to raise and lower your keyboard and to tilt the angle It comes with a built-in wrist rest ..."|ret||ret||tab|

The monitor lift can adjust the height of the monitor by as much as 10 inches.|ret||ret||tab|

A chair that can be raised and lowered, and has good lumbar support is another important piece of equipment, Sivils said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Good lumbar support is determined by how the cushions are made and by being able to alter the height adjustment and the back and seat angle of the chair," Sivils said. "Being able to change the angle of the chair is good if you're sitting a lot because the blood flows differently in each person."|ret||ret||tab|

Sivils said Sifford Contract Interiors is selling more oversized furniture than ever.|ret||ret||tab|

"This furniture is good for people that are overweight and/or tall," she said. "Most chairs accommodate people up to 250 or 300 pounds. But the oversized chairs can hold someone who weighs up to 450 or 500 pounds. The seats are deeper and wider, and the back is higher. The depth of a chair shou1d fit from the back of the hip out to the knee, when you're sitting down."|ret||ret||tab|

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