CBI Showroom

Visiting Corporate Business Interiors’ Irvine showroom is a wonderful experience. Julie Sherwin at CBI is a wonderful host and explained the materials and finishes used throughout the showroom floor. From the moment you walk in the doors your eyes are flattered by a wide array of materials. The grand entry is lain with Arizona Tile porcelain flooring leading to the Furniture Solutions entry platform but the first thing to catch the eye is the Texton Terra textured wall finish laying perfect background to three chairs.

This textured wall draws the eye immediately into the space with its rough and rugged horizontal lines, clearly left with detail edge of a cement trowel.

The flooring on the right of the entry is Chilewich woven vinyl floor which captures the attention of all who enter because it’s unique pattern and subtle intricacy.

Interface carpet tile in Footnotes pattern guides you gently through the showroom to the next interesting wall covering, the woven wall has several pieces of upturned bow-tie shaped pieces of white metal that are interwoven and suspension-braced. Each piece can be pulled from place and return to it’s original location. The Cooper Lighting down lights, wall washers and low-voltage accents provide wonderful focused light. Also used throughout the space are: Focal Point fluorescent light fixtures, Hampstead lighting, Lumenart, RSA Lighting, Schmitz lighting.

The conference room uses DIRTT wall and glass partitions, Furniture Solutions credenza. The kitchen area features a large hospitality center by Furniture Solutions, a SpecsCeramics Quartz slab and Gunlocke overhead storage cabinets. The flooring in the kitchen was originally a cork mosaic bordered by Wicanders cork tiles but had recently been removed and replaced with a more durable laminate flooring with a dark wood finish. Some of the striking upholstery fabrics utilized throughout the space are by: Allsteel and Gunlcke, Arc Com, Bernhardt, Carnegie, Dani Leather, Jhane Barnes, Luna Textiles and Maharam.
One of the most interesting panel materials used in the workspace solutions in the showroom was the Allsteel Landscape™ Surfaces Pearlescent Strata: Glacier PS01 made from 100% recycled polyester resin that is originally used in the manufacturing of buttons in Muscatine, Iowa but is now beautifying workspaces as it is used as very appealing luminescent paneling.

There are so many sustainable building and interior products that are being manufactured and recycled to better preserve our natural resources and reduce waste in the land fills. The options CBI included even in their showroom are just a few. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through this new space and hearing about some of the ways that even in the ccorporate world we can specify sustainable materials and products.

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The Bungalow

Case Study By: Christina Younger and Stacey Cleary

Designer: Ginger Thomas

The Bungalow Restaurant in Corona Del Mar is the commercial project we selected to review. It is located at 2441 East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625. It is a both a bar and a steakhouse and has a warm inviting atmosphere achieved by the use of warm colors and welcoming materials, such as the carpet and the dark wood flooring. Interior designer Ginger Thomas recently remodeled this restaurant. We interviewed Ginger and learned about specific products she used.

The ten materials or products that we found to be most appropriate for a commercial space are listed below:

Initially, the use of acoustic panels was necessary for soundproofing the bar and dining room areas. The acoustic panels are made out of a fabric that matches the paint color of the walls so they are not obvious. These acoustic panels were custom-made for this restaurant. The fabric used was a Robert Allen design and is a pattern called Batum. It is durable and can be cleaned using a pure solvent dry cleaning solution.

Secondly, the dining area has carpet, and the bar area has hardwood flooring. The carpet used was produced by Masland, and this particular carpet is named Moki; it is constructed out of nylon and is a tip sheared loop pattern. It has a ten-year commercial wear warranty, which is appropriate for the trendy look of the pattern. The carpet has a Stainmaster solution on it for stain proofing. Carpet is nice to have in the formal dining area because it helps with acoustics and creates a cozy environment. The dark wood flooring is from Armstrong and is from the commercial flooring line of the company. It is from the Valenza collection, which means that the wood has been engineered (probably chosen because of its greater durability). The wood species used is lapacho with a Permion Urethane solution finish. This product contributed to the restaurant’s LEED points, both because of its durability, easy maintenance, and low VOCs. We thought that the choices in flooring were appropriate because the wood floor in the bar is more durable. Also, if customers spill a drink, hardwood floors can be cleaned easier than carpet.

We also found it interesting that the designer used a tint on the exterior windows. The tint protects interior fabrics from fading and blocks the direct sunlight. The booths in The Bungalow were carefully designed according to durability and style. On the back of the tufted seat, the fabric has a Crypton solution dyed into it to seal it from staining. This fabric is produced by Robert Allen, and this particular pattern is called Gate. This pattern comes in four colors; the color used in Bungalow is called Citrine. On the seat of the booth there is a vinyl that looks like leather. The seat gets more use than the back, therefore vinyl is a good choice. Vinyl is easy to clean and durable. Another vinyl product used in this project is the wallpaper used in the women’s restroom. Also a Robert Allen, this wallpaper is a textured pattern, item number TH0047. This wallpaper is very cleanable, a desirable feature for a restroom.

Ginger also explained that she flame-proofed all of the fabrics before they were made into drapery or upholstery. Actually, to obtain a permit of operation for commercial spaces, a certificate proving that the fabric is fire retardant is required.

Another interesting aspect in this restaurant is the different paint finishes used throughout the project, all produced by Dunn Edwards Paint. The ceiling was done in a Venetian plaster finish, colored in Oyster and New World. In the brightly colored mural painting behind the booths in the dining room (pictured below) nine vibrant colors were used, including the following: Beautiful Blue, Amour, Glitzy Red, Orange Burst, Sweet Potato, Flame, Lemon Punch, Lightning Bug, and Limelight. The latex flat enamel in this type of paint ensures good adhesion and tough up qualities, adding to its sustainability. This beautiful wall painting is the central feature in the dining area, and gives the room personality.

Behind the booths there are LED lights which create a contemporary feeling and a unique ambiance.These lights are from Lightopia, and this is their Happy Kiss Light, designed by Caleb Siemon. This distinctive lamp comes in four colors, and the color used in this restaurant is named Gold Topaz.

Lastly, the chairs and barstools are very well made. They are corner-blocked under the seat to add structural integrity. They were all custom designed by the Hatch Design Group, a company committed to create furnishings that reflect the space they are to occupy. These furniture pieces are designed to be both esthetically pleasing, and highly durable.

Overall, we think The Bugalow looks great, and the materials are a success. We are glad to have had the opportunity to interview the designer so that we have a better understanding of her use of products and materials.

Product sources:

Robert Allen: http://www.robertallendesign.com/

Masland: http://www.maslandcarpets.com/

Armstrong: http://www.armstrong.com/

Dunn Edwards: http://www.dunnedwards.com/

Lightopia: http://www.lightopiaonline.com/

Hatch Design Group: http://www.hatchdesign.com/

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