CAI-NJ December 2020

FACILITY DESIGN... from page 20.

“Creating a friendly, functional and inviting environment — whether in a lobby, card room, bistro, etc. — will only continue as the resimercial trend’s popularity grows.

be used in public spaces, such as a clubhouse. Now, many manufacturers and suppliers offer residential-inspired furniture and fabrics that are of commercial quality. Furniture designers and artisans are creating pieces that support an array of postures and resemble the soft curves and textures that you may find in a home. Integrity and durability are key when looking to incorporate residential furnishings for commercial use. Residential furniture is not made for multiple people sitting on it for long periods of time, so it is going to show wear and tear much sooner. Also, they often don’t carry the same warranties, weight capacity, flammability testing, or stain and wear resistance. Manufacturers have done a great job at answering that call and thinking outside the box, in producing furniture that looks more like art, while still being functional and durable. The availability of those decorative yet functional pieces at any price point has allowed commercial interior designers far more freedom and flexibility in creating interesting spaces.

When blending residential and commercial aesthetics, consider soft seating in subdued colors, such as browns and grays. The warmer palette offers the ‘homey’ feel. Additionally, lighting, accessories, wall and window treatments play a critical role in creating that comfortable atmosphere. Commercial fabric manufacturers have started to soften offerings that are exceedingly durable, incorporating more residential patterns. Overall, this offers a far more inviting look and feel to the way contract furniture sits in a room. Seating doesn’t appear to be as stiff or rigid through the

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