Take me through the process of trying to please dozens of
people with conflicting tastes.
First we meet with the board or design committee to find out what
they like, what they don’t like, what they want to keep. We interview
the staff. For example, is the current design convenient for the
doorman to open the door?
We come back to them with two or three design proposals. Invariably
what happens is they will say they like design B, then we lend some
elements from design A or C.
At a third meeting, we have a finely tuned design, furnishings,
lighting, wallpaper, window treatment, the doorman’s place, all with
drawings and renderings. It goes to the board for approval.
Then we send it out to at least three bids. We meet with the board
and analyze the bids. Then we always meet every week with someone from
the design committee, with the super, with the contractor and with
whatever trade is appropriate.
How do you decorate by committee without war breaking out?
Sometimes you don’t manage. We just did a presentation to the
general shareholders. There were some people who really had an ax to
grind. They’re the same five people in every building. We call them the
Gang of Five. They’re not going to like it if you do it, or if you
don’t do it. Other people in the building know who the kvetchers are.
I’m assuming, given the personality clashes that can erupt,
failures do occur.
We’ve always moved it forward on some level. It may be a very
watered down anemic version, but the project always gets done. It may
not be the design I like.
We did one a couple of years ago. Everybody had an opinion. It was
designed by committee. Anybody could have gone to Janovic’s and gotten
and wall covering. It had no imagination. But it still looks better
than before we started.
What are the special challenges of renovating an apartment’s
public spaces?
[Lobby and corridor design] is an entirely different breed of cat
than individual residences. A whole litany of things can happen. You
have to take care of pets. You have to make sure the corridor is cleaned
up every night so people don’t have to walk thru sawdust. You have to
know where to locate emergency lights. Then there’s pregnant women. We
make sure anything our contractors use is green and non-toxic. You have
to give plenty of notice. You can’t just show up that morning and say
there’s going to be noxious fumes.
What are some pitfalls to avoid when a building is considering
remodeling its lobby and corridors?
Using delicate fabrics for upholstery is one. One committee wanted a
snow-white rug. It would have been perfectly stunning for about six
hours. Materials have to be of residential sensibility but commercial
durability. We finally talked them out of the snow-white carpet.
I assume that many of the pre-wars in particular have spaces
that just don’t work in today’s world.
Package rooms and delivery are important. When most of these
buildings were built, people were not shopping on the Internet and Fresh
Direct. To have good cameras and good monitors is always an issue.
You also do design work in Oklahoma City. Are those clients easier to
work than New Yorkers? Would a strong dose Southern charm be in order
here?
There’s certainly a directness about people from New York that’s very
refreshing. Life is faster here. Decisions are made more quickly.
Any final words of advice for a building thinking about renovating its
lobby?
Coming to your designer is like going to your accountant at tax
time. If you have everything lined up, it’s easy. If you go with a
Gristedes bag with your receipts, it can be a problem.
Laura B. Weiss is a NYC a journalist who blogs at
www.foodandthings.com and is
the author of a book on ice cream coming out June 2011.
