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How to add calm to your executive office space

Designing your new office space should be a fun endeavor. Finally, you have the opportunity to create an area that works for everyone in your company, including yourself. When it comes to your own office, don’t skimp or neglect design there. Below we’ve described five ways to add calm to your executive office space.

Biophilic Design

Adding natural light and plants to an office space automatically brings in a sense of calm. The greenery alone makes a space feel less sterile and more inviting. Natural light instead of harsh glaring light provides a less chaotic mood.

Colors

Calming Colors like the grays and greens in the picture above also add a soothing feel to an office space. Whether it’s your waiting area or your personal executive office, choosing calming blues, greens, and earthy grays and whites can make a space feel peaceful.

Natural Textures

One surefire way to make a space feel more calming and less corporate is to add texture. Even your storage baskets can do this for you. Pick ones that are more “basket like” and not made of plastic. Find chairs that can add texture to your space as well or add texture through wall hangings, lamp shades, eccentric “live edge” tables, etc.

ACOUSTICS

Drown out noise and add peace and quiet to your space by considering a white noise machine or acoustic wall panels. These decorative and stylish panels come in a variety of styles and colors and can absolutely lessen noise while adding beauty to your office space.

EXTRAS

Other ideas for adding calm to your executive office space include:

Use lamps instead of overhead lighting to create a more muted and peaceful ambiance.

Consider an aromatherapy diffuser

A personal coffee bar and snack area

A separate sitting area for when the desk becomes too stifling. This can also be a great space for adding texture and plants too.

Finally, an area rug can make a not-so-cozy office feel much softer.

If you’re considering a commercial remodel project in Western Colorado or Utah, contact us! We’d love to help.

Easy Ways to Add Luxury to your New Home

If you’re considering building a custom home in Colorado, this time of year will have you asking yourself, “what kinds of cozy luxury touches can we add to our custom home?” Winters can be cold, even on the Western Slope (though this one has surprised us all) and that means finding ways to make your home feel cozy and luxurious while maintaining energy efficiency and costs. Read on for easy and elegant ways to add luxury to your new home.

Radiant Heat

Starting with the floors, consider radiant heat for your custom home. While not visible to you or your guests, you’ll feel the difference every day when you step out of your bathroom shower on to warm floors. Your feet will thank you!

Not only does radiant heat feel good, it’s an energy efficient way to help heat your home. Radiant heat provides a consistent temperature and doesn’t lose heat traveling through duct work. Also, because there aren’t any “blowers” with radiant heat, there isn’t as much dust in your home either.

Lux Bathroom Additions

Along with those heated floors, there are plenty of additions you can make to your custom bathroom to add luxury. Consider a steam shower or a dry sauna in your bathroom. Both of these will elevate your shower time, boosting not only your mood but your health as well.

Dry saunas have been shown to enhance circulation, help with muscle recovery, and aid in stress reduction. Adding one to your home might not just be a luxury, but a wellness benefit too.

Adding a Fireplace

A fireplace immediately adds warmth (literally) to a room, but it can be more than just a source of heat. With the right look and feel a fireplace can take a room from ordinary to WOW.

Consider a double-sided fireplace if you have the space. Being able to see the fireplace from both a living room and kitchen, or two separate seating rooms, is both a way to connect spaces and also provide elegant separation.

Electric fireplaces are by far the most efficient and can provide great warmth, coziness, and controlled heat for your custom home.

Lighting

The easiest way to add not just warmth but elegance to your home is through lighting. Whether this involves adding ambient lights, under cabinet lights, or dimmer switches, controlling your lighting will absolutely change the look and feel of your home.

For cozy evenings, having floor lamps and strategic lighting for various areas of a room will bring in warmth. In the kitchen being able to soften lighting once the day is done will immediately calm your space for the night.

If you’re planning a custom home in Western Colorado or Eastern Utah, contact us! We’d love to help.

Add Space without Losing Character

This winter we want to help you add what matters in your residential remodel or new home construction project. If you’re considering a new or remodeled home, especially in an area that sees a lot of snow and winter recreation, consider the following options for adding space without losing character.

First, consider these general rules for adding space to your home without losing its personality and integrity:

Identify underused or awkward spaces (hallways, corners, oversized rooms) and make them functional by creating reading nooks in hidden corners or oversized rooms, for example.

Maintain architectural integrity by matching rooflines, materials, and proportions

Improve circulation between rooms instead of simply adding square footage. Are you able to create a cased opening or pony wall in order to gain sightlines from one room to the next? If not, can you improve the flow of the room to guide people towards other parts of the house? Better flow from the foyer to the kitchen, for example?

Prioritize how the space will be used seasonally (winter living vs summer entertaining)

Add a mudroom that functions well in winter

Dedicated zones for boots, skis, helmets, and outerwear – consider rubber mats for boots, since they’ll most likely still be wet when they come inside. Hooks are excellent for jackets and bench storage works for mittens, helmets, scarves and more.

Durable, moisture-resistant flooring and wall finishes – Again, if you’re planning to use this space in the winter, waterproof flooring will be essential. Everyone will be coming in and out with snowy boots and you’ll want luxury vinyl plank or tile, or even ceramic tile as options to protect your floors.

Direct access to garage or exterior entries to contain snow and mess – this is essential! You want your mudroom to be the first space the kids enter from the most recent ski or sledding trip.

Expanded Kitchens for Entertaining

Larger islands that function as gathering hubs, not just prep space will make life casual and easy during long winter evenings. Casual breakfasts and cocktail hours can all happen around a luxury island with storage and plenty of seating.

Improved flow between kitchen, dining, and living areas will keep everyone moving. While it’s nice to have one gathering spot, your home is filled with lots of places to have a quiet conversation, escape for a few hours of reading, or gather around the pool table for some fun competition. Ease of transition from one space to the next is key for a home everyone will find comfortable.

Thoughtful appliance placement to avoid crowding during events – consider a coffee and tea bar that is far enough away from the island to avoid a collision between those searching for caffeine and those looking for sustenance. The same goes for a wine or cocktail area too! Options for helping with this include a separate bar area with a small sink or even a butler’s pantry.

Storage designed for entertaining: bench seating in a cozy window seat allows for storing table linens and extra serving dishes or holiday items. Antique buffets make a great options for storing extra dishes and they add a touch of “real” to a new home or newly remodeled home.

Join us for our next blog post when we’ll continue our series on Adding Space without Losing Character by discussing guest room suites for ski season!

Lighting Considerations for Your Commercial Office Space

If you’re remodeling a commercial space or are considering a new commercial build, lighting will be a crucial part of your design decisions. Not only will you need to consider budget and aesthetics, but also various types of lighting for different spaces in your office.

First and foremost, consider the natural light your space will have and play into that. Natural light boosts productivity and increases mood. It also decreases eye strain. Using skylights, glass doors, and of course maximizing windows, can help to reduce electricity costs and improve employee health (less eye strain, for example).

Interior shot of an open-plan office featuring modern design, natural light, tables, chairs, and plants, ideal for business and lifestyle visuals.

This commercial space takes advantage of natural light, but also includes pendant lights over the tables for added task lighting. Not only does this help with employee focus but it also adds style and character to the space.

Productive tech-driven home office with daily focus layout, neat and clean –ar 125:83 –v 6.1 Job ID: 155f05b9-bf94-4b54-aa36-4797bcce9637

For smaller office spaces or personal offices, a similar mix of floor lamps, desk lamps, and natural light are best. Overhead lighting can be useful as well, especially if individual office overhead lights have a dimmer. Some people work better in brightly lit environments, while others prefer a calmer and slightly darker atmosphere. Having options for personalizing the lighting in one’s office will again keep your employees happier.

Finally, for the best in energy efficiency, stick with LED bulbs. They’ll provide reliable light in a variety of wattages and soft or bright light options, for all of your overhead and desk lighting.

Considering remodeling your commercial office space? We’d love to help! Contact us to get started.

Creating a Guest Room Office Combo

With so many people working from home these days, finding space for an office when designing your custom home, is no longer optional: it’s practically a necessity. If your budget and space are limited, using a guest room as an office is not only possible, but often a great solution.

Your first consideration will be space. If your guest room/office is on the smallish side, you may want to consider a sofa bed or Murphy bed to maximize space when you don’t have guests. This can give you the added benefit of a seating area (if you go the sofa bed route) or just more floor space (if you choose a Murphy bed option).

For larger rooms where a regular bed and a desk will co-exist with plenty of room to move around, consider storage. You’ll need storage for files and work documents, but try to keep it discreet. Choose a desk with drawers or closed-door storage, or consider shelving with baskets or decorative file boxes with lids. This makes it easy to keep work neatly stored away when guests arrive.

Here a minimalist desk interacts with a storage bench with drawers, providing functional and stylish storage for work and guests.

Consider using part of your guest room closet for office storage as well, especially if you need hardware like a printer or scanner. Having a place out of sight to store these, but also a place where you can still use them, will make the space feel more like an office when you need it to. At the same time, closet doors can be closed so that all of that stays hidden.

Considering a custom home? Contact us! We’d love to help design the perfect space for you and your family.

Reasons to love the Peaks at Redlands Mesa

The Peaks at Redlands Mesa is a luxury townhome development located in the “Ridges” neighborhood in the Redlands of Grand Junction, Colorado. At The Peaks at Redlands Mesa you’ll find great views, plenty to do, and easy living!

Low Landscaping Maintenance: Enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle and spend your time on the golf range instead of worrying about weeds and landscaping.

Varied floorplans: With 4 different floorplan options, you’re sure to find the right one for you and your family!

1 & 2 Car Garage Options: We offer two floorplans with 2-car garages and two with 1-car garages.

Close to recreation: Walk to nearby Redlands Mesa golf course or head over to Lunch Loop for great hiking or mountain biking. Hop on your road bike and take off right from your door, picking up the Monument Trail off of Monument Road or a portion of the Colorado Riverfront Trail off of Hwy 340.

Great proximity to downtown: You’re mere minutes from downtown Grand Junction, entertainment and local breweries and restaurants.

Learn more and explore our floorplans here: https://northpeakconstruction.com/the-peaks-at-redlands-mesa/

Luxury Kitchen Ideas for Your Custom Home

When designing a custom home, the kitchen is usually one of, if not the most, important room. Most people want a large kitchen with room for entertaining, eating, baking, and living. But beyond that, every home owner has unique tastes and requests to create a kitchen that is truly customized for them.

If you’re thinking about your own custom home, and want to add a few luxurious or unique touches to your kitchen, consider the following.

WALK-IN PANTRY

Most families enjoy the benefits of some type of pantry. However, we’re talking about a walk-in, room-to-store-all-the-things PANTRY. Use this as your private office, plan meals and family events, and even create a hidden spot for your favorite snack

BUTLER’S PANTRY

Take that pantry one step further and create a Butler’s Pantry. Butler’s Pantries are usually spaces between a kitchen and dining room, or off to one side, used as “prep” space. It helps to keep the kitchen a little more “clutter free” during big events. If you love entertaining, consider adding a butler’s pantry to your wishlist.

WINE STORAGE

Living in Western Colorado means having access to great local wine! If wine storage is a priority for you, make sure you put it at the top of your custom kitchen “wants.”

STATEMENT PIECE

A custom vent hood is one ‘statement piece’ idea for your new kitchen. Adding a grand element, like a stove alcove, vent hood, or one-of-a-kind island is a surefire way to set your kitchen apart.

When you’re ready to get started with your custom homes project, contact us! (970) 812-7970 or info@northpeakconstruction.com

Benefits of Planned Outdoor Space in your Commercial Construction Project

When designing your new commercial building project, it’s important to consider every aspect of design from energy efficiency to employee satisfaction and comfort. One area of commercial construction designs that has become increasingly important since the COVID pandemic is designing welcoming outdoor spaces for employees.

Why outdoor space?

While working from home during the height of the pandemic many employees had more access to sunshine and outdoor spaces than they do in a typical office setting. In order to meet emerging employee needs, adding this type of space in your office building is crucial. Let’s not forget the added benefits of vitamin D, stress relief and endorphin boosts that can come with spending time in nature!

Types of Planned Outdoor Space to Consider

Rooftop gardens or workspaces are a great way to find outdoor space in the middle of a city. Shade structures, covered areas in case of rain, and plentiful seating and greenery can make your employees feel at ease.

Sunrooms or solariums are a great way to stay enclosed but provide that feeling of warmth, and a “conservatory” like feeling. Filled with live plants and discreet, beautiful privacy screens, employees will feel comfortable taking a private call or brainstorming their next creative project here.

Courtyards are an excellent way to use space that is already available between buildings or off of alleyways.

Additions to consider

Be sure your outdoor space is WI-FI enabled and that the technology works well in the outdoor space.

If appropriate, set quiet hours for your outdoor spaces so that large meetings or casual gatherings don’t interrupt others’ workdays.

Water features will provide a peaceful backdrop and may bring birds to your outdoor space.

Live plants and foliage can also contribute not only to the beauty of your space but also to the natural world by providing pollen for bees and insects too.

If you’re ready to talk more about a commercial remodel and how to incorporate planned outdoor space in your commercial construction project, contact us.

Commercial Flooring Options

If you’ve decided to remodel your commercial space, congratulations! You’re off on a fun and exciting journey to showcase your business’s style, brand, and mission through the look and feel of a space designed just for you.

One major aspect of your space will be the floors. Choosing the right floors isn’t just about budget or “look.” It’s also about durability and function.

commercial flooringoptions

Budget: First, obviously budget will be a factor in your design. Flooring for an entire office can get expensive, and knowing right up front what your budget is will go along way in narrowing down your choices for you. Options like luxury vinyl will be less expensive than hardwood.

Type of business: If you have a high-traffic business, like a specialty grocery store or retail store, you’ll probably want to steer clear of harder-to-maintain flooring options like carpet. However, professional office buildings can often benefit from a combination of elegant tile or hardwood in a reception area followed by lush carpet in offices and conference rooms.

commercial flooringoptions 3

For the budget conscious: Luxury vinyl tile or carpet will be less expensive options for your remodel. Both of these come in a huge variety of styles and colors. LVT will be easier to maintain and keep clean than carpet, but if you’re in a small office setting, or in a business that doesn’t see a ton of foot traffic, carpet provides a nice, noise-dampening and “warm” option for your space.

For the professional office space tile or engineered hardwood can provide a sophisticated look and feel while also being easy to maintain during winter months with ice and snow getting tracked in.

commercial flooringoptions 4

Finally, some projects will require a more specialized flooring. If you’re working with a warehouse space or one that needs super durable flooring, you’ll need to consider options like polished concrete.

Specialty floors, like those for basketball courts, are unique to your building and situation. At North Peak we’re happy to consult with you on all aspects of your project, from beginning to end!

Office Interior Design Ideas

Designing an office can be an experience that releases your creativity. A new style elevates how the environment feels for staff and clients that come in the doors. First impressions are everything. With numerous styles, deciding on one look that appeals to the eye can be a big decision. To help make your design decision, here are some growing trends.

First, a Few Tips:

Before diving into the biggest trends and what’s “popular,” your office should inspire you. These elements should be included to make the space enjoyable and unique.
Functional Floor Plan: Make the most of the layout. Even if there is no open floor plan, optimize the space for easy movement and room for different things.
Comfort and Practicality: Invest in stylish, comfortable furniture. A cozy chair to grind out a task and a relaxing couch to take a break promotes well-being.
Lighting: This simple part of the office is crucial for various reasons. Lighting can impact productivity and mood. Poor lighting can cause eye strain and fatigue and decrease employees’ concentration and satisfaction. Natural and artificial lighting can be used to reduce stress and enhance mood.
Brand Identity: Design the office that feels authentic to your brand. This can include color scheme, décor, and anything else that reflects your brand’s aesthetic.

Design Inspiration:

Industrial chic

This style offers a moody design, a color pallet of cool tones, such as blacks, charcoals, and grays, and a touch of earthy warm tones of rust, copper, and weathered wood for character. To bring this style to life, exposed brick walls, concrete floors, reclaimed natural wood and metal accents add to the industrial charm. To make the look complete, you want furniture that combines vintage metal and wood materials, keeping comfort in mind.

Modern Minimalism

A modern look is always a solid interior design choice, where you can add authentic details that accompany your brand. Opt for neutral white, beige, gray, and black colors to dominate the space. Your accent colors should fit into the brand’s theme; if you’re unsure, try out a calming deep blue, emerald, or light shades of green or any color that suits your taste to add visual interest without overwhelming the room. Have sleek and clean materials: polished concrete or marble tables, glass, metal, and smooth Scandinavian wood to tie in the modern minimalist design. Incorporate simple furniture with geometric shapes and clean lines to complement the contemporary style.

Bohemian Eclectic

A unique take on interior design, bohemian eclectic will turn eyes with the mix of vibrant colors, patterns, and textures. Bring in the rich and colorful palette of jewel tones like deep purple, red, turquoise, and earthy tones of sage green, terracotta, and ochre to get the bohemian look. A bohemian style requires natural materials such as rattan and bamboo. To add some flare and texture, include patterned rugs and embroidered fabrics. Selecting vintage furniture with intricate details and soft colors adds to the theme. Comfort is also essential, incorporating poufs, pillows, and a low-slung couch.

Elegant Contemporary

An elegant contemporary is a sophisticated take on design for a classic yet luxurious feel. The color pallets feature cream, charcoal, and taupe with accented jewel hues. Materials such as velvet, brass, polished wood, and marble bring out the elegance. Furniture that is elegant and refined with high-quality finishes or has upholstery covers to protect and provide comfort made of fabric or leather material.

Interior design does not have to conform to a particular style or theme if that’s not true for your company. These design ideas provide inspiration and guidance to find a style that works and feels raw. Don’t be afraid to experiment and go through trial and error to achieve an office space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but adaptable to the work environment’s constant changes.