In a recent article printed in the Washington Post, our Creative Director, Christopher Ritchie discussed challenges and solutions for “How to take a sparse master bedroom from drab to fab”.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER RITCHIE
Christopher has had a lifelong passion for unique furniture, interior design and custom woodworking. After more than 20 years of owning and working with furniture manufacturing companies, he landed in the Washington D.C. interior design scene to launch his rapidly growing firms.
Since honing his skills, Zoltan Design Co. has expanded from Washington D.C. into Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia PA, Atlanta GA, and Los Angeles CA. Working with notable clients such as Starbuck’s, Neiman Marcus, Horchow, Marriott, Westin Aruba Casino Resort and Restoration Hardware has led to features in regional and national publications like the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Baltimore Sun, and Garden & Gun Magazine.
Chris brings impressive experience, insights, and enthusiasm to each project. He and his team of dedicated interior designers work to find modern, stylish solutions to each challenge, creating functional spaces that match each client’s vision. Tell us about your residential, commercial or hospitality project.
ANTIQUE OAK ~ FROM OLD TO RENEWED
By Amanda Kowalski from Cochrans Lumber
Here at Cochran’s Lumber, we love seeing a good ‘Before and After’ renovation from our clients! The recent renovation of the iconic Bavarian Inn in historic Shepherdstown, WV may just be the best we have seen this year. Boldly designed by our friends at Frederick, MD based Zoltan Design Co., the inn was transformed from a dark, out-of-style space into a polished, comfortable bar, lounge, and eating area. Complete with flooring to ceiling windows, a glass-enclosed brewery, and of course our classic Antique Oak Distressed flooring, Zoltan Design Co. delivered not only a functional dining space but also a wow factor that patrons will enjoy for many years. Prost!
Below: Bar/Lounge Before
Above: Bar/Lounge After
RANDOM WIDTH ~ SINGLE PURPOSE
“The Bavarian Inn project was special because its design work was a combination of remodeling existing components, as well as the addition of a brand new, adjoining brewery and brewpub buildings. The location has a rich history and called for materials that would balance a fresh, updated look, while still being transitional and in line with the character of the building.
We selected Antique Oak, distressed in varying widths and lengths for flooring. It has a worn character and weathered look, displaying its history in every bit of patina and imperfection. The same wood floor runs from the remodeled bar area into the new brewpub seating area, blending the old and new spaces seamlessly.
The bar area now displays more modern furniture, with bright nailheads and mirrored backsplash tile, providing a beautiful balance to the existing stone walls and rich, history-filled, Antique Oak floor. The same layering effect is seen in the new brewpub area with its incredible architecture of wood beams against modern antique silver pendants; and the new modern furniture against the weathered Antique Oak floor. Overall, the Inn has received a new, updated look without compromising its story – the story and charm that makes this place special to many of its patrons and will for years to come.”
-Christopher Zoltan Ritchie, Creative Director and Founder of Zoltan Design Co.
In a recent article printed in the Washington Post, our Creative Director, Chris Ritchie discussed challenges and solutions for “How to create a modern, comfortable living space with room for games and reading”.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER RITCHIE
Christopher has had a lifelong passion for unique furniture, interior design and custom woodworking. After more than 20 years of owning and working with furniture manufacturing companies, he landed in the Washington D.C. interior design scene to launch his rapidly growing firms.
Since honing his skills, Zoltan Design Co. has expanded from Washington D.C. into Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia PA, Atlanta GA, and Los Angeles CA. Working with notable clients such as Starbuck’s, Neiman Marcus, Horchow, Marriott, Westin Aruba Casino Resort and Restoration Hardware has led to features in regional and national publications like the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Baltimore Sun, and Garden & Gun Magazine.
Chris brings impressive experience, insights, and enthusiasm to each project. He and his team of dedicated interior designers work to find modern, stylish solutions to each challenge, creating functional spaces that match each client’s vision. Tell us about your residential, commercial or hospitality project.
Zoltan Design Co. designed our dream cabin in the mountains with the help of our architects. We started with just an undeveloped lot, and we wanted to build something modern, but with a warm, tradition feel. From the beginning, Zoltan Design Co. was a huge part of the full design and architecture of this dream cabin. We used as much glass as possible throughout the home so that we would still feel like we were in the woods at all times. The warmth of the home is just like its furniture. The leathers and fabrics chosen give us a warm and comfortable feeling every time we use the cabin with our friends and family. We call it our “Forever Lodge” because it will forever give us love, peace, and happiness.
“Thank you so much Zoltan Design Co. for your forward thinking designs and all the hard work you and your team put into this very special project, amazing job!”
– Harold & Susan
MAXIMALISM IN THE WORKPLACE
When interior design companies talk maximalism, your first thought might be to panic internally. After all, the modern workplace should be clean and professional, not chaotic.
But it doesn’t have to mean chaos. According to Ruth-Anne McMillan of McMillan Interiors of Dublin, a maximalist space uses rich patterns, colors, mixed finishes, and layers while playing with scale and proportion in a way that isn’t afraid to be eclectic and fun.
Compared to minimalism, which reduces a space to the bare necessities with modern lines and patterns, maximalism is creativity set free. Studies have shown in the past that art in the workplace helps with employee productivity and creativity; it is its own art.
HOW DO INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANIES USE IT IN THE WORKPLACE?
You might have a vague idea about how maximalism would be used in the comfort of your own home, but what about the workplace? Design companies might use the following methods in a corporate space:
- Bold paint. One of the key characteristics of maximalist design is fun with the walls. Bold paint that differentiates between walls or even on the same wall helps to create a high impact look.
- Extra space. Maximalism can be loud in the workplace, which is why it’s important to create room for employees to think by spreading it out with lots of space.
- Go all out with plants. Plants are great in the workplace because of their air-filtering properties. They can also cater to the maximalist aesthetic by being placed strategically throughout the space.
Whether you prefer maximalism or minimalism, you’re sure to find professional interior design firms who are able to make your workplace dreams come to life.
PRODUCTIVITY ONE DESIGN AT A TIME
According to Metrostudy, as many as 12.57 million remodeling jobs will be done in 2018. Many of these remodeling jobs will take place at home, but workplace remodeling is just as vital for sparking creativity and keeping people productive.
A quality work environment empowers employees to learn, grow, and communicate by making them feel warm and welcome. This is why effective office design can be an influential tool for managers and bosses to better support workplace activities.
To help your own business stimulate greater productivity and collaboration in your employees, here are a few ways your local interior design firms can boost your office or workplace with interior design.
Interior design firms can improve office space flexibility. A productive office space allows for flexibility. Open floor plans may work for some employees whereas others may prefer private areas. This also goes for different work tasks. If your workplace only offers open areas or closed-off areas, an interior designer can manage the area to give you the best of both worlds for optimal flexibility.
Interior designers can incorporate culture into the workspace. When you’re designing on your own, you may be thinking only in terms of aesthetics. However, interior designers can help you translate your company’s personality, traditions, and values into the design. This is especially important if you haven’t updated since you opened for business.
The professionals know how to boost natural light. Natural lighting is essential in an office space. Not only does it look more welcoming to clients but it also improves the mood and cognitive functioning of your employees. Interior designers can help you figure out how to best utilize natural light, without necessarily breaking down any walls.
Interior designers can mix comfort and function. It can be a struggle to incorporate spaces in your workplace that are both comfortable and functional. However, commercial interior designers have years of experience finding the right balance between professionalism and comfort for your office space.
Commercial interior design firms do more than decorate your office space. They aim to create innovative, collaborative spaces in the workplace to boost productivity and creativity in ways that are exciting for the employees. To learn more about what commercial interior design can do for your office, schedule an appointment today with Zoltan Design Co.
Our design team had an opportunity to give back, and we jumped at the opportunity. Mike Rowe, star of Dirty Jobs is working on a new Facebook series called Returning the Favor. The latest reality social media sensation supports those who dedicate their lives to helping others in their communities. The newest episode aired on Oct. 17 with the Zoltan Design Co. team at the front and center of design and implementation. A project based in Baltimore, Maryland, this episode gives Melissa Badeker’s business, Baltimore Teachers Supply Swap, a facelift.
Baltimore Teachers Supply Swap was founded by Badeker, a former Baltimore County teacher who wanted to find a solution for the local schools that are underfunded and undersupplied. Her business is open to teachers in the area that need a helping hand by providing them with items such pencils, paper, notebooks and more.
Head designer for Zoltan Design Co., Ritchie derived the project’s creativity from Badeker’s own business vision. He knew the space should be interactive and it had to be fun. Ritchie and the team used exciting, up-to-date colors all throughout the building. The color choices aided in coding supplies and shelving systems, as well as providing modern furniture throughout the warehouse.
With the team’s expertise, Ritchie was able to help Rowe transform Badeker’s disorganized space into a vibrant, interactive teachers’ supply haven. Ritchie and his team of volunteers worked through the night to restore the warehouse and surprise Badeker. Workers reorganized the warehouse in just 24 hours, installing an interactive chalkboard, placing school supplies in colorful bins on a new shelving system, and hanging signs down each aisle to make the warehouse look navigable.
“It was a privilege and an honor to work with Mike Rowe in this capacity,” said Christopher Ritchie, head designer of Zoltan Design Co. “It was especially meaningful because this project is helping educators in a city that is right in our backyard.”
“We love this kind of work; we’re thrilled when projects like this come across our desk. It’s all about community; it’s not about us,” Ritchie said. “It’s all about giving back.”
Lead Designer, Leslie Lofgren was featured in a recent Washington Post article, discussing design solutions for “Creating a teen- and adult-friendly hangout, with cool Scandinavian style“.
ABOUT LESLIE LOFGREN
Leslie Lofgren’s “ah-ha” career moment arrived as she passed the Basilica of San Giovanni on a sunny day in Rome. She was living in Italy following graduation from the University of Iowa with a degree in English literature. While she always had a passion for interior design, it never occurred to her until that moment that design could be her profession. Lofgren took an intensive language course, earned her certificate of fluency in Italian and was accepted to study design at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED.) After completing design school, she moved back to the U.S. and began her dream career.
Leslie has a deep appreciation and love for all design styles, which makes it incredibly fun and satisfying to work on the array of assignments at Zoltan Design Co. She believes each project is as unique as the client, and she strives to make sure the individual personality shows through in the finished product.