Offices!

[Shawn F.]

I looked through pages and pages in the search section for offices but had no luck finding anything. I could have sworn there were a few of these threads already but here it goes again...

I recently started renting a 3000 sq ft building to do auto detailing out of. In the building is a nice sized office with built in wrap around desk and cabinets on the wall (matching) and a bathroom next to it. I am looking for ideas on decorating the office and making it look nice! I was going to go with a 40's theme or such but deciding now that I may just do a 50's hot rod theme or something basic and clean. I cannot think of anything to do. I have hot rod models, pictures, etc to decorate if needed. The floor will be carpeted with typical office type carpet in a medium gray. The rest of the shop is all white (floors, walls, bay door, etc) with black trim. I am trying to keep everything in the bay where the work will be done as clean and bright as possible. The office though I would love to decorate inside and out. I was thinking of doing the outside to look like an old service station or such since I have 2 windows looking out into the bays (pictures soon to come tomorrow).

Anyways, what I am asking here is some pictures and office ideas, suggestions and info! Thanks in advance!

 

[csp]

Did you search in the Garage Gallery forum or this one? There are several in the gallery forum.

 

[Shawn F.]

I did search through but only came across one which was the dentist office one that was killer looking by the way... I will continue to search and see what I come up with. In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas as far as color combos and things to add, it would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting photos tonight or tomorrow of my shop how it currently sits.

 

[shopnut]

Well SMF, the only attribute on your list that my second story "office" or clean room has is the windows looking out into the shop, but I highly recommend that you include them. Add some to the exterior while you are at it to give the room a bigger feel and keep an eye on the great outdoors.

I purposely added the leg recess below the bay window so I could sit there on a stool with a laptop computer and look out at the projects below. 6" deep recess to the left of the bay window will have scale models displayed someday - I added a switched outlet in there so I can light them up. Of course, I needed creature comforts like air conditioning and a built-in stereo system. Ceiling fan helps too.

Just a few ideas for you. Good luck with yours.

Here are a couple somewhat lousy stitched photos, but they give the general idea. Click to enlarge.

 

[JC23]

I'd show you mine but it's only in my head at this time.

So I'll be watching this one!

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks Shopnut! As or windows I have two... One looks out at all the bays. The other is a side sliding window I am installing either today or this weekend that I am making a service window. The sliding window is near the front door so the customer walks in, goes to the service window with a ledge and stools and a table next to it with my cards, brochures, products for sale, etc. I also need to make a lounge area for the last minute waiting customers with a TV, chairs, etc.

 

[Shawn F.]

As for decorating the office, I was going to do a 50's hot rod theme but now thinking of a more comfortable earth tone looking feel. On this I am thinking about 40's WWII era feel. I have some 40's type pictures, posters, 40's fan and a few 40's decor items... The outside of the office that is squared in with sheetrock I will probably make look like a service station (outside of one). Against the walls I plan to do a art deco type rounded cornered bench along the whole wall with shelves above it (like the 50's Craftmans thread here) in red. Color scheme is black, white, red and some teal in the shop to keep things bright.

I have millions of ideas running through my head, I just need to go with one and find cool things to put in it and colors.

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

Hey SMF, what part of NC? If you're considering wall wraps, I have a buddy who owns a sign shop in Raleigh. You could create a wall mural. Most detail shops I've worked with just have all sorts of signage and flags depicting the types of vehicles they work on. They show no favoritism or genre. However, a theme would work as well. I have a buddy who's themed his garage with authentic and reproduction decor. Just depends on your budget.

 

[Shawn F.]

I am in South Charlotte. A bit far from Raliegh unfortunately.

 

[Zeke]

You can hire an artist to do the exterior. I like the idea. In the art world it's called trompe l'oeil. Here is a poor (in my estimation) rendition on someone's wall:

That one is done on the inside, but you can do an exterior fantasy on your office exterior.

Now, for the inside, you can continue the theme and paint the interior of whatever your fantasy shop is on the your walls with the perspective of looking out. The real trompe l'oeil would have a window where there isn't one with the shop scene as it would be seen looking through the window. However, there is no reason you can't paint the wall(s) s if they weren't there.

You mentioned 40's art deco. Actually art deco goes back to the World's Fair of around 1900. Art "Stremeline" or "Modorne" are a couple of terms to Google. I use Google images more than Web. Good links to where you want to go.

Think of big spaces on your walls. Use colors in large panels and in multiples. Use some sheet metal formed and painted as relief.

Here are a couple of pics for Streamline inspiration:

You could go nuts and paint something like this on one wall with some metal relief:

I can't help any more w/o any pics.

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks... As for Streamline inspiration it's funny you say that because my business/shop is called Streamline Auto Care.
I am going to try to find some vintage or even repopped signs to throw on the exterior of the office and a few other things. If I can find an old pump later down the road I wouldn't mind buying it and restoring it. Same goes with Coke products and an old Air Gauge/pump (one of those ECO Airmatics or whatever they are properly called).

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

Thanks... As for Streamline inspiration it's funny you say that because my business/shop is called Streamline Auto Care.
I am going to try to find some vintage or even repopped signs to throw on the exterior of the office and a few other things. If I can find an old pump later down the road I wouldn't mind buying it and restoring it. Same goes with Coke products and an old Air Gauge/pump (one of those ECO Airmatics or whatever they are properly called).

The garage pics I posted is owned by a guy with a network of pickers around the country. He can find virtually anything. Just depends on budget and what not. Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] and I can get with him for you. His wife is due any day, so he's laying kinda low.

 

[Shawn F.]

James, I appreciate it! In about 4-5 weeks when I am ready I will shoot you an email to get your buddies info on finding me some signs and such. I have some updated pictures of the shop and some cool furniture I just bought yesterday!