Tag: 2019

Reflecting Back on 2019 – Interior Design

Posted on by Carla Lupul

Ah…. 2019! What a wonderful year for Janks Design Group and our incredible clients. We began innovative interior design projects, worked on the development of current projects, and celebrated as our completed projects came to life! We had the honour of providing design services for Hospitality, Restaurant, Retail, Medical, and Corporate projects. As we dive into 2020, we reflect on some of our commercial design highlights.

Field & Social

18 East 5th Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver

This commercial design project was Janks Design Group’s 3rd time working with the incredible Field & Social team on a new Vancouver location. After the successful outcome of the Dunsmuir Street and Royal Centre locations, the JDG team once again used their experienced knowledge to create an interior space that combined functionality and natural beauty.  The new Mount Pleasant interior design provides a new twist on the existing concepts, and serves as the perfect neutral backdrop to the deliciousness offered. This retail design introduced more natural textures to increase the raw aesthetic within the space. We worked with Field & Social and our incredible friends at Harmony Pacific Inc. to bring this alluring space to life. This new Mount Pleasant location celebrated their opening on Monday, December 16th 2019.

Photos by Christine Pienaar

Dandy’s Artisan Ice-Cream

4570 Albert Street, Regina Saskatchewan

This artisan ice-cream shop wanted the interior design of their first location to reflect the passion behind their process, their dedication to local ingredients, and their overall sense of pride that stems from each batch of ice-cream. The Janks Design team was able to clearly communicate our interior design vision to the Saskatchewan client all the way from Vancouver, BC. With the Dandy’s process, product, and pride as our main source of inspiration, JDG designed a bright and inviting space that showcased the delicious ice-cream and overall brand of Dandy’s. Unique interior design elements were integrated through lighting, materials, and layout. To compliment the chilly ice-cream, warmth was introduced through wood seating and a feature fireplace amongst the retail and seating area. The black accents are an elegant contrast to the neutral colour palette, and create a sense of depth and visual interest throughout the retail space. Overall, the interior design of this new commercial space successfully portrayed the goals of the company, and provides a functional environment for both customers and employees.

Photos by Andrew Fyfe

CQ Express

9855 Austin Road, Lougheed Town Centre, Burnaby

This family-friendly space is located within Burnaby’s Lougheed Mall, in the developing hub of Lougheed Town Center. This new Dim Sum restaurant concept was inspired by the fun, fresh, fast, and healthy dishes that have been cultivated by the master chefs at CQ Express. With quick service being a priority for this commercial design project, the JDG team put our problem-solving skills to work, and created a layout that was extremely functional and productive for both staff and customers. The interior design followed in these footsteps, and provided a captivating and vibrant space for guests to enjoy the tastes, aromas, and sense of connection. By integrating branded colours, large custom graphics, and strategic lighting solutions into the restaurant design, the experience of this new quick-service restaurant exceeds expectations. This location is opening in January of 2020, so go check them out!

Conceptual Renderings by JDG

123 Dentist – North Vancouver Dentistry & Implant Centre

144 East 13th Street, North Vancouver

Located in the heart of North Vancouver, this newly constructed dentistry and implant centre is one of JDG’s most recent dental design projects. As you enter the doors, you are greeted with a custom reception desk that effortlessly combines warm wood tones and bright, durable quartz. The impactful wall beyond the desk is finished with an organic porcelain tile. The concept continues into the waiting area, where a modern pendant enlightens the seating area, and provides an essence of street appeal through the large window storefront. Various creative interior design elements were implemented into the rest of the design, such as the variety of planters, a massive geometric wood slat wall, and unique art pieces throughout the dental space. The high ceilings combined with natural light and the custom design create a refreshing environment that makes this dental space feel comfortable instead of institutional. A big shoutout to Lions Head Construction for working with us to bring this space to life!

Vancouver Soup Company

292 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver

This local Vancouver company desired a retail space that showcased their food for comfort product, and provided their guests with a comfortable environment to enjoy their delicious soups, stews, chilis, and entrees. The JDG team worked with the Vancouver Soup Company to bring this vision to life. We developed an interior design concept that was carried throughout the entire project, and reflects the company brand and visual directive. The charming storefront was an expansion on the existing production and warehouse area. As a result of technical, detailed, and creative interior design, Janks Design Group was able to successfully create a space that allowed customers to experience a meaningful face-to-face interaction with the company itself. This commercial design project gave JDG a wonderful opportunity to support local companies led by outstanding people. If you get the chance to try one of their delicious fresh products, don’t pass it up! They are exceptional!

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Biophilic Design

Posted on by Carla Lupul

bio·​phil·​ia – “the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature”(1)

Biophilic design is an innovative extension of biophilia that interior designers use to create healthier (both mentally and physically) built environment for the end users. By incorporating natural materials, vegetation, and natural light into both commercial and residential environments, designers have the ability to drastically improve the overall experience of an interior space. In fact, biophilic design has the ability to reduce stress, improve our cognitive function, and even expedite healing (2). We spend 90% of our time indoors (3), so the opportunity to improve the well-being of users through biophilic design is a no-brainer for both commercial design and residential design.

When looking to add biophelia into a space, we often turn to our friends at Life Space Gardens. They do an excellent job of providing us with quality products, and information throughout the design process.

Biophilic design is fantastic – but how do we implement this complex theory into our interior design process?

1 – Green walls

Over the recent years, green walls have become increasingly popular in the interior design world. Biophilic design has become a popular design practice, and green walls seem to be the first step in the process. A bonus feature of these lively design features is the abundance of natural light required to keep the plants healthy. The image below shows a snapshot of the large green wall featured in one of Janks Design Group’s (JDG) projects – Rocky Mountain Flatbread, located in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, BC. In some cases, natural light is not available within a space, or the labour for plant-care is not available. This is when preserved plant walls are an excellent option.

Photo & Design by: JDG Natural Light + Views

Integrating access to natural light and exterior views can make an interior space feel more refreshing, in commercial, residential, and hospitality environments, all while improving the health of the users. Providing people with a visual connection to nature has shown to reduce stress, create positive emotional function, and improve concentration (2). If you are looking to design any sort of workspace or social space, these benefits can be extremely favourable for the business as a whole. This specific application of biophilic design can depend on the building, and the site that the interior design project is situated on, but if the circumstances allow for access to natural light, and visual access to the outdoors, definitely take advantage (unless the exterior view happens to be a stinky dumpster).

With the help of Janks Design Group (JDG), the design of Field & Social on Dunsmuir Street, in Vancouver, BC takes full advantage of their large windows, and exterior street views – the perfect place for people watching! Following in the footsteps of their fresh food, this refreshing and healthy environment relates back to the product, creating a perfect merge of the two into an inviting restaurant that caters to the local demographic.

Photo by: Christine Pienaar Photography | Design by: JDG

3 – Organic Shapes + Patterns

Humans are naturally intrigued, and drawn to the varying forms within nature. Although our minds understand that organic forms are not actually living, we are positively affected by their characteristics as if they are (1). Another word used to describe organic shapes and patterns, is biomorphic forms. These biomorphic forms are symbols, patterns, and textures that are found in nature. By integrating these forms into the built environment, interior designers have the ability to create visually intriguing, yet comfortable spaces.

The subtle repitition, diffused natural light, and organic textures throughout this Janks Design Group (JDG) project, Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria in Surrey, BC, are an excellent commercial design example of the comfort that can be communicated to the user through interior design.

Photo & Design by: JDGIf you are interested in learning more about the methodology and benefits behind biophilic design, we recommend you read this informative paper on the patterns of biophilic design: 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design

Sources:
(1) https://skylineartservices.com/wp-content/uploads/Biophilic-well-building-Handout.pdf
(2) https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/
(3) https://delos.com.au/approximately-90-of-our-time-is-now-spent-indoors-heres-how-to-make-your-home-a-healthier-place-to-be/

2019 Design Trends

Posted on by Carla Lupul

New year, new design trends. In 2019 we’ll see old styles return with a fresh twist of vibrant colours and more pattern in both commercial and residential interiors. The grey and white colour palettes of last year will be warmed, more expressive and show individuality.

 

Dark is the new light

Darker finishes and patterns are creating a dramatic impression in all interiors. Graphic decorative pillows, gunmetal and pewter finishes, shou sugi ban wood and oxidized oak furniture will install a necessary high contrast to minimal residential and commercial interiors.

Photos: CB2, Pinterest

All of the plants

With the current state of our environment, no wonder humankind is inclined to continually bring the outdoors in. Hanging pots, a variety of wall applications or custom planters as dividers are just a few ideas how to incorporate greenery into your design. Plants are an easy way to add colour, pattern and fresh CO2! For the non-green thumbs, preserved plants are the real deal without the maintenance.

Photos: Pinterest

Memphis Style

As mid-century slips away, Memphis style rolls in. This aesthetic was inspired by radical geometric shapes of Art Deco, bold pop art colours and 1950s kitsch. You’ll see this mostly in commercial spaces through wallcoverings, seating, tables, lighting and decor items. If you’re a little scared to go all the way with this trend, start with a ratio of 10% colour and 90% white.

Photos: Pinterest

Terrazzo

This durable composite material is formed by mixing cement or epoxy binder with either glass chips, granite, marble or quartz. It can be used in a magnitude of applications but mostly for cladding and flooring. This year you’ll see it used more artistically in small decor elements, printed pieces and lighting which evokes a raw playfulness to any interior space. Be careful with this trend, it may not stick around for long.

Photos: Mitzi Lighting, Interiorzine, Pinterest

Florals

We’ll see all types of patterns from traditional to chintz to abstract. Fabric, wallpaper or murals can be integrated into any style and any residential or commercial space.

Photos: CB2, unpreogetto

Seamless and Integration

Seamless finishes throughout a space incorporates the growing trend of integration. Customized kitchens with paneled appliances and pantries and hidden ventilation allow for a continual look that is elegant, clean and modern. In order to accommodate all hidden storage, built-in cabinetry with custom accessories is crucial to the layout. 

Photos: Kitchen Connection, Caesarstone

Colour Trends 2019

Posted on by Carla Lupul

Many colour trends from 2018 have crossed over into 2019 but with a little more refinement…

NEW NEUTRALS

Move on over greige! Make way for muted pastels such as lavender, mint, tea rose, lilac and the pale peach. Some would say these colours are old fashioned but they have been updated by adding grey in each, producing a soothing sophisticated group of colours used in commercial and residential design application alike.

TONAL REDS

Red excites our emotions and brings forth positivity to motivate us to take action. The use of more than one tonal red can revive an otherwise dull space or soften the look with a rich warmth. Contemporary neutrals and an eclectic mix of red creates a blend of modern simplicity with earthy traditions of the past giving retail, hospitality and commercial interiors a cozy energy.

TEAL

Layered teal tones add depth and work well with warmer wood tones such as walnut and camel. Together with accents of warm metal finishes like copper and gold create timeless environments.  This continues the 2018 trend of green environmentally friendly commercial spaces that is loved by interior designers across the board.

Blush & Berry

Blush (millennial pink) is still going strong this year. The inclusion of berry helps to anchor blush, other neutrals and shades of pastel. Gold and brass tones assist this muted but saturated colour combination. JDG has incorporated blush into a variety of applications -food and beverage, residential and corporate rooms.