New York City Commercial Interior Design Renovation

I first received a DM on instagram, from this client. Recently, I had went full time on my business, after leaving the architectural firm I worked for four years. The client, I’ll call her “Shay” (for privacy reasons), wrote me a lovely message saying she saw my work for a while and was planning to open her spa. She said I was different, and that someone I knew had mentioned my name to her. Shay was in Brooklyn, New York. The person who told her about me was a guy who mounts TVs. He’s known as That TV Dude. We worked together back in the day at a restaurant.

Shay sent me enough information about herself and her business plan in order to let me know that she was serious about her project. Sometimes people in the DMs are suspicious, so I appreciated that. After a phone conversation, I let her know that I would need to come for a site visit to do a walk-through, survey and evaluate the building, along with her needs. She gladly compensated me to travel there. I picked up my close friend who is also an interior designer to assist me with the visit.

November 2020. First arriving to the storefront, it sat about three stores down from the corner, of Franklin avenue and Fulton Street. The train station is visible and audible above. A typical busy street of NYC. Inside, we see pink slatted wall systems, so I assume it may have been a T-Mobile store previously. Lots of open space to work with. She already had a massage table and painter’s tape on the floor trying to map out the treatment rooms. I assured her she’ll be able to see all the details of space plans on the construction floor plans. We later went to dinner at a soul food place nearby where we ate and discussed the next steps. I’ll evaluate the project scope and timeline, then we’ll meet to go over the proposed estimate.

I don’t remember if it was the same visit or a later one, but we eventually made it to the basement level. A couple of contractors met up with us to also view the existing condition so that they can also provide their estimate. The stairs down were so steep and there was no lighting so we used flashlights. It felt like I was on Fear Factor. Unfinished, dark, scary. I made it through and back. This was part of her rent so Shay wanted to also invest in this additional space. `

The first contractors didn’t get the job due to pricing being too high. Shay hired another team who seemed reasonable for her, and things started to move along.

After signing the agreement, a couple of weeks later, we did a virtual presentation to look at the concept and direction of the style and construction. I showed the team mood board, space plans, furniture style, lighting and so forth. Shay was pleased with the way it was done. Design development began for details, millwork, finish selections and everything over the following months. Her timeline was tight. She anticipated to have the grand opening in May of 2021. This was a design-build project that went directly off the plans, as soon as the plans were reviewed and done. Once construction drawings were done, while the team built, I ordered furnishings, finishes ad lighting, and decorative items. The only part that held the project up for a while, was the hired contractors.

Unfortunately, they were not 100% qualified and it lead to loss for the client. Shay didn’t let the problems stop her. She kept moving and hired a newer construction team. They were fast, and  precise. Even though they only spoke Russian, they were getting the job done well.

As far as the budget, the previous issues affected some finishes and FF&E also had to be value-engineered. Some of the items that were changed were: backlit room numbers, to non-backlit, coat closet was not installed, removed the manicure and pedicure stations, frosted sliding glass doors were now wooden barn doors, lobby area furniture was changed from to different manufacture. We still had our gorgeous wall covering that made a statement in the lobby, luxury pendant lighting, and contract grade furnishing from West Elm that also worked nicely. All of the millwork was custom made, also designed by KPG Interior Design.

May passed and the work was coming together but the Shay had to push the grand opening to July. The workers were doing well finishing building, painting, and installations. When July came, I stayed a couple of nights in a Long Island City hotel, so that I could take care of all the decor the next day, and prepare for the big event. My sister, Shan, and I decorated with balloons, velvet stanchions, black carpet, champagne wall, and etc. The guests loved it and were so impressed with Shay’s new business and how the interior design came out. Someone introduced her and during the introduction, the woman stated that she had a vision for her place. When Shay got to the front of everyone, she said to her crowd, “First of all, I had no vision. Katrina, my interior designer had the vision and I’m so grateful for her…” I was greatly appreciative of Shay to give credit to my design expertise and the creativity that put in.

What would I have done differently?

I would have documented the project in real time in long format. It was a special project for me, and it would have been more of an impact in general.

See more of the LaBelle Esthetique Spa project here

Lobby of New York City Spa with reception desk and seating area for guests. KPG Interior Design