Page 7 - New England Condominium April 2022

NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM
NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM
-APRIL 2022
7
■
Depth of Knowledge & Experience
■
Expert Advice
■
Creative Approaches & Solutions
■
Flexible Billing Arrangements
(781) 817-4900
O NE
A
DAMS
P
LACE
, 859 W
ILLARD
S
TREET
, S
UITE
440
Q
UINCY
, MA 02169
NE C
ONDO
• 10.125 6.25
X
www.lawmtm.com
MTM is a full-service Condominium & Real Estate Law Firm
Experience,
Integrity,
& Drive Set
Us Apart
Uncommon Expertise for your Community of Common Interests
(617) 934-4550
265 F
RANKLIN
S
TREET
, S
UITE
1801
B
OSTON
, MA 02110
(508) 459-8516
39 T
OWN
H
ALL
S
QUARE
F
ALMOUTH
, MA 02540
David M. Rogers
(781) 817-4606
drogers@lawmtm.com
Kimberly A. Bielan
(781) 817-4607
kbielan@lawmtm.com
Heather M. Gamache
(617) 934-4660
hgamache@lawmtm.com
Christopher S. Malloy
(617) 934-4604
cmalloy@lawmtm.com
Douglas A. Troyer
(781) 817-4605
dtroyer@lawmtm.com
Thomas O. Moriarty
(781) 817-4603
tmoriarty@lawmtm.com
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
placed lighting can make your halls look take design work themselves. “Don’t se-
dingy and institutional. Simply putting lect colors by committee or an individual, facts to support your selections can help residents may need mobility devices, and
in fresh light bulbs can make a world of even if there is a decorator living in the avoid arguments over subjective tastes you need space for them. We may put cor-
difference. “Be mindful of the color tem-
perature of the new bulbs,” says Sygrove, the relatively small expense of hiring an
“as color temperature does affect the outside designer, you will get the right op-
color of all of the existing materials and tions, and they don’t live in the building, grove strongly advises working with a we may widen the hallways themselves.
paints. Make sure that all of the bulbs are so they come with an objective eye. You seasoned designer with direct experience In multi-generational buildings you may
the same color temperature and wattage. will never be condemned for spending a in this type of decor, and the means to need to consider this as well and should
And cleaning all of the decorative light
covers, or globes, will help, too.” This is
something your building staff can do for
very little expense—no special equipment
or professional guidance required.
Trends, Do’s, & Don’ts
“The big trend today is brightness,”
says Skloski. “Many buildings have long,
dark hallways with boring finishes put
in by the original developer. Over time,
hallways and other common areas get
dreary and dinged up. They’re tired and
dirty. We use color and lighting and the
use of accessories—furniture, art, and
especially plants—to brighten things up.
One practical technique we use is what
we call ‘wayfinding’ to help people find
their way through the space. We employ
pop-up colors, signs, and accent colors
on walls or door frames like a map—you
might have different colors or accents for modest amount of money to do it profes-
different floors, for example, that tie into sionally. If you must do it yourself,” she
something in the elevator. It points you in says, “get consensus.” One way to do that, upgrade should also take accessibility and
the right direction to find your way in the Sygrove says, is to send out a survey and functionality into account. “In over 55
building.”
Sygrove advises boards not to under-
building,” she cautions. “It’s too risky. For and aesthetics.
get hard data about what residents prefer communities,” says Skolski, “we focus on
in terms of paint and upholstery colors accessibilities and functional design. We
and subject matter for artwork. Having watch out for tripping hazards, etc. The
Clubhouses
When selecting clubhouse décor, Sy-
source pieces that are both attractive and bring it up to the board.”
can stand up to the wear-and-tear of doz-
ens—or even hundreds—of users. “As we grade to your own common spaces, even
know, clubhouse furniture and furnish-
ings get used, abused, and destroyed,” she don’t cut corners on the job. Focus on du-
says, “so purchasing at retail is a mistake.”
Color palette is another angle to con-
sider, say the pros. While an accent or and carpets that are environmentally
pop of color can add some visual zest to friendly, too. If you can reuse something
a space, “it’s always about neutrals in a you’ve already got, do it. Refreshing your
clubhouse setting,” says Sygrove. “They’re common areas is an excellent way to im-
soothing and safe. This year’s universal prove resident morale and increase value.
forecast for color is a neutral with a very
soft green blush. This color can be used as
the predominant wall color, coupled with
an off-white or creamy white, which looks
very sophisticated. Flooring should be a
darker, more grounded color with just a
hint of your neutral to tie the package to-
gether. This can be carried through to the
artwork.”
Along with aesthetics, a common-area
ner guards on walls, and leaning rails or
chair rails in hallways to help with mo-
bility. And if there is a major redesign,
When considering a refresh or an up-
if you’re operating on a modest budget,
rability, sustainability, and value for the
dollar. Switch to LED lights, and paints
n
A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for
New England Condominium, and a published
novelist. He can be reached at alan@yrinc.com.
“The first and
most important
component in
refreshing or
upgrading common
areas is to meet
with the residents
and establish design
goals.”
— Daniel Skolski