Alchemy Salon Reception Desk
Alchemy had been in the College Park area of Orlando for over twenty years. They were expanding and decided to make their new space very inviting and warm for their customers. We were invited to participate in the project once all designs had been made and were asked to help with the planning and execution of a couple pieces in the space.
Our studio was not large enough to handle the whole project but we got lucky to be able to work on their main piece. The reception desk, which we were very happy to be invited to work on.
Our studio was not large enough to handle the whole project but we got lucky to be able to work on their main piece. The reception desk, which we were very happy to be invited to work on.
The construction of the reception desk for Alchemy, was the largest piece of furniture we had done in the new studio. The construction of the desk was quite a challenge since we made every component by hand. We built it out of solid Oak panels, we had the challenge of making the desk as seamless as possible. Once in place it had to seem like the desk was one piece, so we decided to make it one piece. This made things a bit more complicated, but it would be the best way to do it. In the end we were very pleased with the results and were very glad we took the route we did.
We were also asked to work on their drying stations which we decided should be modifiable in the future. We know from other projects that as people get used to their work spaces and develop a relationship with them, they want to change things that don’t work.
For that reason every part of this piece of cabinet can be removed and replaced with a new layout. The structure would stay the same, but all other parts were created as inserts onto that which can be pulled out and modified. This idea came from our own tool boxes which we constantly change as we realize how we can work more comfortably and efficiently.
Another upside of making a piece like this is that you reduce waste. If the piece of furniture isn’t working for the user, they can rethink it, and don’t have to throw it away. Even from the beginning, we found that there were things that some liked and some didn’t so we can use those details to make a better part.
Photography by John Courtney.