I was inspired to found BMor Creative almost 8 years ago with the desire to revitalize my community through design and creativity. That love of transformation is something that has never–and will never–waver. I am eternally grateful to all of the clients who have entrusted me to bring their vision to life-enhancing the comfort and functionality of their homes and businesses. It is a vote of confidence that I have never taken for granted and I smile every time I pass their buildings. Without them, BMor Creative would have never existed and I would not be the person I am today.

I know that it has been a trying year and a half for so many people and well, it’s been no different for me. And while a lot of the world had a chance to pause, reflect and refocus, we continued to serve clients with the same passion and commitment despite all of the very strange and unexpected obstacles we were all learning to navigate. I’ve found myself not having the time I need to do that same very vital evaluation of my own life. I recently got married to a wonderful man and have a new, large family to look after and to love. I’ve been taking stock of the good and important things in both my life and career and wondering if there is a better way to balance all of the things I care about – My family, my clients, and of course my own personal needs. I have arrived at the conclusion that I really need some extended downtime to find the clarity I am seeking.

It would be easy to just stop working or to downplay how difficult this decision has been. I’d rather use this as an opportunity to give anyone who needs it permission to do what is best for them, regardless of how others may feel about it, including quitting. I cannot thank Glennon Doyle and the Untamed crew enough for a very touching and timely podcast episode that gave me permission to just stop. As a self-help/motivational junkie, I find myself straddling the mentalities of “Never Quit” and “Take Care of Yourself”. As we know in the real world, things are not black and white, and sometimes stopping is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Especially when there are dreams and goals I have put on the backburner to Never Quit a plan I created 15 years ago.

I just turned 40. That means I have not allowed myself to be anyone other than who I thought I should be at age 25. Think about that. I have changed. The world has changed. That little community I was committed to revitalizing, Springfield, has changed. With that, as someone who believes in the value of preserving the important things, it’s time to take a step back, refresh and reinvent. I’ll be putting BMor Creative on indefinite hiatus while focusing on some of these exciting new adventures in my life and giving myself the time to breathe and dream again.

I will always be passionate about design, historic preservation, and the communities and neighborhoods that make a place so special. I will continue to take your calls and emails, we just won’t be accepting new clients at this time. This isn’t necessarily goodbye but see you later.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy a little downtime yourselves.

Nothing refreshes a room quite like a fresh coat of paint. And although your walls get the most attention when painting a room, there are many overlooked areas in your home that can be brightened up with a splash of color. Whether you’re looking to paint an entire wall or add subtle hints of color to perk up your living space, we’ve got you covered.

We reached out to experts from Vancouver, BC to Las Vegas, NV, who revealed unexpected places where you can get creative and add accent colors to liven up your home. Check out their ideas to get inspired!

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What is Adaptive Reuse?

Adaptive Reuse is an essential element of Historic Preservation that allows previously obsolete buildings a second chance at being utilized while still maintaining their original character and charm. This is important as it allows more buildings to be restored while still serving the public in a way that adapts to its current needs. For instance, a city may determine that it needs a much larger courthouse than the one they currently have. Perhaps it doesn’t make sense to build an addition, but rather to build a new courthouse that better suits the city’s needs. So what happens to the old courthouse?

Ideally, the previous structure would be adaptively reused in a manner that both fills a need for the public or a private business and still preserves the integrity of the building. The building could be transformed into anything from condos to an office building depending on what the layout is best suited for. With some reconfiguration of the interior spaces and adjustments to make it code-compliant for the new use, the building could be saved. Adaptively reusing the space would save on costly demolition costs, allow the city to sell it (which generates new revenue) and avoid the environmental toll that comes with disposing of old buildings and all of the materials in it, many of which are no longer used in modern construction. Adaptive reuse is a win-win in that it generates new revenue, preserves the integrity of a space, and avoids the environmental fallout that stems from disrupting and having to dispose of old, toxic materials.

Best Examples of Adaptive Reuse Projects

The Greenway Apartments | Adaptive Reuse in New Orleans, LA

Photo courtesy of Curbed New Orleans

Known for its rich historic culture, it’s no surprise that the city of New Orleans is proactively hanging on to its built treasures. The Tulane Industrial Laundry building, built pre-1940 was left vacant for years before GCE Green Development brought it back to life as The Greenway Apartments. In the underdeveloped but growing area, these 12 apartments and commercial spaces might just be the turning point for real sustained growth in a neighborhood ripe with potential. Historic preservation in New Orleans is one of the top reasons people visit this city.

Ponce City Market | Adaptive Reuse of an Industrial Building in Atlanta, GA

Photo courtesy of Jamestown

This former Sears & Roebuck Co. distribution center turned mixed-use Ponce City Market might actually be our all-time favorite and not just of the southeast. Located on the Atlanta BeltLine, it serves as a destination for tourists and local cyclists alike. This 2.1 million square foot building now houses a food hall, beer garden, retail shops, offices, and apartments on the upper floors. The adaptive reuse of industrial buildings in Atlanta has been a key factor in the successful revitalization of many of its neighborhoods including the Fourth Ward where this project is located.

The Grey | Historical Preservation & Adaptive Reuse in Savannah, GA

Photo courtesy of Garden & Gun

This former Greyhound bus station was brought back to its iconic mid-century glory when Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey partnered up to open The Grey. Fascinated by both the history and potential of the building, they painstakingly restored most of the building’s original character, including the Vitrolite facade, a material that is no longer manufactured. The perfect balance of old and new create the unique yet sophisticated style of this restaurant. Historic preservation in Savannah is not a differentiator but rather a uniting thread among downtown business owners.

Aloft Tampa Downtown | Adaptive Reuse Hotel in Tampa, FL

Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor

This unmistakenly mid-century gem was built originally as Mercantile Bank back in 1965 and was later an office building before lying vacant for almost 10 years. Punit Shah and Santosh Govindaraju stepped in and saw the potential through the flooded lobby and inoperable elevators. They worked diligently to convince Aloft’s parent company, Starwood Hotels and Resorts to consider the site for a new hotel. The once dilapidated building scheduled for demolition is now a 130-room boutique Aloft hotel with a bar, poolside lounge, and stunning river views. Adaptive reuse in Tampa has been one of the strongest drivers of its downtown revitalization.

Echo Mountain Recording | Historic Preservation & Adaptive Reuse of a Church in Asheville, NC

Photo courtesy of Echo Mountain Recording

Our love for preservation might only be surpassed by our love for music, and Echo Mountain Recording is truly the best of both worlds. What was once a Methodist church built in 1928 is now a state-of-the-art recording studio. Unique considerations were taken to maintain as much of the historic character as possible, such as splitting original historic doors to add soundproofing materials. What is a further demonstration of a culture of care is when they purchased and adaptively reused the old Salvation Army building next door, built in 1926. The culture of adaptive reuse in Asheville has allowed it to save many old buildings and maintain its unique character.

The Future of Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive reuse is a hot topic that is gaining popularity among many cities across the world. Whether it is cities or private entities, people are getting creative on how to save their history while accommodating modern needs. There are plenty of challenges and issues that arise in adaptive reuse projects, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced professional to help navigate the various zoning, design, and construction considerations. Do you have a project you’ve been considering? Contact us to schedule an intro call and discuss it!

We recently shared a post that outlined several scenarios in which we were able to assist our clients with some major changes in their lives through the renovation of their homes. Hopefully, it helped you identify some areas in which you could improve your lifestyle through modifications to your own space. It doesn’t have to be an entire overhaul because something as simple as adding a wall-mounted organizer* by the entry can alleviate the stress of the all-too-common “mail stack on the counter” scenario. 

But sometimes you need a full shift. Sometimes we find that the space we have no longer serves who we are and whether you have started a family, are recently empty-nesters, or the way you service customers has changed overnight (hello covid!), your spatial needs have changed. Sometimes it happens so gradually, that we don’t even realize it until the realization hits you that you need something different and maybe you aren’t even sure where to start. As a business owner and total efficiency nerd, I always try to start with a SMART goal. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. 

A good example of a SMART goal would be: I want an open kitchen with plenty of storage and space for my little ones to sit at the counter while I cook. I would like to have this finished by the summer when they will be home with me all day and I will forgo my dream marble countertops to keep this affordable, as I know we will have to replace the cabinets to tweak the layout. 

Once you’ve identified your SMART goal, it’s time to start thinking about implementing the necessary changes. When we work with small business owners or homeowners alike, we employ a change management system to help guide the process. Rule #1, get everyone on board. It’s great to have dreams and ideas, but you’re creating a change that will affect everyone in the space timewise, financially, and how the end product is utilized. It is important to get buy-in and it is also helpful to get ideas from the other people who will use the space. When we work with clients, we require that all of the decision-makers and end-users be present at this stage. Buy-in and feedback from all involved is essential to a smooth process and also yields a better end product. 

Now you have your wishlist and are preparing for the beautiful, yet functional kitchen of your dreams. What’s next? While many say that a shift in mindset is required to successfully prepare for change we would like to offer that action, coupled with the guidance of an expert, can actually get you to that mindset quicker. Sticking with the example above, some great next steps would include: Going through all kitchen/pantry items to determine how much storage you actually need, donating items you don’t need (AKA Marie Kondo* your space), visiting a showroom to get ideas and rough pricing or contacting an Interior Designer to just handle it for you. We will ALWAYS recommend hiring a designer before a General Contractor. A good designer provides a plan and will work alongside the GC to help provide a code-compliant renovation and realistic budget. 

With these few simple steps, you have surpassed the decision limbo that so many get caught up in. You have also clearly identified what you want and how to get there and once you are in good hands with either a showroom or Interior Designer, you are actually done with the heavy lifting and on your way to your desired goal. 

At BMor Creative, we love to make life easier for our clients. Our expertise in planning and project management makes the interior design process go as smoothly as possible. And while there is no reason you couldn’t see this process through on your own, even a consultation with our team will give you the confidence that you’re on the right track (or help you correct) while assisting to narrow down your options much more quickly.

*Affiliate links: We occasionally use affiliate links to direct readers to examples of products for your projects. And while purchasing through these links does not cost you any more, we disclose that as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 

As an NCIDQ certified designer, we are often asked what it means to have this appellation and what is the benefit to you as a client? Let’s start with what this means. There is a huge difference in an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator. And while both can be extremely talented and creative, a Designer must hit certain milestones that demonstrate a certain level of experience and knowledge in the field especially in regards to public health, safety and welfare. As a student of Interior Design the goal is often to receive a degree, complete an internship under a licensed designer or architect in order to sit for the NCIDQ exams and secure licensure of their own.

This is especially important for those of us who work on commercial spaces, hence the public health, safety and welfare focus. This certification in most states allows the Designer to become a registered design professional and be able to sign and seal their own construction documents for permit, without the involvement (or expense) of an architect. Disclaimer: This will depend on the state and the size/scope of your project. A qualified and experienced Designer will let you know when you need to get an architect and/or engineer involved and will probably have a few good ones to recommend.

Do you need an NCIDQ certified Designer for your project? First and foremost, selecting an NCIDQ designer may not always be required or necessary for your project. If you only need some paint color selections and styling, then a decorator would suit you just fine. But when it comes to renovations requiring anything beyond updating finishes, a designer with the NCIDQ credentials will be your best bet. They have been vetted, tested and have already proven their experience in this realm in order to receive this certification. NCIDQ has put together a great series of videos covering this topic, should you want to learn more.

We are so honored and lucky to be a part of some of the largest shifts and life-changing decisions our clients face. Whether it is starting a new business, buying a new home or just deciding that they are finally going to transform their space to better serve them, our clients have big plans and trust us to implement them. Every project and client is unique but the one recurring theme we heard from clients about their new renovation projects was a desire for change.

Before – Builder grade finishes and woodwork. Furniture collected over time

We once worked with clients that had been married for years and wanted to work with us so they could finally quit living like college students (their words, not ours!). After getting to know them better we realized that this shift had much more to do with them owning their adult personalities more than actually trying to become new people overnight. They were successful and had lived and traveled all over the world, they had super cool collectibles they had picked up along their journey and stored all of them in boxes, because they weren’t sure how to showcase them alongside their mismatched furniture and beige walls. They had the desire and the budget to live differently, but as busy professionals, they had no idea where to start until they brought us on. We were able to develop a new color and finish scheme that spoke to their international taste and provided the perfect backdrop for their unique treasures.

After – Entertainment space with custom finishes, color scheme and bookshelf doors. Intentional new furniture selections that better reflect the homeowners personality

Before – Existing room divider with mdf shelving for storage

On another occasion, we consulted with a family who had a great home in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Financially, it made sense to staybut with a growing family (and book collection), they were being suffocated in their own home. The goal of our consultation was to determine if we could either make it work in their current space We were able to present several ideas and options that ultimately helped them stay in their desired home with all of the functionality, storage and updated looks they desired.

After – Custom bookshelves built into existing room divider

Before – Builder grade entry doors

One of our favorite challenges this past year was a project for a man who bought a home for a great deal in a cookie-cutter neighborhood that was conveniently located for his work commute. He loved the location, price and layout, but it was lacking his personalized taste and touches. We were faced with a number of challenges and questions, not the least of which being: Could we make this house his home with the money he saved on this purchase? Could we selectively plan some upgrades that would make him feel like he was in a modern custom home, at least until he backed out of the driveway? Of course we could…and we accomplished our goal by layering on some sophisticated architectural details like custom wood doors and ceilings.

After – New custom entry doors

These are huge, life-altering decisions that we are honored to help guide for our clients. It is a huge responsibility that we do not take lightly. In all of the previous scenarios, we were able to assist in a way that allowed our clients to keep up with their busy professional lives, without them expending much time or energy to make decisions and coordinate details. Change can be scary but it can also be invigorating. Our team of experts is here to do the heavy lifting, alleviate some of the stress of life-changing decisions, and create a space that is uniquely your own.

Color is the easiest way to express your individual style and can make your home uniquely custom to your tastes. Time and time again, we have clients contact us wanting the complex and unexpected palettes they see in our portfolio, yet they are absolutely terrified to select them on their own. We get it. If a painter doesn’t call us halfway through a room to make sure it’s the right color, then we know we played it too safe… or they have just worked with us for a long time. Our color selecting confidence is rooted in a deep understanding of color theory and years of experience working with a wide range of styles and tastes for Jacksonville interior and exterior design project. Helping clients bring their unique flavor into their homes is one of our favorite services to provide. 

Regardless of which services you are interested in, the first step is to schedule a 15-minute introductory call. Before this call, you will receive a brief questionnaire to help identify your specific needs and tastes so that we can make the best use of our time on the call. We will discuss goals, timeline, and budget to determine the next steps for your design needs. It may be that you would like to start a full-service design project or that you just need a little help finalizing the right colors and finishes for a DIY renovation. If we both feel our team is a good fit, we will schedule a paid consultation at your home. 

The consultation is up to two hours and is a working meeting. We bring a customized kit of tools to help you identify your unique color style. We will go through a variety of imagery and graphics for you to provide feedback. You don’t need a degree in design vernacular and this kit is designed for us to get the information we need from those who may have a basic concept of what they want but find themselves intimidated by the design process. Sometimes partners disagree but we’re some of the most qualified mediators out there when it comes to meshing tastes while still looking very intentional and unified. This is why the call is so important – so we know exactly what to bring and can ensure it will be a super fun yet successful investment of your time and money. 

As the consultation concludes, we will work on a handwritten list of our selections to leave behind. You may also opt for additional services such as a mood board to help select final touches or renderings to help you visualize and help your painters get the locations right. Trust us when we tell you that painters love this–Especially when the scheme is complex and super involved. We can also recommend some helpful additional services and provide an estimate at your Jacksonville interior design consultation that is wholly unique to your project.

Here’s an example of an exterior paint consultation we did years ago and what our client had to say about it:

We are so happy with the color consultation we received for our Queen Ann exterior! Becky listened to our ideas and within days, she showed us the rendering of the perfect color scheme to honor the period and personality of our home. She provided all the color numbers and diagram for the painters, so they follow her plan. Springfield is thrilled to have this talent in our neighborhood! If you are thinking of painting your home, but not sure what works well with your house’s age, neighboring structures, and personal taste, we highly recommend calling on Bmorcreative, Inc. – Jim

Photo by Miguel Emmanuelli

So if you have been agonizing over making a selection or your sample wall is starting to look patchier than your grandmother’s quilt, it may be time to call in some help. We absolutely love doing in-home consultations for paint and color because we know what a dramatic impact a little color can add. And while these consults are not designed to finalize specific options like tile or furnishings, it is an opportunity for you to get a little help along the way and for us to get to know each other, which is the foundation of every great working relationship. Contact us to schedule an introductory call and get started today!

Tepeyolot Cerveceria, founded by Luis Melgarejo, is scheduled to open sometime in April or May – and Melgarejo plans to offer a substantial selection of craft brews.

“I think 20 or 25 [taps] – one of the best things about beer is the variety. You can really do whatever you want,” Melgarejo said. “We can try something one week and if it doesn’t work or we don’t like it, we can just change it and bring something else out.”

Located at 2136 Kings Ave. in a former office and recording studio building, Tepeyolot’s 5,407 square feet gives Melgarejo room to experiment. He said he plans to install a 7-barrel system for brewing and aims to initially produce about 500 barrels of beer in the first year – however, he added the space allows him to grow his operation in the future.

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One of the most important areas to consider when designing successful workspaces is Environmental Psychology which is basically how your environment affects you physically, mentally and emotionally. As a designer, I am always looking for how to create the best outcomes through design. Successfully designing workspaces means that the final product is not just photo-worthy, but ideally will improve the mood and productivity of the staff which makes for a better business environment when you work from home. 

So for those of you who find yourself working at home (like most of us have these last couple of weeks) then these tips are for you. I’m sharing a few considerations that have helped me stay on track and actually enjoy working from home. I hope they will give you a few productive ideas for how to optimize your current setup. 

Try Not to Work in Your Bedroom 

I’ve heard this is feng shui but it’s also my personal preference. Rest/romance + work is not a good combo. The bedroom should be peaceful and relaxing with no reminders of daily tasks. Work focus is hard enough without a comfortable bed tempting you with a nap. If the bedroom is the only place you can find peace and privacy to concentrate, then at least try to make sure your work materials are put away each evening. Also, it helps to make your bed in the morning to reduce temptation.

Find a Dedicated Work Space

Find the sunniest space and make it your dedicated workspace. Having a dedicated space to work is key to staying focused on your tasks and not being derailed with other household chores nagging to be finished. While it’s fine to surf the web on the sofa in short intervals (hey, who doesn’t?), I would recommend working at a dining table or somewhere with a working height surface (Approximately 30” high). If you have a good office chair, even better. 

Declutter & Minimize Your Workflow 

I’ve weaned my dependency on paper files significantly and have reduced the amount of “stuff” I need overall. I’ve reduced my work footprint from 750 square feet to two tote bags and a laptop that both get placed in a closet every night. It hasn’t been ideal, but it’s very lean and I will definitely be taking some of these principles into my new workspace. 

Stick To a Routine 

This is especially important for those of us who now have children at home and are playing teacher too. Try to maintain any work/school day routines such as being at your desk by 9:00, lunch at noon, and coffee breaks. Also, don’t forget to shower and put on real clothes. It will take discipline, and having an intentional regimen on day one will set you up for success. 

Get Out of the House 

One pitfall of working from home is the lack of variation in the environment. That variation is crucial to focus, productivity and general happiness — you must be intentional about switching it up. Take a walk or run an errand; just don’t stay home 24/7 because it will wear on you over time. 

Enjoy It

Learn the rules so you can break them. I love working from home and over the last six years have really made it a part of my lifestyle. So, yes I do laundry and personal errands between work tasks. But it takes a while to get there. Once you have developed the discipline and routine, switch it up to enhance your lifestyle, and reclaim your evenings. 

As an interior designer, these are the work from home tips I’ve utilized to help turn my home into an effective workspace. Everyone is different, but following these core principles will not only improve workflow but help you maintain a work/life balance that will allow you to preserve your sanity. I hope you found them helpful and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about an interior design idea or additional insights on how to maximize your new, temporary workspace when working at home!

The often unwelcome truth in this scenario is that even if you plan to borrow money to launch your brick and mortar venture, you will still need to invest in design fees upfront. I often refer to it as the chicken or the egg scenario of business lending because most people assume that they will be able to include design fees into their loan, and you can, but you’ll need to at least “loan” your business some cash upfront to get what you need to apply. Depending on the size and complexity of your renovation, you should budget between $5,000- $20,000 dollars to have a design team draft preliminary plans and perform a code review. In addition to interior design services, you may need an architect and/or engineers such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical or even civil.

Having your business’ plans in hand prior to negotiating a lease or securing a loan can be valuable in the early planning stages.

These preliminary plans and drawings will be the basis for the contractors’ estimate and will also help the lender visualize what you are proposing. In fact, some building owners require these drawings and their approval before extending a lease. Building owners want to see that you are serious and will be doing a professional renovation on their property. Plans can also be a good tool when negotiating your lease and will save you money in the long run. Once you know both the work required and the build-out costs, you can negotiate how much the landlord will cover or deduct from the rent if they are offering any flexibility.

Once the initial plans are finished, you’ll have a great starting point for your budget and a general contractor can begin estimating the cost of labor and materials. You will have cost estimates for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and rough dimensions for custom pieces such as a bar or checkout counter. All of this backup budgeting will be required by a lender and/or property owner. The actual buildout and construction of the space is one of the largest ticket items in your business plan and a knowledge of the nuance and the details of the process is of paramount importance.

Feeling overwhelmed? It is a huge amount of work to tackle, especially when you are more experienced at managing waitstaff than a construction team. But, that does not mean it’s impossible. As an entrepreneur, you are just starting the journey of many hats, and this is only one of the many obstacles you will successfully overcome. It will just take a clear goal and hiring the right team.

Or if you’d rather leave it to the pros, this is definitely something BMC can help you with. Working with entrepreneurs to launch or grow their business is some of the most rewarding work we do. We will assemble your design team, compile pricing form various trades into an organized and straightforward budget, create stunning visuals such as 3D renderings, and even pull it all together into a professionally designed package for you to confidently present. When you enlist our team, there’s no reason to feel overwhelmed. You’ll have everything you need to make your project a success. Contact us for more information and to schedule a consultation.