Interior Design Process – Kaufman & Canoles

The Challenge

Kaufman & Canoles, a regional law firm, approached GuernseyTingle to refresh their Williamsburg office while ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.

A key requirement was to reconfigure the floorplan to create a flexible space for hosting client and in-house events, while also providing a daily lounge and dining area for employees. Although the existing layout allowed for some flexibility, it required adjustments to meet this need.

In addition to reconfiguring the space, the client sought to update the finishes throughout the office. The current design, dominated by gray paint and carpeting, felt monotone and enclosed. The client wanted to open up the space, introduce color, pattern, and texture, and allow more natural light to flow in—elements that would improve both aesthetics and functionality.

The Solution

GuernseyTingle achieved this by resizing flexible workstations and relocating the receptionist to a more central position in the lobby. These changes freed up space for a core ‘Hub’ area in the center of the office, which became the heart of the redesign.

The new design features a large conference and meeting space connected to an open break room. This versatile area supports formal training sessions, large corporate virtual meetings, impromptu breakout meetings, or casual lunches. A frosted glass wall was added to the Hub, providing privacy while still allowing natural light to filter in from nearby office windows—a welcome improvement from the previously enclosed gray corridors. Updated finishes and brighter flooring transitions further enhanced the space, adding visual interest and improving wayfinding throughout the office.

When it came time to present design options to Kaufman & Canoles, the GuernseyTingle team provided two choices: a traditional design focused on a blue color scheme and a more unconventional option with warm tones like burnt orange. Initially, the client believed blue was the best fit for their offices. However, after reviewing both design boards, they felt more energized by the less traditional option and decided to pursue the warmer color palette.

The scope of the project required creativity to align with the client’s vision, both for their current needs and future growth. The final design was flexible enough to allow for the addition of new offices with minimal new construction as the firm continues to expand.

The GuernseyTingle team successfully delivered a modern, functional design that exceeded the client’s expectations. Although the client had not initially envisioned an open-concept Hub, once they saw it in action, they knew it was essential for both employees and clients. The final result struck the perfect balance between form and function, creating a dynamic, adaptable workspace for Kaufman & Canoles.