“Resi-mercial Design”: How Banko Design Makes Commercial Spaces Feel Like Home
At Banko Design, we’ve perfected translating the residential into the commercial.
Marietta, Georgia-based with projects nationwide. Unmatched interior design from start to finishes.
Developers, do you ever struggle to make your spaces feel “at home” while you balance the performance needs of your commercial interiors? You’re not alone. You want everything from your fixtures, furniture and floors to stand out—that’s how you’ll draw customers—but, you need these pieces to be functional and continue to perform over time even with regular traffic.
So how does one give soul to a commercial space? That’s where our team comes in. Almost a decade ago, our Principal and Founder Melissa Banko coined the term “resi-mercial” to describe that in-between space where comfort meets quality. The resi-mercial space infuses residential touches with human-scaled furniture across multifamily communities, boutique hotels, senior living spaces and more, unlocking a new understanding of coziness in commercial spaces.
The beauty of this approach is in its interior design selections, from finishes to furniture and accessories. Everything is curated to inject the space with life, personality and a “lived-in” quality, making it feel like it’s someone’s carefully maintained home. The process is an art and a science that we not only developed, we perfected.
We give our clients a commercial interior solution that’s not cookie-cutter commercial. Just smart cookie.
THE RIGHT MIX
Let’s break down “resi-mercial” and why each piece matters.
Dorothy knew what she was talking about. There’s no place like home. That feeling is essential. People feel good in places that have warmth and feel welcoming.
Elements of interior design feel more quality. They’re more curated and cared for, and people can tell the difference from something that feels cold and “commercial,” especially in a new-build setting.
People live in your spaces. If the residential vibe is missing, folks will quickly look for somewhere more inviting and comfy.
“Mercial” = Commercial
The interior design needs to withstand commercial use. That means high traffic, heavy use, commercial-grade cleaning, and everyday living.
The space must also act like a contract space (because it is one). We can’t get away with many of the architectural “shortcuts” that a residential project may have.
You can’t sacrifice too much of either or the space will underwhelm. At Banko Design, we implement the impeccable: fabrics that don’t feel cheap or plasticky, but are still cleanable or bleachable; lighting that is soft, appropriate and inviting, but still functional and bright enough to see; flooring that looks like it’s part of a fine home, but is a cinch to clean. And it has to have spark. Banko Design spaces are all about not just looking the part, but feeling it too.
OUR RESI-MERCIAL RESUME
The proof is in the pudding. Here are a few resi-mercial success stories in the real world.
The Church Hill Village is an assisted living and memory care community in Newtown, CT. When it comes to Senior Living, the resi-mercial touch is especially important for a number of parties. First, of course, the residents. But it’ll certainly make an impression on the caregivers and family members who may be making decisions on behalf of a loved one.
Our design approach for Church Hill Village was to bring a chic family cottage feel to this brand new building, which sits in part of the site’s farmland. The decor was infused with farmers market finds and freshened up with some modern flair. Add on a custom oversized quilt at the entry made by a local artisan, quirky vintage accessories, pastoral artwork, and “cottagecore”-inspired drapery patterns, and the resi-mercial recipe made Church Hill feel like home.
Our work with Cadence at Olney, a senior living community in Olney, MD, was all about neo-classic coziness. From warm brick walls to terracotta tile flooring, we outfitted the community while staying true to the authenticity of the area. Millwork detailing, comfy leather-look seating, multiple fireplaces, judge’s paneling, even porcelain china-inspired artworks were included to drive the point home. This community feels like Thanksgiving dinner with the whole family without sacrificing senior-friendly design concepts.
Our furniture line with Fairfield captures the timeless beauty of residential furniture with added accessibility features. The line lends itself perfectly to senior living comfort design, but is contemporary enough to be a crowd favorite anywhere.
THE RARITY OF RESI-MERCIAL
Since the “aha!” moment, when we realized there was a huge void between residential and commercial design only few could fill, we’ve taken the helm as leaders in the “resi-mercial” sphere. In a lot of ways, it’s been our calling card over the past decade. To this day, no one does it like we do. Our passion for residential design’s attention to detail is conveyed in a way that works in favor of developers, REITs and real estate investors (not to mention their bottom lines).
We’re ready and excited to work with you. Interior design of any space is a serious investment, so we’ll make the most of any budget.
Looking to develop the next multifamily masterpiece? Reach out to us at business_development@bankodesign.com, and let’s get started!
The Banko Buzz by Banko Design, An Unmatched Studio: Commercial Interior Design from Start to Finishes. Marietta, Georgia-based with projects nationwide.