10
Dec
When it came time to upgrade the Waterstone lobby, the kitchen faucet company turned to a local brother and sister design team that brought a rustic, gritty look to the American Made faucet company. Mack and Jackson Design of Fallbrook CA, came up with the idea of creating an inviting setting. A home feel, yet still professional. Mack and Jackson renovated the original bland lobby with mostly recycled materials. The wood patterns and a natural brown color palette really helped offset the original industrial feel. “We wanted natural colors and different look that reflected the company’s Made in the USA philosophy.” said Mackenzie Kuran, Lead Designer at Mack and Jackson. “We incorporated the country comfort feel with an industrial flavor. Warm and friendly business atmosphere that gave a great first impression to visitors.”
Located in Murrieta, CA, Waterstone Faucets moved into a new, larger building in 2013 to accommodate the company’s growth. They never gave the lobby a second thought. It was originally made up of a folding chair and a fake plant. Visitors or potential employees had to sit cramped on the chair and try and fill out job applications.
“We know it was ugly and not practical, but we were so focused on the manufacturing side, we ignored the building’s decor,” stated Waterstone President Chris Kuran.
Mackenzie envisioned turning the lobby into a place to relax and not feel too corporate stuffy. The back wall was covered with wood from old palettes found out behind the building. The texture and brown of the leather couches helped tie in the brown and wood feel. The floor rug is a simple pattern to offset the busy, dark floor tile. To show off the kitchen faucets, Mackenzie wanted something unique rather than a standard particle board store display. She ordered rustic barstools made by Missouri Woodworkers Timeless Journey. The stools are made from reclaimed wood from an old barn. The Wheel Pull Down, Gantry and Annapolis Two Handle faucets were mounted on the seats for a great contrast of wood and metal.
“It just makes the chrome and polished nickel faucets really stand out. Plus it says to the visitor to pull up a chair and relax,” says Jackson. The lobby was topped off with a simple plexiglass sign that didn’t distract from the wooden wall.
This lobby at Waterstone Faucets was Mackenzie and Jackson’s first design project. The rookie teenage design duo hopes to continue in the interior design field. Only 19 and 14, the team’s lack of experience make up in style and creativity. “We definitely want to finish school, but this project opened our eyes to a profession I could see myself,” says Mackenzie.
