With a ribbon cutting ceremony set for September 21, family-owned specialty product designer and manufacturer Green Giftz is gearing up for its grand re-opening in a recently refurbished office space at 532 Ottawa Ave. NW.
Specializing in eco-friendly, sustainable and custom promotional products, Green Giftz calls itself a “branded merchandise dealer,” based in West Michigan while serving an international client base.
After outgrowing its old suite, a smaller space in North Monroe’s Brassworks building, Green Giftz owner Karen Scarpino partnered with Custer Inc. to redesign the 2,700-square-foot offices, designing the new space to meet the brand’s existing “industrial charm” with a modern sophistication in a more expansive space.
“We designed their new space with that same character in mind and used a sophisticated, neutral palette that better reflects their brand,” says Alex Genzink, interior project designer at Custer Inc, adding that the new building’s interior, which will serve as Green Giftz showroom, office space and entertaining venue for the Green Giftz family, includes elements that include mixed materials, light woodgrains and vintage inspired lighting.
With large open windows that allow for ample natural light, the new open floor plan features collaborative desks, a new kitchen and open work cafe area, fireplace and entryway sofa.
“As a business owner, I often spend more waking hours at our office than in our home, so I see our office as an extension of home and our employees and customers as family,” says Scarpino, who operates the business alongside her husband and daughter. “Custer helped us design a space that works for our employees and inspires them to do great work. The design offers so many positive benefits for our employees, including abundant natural light and team work spaces.”
With old rustic warehouse windows repurposed as wall accents, and reclaimed barn wood worked seamlessly into the updated design, Custer Inc. designers also incorporated raw materials from Green Giftz inventory, giving new life to fabric used to make table covers by refashioning it into noise-absorbing ceiling treatments over the office conference table below.
“We wanted a space that was open, warm, inviting and collaborative, and also reflected our values,” Scarpino says.
For more information about Green Giftz, visit www.greengiftz.com.
Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Custer, Inc.
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