Continental Office Studio Blog

Nature; we can see it, touch it, smell it and hear it. We are surrounded by it everywhere we go. Yet, we often don’t see it being a necessity within our work environment. Most commonly, a planting strategy is simply not incorporated within the design budget from the early project stages on. However, this paradigm is shifting because the impact of planting is significant. A large contribution to this is the increase of overall well-being of employees and the reduction of absenteeism in the workplace, which, conservatively speaking, often reaches more than 30% ⁽¹⁾ after the introduction of planting according to research.

Do you have a blank canvas of an office that needs furnished? Are you starting to consider when and what furniture to purchase? Is budget a determining factor that will affect your overall design and space planning? If you answer "yes" to any of these, you're certainly not alone. We meet with local businesses just like you every day. What we've learned over the past 80 years is creating a truly great space that will provide an exceptional associate experience is critical.  Selecting the right furniture plays a big role in that overall experience.

Experiences have become the focal point for many organizations. Over the past 35 years at Continental, I've watched first-hand as the client experience has evolved. 35 years ago it was a big deal to have an actual showroom with a wide selection of productions on display. Clients could literally walk in and shop, often leaving with something tangible in hand that same day. Having a showroom is really a thing of the past for us now, at least in the traditional sense. Gone are the days of those large presentation boards too!

One of the most common questions we get from new clients is, "What is commercial or contract furniture anyway?" In simple terms, it's furniture not intended for residential use. The official definition is: Commercial furniture is manufactured to meet established industry standards. It is subject to stringent testing and a certification process. It is then sold exclusively by local dealerships.

In today's economy, the world continues to shrink and the need for talent continues to expand. Companies are seeking every possible advantage to attract and retain talent in order to fuel growth and continue to innovate. The location of a company and the community in which employees live are often taken for granted and not fully leveraged.

The holiday season is here! It's time for eggnog, our favorite holiday movies, and holiday traditions! Goodwill and cheer is all around. Grandma's going to have an unfortunate run in with a reindeer, Ralphie may shoot his eye out, and the Griswald light show is in full swing! It also means your associates are beginning to reflect on the year and consider their overall job satisfaction. So what do today's workers love most about holidays in the office? Randstad USA  did a study that provides us with some tips about how we can continue to create great associate experiences and Forbes Human Resource Council give us some ideas to keep our teams engaged during this time of the year. We'll also share what we, at Continental, do to keep the holiday spirit going for our team.

Every company has a brand. But the term "branding" can have various meanings depending on the context and setting. When an agency or company offers "branding", it may only be referring to certain aspects of branding. That's why selecting a branding firm can be complicated. 

We love classic design, but creating great spaces that stand the test of time isn't easy.  It comes down to understanding the different between a fad and a trend. Fads come and go like fashions, and soon become obsolete only lasting between one to five years. Trends, on the other hand, are more cyclical or they tend to simply not leave. Trends are timeless. Mid-century modern furniture just might be the best example of design that has consistently stood the test of time.  

In our line of work, we hear all of the arguments for and against the open office plan. That's why we don't push for open offices. Instead, we tell our customers to provide choice and flexibility. This means listening to your employees and providing settings and spaces that are right for them. Every office is different, and should be designed based on how we as individuals work. That said, providing choice and flexibility can - and most likely will - result in a mixture of private and open settings.  But, how do you truly make your employees feel happy about their environment? And, what is their biggest complaint?

The cost of real estate is rising substantially. Unsurprisingly, offices have become smaller and smaller. Workspaces need to be more efficient than ever before to make the best use of every square foot available. When it comes to outfitting your real estate with all the things it needs to become a great space, from furniture to flooring to technology, there are generally three tiers of workplace scenarios you have to choose from. These are your good, better, and best solutions.