Brighten Up Your Interior with Mexican Folk Art – Commercial Interior Design News

Summer time is so close! How can we brighten up our interiors? I think bringing some colorful accessories into your house or business will do the job. Today I would like to introduce this very unique, quality Mexican folk art shop located in Minneapolis, MN and also online! I personally have always been fascinated by colorful Mexican art. Many of the Mexican craft pieces at this store are museum quality and all are handmade, many with a fresh approach to traditional Mexican craftsmanship. This is really one-of-a-kind folk art boutique in the Twin Cities. I interviewed the owner of the store Anne Damon to learn more about her beautiful Mexican Art store.

1. Anne, your store seems so unique. How did you come up with the idea of Mexican Art store? What was your inspiration?
I have been a collector of Mexican folk art for many years, since I studied Spanish in Toluca, Mexico in high school. I fell in love with Mexico, it’s people and it’s culture then and have always wanted to have a small import shop. About 5 years ago I decided to go for it, started slowly by having 4 “pop-up” events per year, then in a women’s collective for a year and then one year ago I moved into my permanent shop.

2. How did you come up with the beautiful name Zinnia?
I named it “Zinnia Folk Arts” because the colorful zinnia flower is native to Mexico, comes in many colors, shapes and sizes just like the incredible traditional arts of Mexico. I also really like the graphic potential!

3. How do you find all these amazing products. What is your process of selection? Do you get to travel to Mexico?
Because I’ve been a collector and a student of Mexico and Mexican traditional arts I’ve learned where and what to look for in Mexico. Every region has it’s specialties and I focus on the the folk art that I think will sell in the Midwest. I travel to Mexico 4 times/year and go to different regions each time to select the pieces that I will ship to the shop. I purchase directly from the artisans and in mercados and I literally track down artists who I’ve read about or whose pieces I find in museums. I return to purchase from artisans whose work is popular and I am always looking for new folk artists.

4. What are your most popular products in a physical store and online?
The most popular products in the physical store are ceramics, jewelry, Day of the Dead, textiles and masks. The most popular products online are jewelry, textiles and Day of the Dead.
5. How do you see the future of ZFA?
Bright! People in the Twin Cities have responded very positively and are so interested/intrigued by the color, the amazing workmanship and whimsy of many of the pieces.

To learn more about this amazing Mexican Art store click HERE. Or you can visit it in person at the following address:
826 West 50th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Located in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul), Minnesota, USA
Tuesday-Friday: 11-6
Saturday: 10-6
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Phone: 612-824-4342

To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Green and High-Tech in One Office – Commercial Interior Design News

Can Green and High-Tech be combined in one office? This beautiful office (Microsoft Headquarters in Vienna) was designed by a European firm – INNOCAD Architektur. Very high-tech looking and at the same time filled with lush greenery, this workspace will encourage so much needed creativity in Microsoft workers. The designers were trying to “showcases the tech titan’s ability to transform its space to reflect the growing experimental culture.”

As your enter the main lobby, you will be facing a beautiful live green wall. The hi-tech graphics behind the desk is just one of the ways the architects achieve their goal to “harmonize physical, virtual and social working environments.”

The meeting spaces where talented Microsoft minds come together are themed in different style and colors. You could get together in the wood-paneled cabin and feel very connected to nature or painted in blue motives space will calm everyone down with its cool hue. All the conference areas are designed to encourage workers collaboration and team work.




To get to the lower levels you don’t have to take stairs, just take a slip down the office slide and into the soft cubes filled common room.

Learn more about this office on trendhunter.com
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Intriguing Restaurant Design in Grey and Orange Tones – Commercial Interior Design News

This fancy restaurant’s, Ciel de Paris, interior design grabbed my attention because of the intriguing color combination that was selected by its designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance: warm grey and soft orange. This restaurant definitely provides food not only for your tummy but for your mind and senses.


The restaurant is located in Montparnasse Tower in Paris on 56 floor. Very organic shapes of interior provide good setting for tables and chairs. If you get to sit along the exterior windows you will enjoy a wonderful view of twinkling lights of Eiffel tower and from other buildings in Paris. The city itself becomes part of this interior at any time of a day.

One of the main focal points of this restaurant interior is its dazzling artistic ceiling. The amber bubble light fixtures become mirrors when turned off.

I think this place will become part of a tourist attraction in Paris in no time. Learn more about this place HERE.
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Sustainable Wine Cellars – Commercail Interior Design News

Take a quick look into the future. The future of sustainable building practices and a lifetimes’ enjoyment of elegantly aged wines come together with the most eco-friendly wine storage products on the planet. Sustainable Wine Cellars, LLC of Rancho Santa Fe, CA offers a completely customizable product as well as modular kits, entries, cooling, accent lighting and more. If you are on a market for something innovative and sensitive to the environment, this is a company for you.

Whether following the style your architect has prepared or depending on the company’s expert design staff, you will see your wines presented in style and in an incredible space. Ideas born out of necessity blended into designs will be seamlessly integrated into your existing home.

Wine storage in carbonized bamboo that come standard with a clear, acrylic lacquer finish are just the beginning. Innovative assembly methods are part of a design that reduce installation labor cost dramatically. Unlike conventional nail-on components, these wine cellar products are designed to snap together while providing unprecedented strength.
These systems can be used for homes or restaurants as needed, in different styles. Learn more about these sustainable wine cellars systems from the company’s website here.
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Company Interior Branding Starts with Identity – Commercial Interior Design News

Everybody knows that we brand new businesses or rebrand existing older companies by designing their interiors, but not everyone realizes that we also design logos for our customers. Branding a business is a sophisticated process which we take seriously.

At the beginning of our design process you will receive a questionnaire from us which will determine your company’s message you want to deliver to the public. It will lead us into understanding how you want to be viewed by your customers. Your answers will tell us what style we need to be working in. It can also tell us what will be your brand colors, materials and other finishes to achieve a desired psychological response in your visitors and people you interact with.

If our client is still at the beginning stages of developing a business we can help with a logo design. Each logo is personalized to the character of that particular business and people running the business. We are also able to design logos in any language you desire. Multiple reviews during design process will make sure to take into consideration any cultural aspects of your country.

If you would like to learn more about our design process and our design philosophy, look HERE. Take a look at other logos we designed HERE.
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Creative Art for Ocean and Surf Lovers – Commercial Interior Design News
If you love the ocean or if you are into surfing you have to check out these incredibly artistic photos by Shayne Stadnick. Shayne Stadnick is a surfer and fine art wave photographer based on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Well he’s actually a surf addict that rarely let’s a day of waves pass without surfing them, or if the conditions allow photographing them. Creating these works is his passion, and he loves sharing some of the simple beauty the ocean has to offer. Now he prefers shooting empty waves, free of surfers, but that’s not so easy to find these days, it’s with these un-ridden gems he is able to capture some of the beauty he thrives on.

His work showcases waves shot in a unique style that excels when printed large. The mood some of his images can create can easily fill the room with a sense of peacefulness. With a continuously growing collection from all around the world he is inspired by the natural beauty so easily overlooked. Using a unique style of shooting he tries to bring simplicity, beauty, color, and a sense of ‘feeling’ to his work. “Anybody can look at the wave I am shooting and not see this as the finished product,” he remarks, “It’s taking notice and emphasizing the simple things that helps my work stand out.”
He stumbled across this style of shooting one day at the beach and found his niche in it soon after. “A lot of the time I get to the beach and the waves are no good and the lighting is horrible, so I get no photos and ride no waves, but it’s the days that both of my favorite things come together that make it worth while.” He lists some of his personal favorites as some of the first images he has taken, including ‘Right Shoulder’ and ‘Golden” but is always searching for that next perfect shot. You can contact him through his website: www.beachbreakphotography.ca or by phone at 1-250-888-2017. Check back often as he is always updating and adding new images to his site.
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Mindful Design Consulting – Before and After – 2012 Projects – Commercial Interior Design News
Happy Holidays everybody!
The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of year, and it’s not only because we surround ourselves with cheerful decorations. It’s also when I look back at what was done during this past year, and start dreaming about what I want to happen next year. I am very happy to announce that Mindful Design Consulting has been very productive in the year 2012. As usual, today we share our before and after photos of selected projects.
In our Green News corner, we share the color of the year 2013 which was selected by Pantone Institute. It’s a good prediction for all of us who want to be in line with the latest trends. Continue reading…
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
How to Decorate With Emerald – New Color of the Year 2013 – Commercial Interior Design News

The Pantone Institute has announced its 2013 color of the year. It’s Emerald! They simply put is this way: “Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” We can expect to see emerald color being used in fashion, furniture upholstery, and new interiors. Learn more about Pantone Institute and about colored for previous years HERE.

Larger fashion companies have already started production of accessories with emerald colors in mind. (see these purses here) So what can we do with emerald in our interiors? I’ve collected a few ideas on how emerald can be easily introduced into our life.

Emerald color is luckily a color of life plants or, if not life, printed images on your walls can add that bright emerald touch to your interior.

If you are not too adventurous with your walls, just add a few emerald pillows on your sofa. It will become a focal point of any room. (photo credit Decor Pad)

Another way to submerge yourself in emerald is to hand emerald color curtains. I would recommend this if your overall interior pallet is calm grey or beige color. (photo credit Verandah Magazine)

Getting a piece of furniture or a new carpet with emerald color in it is a sure way to go in most cases.

If you are not ready to spend for the new color, you can repaint your old dresser in emerald paint.

If you are in a process of remodeling, this is the best time to pick something in shade of emerald, like the glass for the closet in this contemporary interior.

If you don’t want to buy a new lamp, simply get a new emerald light shade. These beautiful emerald lamps can be found here.

For me emerald glass reminds of antique wine glasses. These emerald glasses that I found are a beautiful combination of contemporary style and the antique color.

This is also the best time to add a little something to your jewelry selection in emerald.
Good luck everybody with picking your own emerald favorites for your new 2013 year!
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Yogopolis Yogurt Shop Interior Design and Branding – Commerical Interior Design News

Yogopolis was designed by Mindful Design Consulting keeping in mind the idea of designing one of the healthiest yogurt shops. The main specialty of Yogopolis yogurt shop is Greek Yogurt. Naturally Greek scheme was proposed throughout the interior and branding of this yogurt shop. At the same time we wanted to keep fun bright colors as a yogurt shop should have.

Michele (the owner of this brand store) came to us with a piece of a striped fabric, which represented the colors she liked, and a simple colored name for the logo she put together in MWord. It was fun and exciting to work with Michele on her vision of the first store concept. Following are the branding PMS colors we selected for Yogopolis which are now used throughout marketing and printing materials.

Yogopolis is definitely a unique yogurt store. All the colors and materials selection was influenced by colorful architecture and scenery of Greece. Ivanhoe™ Dino Porcelain Cord Pendant Light in light blue color made an excellent addition to overall color scheme.

Bright and inviting posters were designed for Yogopolis to bring the message about the product itself.

The interior design also included Greek columns flanking the chalk board for the menu in this store.

The store front repeated the color scheme of the interior. Mindful Design Consulting also provided the design for all the window graphics to be applied on glass.

The Yogololis store is finished and in operation now. You can find it at 2740 Eastland Mall, #A97, Columbus OH. Or on this website, also designed by our design team: http://yogopolis.com

The store looks bright and inviting during work hours!

The toppings bar at the center and the yogurt machines.


Who wouldn’t want to visit Yogopolis and try some real Greek Healthy Yogurt? Please give us your feedback if you ever do.

All graphics, web design and interior branding credit: Mindful Design Consulting
Built Store Photo Credit : Bill Steele our architect on this project.
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Daniel Merriam’s Gallery in Sausalito – Commercial Interior Design News

One of Mindful Design Consulting most exciting projects in Sausalito CA has finally been complete. Daniel Merriam’s Gallery has been opened officially since September 2012, even though the occupants moved in much earlier and continued decorating this dreamy gallery all in Merriam style.

This 3-story mixed-use building for a world renowned artist Daniel Merriam was an exciting opportunity for us to work next to a talented artist and to follow his vision of a “Bubble Street”.

Whimsical bubble sign is hanging in front of the building smiling under the sun and inviting to venture in inside.

Daniel’s sculptures are almost leading you to explore more.

Other talented artists displaying their work at the gallery. Daniel always tries to find and showcase local talented artists’ work. All the art and even pottery matches the “bubble” theme through the store.


If you are into Steampunk, this is a place for you too! Talented San Diego artist displays his incredibly intricate work next to Daniel Merriam’s art.

Daniel Merriam’s Gallery is a celebration of fantastic Art, neo-Victorian style and Steampunk objects. If you ever go to Sausalito, this is a place to visit!

See before and after images of Daniel Merriam’s Gallery HERE.
See our August Newsletter HERE!
To ask us questions about your commercial interior design project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.






