SHOOT design consultants
Interior Design / Restaurant Consultants
The interior design and turnaround consultant area of SHOOT came about from a ten-year effort on various projects. With our own business, vOID, a lounge bar in New York City, we introduced a new look, a new sound and a screen and projector that would be used by the new aspiring film maker - the digital film maker. vOID was a dark candle lit space with black walls and a NYC loft feel. It became known as a screening lounge.
Even in New York City, one can be a first. In 1995, we were the first lounge bar in NYC, and possibly in the US. We were one of the first bars to offer free internet service without calling ourselves an internet or cyber lounge. We offered a different type of lounge music called electronica and ambient groove. We were the first to offer a projector and screen, and to play various art films to music. Initially, one had to come through three doors and a lobby before they would find us, which was part of its early speak-easy appeal.
During off hours, we continued with our personal interests of photography and graphic and web design. Several of our friends and clients would compliment the decor of our studio / apartment, and then request our services. First, there was a bathroom design in SoHo in exchange for a few paintings, and then another loft and bathroom in Los Angeles, in exchange for the trip and expenses, and then a NYC loft, and so on and so forth. This eventually led to an additional area of interest and income. Our day jobs, in the meantime, was in graphic design and the film industry.
At our lounge, vOID, we saw room for improvement. We recognized that there was some untapped potential, so we decided to tap it. We saw the need for a digital film makers venue, so we created it, and spread the word around the area. We also designed a new audio / video room with multiple video decks and top notch DJ equipment. In addition to this, we added a tap beer system, and upgraded the bar to have two stations for the high volume nights. We also changed the entrance to a different location, so to entice more customers.
The time and effort was well spent. Within a couple of months, we were known by digital film makers as the only place to screen their work. Some of the films that were first shown on our screen went on to win major awards in national festivals. We became so involved in the video process that we eventually taught digital video classes and non-linear editing workshops. The DJ’s loved our space, and as a result, flocked to us with followers in tow. This also presented the opportunity for us to record and produce many up and coming DJ sets onto CD.
In 2002, our lease was coming to an unconditional end, so we painstakingly put the word out that our business was for sale. With only a year-and-a-half left on the lease, and within weeks of our notice, we sold the business for the cost of our initial investment seven years earlier.
The next chapter led to a home purchase, an incredible project in itself. It also made way for our next paid assignment. We bought a house Upstate, New York, two hours north of the city. We restored a 1826 house back to its former glory, taking away the '70's paneling and wall-to-wall carpet that the previous owners had left behind. It now seems that interior design would find us, as much as we find it.
A couple of years later in 2004, a New York advertising agency hired us to travel through Scotland for the website, www.toscotland.com. They wanted a creative couple to travel, photograph and to write a journal about a one week stay experience. We were discovered through our website, selected, and subsequently became poster travelers for Scottish tourism. You will find our story in the "real travelers / real tales" section on the homepage.
On our return to Upstate, and still during the home fix-up stage, we visited a local B&B, bar and restaurant that was in dire need of repair. It was unfortunately not available for purchase, but soon after the owner got word of us, we were hired to renovate, design, decorate and repair this beautiful but fractured business. The restoration itself took six months. Within five months of being open for business however, we were able to hand back to the owner, his first ever profit, and first ever, favorable restaurant review 3 1/2 stars- www.timesunion/entertainment/restaurants.
The entire place, three floors, a bar, restaurant and ten bedrooms were in disrepair. it required new plaster, a complete paint job, 5000 square feet of sanded and polyurethaned floors, new plumbing, five toilets, several new ceilings and walls. It then called for a new staff, a new menu, and a new clientele. We also installed a new music system (this time using the Ipod), a video screen, an art gallery, an art studio and an entirely new feel to the place. I am pleased to report that it worked.People that now come in, use the term "open" and "bright” to describe the interior. We would often hear "good vibe" and "zen" as complimentary adjectives. The place that I speak of is called the Stewart House in Athens, New York, It’s currently doing better-than-ever business. In fact many people from the town, including the mayor, have written us to say thank you (see references).
The Stewart House worked mainly because we enjoyed the process, and because we believed in what we were trying to achieve. We wanted to achieve a timeless ambiance, a classic good feel, good food and service ... and we succeeded. We do not design for fads, we design for real qualities. We enjoy good music, good art, good colors, good food and good people. We especially like a good place to go for dinner and a drink with an appealing ambiance. It’s a winning combination. We only take on projects where we feel that we will have a positive impact. If it doesn't feel right, we don't attempt it.
As former proprietors in the resaurant and bar industry, we have a keen understanding of the risk, effort and investment involved in starting and owning a business. We want to work with our clients to create a business that realizes it's potential, and one that makes a return on it's investment. Having said that, we started our lounge for the love of it and not necessarily for profit. It is best in business however, when passion and profit merge. It is difficult enough to pay for, and fix up and have fun, much less design, purchase, hire and prepare. That’s where we come in. We offer years of experience and we enjoy what we do.
Let us help you - to help your business shine. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Brian and Allison