Partner: GRAY Magazine 

Location: Seattle, WA 

Category: Workspace

Project Coordination: Room & Board for Business

The Goal

Located in the historic Rainier Brewery bottling plant in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, GRAY’s new office was a blank slate with brick walls, concrete floors and big windows. Stacy Kendall, GRAY magazine’s Special Projects Editor, said, “It’s a challenge to figure out spaces within an open work environment. We had no idea how it would work.”  

The Process

GRAY took advantage of Room & Board’s free design services to help maximize the small space and create a look that matched the magazine’s modern vibe. 

Melodie Harrison, a Design Associate in our Seattle store, kicked off the planning by getting measurements of the room and talking with GRAY about what they needed. “They wanted a bright office and a sense of privacy for the team despite the wide-open space. Specifically, they needed desks for six full-time employees, a large table for meetings, and a lunch prep area. An entryway area to welcome guests was also a must.” 

With GRAY’s office dreams in mind, Melodie created three different floor plans. “I love doing layouts,” said Melodie. She also pulled together furniture and color ideas, then invited the team to the store to see everything in person. 

After test driving office chairs, plopping down on sofas and looking at material samples, the team made their final decisions. Melodie kept everyone on track and within budget by creating a Favorites list online. 

Before the order was placed, a final floor plan was created to show where each piece of furniture would be used. On installation day, it helped the delivery team know where everything should go. 

Shawn Williams, GRAY’s Founder and Publisher, said “We threw the seemingly impossible at Melodie. Our small space needed six workstations, flex desks, a conference table, an entry area, kitchen, and storage. Melodie packed it all in in a way that feels open and airy, and of course, beautiful.” 

The Results

Melodie helped the GRAY team land on a mix of materials to help the office feel balanced. For instance, the entryway is a welcoming spot for guests but gives the team some privacy, too. Keaton bookcases set a modern tone as you walk in the door, and created a visual barrier to allow staff on the other side to work without distraction. 

Open-concept work stations make use of two 60×30 Parsons desks placed back-to-back, flanked by another 60×30 desk for interns and collaborative work areas. Ergonomic office chairs were tested out and selected by popular vote. Desks are each anchored by an indoor/outdoor Sequence rug, a durable flat weave option ideal for office chair casters. 

Shawn’s large 78×42 desk is sized to accommodate meetings, while lucky guests get to relax in velvet chairs (for an ultra-functional option, check out our swiveling Otis chair in velvet fabric).  A sheepskin rug and Kori basket with throw blankets keep things cozy in the chilly winter months. 

The oval-shaped Julian table is where the team gathers for meetings, enjoying warm light from Glow pendants that echo the building’s history as a beer bottling plant. Nearby, a handy counter table serves as a coffee and lunch perch. Multifunctional cabinets hide extra office supplies in a crisp white version, and kitchen essentials in a rich walnut-finish version. 

Shawn, Stacy and the rest of the team at GRAY love their new office. It’s a place they’re happy to work in every day and are proud to show visitors. “Melodie not only captured my vision for what GRAY’s office would look like,” Shawn shared. “It turned out better than anything I could have imagined.” 

For more office inspiration and free design help for your work space, don’t hesitate to use our free design services.