So here it is: my first installment of “Basic Design Principals for Your Showroom.” As an aside, I’ll be conducting a seminar under this same title at Surfaces 2002 in Las Vegas. Also, you’ll be able to buy the book and accompanying CD-ROM at May’s Coverings International Tile and Stone Exhibition in Orlando, Fla. So with that shameless plug out of the way, let’s get down to the business of designing a good showroom!
I believe certain regional characteristics must come into play when designing a good showroom. While I can’t begin to address in this article each geographic area of the country, you probably already have a pretty good idea of the unique characteristics of your own market. So keep them in the back of your mind as I detail what I consider to be the six key elements for every showroom. Specifically, these are: drama, color, lighting, sound, architecture, and display.