As the founder and lead designer at Sygrove Associates Design Group in New York City, I’m proud that co-op and condo Boards and management companies choose our firm more often than any other for lobby, hallway, and common area renovations and redesign.

Beyond our 30+ years of service and success in the NYC metro area, a key benefit of working with us is that we approach each project with the intention that it will look great for years – even decades. Durability and long-lasting materials are as essential to us as beautiful and inventive design solutions.

Regarding maintenance, the selected design, pattern, and colors play a significant role in general carpet maintenance. For our clients, we typically look for carpets with an overall pattern and enough “interest” not to call attention to every little droplet or spec of dirt that shows up daily. Color selection and placement of colors have a strong influence on what “coverage” the carpet will innately provide.

Many co-op and condo residents in the New York area celebrate the holiday season by holding parties in one of their buildings’ common areas, whether it be a resident lounge, community room, or lobby. Of course, stains from dirt and grime are always a concern, but during this time of year, building maintenance must also worry about other kinds of spills and drips – especially red wine!

I’m not dissing red wine; it’s my favorite! But everyone knows it’s notoriously difficult to remove. So here are some tried and true methods to get rid of red wine and other stains in your building’s common areas during the holidays.

OMG! Who doesn’t fear spilling red wine on carpet? Especially during the holidays, when wine flows freely, accidents just happen!

The first bit of advice carpet manufacturers suggest (we use mostly Axminster 80% wool and 20% nylon) to take the drama out of an innocent cabernet or malbec spill on an expensive carpet is to act fast; the less time wine sits on your carpet, the more difficult it is to remove.

Any of the three products below will do the trick if you use them immediately. Find a spot easily accessible to store them in so they can be grabbed and used at the spur of the moment:

• Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner: Safe for all types of carpets including Wool and Code S fabric, silk, surfaces, and material.
• Spill Doctor: Instantly absorbs and expands into a fluffy snow-like texture on contact with spills.
• Folex Professional Carpet Spot Remover: Works on colorfast carpets that can be safely dampened with water.

As skilled interior designers, we can recommend some remarkable fabrics where we can even confidently select light colors because their innate cleanability makes them winners.

Crypton’s fabrics are our #1 “go-to” for upholstery in our public space projects. Easily cleaned with a solution of mild soap and water or Crypton’s own cleaning products. We also love Ultra Suede, a suede-like fabric that can be wiped down with mild soap and water*.

1. Crypton Upholstery Gold and Purple Stain Remover Kit with Odor Out Deodorizer – Formulated to Break Down Tough Stains Including Food, Beverage, Protein and More.
2. Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover – Formulated to penetrate fabrics to remove stubborn wine stains, including wine stains from upholstery.
3. Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power Gel – This is a versatile stain remover that helps in removing red wine stains effectively. It also provides sanitation benefits and is suitable for upholstery.

In addition to storing cleaning supplies in an accessible spot, they can be grabbed and used at the spur of the moment by your staff; the record of the materials in your building’s common areas and cleaning instructions should be stored in one easy-to-access place that everyone knows about. We always provide our clients with a maintenance manual as a hard copy and a digital version.

Choosing the right interior designer is crucial to maintaining the charm and functionality of your building’s common areas. With over three decades of experience transforming lobbies and public spaces in New York City, I’ve seen the incredible difference a well-thought-out design plan can make. An effective designer not only enhances the look but ensures longevity with durable materials and practical solutions.

Our goal is to keep your spaces looking vibrant and fresh for years to come. By selecting a designer who prioritizes both aesthetics and durability, you ensure your building can handle the daily hustle and seasonal festivities without losing its luster. Be ready with recommended products and proactive measures for those unexpected red wine incidents, as having a plan can save time and stress.

Ready to give your common areas the care and attention they deserve? Call or email, and let’s start redesigning your building’s future—together.

Author’s Note: While working on a Grand Ballroom and Amenity space design recently, the carpet installers shared this tip for red wine spills. They said: “Pour cheap white wine on the red wine stain. Blot it with a clean white cloth instead of rubbing. You’re then left with a white wine stain. Treat it with a vinegar and water solution or a commercial cleaning product (like the ones above). And voila! The stain is gone! I had never heard of this before, but they assure me it works!

* Caution: Mild soap is to be clear, not colored. Seventh Generation clear soaps or clear dish detergent are best.

Decorative metal has always had a special place in my heart, not just for its strength and durability but for the unique way it interacts with light, adding layers of depth and sophistication to any space it graces. As the founder and lead designer of the top interior design firm for co-op and condo lobby and hallway renovations in New York City (Sygrove Associates Design Group), I have discovered that decorative metal can transform a space, regardless of whether the building was built in 1926 or 1986.

Using decorative metal as a design element isn’t just about introducing a shiny object into a room; it’s about crafting an atmosphere that exudes elegance and a certain level of comfort that resonates with well-being and satisfaction. The way light dances off a perfectly placed metal detail or element can make a cramped space feel more open and airy, instantly lifting the mood.

From historic pre-war buildings to sleek mid-century modern gems, our firm has become a somewhat connoisseur of decorative metal. We’ve found ways to weave metal into our designs in both grand and subtle ways, whether through tiny accent pieces or as defining architectural elements. Our goal is always twofold: to enhance the building’s character and to add a dynamic visual impact that leaves a lasting impression.

I often say that metal is like the secret spice of design — just a touch can dramatically transform it from good to unforgettable. Let’s take a closer look at a few projects where this “secret spice” has made all the difference:

Take, for instance, our challenge at this project on the Upper East Side). Faced with the need to accommodate a large mail room within the lobby, we sought a solution that would not look like a box that overwhelms the design.

Our solution? A transparent yet visually defining room divider made from decorative metal panels, backed by tinted mirrors. This ingenious pairing not only “lightens” the visual weight of the room but also plays with reflections and light so that it nearly makes the “box” disappear. It’s like creating a semi-permeable boundary that invites curiosity while maintaining functionality.

Who says wall vents have to be boring? We certainly don’t think so at Sygove. We transformed these mundane necessities into objects of subtle beauty by employing decorative metal patterns. For this hallway renovation on the Upper East Side we replaced the outdated vented grilles with a sleek, metal design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding décor and adds a high-quality yet subtle architectural detail.

Details like these transform hallways from just a passageway into a welcoming environment that residents love coming home to.

For this Art Deco treasure, we infused harmony between the distinctive existing terrazzo floor pattern and the necessary radiator covers. The result? A seamless visual connection that not only serves its purpose but does so with style and grace. It’s like finding the missing piece of a puzzle that suddenly makes everything come alive.

Decorative metal panels inject variety and texture into high-traffic areas, creating zones of visual interest that guide and delight, such as this doorman station in the East Village. Metal is more than just a material to us; it’s a medium through which stories of spaces and those who inhabit them are told.

Updating the common areas of your New York area co-op or condo building not only breathes new life into it but can also help maintain or even boost apartment values. Refreshed spaces equal elevated appeal, making your building not just a place to live but an intelligent investment.

From Me: If any of these stories inspire you to think about the potential of updating the common areas of your building, let’s talk about how we can create magic for you, too.