Branding for a business is not just about the visual identity of their collateral it is also about the initial impressions when you enter their space. The design of these office interiors gives an impression of the company you will be dealing with. The impression is they care about detail, contemporary design, have innovative and creative ideas. Not only is this beneficial for clients but also creates a great working environment for staff.

These companies have created a statement. You walk into their space and the experience immediately creates trust and enthusiasm to work with them. It’s a talking point and a story that people will pass on.

This french cafe is named ‘La Corde à Linge’ (meaning the clothes line) as it’s located in the old wash houses in Strasbourg, France. The name sets the theme for the concept and strategy behind the interior design and also the graphic design of the menus and marketing collateral. The concept for the company is based on haberdashery, laundry and a clothes workshop with the use of related props to enhance the theme, such as spindles of cotton, clothing patterns, pegs and hangers.

The interior has been designed with an industrial feel, emulating a garment factory. There are also Art Deco influences in the design of the interior along with the branding, through the use of typefaces and graphic design elements from the 30’s. These are used for branding elements on the menu, website and signage. I could imagine this design strategy working very well for a cafe housed in an industrial space here in Melbourne. The combination of industrial, cool theme and art deco are all design concepts people seem to love, especially in the city areas.

There are always new cafes opening up, but how does one cafe stand out from another? How can you make your cafe memorable? Well this Manhattan cafe has created a library feel but with a difference. The rows of books are flipped on their side to create a brand that has an impact when you enter the cafe as well as attracting attention when passing by.

The book images are printed on tiles which cover the floor, ceiling and walls. The floor boards are featured on the walls. This has been a great business strategy, creating a memorable brand through clever use of design. The whole upside-down feeling of the cafe creates interest and a visual experience that invites the customer to explore their surroundings. The interior design adds another dimension to the cafe experience. It is a brand story that customers can pass on to people. By investing in clever design, this cafe has developed a marketing strategy to grow their business through word of mouth.

Prince Charles has used his royal position to his advantage and established his own homewares brand. Of course, in line with his status, the brand represents luxury and sits along other high profile companies such as Tiffanys, Wedgwoods and Waterfords. The delicate collection of china, crystal and silver, called Traditional Arts, has been designed by graduates and young designers.

The brand’s point of difference is in the decorative design style of the products which is inspired by old manuscripts, motifs and myths. The brand is committed to restoring the tradition of arts and crafts. Also unlike other brands in their market, they take custom orders.

Prince Charles is among a whole line of celebrities who are starting their own brands in the homewares market.

Celebrities are establishing their own brands, especially in the homewares market. They initially have the recognition through what they do but then they develop their personal brand around who they are and what they represent. They become a powerful marketing tool endorsing all sorts of products. Customers trust a high profile person when it comes to buying homewares, especially if the brand is already linked to their profession.

It’s very easy for someone like Jamie Durie, who we have grown to trust as a television host and producer of his landscaping shows, to create his own successful line of merchandised product called PATIO. He’s got our backyard covered not only through landscaping and design but now also with a new outdoor lifestyle range.

Alex Perry, has made his first step into a design medium beyond clothing. He’s just unveiled a rug collection which is a perfect match in his branding evolution as he represents style and design.

Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and a swag of other celebrity chefs have branded cookware. This has been driven by the massive popularity of the cooking shows on TV, like MasterChef.

These new celebrity brands that are entering the homewares market are just a natural extension of what they already do.