Bond Group Entertainment:
A Compact, Plant-Filled Gathering Space
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The Conference room at Bond Group Entertainment is probably the most utilized space. As the executives of the group have widely varying schedules that require frequent and extensive travel, it’s important for them to have a comfortable place to gather when in town. 

To help warmly welcome visitors joining for meetings, the Group wanted a space that functioned like a traditional conference room, but without the tone of severity that often cloaks such environments. They also needed to dampen the distracting echo (particularly for conference calls) in this narrow room without causing any visual clutter.

When I first surveyed the room, it was outfitted with a traditional 6-seater conference table, lucite chairs, and a boxy wooden media credenza topped with a television. I wanted to start fresh, so we donated everything except the television to L.A. Shares, which is a non-profit that distributes furnishings and goods from businesses to nonprofits and schools in need in Los Angeles. 

TABLE
To help escape the office vibe without sacrificing functionality, I replaced the office table with the subtly curved Bordo Dining Table from CB2. I selected this piece for numerous reasons. First, its two legs are about 18” from the heads of the table (rather than on all four corners like the ones on the Group’s previous conference table), which opens up the room visually, while also providing more flexibility for chair placement.

I also loved the soft, rounded edges of the the tabletop, which create a more relaxed vibe within the room. Despite its somewhat delicate appearance, this poured concrete table is remarkably heavy and strong, meaning it can weather the daily use that accompanies an office setting.

CHAIRS
I surrounded the table with six of CB2’s Cleo Grey Cantilever Chairs. The suspended chrome steel frame is substantial yet open and airy, and offers a bit of bounce for comfort. The grey-brown leather adds warmth and texture to the room, and even helps with the echo when compared to the old lucite chairs.

LIVING WALL
The focal point of the room is a living wall of greenery installed by Rolling Greens. We considered a few types of plant installations, and ultimately decided that two rows of trailing plants and vines would create a striking yet unfussy visual. I installed two 48” floating shelves, and Rolling Greens topped them with a variety of plants and vines that will thrive in the bright, indirect sunlight. We simply kept each one in its original nursery pot, and added transparent trays beneath them to catch water. 

MEDIA CONSOLE
The corners and color of the previous media console made the entrance to the conference room feel like it was backed with a low wall. Instead, I selected the Joy Media Console from Lulu and Georgia. The oval shape allows the entrance of the conference room to flow into the rest of the space, while the framework and glass shelves keep the compact area feeling airy. 

HANDMADE STORAGE BASKETS
Since so much of their work is done digitally, the staff didn’t need much concealed storage. But I wanted to keep the clean, uncluttered look of the media console in tact, so I added three handmade charcoal jute baskets from The Dharma Door USA to help organize supplies. The baskets are spacious and flexible, and just the right size for full-sized notebooks, scripts, remote controls, and even the office’s conference call system. 

TEXTILES
I added a higher-pile rug that greatly cut back on the echo within the room. I also suspended the Paxtyn Wall Hanging (on an oversized mirrored hook) from Lulu and Georgia to warm up the space.

BAR CART
To provide a convenient, dedicated place for water (and perhaps some celebratory champagne), I added a rolling bar cart to the entrance nook of the conference room. This particular cart offers safe spots for bottles and glasses, and has a clever railing on the top that prevents items from toppling off the upper tier. It’s a sizable yet slim accessory that can easily be wheeled into another room or the kitchen for a restock.

ACCESSORIES
I finished off the space with a serving tray, white pedestal bowls filled with beautiful succulents planted by Rolling Greens, and a mix of coasters.