Page 24 - CooperatorNews New Jersey Spring 2022

24 COOPERATORNEWS NEW JERSEY —SPRING 2022 NJ.COOPERATORNEWS.COM With locations in Northern and Central NJ Visit us on the web at www.WilkinGrp.com | 201.560.0900 Wilkin Management Group, Inc. 30 Years of History Wilkin Management Group, Inc.ilkin Management Group, Inc. Visit us on the web at www.WilkinGrp.com | 201.560.0900 W For over 30 years, Wilkin Management Group has held to an unshakeable corporate philosophy of Creating Value for Our Clients. Our People, Process and Performance demonstrates an un-wavering commitment to do so. of rodents.” Lombardi goes on to say that there could be a provision in this particular condo’s gov- erning docs limiting the board’s authority specifi c to bird feeding, but “what is in fact more likely is that a board’s power is limited by language requiring it to make reasoned and fair decisions while operating the com- mon areas.” Whether their decision was a knee-jerk response to the complaint or a well reasoned decision aft er an investigation that proved the bird feeding was a nexus to the mouse infestation, it would be up to the reader and his or her cohort to suggest a solution that discouraged mice and other rodents, such as putting jalapeño pepper on the seed, or to “somehow prove that the birds are harmless and in fact contribute to the overall livability of the community.” Even as I write this article, looking out the window of my 17th fl oor New York City apartment, I both marvel and shudder at the vast array of feathered wildlife just within my view. Th ere are of course the ubiquitous fl ocks of pigeons that swoop en masse be- tween pavement picnics and protruding parapets. Th en there are the starlings, rob- ins, jays, and other fl itting fowl that mostly seem innocuous—until one poops on your head or nests in your gutter. Th e seagulls seem incongruous with the urban density— until I remember that I am, in fact, on an island. Perhaps most surprising is the family of red-tailed hawks that have made a home on the roof of the neighboring highrise, of- ten showing off their impressive wingspan as well as their predatory nature when circling and diving in on an unsuspecting rodent. It really is a jungle out there. n Darcey Gerstein is Associate Editor and a Staff Writer for CooperatorNews. MULTIFAMILY... continued from page 22 contemporary spin. Morehouse has the same life span in mind. “Usually you live with a hallway theme for 12 to 15 years,” she says. “So you need to think in terms of colors that you’re not going to get tired of. Usually, in hall- ways and common spaces, you keep it kind of neutral, but still have an accent color. If you keep a warm base, you can still have a brighter splash of something—but stay away from the bright reds and oranges,” she says. “For a while, forest green was a popu- lar color, and that’s out of style now. Colors do vary from year to year, but you want to stick with classic colors.” Working with the Board “We spend a lot of time with our boards and design committees,” says Coblin. “Th ese spaces we are designing are their public spaces, individual to them. It’s im- portant that they understand the design ap- proach we are using, and the related color and fi nish options. Th e board and residents need to buy into the aesthetics as uniquely theirs. Th at is why each of our designs is exclusive.” “We have an organized and effi cient approach to interface with the board and the resident population when designing for them,” concurs Sygrove. “We not only listen to the board, but also help the board listen to the shareholders or unit owners so that everyone has a voice in the project. Th e bottom line is that we listen, and that can take many forms to get to the right place. We know that not everyone will be happy with any single design, but they do appreci- ate having a voice. We try to design to the majority.” Interestingly, Sygrove also reports that in their specialty design niche—designing for cooperative and condominium com- munities—they listen very carefully to the board, design committee, and residents. Th ey fi nd that the overwhelming majority of their clients request ‘neutral’ colors—the defi nition of which has changed over the years from warm beiges to cool grays and gray-greens. “Th ese are the ‘safety’ default color basics that we work from,” Sygrove says. Coblin also notes that at the moment, the overall color environment is particu- larly subdued. It is tastefully incorporated in a way that can be changed while the ba- sic framework of a design scheme is time- less and neutral. “Th e use of color is to en- hance the overall design of the space,” says Coblin. “It helps us make a space feel taller, grander, and for longer lobbies, the grada- tions of intensity help us modulate, add rhythm, and improve the overall look.” “Looking towards the future with ev- ery design we develop is the fun of it,” says Sygrove. “Pushing towards the long term rather than just the present. We advise buildings to spend their money on quality, because quality is the universal. I always use this example: You can buy a can of paint with a color that looks ‘cheap,’ or you can spend that same amount of money on a can of a paint color that looks rich. Th at is where the design talent comes in; selecting that timeless, classic, delicious color that af- fects the mood of every person who walks into the lobby or halls—whether fresh, or soothing, or neutral.” In the fi nal analysis, using color and tex- ture and accompanying elements to design that welcoming space is the art of design and the art of designers. But as each build- ing is diff erent and individual, it is critical that the residents and their board be not only on board with the choices, but di- rectly involved with making those choices. Design is conceived and born of the right interface between building, designer, and residents. n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for CooperatorNews, and a published novelist. USING COLOR continued from page 17