How Commercial Interior Design Impacts Your North Georgia Business Success
When most North Georgia business owners think about interior design, they picture decorative touches like paint colors and furniture selection. However, licensed commercial interior design encompasses far more than aesthetics, directly impacting your bottom line through psychology, functionality, and code compliance.
The Difference Between Interior Decorating and Commercial Design
Cortney Orme, founder of Vive Interiors and licensed commercial interior designer, recently appeared on North Georgia Business Radio to explain this critical distinction. Unlike interior decorators, licensed designers hold NCIDQ certification, requiring a four-year accredited degree, years of field experience, and passing a comprehensive three-part examination.
“Most people think interior design is decorating,” Orme explains. “But licensed commercial interior designers can design tenant lease space of any square footage, as long as we’re not moving load bearing walls. You don’t even need an architect.”
Commercial Interior Design Services in Georgia
Licensed commercial interior designers in Georgia provide comprehensive services including space planning, ADA compliance verification, building code navigation, and furniture procurement. For businesses in Gainesville, Hall County, and throughout North Georgia, this means one professional can handle entire tenant buildout projects, streamlining the renovation process and reducing costs.
Orme’s portfolio includes iconic North Georgia locations such as the Lake Lanier Olympic Pavilion Boathouse, Hall County Library, Bourbon Brothers, and Gold Creek Foods. She’s also completed work for Free Chapel, including their California and Spartanburg campuses.
The Psychology Behind Business Environment Design
One of the most underestimated aspects of commercial interior design is environmental psychology. Colors, textures, and spatial layouts significantly influence employee productivity and client perceptions.
Orme shared a compelling example: “We did one office with a really neat red wall. Red is not my favorite to design with, because it’s a really hot color, but in this case, it was a high energy space with a lot of sales people that needed constant high energy.”
This strategic color choice demonstrates how professional design thinking can drive business results. Healthcare facilities provide another example, increasingly incorporating warmer, residential-style finishes to reduce patient anxiety in traditionally institutional environments.
Commercial Design Trends in North Georgia
The commercial interior design landscape in North Georgia continues evolving, particularly as businesses bring employees back to office environments. Orme notes she’s focusing increasingly on tenant improvement projects, helping new businesses create functional, code-compliant spaces that reflect their company culture.
“A lot of people are bringing people back to the office, and they’re having to reinvent their space to meet their staff needs,” Orme observes. This trend has created opportunities for businesses to rethink how workspace design supports collaboration, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
Choosing a Commercial Interior Designer in Georgia
When selecting a commercial interior designer, Orme emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication. Her approach involves thorough client consultations to understand both functional needs and aesthetic preferences, followed by 3D renderings that help clients visualize the final result.
“Most people are very visual, and they can’t see what we can see,” she notes. “You have to sit down with them and get the ultimate vision for what they have.”
Successful projects require ongoing communication throughout the construction administration phase, as small changes often create domino effects requiring professional adjustment.
The ROI of Professional Commercial Design
Your business environment represents more than overhead costs. Strategic interior design influences employee morale, client impressions, operational efficiency, and ultimately, your company’s financial performance. Whether you’re opening a new location, expanding existing space, or renovating outdated facilities, professional commercial interior design services provide measurable returns through improved functionality and enhanced business image.
For North Georgia businesses seeking commercial interior design expertise, Vive Interiors offers comprehensive services from initial space planning through final implementation. Learn more about commercial interior design strategies by listening to the complete North Georgia Business Radio interview with Cortney Orme.
Connect with Cortney and the Vivre Interiors Team:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-orme-rid-ncidq-b067aa8/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100059273300323
https://www.instagram.com/vivreinteriors/
Connect with Phil Bonelli:
https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/
https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/
https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/
Connect with Beau Henderson:
https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX
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Highlights of the Show:
[0:00 – 2:00] Show Introduction & The Power of Environment
Phil opens the show discussing how environment impacts our daily lives, from car interiors to business spaces, setting up the importance of intentional design.
[2:00 – 4:14] What is Commercial Interior Design?
Courtney explains what Vive Interiors does and the massive difference between interior decorating and licensed commercial interior design, including her NCIDQ certification process.
[4:14 – 6:18] Getting Inside the Client’s Head
How Courtney overcomes the challenge of clients who can’t articulate their vision, using 3D renderings and understanding what they absolutely don’t like.
[6:18 – 7:26] The Psychology of Color and Texture
Courtney discusses the emotional impact of design choices, including the strategic red wall for a high-energy sales team.
[7:26 – 8:12] Staying Current with Design Trends
How Courtney keeps up with commercial design trends (and why she tells clients to turn off HGTV!).
[8:12 – 10:00] Courtney’s Professional Space in the JT Stratford Building
Description of her office suite and transition to first commercial break.
[10:00 – 14:19] Jesse Jewell & North Georgia Poultry Industry History
Phil shares the fascinating history of how Jesse Jewell revolutionized the poultry industry in Gainesville and mentored future business legends Jan Cooley and Barry Connor.
[14:19 – 15:20] Courtney’s Residential Space in Claremont
Discussion of her custom-built home designed around her two Irish Setters and home office needs.
[15:20 – 17:18] Starting Vive Interiors in 2013
Courtney’s journey from interning/working with BCA Studios to making the leap to start her own company.
[17:18 – 19:18] Biggest Business Lessons Learned
The challenge of educating people about what commercial interior design really is and breaking the “decorator” misconception.
[19:18 – 20:03] Understanding Client Needs vs. Services
Phil and Courtney discuss the importance of focusing on client needs rather than just explaining what you do.
[20:03 – 20:33] Red Setter Homes Introduction
Quick mention of Courtney’s husband’s construction company and their collaborative work.
[20:33 – 23:14] Portfolio Highlight Reel
Courtney lists her impressive project portfolio: Lake Lanier Boathouse, Hall County Library, Bourbon Brothers, Gold Creek Foods, Free Chapel (multiple campuses), and the historic 36 Building renovation.
[23:14 – 24:12] What Makes a Great Client
Courtney describes ideal client characteristics: clear vision, good communication, and strong collaboration skills.
[24:12 – 25:06] Dealing with Difficult Situations
The challenges of micro-management and mid-project changes that create domino effects throughout the design.
[25:06 – 26:26] The Importance of Contract Administration
Why Courtney stays involved from initial design through ribbon cutting, including “designing by the seat of your pants” for unexpected field conditions.
[26:26 – 27:33] Working with Interns & Giving Back
Courtney’s commitment to mentoring design students from Brenau and other colleges, plus taking aspiring designers to lunch.
[27:33 – 29:01] What Sets Vive Apart from Competition
Collaboration, communication, and genuinely caring about clients – many become lifelong friends who return for future projects.
[29:01 – 31:01] New YouTube Podcast Announcement
Courtney reveals plans to launch a YouTube podcast focused on tenant improvements and helping new businesses understand the design/construction process.
[31:01 – 33:15] Planning the Podcast Launch
Discussion of equipment, learning process, and Virginia Kerr’s “This is YouTube School” course. Plus the importance of taking action rather than over-preparing.
[33:15 – 34:29] Learning from the Cow Story
Phil’s hilarious story about buying cows before finishing his textbook, emphasizing the “just do it” philosophy.
[34:29 – 37:42] Setting the Podcast Launch Deadline
Phil and Courtney agree live on air to a 45-day launch deadline from the episode air date.
[37:42 – 39:29] Three Random Topics for Phil’s Freestyle Rap
Courtney picks Irish Setters, Interior Design, and Podcasting as topics for Phil’s closing rap.
[39:29 – 40:21] Phil’s Legendary Freestyle Rap & Show Close
Phil delivers an improvised rap about Courtney, her setters, her design work, and upcoming podcast. Episode wraps with contact information for Vive Interiors.
