# Inspiration Office: The Artist's New Canvas
Sometimes the best collaborations happen by chance. When artist Josh Hailey bumped into Paul Maczka on a New Orleans street corner, neither expected it would lead to reimagining what a commercial showroom could be.
Maczka, fresh from 30 years in the furniture industry, was preparing to launch Workplace Solutions, a new Steelcase dealership. He and his wife Suzanne had fallen in love with New Orleans' vibrant culture and knew their space needed to reflect that energy. Hailey, meanwhile, was seeking his next creative challenge—and happened to own a beloved 1978 Steelcase couch in mustard yellow and green.
That serendipitous meeting sparked a partnership that would transform how we think about art in commercial spaces.
## Creating Atmosphere Through Intentional Design
Working alongside fellow artist Brittany Schall, Hailey approached the showroom like a three-dimensional canvas. But this wasn't about simply hanging paintings on walls. Every piece was carefully considered for its location, material, and relationship to the furniture around it.
**"We put a lot of thought into art, location and material,"** Hailey explains. **"Every space in the showroom is calculated for thought, experience and comfort."**
The artists had the advantage of seeing the space while it was still an empty shell—high ceilings, natural light, and exposed brick walls in New Orleans' gallery-rich warehouse district. This blank canvas allowed them to envision how art and furniture could work together rather than compete for attention.
## The Marriage of Form and Function
What sets this project apart is Hailey's approach to materiality. Rather than treating art as an afterthought, he considers how different mediums—sculpture, paint, photography—interact with the commercial furniture on display.
**"When I'm designing for a specific location, I look at products on the floor and try to marry them to the walls,"** he notes. **"The furniture and art are a special combination that need to be a perfect pairing for a great atmosphere."**
This philosophy challenges the traditional showroom model where furniture sits in sterile, gallery-like settings. Instead, the space feels lived-in and inspiring—more like a creative studio than a typical dealership.
## Why Art Matters in Commercial Spaces
For Maczka, incorporating art wasn't just about aesthetics. Having surrounded himself with art at home, he recognized its power to shape workplace culture and inspire creative thinking.
**"Art enriches our lives and we spend most of our lives in the workplace,"** Maczka observes. **"It helps establish the culture of our organization."**
Hailey takes this concept further, arguing that art actively enhances collaboration and innovation. **"I think art is intrinsic for collaboration and spontaneity. There's an open endlessness to art on all levels that allows the viewer to be inquisitive, open and ready for discussion."**
## Lessons for Commercial Design Professionals
This New Orleans showroom offers several key insights for designers working on commercial spaces:
**Start with the space, not the art.** Understanding the architectural elements—natural light, ceiling height, existing textures—helps determine what types of art will complement rather than compete.
**Consider the user experience.** Each piece should contribute to the overall atmosphere you want to create, whether that's calm focus, creative energy, or collaborative spirit.
**Think beyond decoration.** Art can be a functional element that guides traffic flow, creates conversation areas, or reinforces brand identity.
**Embrace local culture.** The New Orleans location isn't incidental—it's integral to the space's identity and helps clients connect with the showroom on an emotional level.
## The Bigger Picture
The partnership between Workplace Solutions and these local artists demonstrates how commercial spaces can transcend their purely functional role. By treating the showroom as both gallery and workspace, they've created an environment that doesn't just display furniture—it showcases possibilities.
For commercial design professionals, this project serves as a reminder that the most memorable spaces are those that engage multiple senses and emotions. Whether working with established artists or emerging talent, the key is finding collaborators who understand that commercial design is ultimately about creating experiences, not just arranging objects.
In an industry often focused on efficiency and cost-effectiveness, projects like this remind us that beauty and functionality aren't mutually exclusive. Sometimes the most practical decision is to prioritize inspiration.
