Very Up Project: A Colourful, Sustainable Office Makeover in Paris
Redesigning a 250 m² Workspace to Spark Joy, Focus, and Team Connection
What do you get when you mix a grey office, a big dream, and a love for colour? A transformation with personality to spare.
Project Snapshot
Project type: Workspace
Size: 250 m²
Location: Paris
Timeline: Quick turnaround within 2.5 months
Reuse Rate: 90% of existing furniture repurposed
Layout Zones Created: Entrance/lounge, open workspace, private pods, meeting rooms, break area, breakout kitchen
Very Up Parisian office - Celine Joudet Photography
Initial Challenge
Reviving Morale & Space Post‑Pandemic
A dynamic training company, recovering from pandemic fatigue, approached me to breathe life into their Paris office. The original setup was dull, gray, and furnished with mismatched residential pieces. They needed a vibrant, functional workspace to:
Enhance employee well-being
Support diverse workstyles
Reflect their brand culture
Encourage collaboration and growth
Key Principles: Brand, Sustainability & People at the Core
Brand Integration
— Incorporated Very Up’s palette, logo shapes, and tonal identity in walls, furniture, and accent rooms.Eco-Friendly Design
— Reused 90% of furniture through resale & upcycling, adding standout recycled-feature pieces like a hot-air balloon pouffe.
— Custom eco-designs from OpenWood and painting by IDECO.Dynamic, Inclusive Spaces
— Designed zones for different functions: collaboration, private work, creative breaks, and relaxation.
— Catered to diverse roles—Sales, Production, Instructors—with tailored work environments.Scalability Built-In
— Two layout options were proposed; chosen plan accommodates projected growth to 35 staff and remote work.
Additional Challenges & Solutions
Addressing Future Growth: Scaling for a Larger Team
Another critical factor was the anticipated team growth. The client projected an increase from 17 employees to approximately 35 within two years, with 30-40% working remotely part-time.
This forecast necessitated a workspace that could adapt to a larger, partly distributed workforce without sacrificing functionality or comfort. The layout was designed with scalability in mind—optimizing space use, offering versatile furniture solutions, and integrating technology to support seamless communication and collaboration across remote and in-office staff.
Meeting Different Team Needs: Catering to Varied Workstyles
One key challenge was addressing the diverse team composition and functions. With 9 Sales team members, 6 Production staff, and 2 instructors—each with distinct workflows and space requirements—the redesign had to create a multifunctional environment.
From client meetings and sales calls to production tasks and instructional sessions, the office needed zones that supported focused work, collaboration, and privacy. To achieve this, I incorporated flexible workstations, dedicated collaboration areas, private meeting rooms, and task-specific spaces. This inclusive approach fostered productivity while strengthening team cohesion.
My Approach: From Insight to Vibrant Reality
Listening First: Insights from Employee Surveys
Before any design decisions were made, I knew that the best way to shape an effective workspace was to understand the people who use it every day. I launched a detailed employee survey to uncover real, lived experiences of the office — from where it was falling short to what would genuinely improve day-to-day life.
Very Up x Rainbow Shaker - Employee survey
The feedback revealed clear priorities: more storage, quiet work zones, designated phone booths, and spaces to unwind. These insights formed the foundation of every design decision that followed.
Translating Brand into Space: Visual Identity as Experience
With Very Up’s bold and playful brand as my palette, I developed moodboards and visual concepts that brought their identity to life in three dimensions. Colours and shapes from their branding toolkit were echoed in geometric wall patterns, accent furniture, and signage — creating a strong visual cohesion that instantly felt “Very Up.”
The aim wasn’t just aesthetic; it was emotional — to create an environment where the team could feel proud, represented, and creatively energised.
Very Up - Visual identity
Rainbow Shaker x Very Up - Colourful entrance
Creating Dynamic Environments for Productivity
Drawing upon my signature style characterized by vibrancy, playfulness, and functional design, I incorporated a mix of bold colours, dynamic patterns, and innovative materials into the office redesign for Very Up.
My inspiration stemmed from the desire to craft a space that would motivate and uplift, similar to how vibrant colours and geometric patterns awaken the senses in a well-designed room. By strategically placing comfortable open-plan workstations, versatile collaborative areas, and thoughtful greenery, I aimed to create an atmosphere that encouraged engagement and creativity from the moment one steps inside.
Rainbow Shaker - Moodboard for Very Up
The integration of dynamic design elements not only enhanced the visual appeal of the workspace but also contributed to a productive and inspiring environment conducive to collaborative work and innovation.
Sustainability at the Core: Beautiful, Responsible Design
A key priority for both the client and myself was to approach the redesign with sustainability in mind. Around 90% of the furniture was reused or sourced second-hand — primarily through Adopte Un Bureau — with additional support from the expert painters at IDECO Peinture, who brought new life to existing pieces.
The result: a resourceful, high-impact transformation with a light footprint.
Highlights include a colourful pouffe made from upcycled hot air balloon fabric and bespoke shelving units crafted from eco-friendly wood by OpenWood.
Flexible by Design: Spaces That Evolve
Rather than lock the team into a rigid layout, I introduced modular solutions that could adapt to the ebb and flow of a growing business. Moveable partitions allow zones to flex between private and collaborative modes. Custom furniture offers clever storage without bulk. Even lighting was considered for its adaptability — ensuring the environment could shift seamlessly from focus time to creative collaboration.
Rainbow Shaker x Very Up - Open space
Designing for Growth: Two Layouts, One Clear Direction
In response to the team’s varied workstyles and the company’s projected growth, I proposed two distinct layout options — each carefully tailored to balance collaboration, focus, and flexibility.
The first option prioritised openness and large-group dynamics, featuring:
Two collaborative spaces for brainstorming
Two private rooms for focused work
A large open space accommodating up to 16 people
A modular meeting room adaptable for multiple formats
A utility area with lockers
A spacious kitchen-lounge area designed as a social hub
Rainbow Shaker - First layout plan suggested to Very Up
Ultimately, Very Up chose the second option, which offered more privacy and quiet — aligning with feedback from the employee survey. This layout included:
Four private rooms for focused work and calls
Two collaborative zones
A smaller open space for up to 8 people
Lockers, integrated phone booths, and a flexible utility area
A welcoming communal table as the heart of the kitchen and informal gathering area
Rainbow Shaker - Second layout plan suggested to Very Up
By offering layout choices rooted in real employee needs, we ensured the final plan would serve the team not just today, but as they continue to grow.
Bringing It to Life: Zone-by-Zone Breakdown
1. Entrance & Collaborative Hub
A welcoming green and wood area replaces a dull reception, featuring a striking communal table and adaptable seating to foster connection from the moment you walk in.
Adjacent to this centerpiece, a high table delineated by a striking blue circle offers a perfect spot for focused work bathed in natural light amid potted plants.
2. Creative Kitchen & Chalkboard Lounge
A creative retreat featuring chalkboard walls to inspire ideas during coffee breaks, with cosy seating for casual brainstorms.
3. Open Workspace & Meeting Pods
Designed for the mix of Sales, Production & Instruction:
9-seat open desks
2 semi-private pods
1 private office
Flexible meeting rooms with modular furniture
4. Colourful Break Room
Bursting with energy and play—ideal for coffee, casual chats, and a creative break from work.
Outcome: A Colourful, Functional, and Inspiring Workspace
The final transformation is a lively yet harmonious environment that:
Evicts the post-pandemic malaise
Reflects brand and culture
Supports varied roles and work methods
Champions sustainability and reuse
Creates a scalable future-ready office
Client Feedback
"Working with Justine was a truly transformative experience for our office. From the very start, they took the time to understand not just our design preferences, but the unique ways our team works and interacts. The thoughtful incorporation of our brand colors and values into the space made it feel like an extension of who we are, not just a generic office. We especially appreciated the focus on sustainability — reusing furniture and creatively repurposing pieces gave the space character and meaning. The flexible layouts perfectly support our diverse workstyles and have already made a noticeable difference in collaboration and productivity. Justine listened carefully to our needs and translated them into a vibrant, functional workspace that will grow with us for years to come."
Key Takeaways for Your Next Workspace Project
Scout employee input early — it steers practical design.
Reuse before you buy — sustainability saves budget and adds character.
Define function-first zones — clarity supports comfort and productivity.
Make brand visible — color and form connect space to identity.
Plan for growth — choose flexible layouts and modular furnishings.
Ready to Transform Your Workspace with Colour & Purpose?
I’d love to help you create a vibrant, sustainable, and future-proof space—designed entirely around your brand, team, and environment!
Get in touch here to chat about your vision 📩