-By Danine Alati, Photography by Alain Jaramillo

For some artists, designs are not contrived; they are not reminiscent of a certain motif or inspired by a specific element or place or feeling. While some creative types do glean inspiration from any and everywhere, in other cases, an interior designer's ingenuity emerges simply from the desire to create something interesting, unexpected, or extraordinary. And such was the case with I. Michael Interior Design's interiors for ad agency Harvey & Daughters in Hunt Valley, Md.

"I am a designer," proclaims I. Michael Winegrad, owner of I. Michael Interior Design in Darnestown, Md. "I have to use my creativity to find ways to solve problems." And when asked what influenced the unique selection and application of materials in this office, he responds, "I'm not going to give a contrived story of my inspirations—there's no nautical theme or botanical theme here. It's just my solution. It's about selecting materials and devising designs that are appropriate."

More than merely "appropriate," Winegrad's palette for Harvey & Daughters is nothing less than stunning. He transforms a daunting corridor into virtual sculpture. Erecting a wall for functional purposes, he noticed that it stood like a long, blank canvas, so he clad the vertical surface in highly textural gypsum board material, seamlessly applied in 36-in. squares. "I wanted to create points of interest everywhere you look," he explains. Interestingly, the ripple effect of the gypsum wall carries onto the floor surface in the carpet pattern and in the brushed, stainless-steel, perforated metal vertical panels in workspaces. But Winegrad swears that it was not a thematic decision. He designed and implemented these materials and products because they were the most creative and relevant solutions he could devise for his client.

Kathy Harvey, founder and president of the ad agency—which is known for doing creative packaging, print and radio advertising, and marketing plans for a host of clients like Procter & Gamble, Hershey, Oil of Olay, and other major Fortune 500 firms—wanted this office to express the sentiment that her company "has arrived."

"Michael understood that we needed to reflect our growth; we're more sophisticated," Harvey explains. "Before we were more playful and whimsical, but this new space had to showcase that we've moved on and matured, and Michael does a great job of capturing this growth."

The air of sophistication is evident, especially in the mood created by the palette and lighting, yet his innovative material use and design decisions do not lack whimsy. For example, Winegrad designed and installed four light canopies down a corridor to cast a warm glow of refracted light. Assembled like tents, these canopies are fabricated from a spandex material and stretched across the hallway to form an arch. "I didn't want a cap over these; I just wanted it to feel like they're floating in space," he explains. "And since this is an ad agency, the creative types love it." He says employees have equated this hallway with the feeling of going to see the wizard in the Wizard of Oz or that of a chuppah in a Jewish wedding. And while the illumination seems to cast a rather dim glow, Winegrad says it's not too dark nor too bright; it's just enough light. "The whole space is dramatic, theatrical, and sexy in mood," he adds.

Harvey says that at first sight her staff was adverse to the low light levels, which prompted her to give them individual lighting control. But, ironically, most opt to keep the lighting levels just as the designer created. "The lighting really is just enough, and people like it because it feels homey," she says. "Anytime I had a hesitation about his design decisions throughout the process, Michael reassured me to have faith and that it would all come together. I've learned that if I just trust him, I'll be happy with the end results."

Another area where Harvey's trust was challenged was in the conference room, where Winegrad stretched the same spandex as in the canopies across the ceiling and backlit it to create an interesting lighting effect. He also wrapped the room's pushpin walls with fabric. Harvey just couldn't envision it, but she kept the faith. "Sometimes when he'd show me his plans, I'd say, 'Oh, Michael, are you sure?' But he was always right."

When Harvey first approached I. Michael to complete this design (after having collaborated on her previous office), all she asked for was a place that was pet friendly. She brings her dogs to the office every day, and she encourages others to do the same, believing it enhances the environment. But in addition to dog-friendly digs, I. Michael delivered a striking space, updated to accurately reflect Harvey's booming business and to accommodate future growth. And not only are the new offices highly impressive to Harvey, her staff, and clients, but also "the boys" are very happy—Hap, Bert, and Zeke, Harvey's two golden retrievers and one black lab.