[brightonmike]

This is a site I built for my bosses apartment. He's not managed to rent it out for a couple of months.

The critique he's given me is that it's a bit cold and clinical and wants it to look warmer.

I'm not sure how I can achieve this without adopting a dark colour scheme which frankly I think would only ruin what is a nice, clean design that correctly reflects the style of the flat.

So, suggestions? Please note I'm not looking for general feedback, I don't want critique over things like the layout or the structure, I am looking for specific feedback on how I can make it warmer.

Also, I'm aware the last three pictures are the same. This is fine, we're getting three more to put there, they're just filler.

Please also do not mention the name of the site in this thread for Google Alert reasons...


http://tinyurl.com/72r28fj

[zed]

at an instant look the background is far brighter than the main image of the flat and it could be that that makes it look 'cold' (or stark)

[Renaissance-Design]

Lose the blues in favour of a palette taken from the bedroom and kitchen.

[D.Schuster]

brightonmike, on 14 December 2011 - 01:50 PM, said:

This is a site I built for my bosses apartment. He's not managed to rent it out for a couple of months.

The critique he's given me is that it's a bit cold and clinical and wants it to look warmer.

I'm not sure how I can achieve this without adopting a dark colour scheme which frankly I think would only ruin what is a nice, clean design that correctly reflects the style of the flat.

So, suggestions? Please note I'm not looking for general feedback, I don't want critique over things like the layout or the structure, I am looking for specific feedback on how I can make it warmer.

Also, I'm aware the last three pictures are the same. This is fine, we're getting three more to put there, they're just filler.

Please also do not mention the name of the site in this thread for Google Alert reasons...


http://tinyurl.com/72r28fj

Hello Mike

yes this is not one of your best works which surprises me, I saw what you are capable off and I know you can do way better.

I have an idea for you in fact, he's renting out an apartment correct? why not design the website as one....
I'll show you what I mean, here's my own website I'm currently working on:
http://www.bo-ka.si/limey/

note that this is no way is finished or near being finished but you could so something like this, bring lots of wood into it any happy warm colours, trust me he'll love it.

if you however want to make it a single page presentation of the apartment, why not design it as a wall.

[brightonmike]

I thought it was one of my better static websites.

Quote

I have an idea for you in fact, he's renting out an apartment correct? why not design the website as one....
I'll show you what I mean, here's my own website I'm currently working on:
http://www.bo-ka.si/limey/

I don't think making it look cheesey and cliparty like your page is going to please my boss. I think he would probably sack me if I did that. Plus I don't think I have the artistic skills to carry something like that off to a high level, it would also take days! Just to make a bit warmer I think that's going way too far...that would be a complete site re-design which is not what is happening here.

He just wants to make it look a little bit warmer, not completely change the site or do anything like that. Sorry Schuster, I appreciate the advice, just not sure it's good advice in this case.

This post has been edited by brightonmike: 14 December 2011 - 02:14 PM

[brightonmike]

Renaissance-Design, on 14 December 2011 - 02:08 PM, said:

Lose the blues in favour of a palette taken from the bedroom and kitchen.

But would that make it warmer?

Edit: Spotted a painting in the kitchen that might help.

This post has been edited by brightonmike: 14 December 2011 - 02:18 PM

[brightonmike]

zed, on 14 December 2011 - 02:06 PM, said:

at an instant look the background is far brighter than the main image of the flat and it could be that that makes it look 'cold' (or stark)

Is this a bit better? Problem is, I could be making it too dark and too beige depending on the screen you view on.

 ssadarker.JPG (90.52K)
Number of downloads: 37

[D.Schuster]

brightonmike, on 14 December 2011 - 02:13 PM, said:

I thought it was one of my better static websites.



I don't think making it look cheesey and cliparty like your page is going to please my boss. I think he would probably sack me if I did that. Plus I don't think I have the artistic skills to carry something like that off to a high level, it would also take days! Just to make a bit warmer I think that's going way too far...that would be a complete site re-design which is not what is happening here.

He just wants to make it look a little bit warmer, not completely change the site or do anything like that. Sorry Schuster, I appreciate the advice, just not sure it's good advice in this case.

D'awww fine in that case get rid of the blues.

also:
http://www.tearoundapp.com/

http://www.garethdickey.com/

http://www.skialpine.com/

All warm "happy" websites, perhaps you'll get some inspiration from them.

reputation for you anyway, cause I'm a nice guy.

[Renaissance-Design]

I'd say so - we're looking at tans and browns as opposed to the blues which I'd say are evoking the "cold" response from him. Relative warmth is generally a response to colour.

This post has been edited by Renaissance-Design: 14 December 2011 - 02:26 PM

[brightonmike]

I've taken reds, browns and oranges directly from that painting in the kitchen. May be a couple of bits still need-a changing but should look warmer now!

Thanks Renaissance, that's what needed pointing out!

[zed]

brightonmike, on 14 December 2011 - 02:16 PM, said:

Is this a bit better? Problem is, I could be making it too dark and too beige depending on the screen you view on.

ssadarker.JPG

to me, and I'm no designer, the background/sides could probably go dark to add some contrast? The red looks better as well.

[notbanksy]

I echo the comments about the colours - that blue background is very cold. You could go for a creamy colour which would give you decent contrast without the cool atmosphere.

Also, I think the main photo isn't helping your problem. Look at the window - it's winter outside, and the blue railings although not immediately obvious are adding to the problem. Plus, the apartment looks very stark and bachelor-like. You can make the site feel warmer, but unless he redecorates the apartment, the problem is going to still be there to some degree.

Best of luck with it

[brightonmike]

I take your point about the picture but it's the best of a bad bunch - you should have seen the ones before it.

There are better pictures but they're of the bathroom/bedroom which you probably don't want as a first picture.

The blue is now gone.

[porkchops]

The red is definitely better than the blue.

Maybe you can try injecting a hint of color into the background. You're using the #E0E0E0 background now, but maybe adding the slightest hint of red/orange/yellow into the flat background color or going from a slight red to the gray you've got now in a linear gradient will help. When I mean subtle I mean most people shouldn't notice the different, but I've found that adding a little color to a flat gray background, even so minute, can give everything a warm/cool sheen.

It also looks like the apartment has a lot of cream/off white paint with hints of warm colors... maybe you can pull some of those into the piece?

[brightonmike]

I've got the thumbs up - so I'm going to resist the urge to change it any further. Thanks guys!

[skidz]

D.Schuster, on 14 December 2011 - 02:09 PM, said:

Hello Mike

yes this is not one of your best works which surprises me, I saw what you are capable off and I know you can do way better.

I have an idea for you in fact, he's renting out an apartment correct? why not design the website as one....
I'll show you what I mean, here's my own website I'm currently working on:
http://www.bo-ka.si/limey/

note that this is no way is finished or near being finished but you could so something like this, bring lots of wood into it any happy warm colours, trust me he'll love it.

if you however want to make it a single page presentation of the apartment, why not design it as a wall.

Mikes original is 100x better than this, sorry

[oakleaves]

brightonmike, on 14 December 2011 - 03:44 PM, said:

I've got the thumbs up

Not from me Mike, sorry.

This style remind me very much of your jet booking site in many ways, and while that might be fine for that subject it is doing nothing to show off this apartment well or make it appealing to me.

The site isn't showing the photos off well enough either.

This is property site I saw recently that I personally like - it has a very warm feel to it for example

http://www.toscanarustica.eu/


As for the green website with the clock and the 'I design websites'... really??? You talk a lot of sense on some other threads but no way would that be the way to go for this. Sorry.

Hope that is of some value Mike!

[D.Schuster]

oakleaves, on 14 December 2011 - 03:58 PM, said:

Not from me Mike, sorry.

This style remind me very much of your jet booking site in many ways, and while that might be fine for that subject it is doing nothing to show off this apartment well or make it appealing to me.

The site isn't showing the photos off well enough either.

This is property site I saw recently that I personally like - it has a very warm feel to it for example

http://www.toscanarustica.eu/


As for the green website with the clock and the 'I design websites'... really??? You talk a lot of sense on some other threads but no way would that be the way to go for this. Sorry.

Hope that is of some value Mike!

Like I said it is in NO WAY finished, as for the many icons and stuff I was trying out a few effects, may want to recheck the link.

[oakleaves]

D.Schuster, on 14 December 2011 - 04:03 PM, said:

Like I said it is in NO WAY finished, as for the many icons and stuff I was trying out a few effects, may want to recheck the link.

ok bud

[brightonmike]

Oak, thank you for your feedback, but as I have achieved the objective of this thread I'm not really looking for anything further.

It gets the thumbs up from my boss and he only wanted me to adjust it slightly, the site as a whole we are both happy with - that's what counts.

Cheers guys!

[oakleaves]

brightonmike, on 14 December 2011 - 04:08 PM, said:

Oak, thank you for your feedback, but as I have achieved the objective of this thread I'm not really looking for anything further.

It gets the thumbs up from my boss and he only wanted me to adjust it slightly, the site as a whole we are both happy with - that's what counts.

Fair enough

[byronc]

Have you told him its not ranked by google pr wise?

has he done any backlinking?

[brightonmike]

It doesn't need PR, nor back linking, it's a very niche service that only a tiny number of people search for. It's top 3 on Google for all its key phrases.

Honestly, it's all good now, I've got all the feedback I asked for.