Part of the larger Sam’s Crossing Village mixed-use development in Decatur, Georgia, mid-rise apartment community Notion celebrated its grand opening this past spring. Featuring 290 residences, including studio, one-, and two-bedroom units, the community was developed by Toll Brothers Apartment Living and designed by architect Dwell Design Studio and interior designer Mary Cook Associates.
Working together, the development team created an interior concept inspired by Decatur’s tree-lined streets, boutique retail, and vibrant restaurant and coffee shop scene. In fact, Notion features three separate coffee bars—including one in the mailroom—to accentuate the coffeehouse atmosphere. In another beverage space, a colorful branded wall made up of repurposed book spines takes center stage adjacent to a modern bar with beer and wine on tap.
“Although at surface level the installation acts as an impactful graphic element of the beverage hub, the graphic itself holds great significance in its representation of the Notion community brand,” says Mary Cook, president and founder of Mary Cook Associates. “Comprised of thousands of layered book spines, the piece depicts a colorful series of birds—specifically a flock of birds—reinforcing the importance of connectedness and unity as Notion’s brand pillars.”
Art consultant Artonomy helped with the installation, which consumes the entirety of the side wall and “introduces visual and emotional significance to the most social program of the amenity package.”
