We are proud to showcase our work at Lux Costa Mesa, a project we began in 2019 in collaboration with the exceptionally talented Designer and principal, Leslie Wilson of Bricolage Inc. Together, we crafted 271 custom decorative panels, each uniquely sized and designed with a custom organic branch pattern. The result is a striking installation that blends artistry, precision, and timeless design. Tableaux Architectural panels tailored these interior panel solutions from 0.75” class 1 FR MDF, reaching up to 48” x 96”. These architectural design panels were integrated into the building’s wall applications, adding warmth, texture, and illuminated floor numbers that make the space both stylish and functional.
Additionally, Tableaux produced a signature architectural decorative panel for the center of the lobby, featuring an organic branch pattern. The design was a two-panel solution, with each panel measuring 48” x 94”. These were finished in Soft Satin White and mounted with a custom aluminum framing system. The panels offer both a seamless and durable display.
Designer and principal, Leslie Wilson, emphasizes natural ideas and human experience, making the collaboration with Tableaux Architectural Panels on the Lux Apartments a seamless fit to create a welcoming sense of home.
Designer: Leslie Wilson, Bricolage Inc.
Q: What design goals or outcomes were you hoping to achieve with this project?
L: Every project carries its own story—shaped by the owner, the site, and the end users. Our goal is always to craft a design that tells a unique story through design panels and leaves a lasting impression.
Q: How did Tableaux Architectural Panels help meet the design goals and vision for this project?
L: In multi-family housing, “moments of arrival” are essential—they set the tone and create the feeling of being at home rather than in an institution. We focused on these key moments, such as unit entrances and elevator lobbies. On a large development spanning over four acres, achieving this sense of intimacy was especially challenging. Tableaux provided a custom decorative branch panel for every wall application, which played a major role in creating that welcoming experience.
Q: What inspired the choice of the tree-like decorative panel design in this project? And did it ultimately align with your design needs?
L: The overarching concept was “Come home to vacation every day,” a contemporary interpretation of resort living. We incorporated natural motifs—water, trees, earth, and air—as design anchors. Trees, symbolizing shelter and comfort, felt like the perfect element to highlight the “moments of arrival.” The custom decorative panels aligned beautifully with this vision, creating an impactful wall application throughout the lobby.
Q: Were there any specific decorative materials, textures, or finishes you requested from Tableaux Architectural Panels to achieve your vision?
L: We had a specific color direction in mind, but the materials were selected from Tableaux’s wide range of standard offerings, including the MDF element material wall panel. Their extensive options and their custom lookbook project examples made it easy to find the right solution within our budget and schedule constraints.
Q: Were the panels customized to meet specific design or functional requirements? If so, how?
L: Yes. The building features nine different ceiling panel heights where panels were installed. We worked closely with Tableaux to standardize and simplify the panel designs, including custom thicknesses, so they could be adapted efficiently across those varying conditions.
Q: Did the panels meet your expectations in terms of durability, quality, and performance?
L: Absolutely. Two years after opening, including in semi-exterior corridor locations, the architectural panels have performed exceptionally well with no maintenance issues.
Q: What do you think was the most valuable contribution Tableaux Architectural Panels brought to the Lux Apartments project?
L: The three-dimensional decorative panels at unit entrances elevated the sense of luxury throughout the building. In large-scale developments that span many years, it’s often difficult to allocate finish budgets to unit entries. It took some convincing, but ultimately everyone agreed the panels were one of the most cost-effective and impactful design decisions we made.
Q: Did the size of the Tableaux panels meet the needs of your design vision for this project? And if so, how accurately did they meet your expectations?
L: Yes, the panels were custom-sized to fit the site and perfectly matched our design requirements. Their custom panels and hardware solutions ensured a precise fit and cohesive design.
Q: Looking back, is there a specific moment in the design or installation process with Tableaux that really stood out to you?
L: The design was completed before the global pandemic, but fabrication and purchasing occurred afterward—when costs across the board were escalating. The Tableaux team worked closely with us to ensure the custom panels remained feasible for the project. Their flexibility and partnership made a real difference.
Q: How would you describe your overall experience collaborating with Tableaux Architectural Panels, and would you be open to partnering with us again on future projects?
L: Tableaux was professional, efficient, and responsive at every stage. Their offerings, including their interior architectural panels, make them a valuable partner. We would gladly work with them again and highly recommend them to other designers seeking decorative panels for multi-family housing.
Bricolage Inc., headquartered in Santa Monica, California, is a full-service architecture and interior design firm creating imaginative, buildable spaces for residential and commercial projects. The studio combines diverse design expertise, including lighting, landscape, product, and graphic design, and partners with other firms to tackle a wide range of projects.
The LUX Apartments at Costa Mesa is a luxury apartment that is more than just your new home. It’s a unique place of true so-called living that offers a fantastic vibe, future-minded amenities, and outdoor spaces for the whole community. Known for “coming home to vacation every day” in life.
