HD Talks Blog

A glimpse into the future

By Michael Adams

For the past two years, I've had the pleasure of being among the judges of FIT's  design competition wherein students create carpet lines specifically created for hospitality. Seeing the abundance of creativity and imagination that manifests itself in this competition is a joy, and the eager hopeful faces of the students reminded me not only of the fertile mother lode of talent out there, but also (sadly) that this is not a banner year to be heading into the marketplace.  But suppliers, take note: when times get better, and they will, here's one place to start to find the next generation's artists.

This year's theme was global unity, and students were required to submit designs for an area rug, a large-scale axminster pattern, a small-scale axminster pattern, and an inspiration board. Here are the top three are rug designs, plus a photo of the winners. 

      1st place, Vanessa DeSousa

       2nd place, Younjung Lee



      3rd place, Emily Guzzi


Congratulations to all!  

A guide to the big city

Vacationing in U.S. cities with the kids just got a little more fun...and educational. ABC Travel Guides for Kids is a new set of city guides for children that offers an alphabet book, map, and souvenir all in one. These books are used by hotels as an amenity or part of a family package. Matthew G. Rosenberger, publisher, can have the hotel brand imprinted on the front and/or back covers as well as images of the property. Right now, cities including Chicago, San Diego, Boston, and Philadelphia are all available and Providence, Rhode Island, Nashville, Orlando, and Miami are all in the works. Rosenberger will also create a book from scratch if a hotel in a city that is not yet written about is interested. The guides have photos of famous sites, a place for children to write their thoughts down regarding their favorite parts of the trip, and a full list of interesting places with addresses and websites for that given city. 

City of Collaboration

Last week, I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Aria, the casino-hotel component and the final hotel of the $8.5 billion LEED-certified CityCenter development in Las Vegas. (Harmon Residences and Veer Towers are still under construction.) It was my first time seeing the city-within-a-city. I knew a lot about it after doing a story on MGM Mirage Group president Bill Smith two years ago and keeping up to date on it since. But to be honest I didn't know quite what to expect—and I have to say I was impressed. 

Most everyone knows that it is a great collaboration or architects--Gensler, Libeskind, Foster, Pelli, Viñoly, to name a few. Impressive, definitely, especially the camaraderie that was shown at the opening event. But what I found even more impressive was the number of designers that worked on the interior spaces. They seem to flow, even though each one is unique, while at every turn there was another detail, something different in design that I hadn't quite seen before. (Maybe that is why it has taken me so long to figure out what to blog about.) And what really made the design enthusiast side of me excited is that MGM Mirage's design team (especially Sven Van Assche) brought in a mix of designers—the old guard and the new, some who are even making their Vegas debut. For instance, BBGM handled the guestroom design of condo-hotel Vdara and the suites at Aria, David Rockwell created an interior park in the Libeskind's modern Crystals retail and restaurant building, and Adam D. Tihany designed the impressive Mandarin Oriental and two restaurants in Aria, one for Sirio Maccioni and one for the Light Group. Speaking of the Light Group, the young restaurant and nightclub operators chose Franklin Studios (a recent HD Wave of the Future honoree) for gaming bar Deuce, while three-person firm SL Design led by Chris Sheffield created a natural environment for Michael Mina's fish house, American Fish. And that's just to mention a few of the designers (not to mention chefs and operators).

I think people will come to see the largest privately funded construction project in the U.S., but I think they will come back to try out all of the variously designed spaces housed within.

Look for a more in-depth look at the designers involved in an upcoming issue of HD and a few sneak peeks of a few of the spaces on our website.

Stu-Stu-Studio

It's holiday time, and that means its also time to visit the Robert Allen Group and this afternoon I got the chance to see what the design team has been up to. It's a very busy time at Robert Allen, I'm happy to say, as I saw from all the great new products. These ladies are quite busy--that is Jessica Smarsch, design manager, essentials upholstery, and Jane Riback, design director, contract. As I walked into the design studio, I was amazed at how much product there was laid out for me to look at and to find out just how much went into creating these various collections was exciting to hear. Jolie Cross Cohen, operating vice president, public relations, was also on hand to let me in on all the new goodies. 

The table, as you could see was covered with swatches, new hospitality books, new designs, inspiration boards, and much more. The fabric design team thought carefully about what is really needed in the market: affordable products, luxurious colors and textures, multipurpose offerings, and something I was very excited to see--a new line for senior living facilities. Bold and lively colors and striking patterns including plums and greens and blues put into five color stories: Spa, Bouquet, Tuscan, Classic, and Mediterranean. A one-stop-shop for these senior living facilities, the Robert Allen Group will offer two books, one for multipurpose products (prints and bedding) and one for upholstery (everything else and outdoor too!). The company is even collaborating with Sherwin-Williams to make it that much easier for these properties to select finishes where coordinating low-VOC paint colors will be offered to match the fabrics. There is a new site that lets you learn about new offerings and color experts' visions for ways to integrate paint colors and fabric designs called DesignStudio. 

The hospitality fabric offerings are endless. Below is one of many inspiration boards for the contract market. The new hospitality book, which last year started with the Excursions collection, will feature fabric inspired by Europe. There is everything from designs with feathers (so much fun to look at) to cobalt blue and gold fabric used for bedding, drapery, and headboards. I also got to see more value-oriented fabrics that are multipurpose, come in five fabrics (2 tone basketweave, 2 tone dupioni, 1-inch stripe RR, ottoman RR, and 1/8-inch stripe RR) in 23 colors, and are domestically made. Talk about saving money and fuel. And how do you end a great meeting? What about walking across the street to Bryant Park to the pop-up Max Brenner chocolate store for some hot chocolate. A day full of treats--exciting new fabric and hot chocolate. What more could I ask for?

HD Does Dallas

This week HD's CitySCENE: Next Generation Networking party went back to Dallas. Roughly 125 young designers, architects, owners, and purchasers headed to Ghostbar at the top of the W Dallas for some great food, conversation, and views—the unseasonably cold Dallas weather held off just long enough for us to make use of the expansive balcony overlooking the city. Luckily enough, Deborah Lloyd Forrest of ForrestPerkins was able to stop by as our guest of honor. Look out for photos in the Jan/Feb edition. (For past photos of CitySCENE events, click here.)

While in Dallas, I took the time to stop in and say hello to a few design firms. I had a fantastic lunch with Dan Nelson and William Bradley of Vision Design at Villa O, which they recently designed. In the summer, the indoor-outdoor space must come alive, but even with the dampening weather, the space had a warm, yacht-inspired feel with painted exposed ceilings, wood floors, banquettes, and tables (with a high gloss finish), and white and blue furnishings. And the Italian food was a stand-out as well. I am still thinking about the breadless chicken parmesan with zucchini pasta. 

I also stopped in the Wilson Associates expansive offices, which they have been for 20-some years. It was so great to walk around and meet everyone with Amy McEvoy, the firm's head of PR. Even though she had told everyone to clean up for me (which they didn't have to do), it was so inspiring to see the many, many project boards of hotels they are working on, from the Sofitel Dubai to the Ritz-Carlton Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. We plan to publish one of their newest with Sol Kerzner, the Mazagan Beach Resort in our March issue, and the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Arizona opens next week. The best part: spending time with Trisha Wilson in her office (which has the best view in the house overlooking the city). She's a woman of pure inspiration.

I also had a lovely breakfast with Trish Martinek of HKS. I have worked with her for my eight years at HD, but had never met her in person, which was such a treat. We talked about the recent merger with Hill Glazier, monopolizing on social media, and touched on a few of the hundreds of projects they are working on. Two standouts: the W Hollywood, set to open next month, and the St. Regis Punta Mita in Puerto Rico.  

And to cap off my trip, I had a terrific lunch with Design Duncan Miller Ullmann's Kellie Sirna, business development/PR, and principals Kimberley Miller and Turner Duncan. Besides a boutique hotel in Shanghai, they also just finished up the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando attached to the Waldorf Astoria. It may be one of the last 1,000-room hotels for awhile. And the duo, who are recent Platinum Circle Award winners, was just awarded the International Business Achievement Award by the Dallas Business Chamber in the small to mid-size business category. Congrats!

To walk off our big lunch, I got a tour of Duncan Miller's design of the Hotel ZaZa. It may be five years old, but looks brand new. The attention to detail, one-offs, artwork, and the various themed suites would make me keep coming back for more. First I would want to try out the erotica suite; then the rock star one, a favorite of real rock stars. Another ZaZa just opened in Houston as well. Here's to hoping the owners are planning on more locations outside of Texas!

West Side Tale

The other night I had the pleasure of dining at the newly renovated and expanded Dovetail restaurant on New York's Upper West Side. Even though its a 3-Star restaurant, the rustic decor by local architect Richard Bloch gives the restaurant a decidedly neighborhood feel, which goes along perfectly with chef/owner John Fraser's idea that dining should be an experience that's not to be rushed. 

Set in a 110-year-old brownstone building, there's exposed brick on columns and walls, deep gray and blue hues, soft lighting, maple wood panels, and sheer drapery. Besides a larger dining area, the expansion also includes a new cozy bar area that looks out onto quaint tree-lined 77th street, and larger wine cellar, which has grown by 500 bottles. For the cooking show lovers, the downstairs cellar stands next to two original tasting tables that have a sneak peek into the kitchen. The cool thing about this renovation is that it completes the two-year-old restaurant's original floorplan vision; it just took awhile to "get" the extra space.

The best thing about the pared down modern interiors is that it is a perfect backdrop for Fraser's inventive (and I must say delicious) cuisine. I had a gorgeous beet salad and perfectly grilled fluke. Yet one of the stand outs: the salt baked onion lined with burgundy truffles. I know what you are thinking—a salt baked onion, really? But it is so savory and sweet you don't realize you are eating an onion. And to top off the fantastic meal, the new expansions have made room for cheese carts. But this isn't your normal cheese selection. Here they are pairing Vermont versus Old World cheeses, from goat to blue. The winner for me was a Vermont cheddar, but I may have to go back just to make sure.

A free trip to Spain, anyone?

If you are a Spain-loving-ceramic-tile-fanatic architect or interior designer, listen up! 

Tile of Spain, the umbrella brand managed jointly by the Trade Commission of Spain in Miami and the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Association (ASCER) in Valencia, is generously looking for three individuals to take to Spain for free. Yes free. The Reign in Spain A&D Tour, which is taking place from February 5th-February 13th will include a tour of Granada to see various architectural sites such as the Alhambra (shown below) and a trip to Valencia for Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show to meet with manufacturers and see new products first hand, go on factory tours, and attend a press conference. 

        

Qualifications:

-Must be available for the duration of the tour which is from Feb. 5-13, 2010.

-Must be an accredited architect or interior designer with current affiliation with AIA, ASID and/or IIDA.

-Must be an architect or interior designer currently living in the United States.

-Must be willing to participate in all activities of the junket, within reason. There will be free time for exploring the cities on your own but most activities, meals and excursions are planned beforehand and are required. 

Are you game? After you determine your eligibility based on the qualifications above, take the following steps:

-Download and complete the application form at http://www.spaintiles.info/eng/index.asp

-Return application by deadline of Dec. 23, 2009

-All applications should be sent to (email is preferred):

Reign in Spain A&D Tour                                                          

c/o Tile of Spain

2655 Le Jeune Rd. #1114

Miami, FL 33134           

Phone: 305.446.4387                                              

Fax: 305.446.2602                                                           

Email: Miami@mcx.es

Participants will be selected based on eligibility and the quality of their answers completed on the entry form. Preference will be given to those with an affinity for ceramic tile as a building or design material or those who have used ceramic tile in past projects and/or plan to use ceramic tile in the future. Selected participants will be notified by Jan. 8, 2010.

Accommodations do include roundtrip airfare from the United States to Madrid; single occupancy hotel room for the duration of your stay; all group transportation during the tour; and admission to scheduled attractions and trade show. Transportation does not include cab or bus fare for city exploration during free time. 

Good luck! 

The Beauty Beyond

Yesterday I got the chance to meet and interview the talented Michael McHale. We met at Ace Hotel and after just a few minutes of listening to him talk about his work, I was incredibly inspired. He has such a drive and passion for what he does. But after learning about his background, I was surprised at how well he understands design and interiors. Here's a guy with no design background, maybe a doodle here or there, but no design classes. He's a pro in everything else such as law and book critiquing. You name it, he's done it and might even still be doing it. It's not that I got inspired by how much he has done and does, but how he has such a love for things that most people use or see on a daily basis and take for granted like food canisters or the wheels on a bicycle. Someone invented these items, with a form that hasn't changed for years and years, and we love them and continue to use them. Michael decided to take something that he found intriguing, pipes, and start his own company. Yes, the pipes you see outside of a building or those down in the basement. Here is a photo I took yesterday of one of his fixtures shown at Studio Mix. 

To find out more about Michael, please read my designer profile in the 2010 January/February issue of HD. And Michael, thanks for making me see beauty in far more things than I already do.