HD Talks Blog

Your Opinion Matters

Happy 2012! It seemed fitting that we use the new year as a motivator to look at our current offerings and see how we can make them better—even if that means just slight tweaks. First up: our online products coverage.

That's where you, our readers, come in. If you have five minutes (really that is all the time it will take) we would appreciate you filling out this quick survey to give us some insight into how you use and would want to use our products section. Please be honest; you won't hurt our feelings. In fact, you will just help us help you a bit more.  

For the survey, click here. 

 

Home for the Holidays

I’m spending time with family over the holiday, and this is the first time I’ve been back to Halifax, Nova Scotia—my hometown— since I started working with Hospitality Design. It’s a charming coastal city, but for a place as famous for its hospitality as Nova Scotia, there is still a lot of room for growth and innovation in the hospitality industry. 

An interior design boutique that I was excited to visit is Attica on Barrington Street, one of the main drags in downtown Halifax. Looking in the windows it always seemed just a bit ahead of the rest of the city—showcasing sleek, modern furniture and lighting that would look at home in any boutique hotel in New York. According to Suzanne Saul, co-owner of Attica, they provide high-end furnishings (like Vi-Spring mattresses) for both private and hospitality spaces.

Vi-Spring mattress

Among others, Attica has provided items for Atlantica Hotel, Oak Island Resort & Spa, The Prince George Hotel, Killam Properties, and Premiere Executive Suites—and recently provided lighting for Cut Grill, an upscale steakhouse in downtown Halifax.

Cut Grill in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax has an almost effortless style that’s hard to reproduce: it has the intimacy and friendliness you’d associate with a small town, but the nightlife and culinary scene of a bigger city. Despite some challenges brought on by growing pains—it’s like Halifax can’t decide whether or not it really wants to be a big city—there is much to see, do, and experience, and with the recent news that Halifax has been awarded a $25 billion federal shipbuilding program, which will bring a flush of money, jobs, and people to the province, the need for more and varied hospitality spaces will explode over the coming years.  I look forward to seeing Halifax take its rightful place as a “must-visit” spot in Canada, and a force to be reckoned with in the hospitality industry.

All that Glitters

It was impossible to miss the SICIS showroom on Broome Street as I hustled there early last week for a viewing; indeed, just days before I had wandered by on my own and marveled at the glittering mannequins, covered in mosaic tile and glistening in the second-floor windows. The three-floor showroom showcases the impressive range of capabilities of the Italy-based "art factory"; from paintstakingly hand-cut to sleek water-cut designs; from plush furniture with mosaic detailing to “digital”-looking cityscapes to my personal favorite, a gorgeously appointed bathroom decked out in mosaic tile made with gold leaf.

The most surprising part, however—and I must admit, this is news to me—is the variety of options and price-points SICIS can offer. The glamour and sophistication of mosaic design is not just for those with an unlimited budget; the possibilities and options are almost endless. Whether you’re looking for a statement wall, an eye-catching lamp, or an entire floor done in classic hand-cut marble mosaic; whether your project has a traditional, modern, or eclectic theme; there's something there for everyone. For an even better idea of their offerings, head over to the SICIS showroom yourself—meanwhile, I'll be working on getting my all-gold bathroom.

 

Ikebana 14 Okuni, from the SICIS Orientale collection, is made from hand-clipped mosaic chips of glass and precious metal.

Part of the SICIS Skyline collection, this piece incorporates a "pixel" technique—but it's actually hand-laid mosaic chips of multicolored glass.

A BOB Reminder

We are just under a week until the August 15th deadline for this year's Best of Boutique (BOB) Awards. Sponsored by Hospitality Design (HD) magazine, we are looking for the most innovative products making their debut on at the 2011 Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference (HD Boutique) show floor. Winners will be given a framed certificate during the show, and featured in a future issue of HD.

To enter, click here. 

Plus, we are doing a call for products for HD Boutique's Show Daily. Exhibiting? Send me what you are showcasing to sshoemaker@hdmag.com by August 17th. I need a high res image (please send as a link or via an FTP site so my email doesn't shut down) and a brief 200 word description.

See you all in Miami September 13-14th!

 

Stryde Lounge from Loewenstein, one of last year's winners.

Things That Make You go Hmm...

I wasn't sure what to expect on this year's show floor, but I must say, I was happily surprised. A theme of "fresh" was felt all around---bright colors, whimsical designs, and fun booths set the uplifting and positive mood. HD Expo was a great success for me as I got the chance to walk the show floor with Roger Thomas, met new exhibitors, and saw great new products to feature in HD magazine. So, as another HD Expo comes to an end, here's a little wrap-up of some showfloor happenings:

Something that I think displays ultimate luxury in perhaps a resort setting, this new lounge piece by Neoteric Luxury that fits 8 people. And yes, it is bigger than my New York apartment. I told owners Steve and Martina Reisman that I was moving in.

 

The always chic Andrew Morgan Collection with a glitzy bed set with textured pillows and throws.

The whimsical new wallcovering by Roger Thomas for Fromental is sure to put a smile on your face.

 

The winning carpet design from Durkan's Discover Competition's Professional winner.  

and the student winner's design based on the water which surrounds Japan.

The elegant and fit-for-a-queen chair by Christopher Guy with me sitting it. I didn't want to get up.

 

The real deal---the Drucker chairs distributed by Walters Wicker.

 

Moooi's booth is lit up thanks to all of its new lighting products.

 

 

Neon Cow from Edelman Leather---so bright and fun!

And finally, meet Max. LTM Textiles surprised many attendees, such as myself, with a furry friend to take home. What did you name your new pal?

Be Discovered

Once again, printed carpet manufacturer Durkan has teamed up with NEWH to announce the Durkan D*SCOVER design competition. 

Both students and industry professionals who are a member of NEWH are eligible to enter. 

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

4 Print Carpet Patterns Including:

• 1 Large Corridor (required)
• 1 Large Ballroom (required)
• 1 Large or Medium Prefunction or Meeting (required)

Pick One from the following:

• 1 Border
• 1 Fill
• 1 Carpet Tile Pattern - 24" x 24"

Submit final patterns with photos or visuals, concept boards, sketches, write up, or other inspiration for print carpets. Completed package to be sent to Durkan for judging.

 

PRIZES

Grand Prize Student:
$2,000 NEWH scholarship from Durkan. Student winner will also win a trip to Las Vegas for the HD Expo show to receive award. Winning student designs will be on display at the Durkan booth.

Grand Prize Professional: 
The top winner will receive a cash prize of $2,000, and a trip to Las Vegas for the HD Expo courtesy of Durkan carpet, where winning designs will be on display at the Durkan booth. Durkan will also promote and catalog. 

Second Place - $500
Third Place - $300 

 

If you haven't entered already, you still have until Friday, March 4, 2011. Click here to download an entry form.

Good luck!

 

Design Worthy of Discussion

How do you define design? Shaw Contract Group wants to know! Now in its sixth year, the Shaw Contract Group Design Is... Awards is looking for architects and interior designers from around the world who have projects that push the design envelope. 

Designers are asked to define what design is through various processes, challenges, and the final results of their projects. Shaw is looking for how the design industry thinks, creates, works, teaches, and heals.

The prize? Shaw Contract Group will promote winning projects through marketing materials, media outreach, and advertising campaigns. Winning firms will also receive $2,000 to donate to a school or organization of their choice. And because carpet is only a part of the project, the overall design of the space is considered. 

All design projects using Shaw Contract Group or Shaw Hospitality Group products, completed between February 2009 and February 2011, are eligible. 

To watch a call for projects video, please click here.

So firms, enter your projects online through February 25th! 

Brooklyn Goes Modular

Walking up and down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, you will find great restaurants and stores. Now, there's a new player in town bringing modularity to the masses. Pop-up store Module R, the sister brand of A.R.T., is all about everything modular.  

The story behind A.R.T. and Module R: Donald Rattner, an architect here in the Big Apple came up with the concept back in March. He wanted people to find a new way to think, create, and collect contemporary art. That idea spawned into the Module R shop, which not only sells modular art, but also offers over 52 modular products fit for any space. Modular clocks, candleholders, or shelving units anyone? 

I don't know about you, but I'm a modular fanatic. As someone who thrives on changing my environment to keep things fresh and new, I was in heaven in this shop. "We liked the idea of creating a venue where people could find modular art and design all in one place," Rattner said. An artist and curator as well, Rattner, along with Aimee Morris, showed me around. I really had to keep my hands to myself--I just wanted to stay there and play all day! Rattner is so passionate about his own art and the art of others as well as being Brooklyn-based (the store is set within a fun, Brooklyn design district). 

Here are some of my favorite items:

Here, Aimee and Donald stand beside a cube-like piece of art, where the blocks come out so that the design could be changed. 

 

The Palace tableware set. A great gifts for architects, no?

 

Just one of the many tapestries, with a series of felt modules shown here. You could mix and match them to create custom wall art.

 

Gideon Dagan Design's Puzzle Wine Rack

 

A chair from Artek that morphs into other shapes. And yes, the chair is comfortable!

 

And different options for room dividers...

This one is made from recycled double-wall cardboard 

Here's another checkerboard-type of design

And another...so many options!

Want more? Module R, located at 400 Atlantic Avenue, will be opened through January 9th.

And the cute holiday tagline: "Tis the season to be modular!"

A NYC Debut

Yesterday, Scavolini USA opened up its first U.S. flagship store housed in what was the former Nancy Hoffman art gallery. Now, as someone who is a big fan of cooking and kitchens, I found my dream kitchen here in this lofty space.

If you don't know Scavolini, you should. The Italy-based company has been known for its sleek and designer modular kitchens for almost 50 years (the company's 50th anniversary is next year). Work ranges from residential to commercial, big to small kitchens, and transitional to traditional styles.

Here's a peak at what's inside the 10,000 square-foot store:

Yummy Italian nibbles set above the Karim Rashid-designed Crystal Kitchen concept. Rashid's graphic patterns come alive through glass doors.

 

A blue finish gives this kitchen a modern look. Love the face wallpaper!

 

Color in kitchen situations. I'm all for it. And red happens to be Scavolini's signature color. What was really a standout? This cool-looking island with a sink and extra counter space. Now only if I could fit this in my New York apartment. Wishful thinking!

Modern Women

Last night, I joined several members of the design industry for Mother Earth, a carpet exhibition with works from five extraordinary women in modern carpet design. The rugs were presented on the wall like artwork, with bright lights shining upon them to show the different materials, colors, and techniques used. The event was held in the new Casa showroom, the company's first U.S. showroom filled with lighting and furniture. Kanesly Castro and Rayon Black of Casa were on hand to tell everyone about the company, new space, and product offerings. 

Designers, Judy Ross, Judy Ross Textiles; Amy Helfand, Malene b, Malene b Custom Handmade Carpets; Tracey Sawyer, the Nought Collective; and Tania Johnson, Tania Johnson Design spoke about their works on display, which were inspired by recent travels, nature, and textiles.

Designer Tracey Sawyer with her work, Liliacea, part of the Etu collection.

The Casa showroom filled with furniture, white trees, and of course, the rugs.

 

 

Malene b standing beside her rug with tree branches mixed with shades of orange giving off a unique design effect.

 

Brooklyn-based designer Amy Helfand against her work inspired by a trip to North Carolina. 

 

Designer Tania Johnson plays with a combination of wool and silk for her rug design.

 

Judy Ross spoke about her textile background, travels, and rug design.