HD Talks Blog

Carpet on a Sunny Saturday

I'm a big admirer of design (obviously) so when I got the chance to see Malene Barnett of malene b custom handmade carpets' new home, I was so inspired that I didn't want to leave. First of all, we have the same favorite color, turquoise, so when I saw her brightly colored door (picture below), I knew I was in the right place. I was in awe of all of the beautiful furnishings, African pieces, tiles, textiles, sun-filled kitchen, and the list goes on and on. 

Now here's a little background on Malene. She is a Brooklyn-based carpet designer who uses her travels (she's been to places like Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai) as inspiration for her designs along with her African-Caribbean background (for an extensive look at Malene's work, check out the September 2009 issue of Hospitality Design). Her designs are inspirational and hopeful. And now, you could find her carpets at the Sacco Carpet showroom in Manhattan. 

malene b is part of GoodWeave, helping to combat exploited children who produce carpet for the industry. While talking to Malene, I learned that she will be designing a carpet inspired by the rich history and culture of Haiti. The design will be added to malene b's signature collection and will debut at ICFF in May. "Since the design will be a part of our collection this will be an on going effort to help with the rebuilding of the country," she says. The money raised will be given to a selected grassroots organization that has been doing work in Haiti long before the earthquake. 

Besides eating Crumb's cupcakes, drinking tea, and sharing our thoughts on design, I was introduced to Sheridan Black of Custom Cool , a design company that makes rugs and is also a part of GoodWeave. As a products editor, I love hearing about the design process, the highs and lows of having your own creative business, and all that's to come. Here's a picture of us (from the left: me, Sheridan, and Malene). Thank you for a great afternoon and showing me your home. I will be back soon! 

Saying Goodbye to a Friendly Face

For many, Willem van Es, was more than just a fine and commercial artist and custom wallcoverings-maker. He was a friendly face around the industry. You've seen him walking the floors at the Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference and HD Boutique tradeshows and enjoying himself at the HD Awards. And as the above picture shows, Willem was fashionable, making our fashion file page for looking dapper at the Party by the Pool event in Las Vegas. 

Yesterday, we here at HD were saddened to learn that Willem passed away on Christmas night on an international flight bound for Amsterdam. 

I met Willem when I first started at HD magazine. He had a great personality and passion for art. I remember my interview with Willem for a designer profile I was working on. He came to our New York offices one afternoon along with his dog Johnny, a Newfoundland. If you know this breed, then you know that they are fairly large dogs. Although Johnny sat there quiet as a mouse under the conference table some people in the office thought Johnny was a bear! Good memories.

He founded Willem van Es Design Studio Ltd. in 1997 with his wife Quincy in 1997 and his hospitality career took off with work that includes the China Grill in New York, Miami, and Mexico City; the Wynn Hotel and Venetian Resort, Hotel, and Casino in Las Vegas; and the Algonquin Hotel, Plaza Athenee, and Helmsley Palace in New York. He was also involved in boxing (he was known as the Dutch Bomber), sailing, and most recently, acting, starring in a documentary, Chelsea on the Rocks, about the place he called home for several years, the Chelsea Hotel. 

He always made you smile with his charismatic persona. I know he made me smile. His cheerful and positive energy will be missed. 

Do you have any memories of Willem to share? If so, please comment. Also, please visit the memorial page for Willem at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/willemvanes/Homepage.aspx 

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. 

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?

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.  

One-Stop Eco-Shop

With so many hotels jumping on the green bandwagon, eco-friendly products are a must-have when designing guestrooms and public areas. To fill supply needs and promote a more sustainable hotel industry, EcoGreenHotel, Inc., a company that helps lodging facilities implement environmentally sound initiatives, has just launched its marketplace website www.EcoGreenHotelStore.com, which has over 1000 products and services for the hospitality industry. On the site, you could find items like those shown below including TOTO's Aquia II Dual Flush Toilet and T2 Site Amenities' trash and recycling receptacles including the St. Croix Medium Recycler. The site also has biodegradable keycards, marketing services for hotels, and natural body care products. 

 

Scott Parisi, president of EcoGreenHotel, has collaborated with companies including Pineapple Hospitality and DeBlauw Purchasing to offer these green goods at a low cost to the industry. "We want the EcoGreenHotel Store to be the go-to source for quality, affordable eco hotel products and services," he said. 

Here are some of benefits of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP):

Reduce waste and utility costs

Attract environmentally conscious customers

Possible new revenue streams

Improve image: brand and goodwill

Responsive to employee and guests health and wellness needs

Economically responsible hospitality supply buying

Increase stakeholder value

Minimize environmental footprint

Have fun shopping. 

Ain't No Stopping Us Now

Every fall, there are several things I look forward to. I love Thanksgiving, love breaking out the cozy sweaters and boots to keep me warm from the chill in the air, and I love the JANUS et Cie luncheon held at its New York City showroom. Every year a different culinary theme is presented to guests (this year, it was Turkish, spawned from Janice Feldman, founder and CEO of JANUS et Cie's recent travels to Turkey). This is a gathering to catch up with friends in the industry and the JANUS et Cie staff (Janice's mom, Lea Kerchman, we missed you), and so much more. The showroom is always set up beautifully with products lined up all around and dining tables that everyone talks about for days. No detail is left out. 

Now the star of the luncheon was of course Janice who every year, tells us all what great things the company is doing. 

For instance, this year, in an effort to go green and give us editors everything we need as far as product information (images, product descriptions, etc.), the company gave out thumb drives and in all, the company offers 7,000 products! Wow is all I thought. Also, something Janice was very proud of (and so were we) was the announcement of her new book, Loom: Woven Paper, which takes readers through the story of Lloyd Loom and what Loom furniture is all about. Always expanding, Janice spoke about a new interior lounge collection designed by Michael Vanderbyl, the Koko II line of furniture, a slew of new textiles, and so many other collections. And of course, like always, I never want to leave the lunch because of the great conversations and food that is incredibly tasty. But on our way out. we were given a fashionable JANUS et Cie bag with a copy of Loom: Woven Paper. I can't wait to read it and I look forward to seeing where the company is headed next.  

Showroom Show Off

Last night, Designtex opened up its new showroom at the D&D building. A great group of people gathered to celebrate including Kimberle Frost, vice president of design for Designtex (shown below beside her inspiration board). 

But the real highlight was the new Common Threads Collection by Designtex. The six-rug line was made possible through a collaboration with Arzu Studio Hope, which believes in helping Afghan women weavers by providing steady income and access to education and healthcare and overall, improving the living conditions in rural Afghanistan. The hand-knotted rugs are made using traditional Persian knot techniques; each rug can take up to a year to make. A booklet given out by Designtex tells the stories of some of the women involved in the making of these rugs and some of the photos below give an inside look at the process and finished product. 

Humanity, Prosperity, Unity, and Connectivity rugs

 

And for a little Kashmir feel, here is the new collection named after the Indian city, with vibrant colors and motifs.

Sweet Dreams

Did you know that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month? Well, I didn't, but I do know people who have been affected by domestic violence. And when I found out about a new campaign from PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE called Support Your Dreams that launched yesterday,  I wanted to spread the word. 

The two companies (PrimaLoft provides a luxury down alternative for items including bedding, clothing, and accessories; and DOWNLITE manufacturers natural and down alternative filled bedding) have come together to spread hope and empowerment for victims of domestic violence during October. The whole idea is to give something back to women and children who are leaving these violent situations and are transitioning into a new life at domestic violence shelters. Through donation drives benefiting local domestic violence shelters and an online pillow purchase program, PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE will donate proceeds to domestic violence services. To kick off the campaign, hundreds of pillows will be donated to the Equinox Domestic Violence Shelter in Albany and the Cincinnati YMCA Battered Women's Shelter. All women and children who visit these shelters will receive a new pillow to keep and take with them to a new home when they leave the shelter. 

After leaving a situation where there is domestic violence, most women and children leave behind everything they own. Giving them a new pillow, a comfortable item to sleep and dream with and something to call their own, will make a big difference. Thank you PrimaLoft and DOWNLITE for offering much more than just a pillow, but a source of hope.