The overwhelming theme of the 2019 Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas was a return to crisp elegance in finish, detail and materials. Unseen tech was everywhere. Mirrors that checked your stock portfolio to showers that include infrared therapy, 3d printed faucets to looms creating dimensional carpet.
Whole body health, wellness and sustainability continue to be a focus of hospitality design – witness an entire area of the expo dedicated to conversation about the topic 'Technology promotes wellbeing'. We’re seeing environments that inspire and restore our body and soul through biophilic design principles and products continue the eco-chic trend.
Emerging style ‘retro nostalgia’ was plentiful - a nod to Italian 60’s giants: Vico Magistretti, Joe Colombo, Pierre Paulin, with a hint of 70’s styling. Curved profiles, vibrant colors, textures and flowers were everywhere. Retro was more apparent that re-use.
HD Sessions
CapEx – there’s a contingency for that too…
Hospitality Design is the business of design, not the design business. Gorgeous spaces make great magazine covers, but ultimately each design decision relates to a return on investment. Informed designers can modify budgets and timeline according to client directive, and experienced developers anticipate multiple outcomes and scenarios. #hosthotels #wilson
Brand Identity – new ideas on the block
Capturing a niche market in an overcrowded field is a challenge. Four fresh innovators described their concept was challenges associated. Whimsical and fresh, the concept of hospitality is ever-changing. A shout-out to Marcus Carey of Homage Hospitality Group. A lifestyle brand that pays homage to African American ‘Influencers’ from Jay Z to Nina Simone. Fast-break concept. #homagehospitality
HD Expo
The following is a summary of interesting products and finishes that stood out:
Toto
Whether you follow Joe Rogan’s podcasts or practice Vipassanā meditation, sensory deprivation has been reserved for high-experience practitioners or floatation tanks. Toto has developed the “world's first zero-gravity bathtub in which bathers experience total weightlessness. TOTO calls this extraordinarily calming, tension-free bathing experience, Zero Dimension.” Pimped-out LEDs underneath are extra. As before, technology promotes well-being realized #toto
Tech Lighting
Retro 70’s is back. Big time. Kelly Wearstler, doyen of the Melrose Ave. retro-nostalgia look, teamed up with Tech Lighting for these fixtures.
Thomas O’Brien’s fixtures from the same company were also lovely. Kind of like floating Anish Kapoor discs without the extra five 00000’s. #kellywearstler #techlighting
Vaughan Benz
Crisp as a late 60’s Frank Stella, Vaughan Benz’ installation presented very well. Curved lines, bold color, mix of metals and polished surfaces.
David Benz is a friend of mine so I might be biased – but I thought their booth captured the spirit of the show. #vaughanbenz
Avenue Lighting
Still in lighting, this modular fixture from Avenue Lighting was cool; a linear fixture 'Vesta' shown against a ‘Tadao Ando’ perfect-pour concrete backdrop was nice. Oops – backdrop was laminate! #avenuelighting
Tilebar
Tilebar showed some interesting patterns, also in the retro 70s theme. A half-finished DoodleArt philodendron watercolor and a geometric scribble-art pattern highlighted their collection. #tilebar
Shaw Contract
Burnout patterns have been around for a while, but Shaw Contract’s ‘Gather Portfolio’ custom carpets are composed on a new-generation loom with over-tufting texture. Only 4 colors, but this technique makes everything else non hand-tufted appear 2-dimensional. #shawcontract
Sandler Seating
An homage to icon Zaha Hadid (or cloisonné atelier Robert Kuo) Sandler Seating’s 'Riverside 903.21' from their Tonon collection featured a squishy polyurethane foam finish. #zahahadid #robertkuo #sandlerseating
Kohler
New finishes were subtle and elegant. Kohler’s Ombré Vibrant finish melds different metals: Rose Gold to Polished Nickel, and Titanium to Rose Gold. Sweet. #kohler
Pulled from corporate design, this enclosed tête-à-tête or phone booth for taking a call from one’s doctor, again showed 70’s curved-profile styling. Sorry, this installation needs a good industrial designer to rework. PriestmanGoode listening? #priestmangoode
Floquem
Lastly, who doesn’t need a flocked David? Or an electric pink Nike of Samothrace? The rep with the gorgeous Italian accent almost convinced me. Almost... #floquem
Thanks to all my industry friends, colleagues and clients that make hospitality design my passion! #hdexpo #hospitalitydesign #luxuryinteriors #burtbinteriordesign #hok
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