Samuelson Furniture Blog

 

 

Already heralded as one of the most anticipated hotel openings this year, and maybe even the decade, the new TWA Hotel is a remarkable salute to the golden era of air travel. Housed in the former TWA terminal at JFK airport in New York, the property pays tribute to the 1960's design aesthetic by staying true to that era, all thanks to some incredible design.

This month we are speaking with two individuals intimately involved in the creation of this fantastic project, to learn what it’s like celebrating that era, recreating an iconic mid century design aesthetic, and uncovering the unique challenges of meshing today’s standards with the look of yesteryear.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

What does quality furniture design really mean? To find out the answer, we sought two accomplished professionals to share their experience as they distinguish furniture of the highest quality. First, we spoke to Sylvie Blondeau AIA, LEED GA; Project Manager with MCR Investors, which just debuted the incredible new TWA Hotel at JFK, and Samuelson Furniture’s in-house design expert Mike Rinaldi.

Here’s how they approach great furniture design:

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

From time to time we like to focus on the challenges purchasing pros have within the hospitality community. They often find themselves caught between the needs of designers, vendors, and of course the project’s owners.

Purchasing professionals must negotiate an array of demands to deliver great products on time, and of course within budget. We have addressed some of the larger issues with Steven A. “Gus” Sarff III, President of GS Associates, Newburyport, MA.  Gus shares his strategy of finding success in a continual sea of challenges.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

In capturing today’s market of savvy travelers, design professionals are challenged by the numerous hotel brands that have emerged.  With a focus on brand identity, creating authenticity while addressing the particular design standard of that brand, requires a balance between what the brand represents and the client’s design vision.  Ultimately, the creation of a memorable guest experience, both personal and unique, is the goal in bringing a traveler back to that brand. 

This month we’re chatting with a trio of pros that have all helped create brand prototypes, and are well versed at the art of bringing new concepts to life. Plus, they’re all masters at balancing brand demands with owner wants. Here’s how they maneuver this complicated thicket.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

Samuelson Furniture conducted a survey to capture design input on evolving hospitality trends of 2019.   We are fortunate in providing two forward thinking, top designers for their look into the direction taking place within the hotel industry.
The time and consideration of the following designers are greatly appreciated for their valuable insight:

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

Furniture design isn’t easy, presenting many challenges when it comes to teaching the next generation of designers. For this month’s blog we spoke with 2 designers, a design educator and a student to understand how they interpret the learning process when it comes to furniture design with a particular focus on seating.
In addition, they discuss the ways in which technologies impact this process. 

Topics: Hospitality Design, Hospitality Design Trends, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, Custom Upholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Furniture Design, Hotel Design

Technology has become the backbone of the hotel business on many levels. This includes the ways in which properties are operated behind the scenes as well as guest-facing technologies, and of course the latest electronic contraptions hotel customers use when on site.

It has made those in the hotel industry rethink how interactive technology is applied in every aspect of the hotel experience, including through FF&E products such as furniture.  This provides inspiration to begin a dialog addressing the creative thought and application of technology in the hospitality environment.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Custom furniture for hotels, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, custom casegoods, Purchasing FF+E, CustomUpholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Custom Casegoods For Hotels, Interior Design, Furniture Design, Technology, TechHotels, Technology Integrated Furniture, Rethinking Technology In Hospitality Design, Hotel Technology

An important, time saving process of creating a technical drawing in the world of design and architecture is known as CAD, or Computer Aided Design technology.  The creation of these precision drawings reduces the probability of human error, provide greater accuracy, and greatly shorten the design cycle.  

Topics: Hospitality Design, Custom furniture for hotels, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, custom casegoods, Purchasing FF+E, CustomUpholstery, Custom Seating For Hotels, Custom Casegoods For Hotels, Interior Design, How To Reduce Redlines in custom furniture design, CAD, Furniture Design, Computer Aided Design, CADdesign, AutoCAD

This month we are investigating how those tasked with purchasing furniture approach their role in delivering a long lasting product that pleases both ownership and guests, all while anchoring the in-room experience. We connected with two industry superstars; Joe Motley, Program Manager at Walt Disney World, and Neil Locke, principal at Neil Locke & Associates, and asked them to share their thoughts on the importance of buying the right quality furniture at the right price.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Custom furniture for hotels, custom furniture for hospitality, custom seating, custom casegoods, Purchasing FF+E

There has been a big shift in hospitality during the last five years. Public spaces in hotels, especially the lobby, are officially the front and center attraction.  While they have always been the first thing guests see, there is a new focus. This relates to setting the stage for experience while simultaneously creating engaging spaces where people want to hang out, and importantly, spend money.

Topics: Hospitality Design, Custom furniture for hotels, custom seating, custom casegoods, Purchasing FF+E