Ms. Willis

Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

What’s Hot & What’s Not For 2012 In Styles, Colors, & More

By Kalen Willis, Senior Interior Designer, Hatchett Hospitality

A new year means new ideas in hotel furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E), so what’s in, what’s out, and what’s next for 2012? The answers can be found by looking at three specific topics: color, texture, and furniture.

First, some background to put my comments into perspective.

Hotels are part “home” and part “escape” – they combine the practical amenities we need on the road with the intangible emotional feelings we have when we travel. They reflect our mindset, namely, the world we live in as well as the dreams we aspire to.

It’s not surprising, then, that hospitality trends are influenced by a variety of economic, social, and even political issues around the globe. This year, those issues and influences include:

• The Economy – as we continue to recover from the worldwide recession, renovations will increase, especially at properties that have been neglected in recent years when owners have been strapped for funds

• The News – some news is good and some is bad, but when major events get our attention and make an impression, they usually are translated into our tastes and preferences, at least until the next “big thing” comes around – consider the royal wedding, the political protests in many countries, and natural disasters like the Japanese earthquake

• The Special – upcoming celebrations or commemorative events often have an impact on fashion styles and design trends, for example, currently it’s the upcoming Summer Olympics in London

The Power of Color

Color is having a big impact at low cost – because it can be changed easily. Hoteliers are completely changing the look of certain areas simply with a fresh coat of paint or with new wallpaper. They can also “repurpose” existing furniture items such as chairs or decorative items such as pillows by changing their color.

Vision is our most important sense because 80% of what we assimilate is visual. So it’s no wonder that hoteliers are carefully and strategically using color to set the tone or mood of their properties.

One valuable predictor of “hot” colors is Color Pulse® 2012 from Benjamin Moore, which has as its theme “Preservation” and embraces four color palettes as being notably current or fashionable:

• Heritage – uses rich masculine earth tones as well as patterns such as lace, herringbone, and animal hides to reconnect with our past and to reinforce our roots
• Process – uses vivid, bold, organic colors to emphasize eco-friendly design and to blend the urban aspects with the natural aspects of our journey
• Protection – uses gentle, feminine blush and pearl tones to remind us of our vulnerability, while also conveying a protective and comforting quality
• Enlightenment – uses bolder pastels to celebrate our future and a sense of rebirth, renewal

Expect two other important color trends in 2012:

• Metallics are making a comeback – for example, pearl shades can add interest and an accent to either soft or bold colors, while gold tones can create a glamorous, noble décor in your choice of bright, matte, or antique finishes
• Neutrals will continue to be used as a balance – grays, blacks, and tans can provide an interesting contrast when used in combination with bright colors

In Touch With Texture

The dictionary defines “texture” as “the feel of a surface” – and in many hotels, texture is being used to give both the surfaces and the guests a special feeling:

• Walls – unusual wall treatments are on the increase using materials such as marble, metal, glass block, molded wood or special millwork, and embossed or vinyl wall covering. Benefits include creating a more upscale look, hiding certain cosmetic construction blemishes, and enhancing the overall guest experience.

Rather than doing entire rooms in a particular material, many hotels are choosing the technique of “accent walls” to highlight only one or two walls in a given room or public space. This dramatically increases impact while reducing cost.

• Flooring – many brand standards recognize the importance of upgrade floor covering, but increasingly hotels are going beyond what is “required,” both in guest rooms and in high traffic public areas. Examples include using granite, marble, tile, wood, and custom carpeting – or some distinctive combination of these materials.

Upgraded carpeting typically is a denser nylon or wool product that features cut/loop combinations or unique scroll work designs. The result is a carpet that is richer, plusher in look and feel – and the improved quality considerably improves wear, a benefit that justifies the increased cost of higher grade carpet.

To create the look of hardwood floors, some hoteliers are choosing tiles that quite realistically resemble wood thanks to imprinting which creates the optical illusion of wood grain on the surface. These tiles last longer and require less maintenance than wood floors.

Just as hotels create “accent walls” to reduce cost and build impact, a popular flooring technique is to limit the use of specialty materials by creating focal areas – such as decorative medallions or a distinctive border around the room perimeter.

• Upholstery – the days of flat commercial-grade upholstery are gone and hoteliers are creatively using a wide variety of materials that hold up to commercial usage yet have the visual and textural appeal of residential fabrics. Popular choices for hoteliers include vinyl, chenille, velvet, and silk that are available in a variety of stylish textures and exotic combinations.

Sometimes fabrics lead the décor and sometimes they simply play a supporting accent role, but certainly today there is an almost limitless variety of choices in color, pattern, texture, price, and quality that’s helping hoteliers create their desired look.

• Woods – finishes are lighter and rougher, and sometimes there is no finish at all, as reclaimed or imperfect woods become more popular. This is a result of growing interest in sustainable products.

Another popular way of creating interest is to mix types and tones of wood. This enables hoteliers to incorporate some of their gently-used furniture pieces at the time of a renovation.

Furniture Built For Form & Function

Hotel furniture has both a functional and an aesthetic role – and these days, the look of various pieces is changing because the function of various pieces has changed. For example:

• work desks and seating areas are being redesigned to transform a hotel room into a comfortable “office away from the office” -- for example by using L-shaped desks; desks with built-in shelves, which offer a guest additional storage space; and portable work tablets that can be used while sitting in a chair or on the bed
• the traditional two-door armoire with drawers below a TV shelf is being replaced with stand-alone armoires and chests which feature more compact display shelves to accommodate appliances such as flat screen TV’s and microwaves
• higher, wider, and fancier headboards are enhancing the sleep area – 36 inches to 42 inches high is more popular than 24 inches to 28 inches
• sitting areas are being enlarged to feel more like home and to include more and better lighting as well as soft, overstuffed furniture with built-in arms or tables that are suitable for paperwork or eating
• side and end tables are becoming smaller, while multi-function ottomans and stools are being added because they offer greater versatility for both work and seating
• benches are becoming larger because guests use them for luggage, dressing, and seating
• door handles and furniture levers are becoming easier to use, and overall property accessibility is more top-of-mind for designers, because there are more older travelers

Putting It All Together

Some lists we love – like those fun rankings of favorite desserts, most popular vacation spots, and highest-earning celebrities. Some lists we hate – like our personal daily “to do” list.

As hoteliers, we use lists all the time for everything from tracking room inventory to scheduling maintenance projects to tracking ROI and RevPAR.

Now I’ve created another list for you – the “what’s hot and what’s not” list. I’m not sure if you’ll love it or hate it, but I am sure it can help you as you make FF&E decisions this year.

At Hatchett Hospitality, Kalen Willis specializes in interior design for the hotel industry, with responsibility for project design, pricing, and management. She works with franchisers and franchisees on a wide variety of hotel brands, styles, and themes – from economy to luxury, from resort to business conference, and from traditional to modern. Her approach to the design of a project is driven by the target audience and by the end-use of the space. She believes that beautiful surroundings enhance our state of mind and enrich our lives. Ms. Willis can be contacted at 866-783-5980 or kalen.willis@hatchetthospitality.com Extended Bio...

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