Category Archives: Design Inspirations

Jennifer Busch

Designer Spotlight: Hospitality design inspirations (pt. 2)

By Jennifer Busch
May 9, 2013

Join us as we follow 6 designers from concept to execution as they create custom hospitality vignettes for HI Connect.

Designer: Colleen Musika, Design & Supply

Q:What is the inspiration for your vignette at HI Connect Design?

A: I approached this space with the excitement of what I would want to see in a boutique room. I started with an oversized, colorful, and eye- grabbing pop art piece that draws the guests in when they first open the door. The room layout leant itself to creating two distinct areas, with the focal wall of the pop art in the background. Pop art refers not as much to the art itself but to the attitude that led to it, and pays tribute to aspects of mass culture. I choose to have the saying “call me maybe” because I loved adding a kitschy element to the space by taking a very popular song from the past year and displaying it on this prominent wall. The overall feel of the room brings excitement and fun to the guest’s experience, leaving them wanting to come back.

In addition to the bold digital pop art, I wanted the carpet to stand out as well by creating movement and adding a graphic element. I love how the carpet tiles really ground the different areas of the room. Because the art and floor have such a great impact, adding texture with the brick wall covering, velvet and tweed fabrics add coziness that you want your guests to experience. The final element of the gold, reflective surfaces and shine add much needed dimension.

Q: How does the flooring contribute to the overall design concept?

A: As you can read in my Inspiration for my vignette, the carpet adds the perfect graphic and bold element I was looking for. Mostly all my furniture and walls are simple and textured, so I needed the carpet to be the statement piece in the room. The carpet tiles also provided a great way for me to create two different sections in my vignette. I created a custom “area rug” with the tiles in my living space.

Q: Does sustainability figure prominently in your design concept? If so, please elaborate.

A: Sustainability is a continuing trend and effort that is growing within the design industry every day. It is always beneficial to have product that speaks to it. Using Interface Hospitality will not only allow for less waste per project, but it also will allow for less waste when it comes to replacing product as well.

Q: Why did you choose to work with Interface Hospitality as a supplier for your design concept?

A: I have chosen to work with Interface Hospitality as my carpet supplier because they have impressed me when I have worked with them on previous jobs, before HI Connect. Interface as a whole is very innovative and forward-thinking when it comes to the hospitality industry. I love all the custom capabilities I have with their product and they have such a unique and distinct look to their hospitality line, to which no other carpet company can really even compare.

About the designer: Colleen Musika has been the head interior designer with Design & Supply for the past five years. Musika joined Design& Supply after graduating from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and has since designed for all types of properties in many different locations. For her, the change of scenery keeps the day to day interesting. Musika does not lean toward any one type of style or aesthetic, but appreciates all design and particularly enjoys the design challenges posed by hotel projects.

 

Read more on page 2

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Sarah Pelham

Hospitality Design Inspiration: Cerulean Palette

By Sarah Pelham
May 8, 2013

Be inspired by this compilation of some of our newest and most popular Interface Hospitality products.

A stunning patina. Distressed, worn finishes. Classic, timeless design. Ornamentation and the combination of natural textures mix to create a stunning group of elements which can be combined to create a variety of moods. A worn, new world Persian paired with a wood plank or a concrete texture can give you a unique, classic space. Mix just textures for a more modern feel, or use the highly detailed garden floral for a traditional mood.

These products range in tone from ivory through a range of soft golds and warm taupes, into rich, deep chocolate browns with an accent of cerulean. Soft curves mixed with nature’s hard lines create complimentary design elements. The colors mimic the range in hues of a Siamese cat with cerulean eyes as a stunning accent.

A. Product: Hip Over History, Pattern: M0938, Colors: a. 40177, b. 40169, c. 39801, d. 40146, e. 34417, f. 34418, g. 40099; B. Product: Walk The Plank, Color: Poplar; C. Product: Walk The Plank, Color: Poplar; D. Product: UR102, Colors: a. 40011, b. 39840, c. 39801; E. Product: UR101, Colors: a. 40011, b. 39840, c. 39801, d. 34418, e. 40146, f. 40146; F. Product: UR103, Colors: a. 40146, b. 34418; G. Product: A Cut Above, Pattern: M0819, Colors:a. 40169, b. 39801, c. 40099, d. 40177, e. 40011, f. 40010, g. 39840, h. 40005; H. Product: Hip Over History, Pattern: M0939, Colors: a. 40177 b. 40169, c. 39801, d. 40146, e. 34417, f. 34418, g. 40099; I. Product: RMS 607, Color: Khaki; J. Product: RMS 103, Color: Walnut

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Design Inspirations: Blue color palette

By Gretchen Wagner
May 2, 2013

A mindful and patient color by nature, blue is one of the most substantial colors of our planet. Both violently strong and deeply tranquil the ocean’s tides and currents flow across our planet’s surface at the unwavering pace of life. Beneath the blue surface, a bustling ecosystem thrives, containing more species of plant and animal life than comprehensible. To this day, the ocean remains a bountiful realm of exploration and inspiration.

Protecting our planet’s oceans spans from knowledge of tangible environmental impacts to preserving our unique curiosity of the unknown. As resources become more scarce our attention turns to the impact of our own consuming and our attitudes become gentle when we consider these complex and sensitive ecosystems. Considering this valuable resource to our survival - our own bodies are comprised of this essential element and it is water that interconnects our lives with the existence of all other living things.

One thing is certain, you don’t need to be near our planet’s beautiful oceans to respect and cherish all that blue provides us. Wherever you find yourself, think blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. PlushMix / 103841 SagePlush; B. Menagerie II / 101470 Glacier; C. UR501 / 103615 Blue; D. HeatherMix / 103515 Sage; E. Permian / 100534 Ocean; F. Micro Line / 103715 Flax; G. SuperFlor / 609157 Lagoon Blue; H. Top Stitch / 102525 Denim

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vicki DeVuono

Inspired Design: Modern - Mid-century

By Vicki DeVuono
April 30, 2013

Studio Palettes: Be inspired by this compilation of some of our most popular products.

Modern - Mid-century

Mid Century Modern is characterized by a warmth and informality. Thoughtfully designed spaces are punctuated with furniture and things that are not precious or pretentious. The use of simple, affordable materials like American hardwoods, laminates and molded plywood, communicate accessibility and inclusion.

The Mid Century Modern Studio Palette selects colors that recall the optimism of the middle of the last century. The preference for natural wood tones, undyed wools and linens are also reflected in the warmth of the palette and the textures of the styles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Tongue in Groove / 100720 Mahogany; B. Sew Straight / 102399 Crewel; C. Viva Colores / 101162 Mandarina; D. Cambria / 102560 Marsh; E. Bertola / 8822 Cioccolate; F.Redeliver / 102621 Lame;G. Viva Colores / 101138 Azul Verdosa; H. Flor / 603188 Black-Brown

 

 

 

 

 

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Jennifer Busch

Interface Does Milan

By Jennifer Busch
April 25, 2013

Interface and its fiber partner Aquafil recently hosted 33 international A&D during Milan Design Week. Time spent with our guests from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Great Britain and China at i Saloni, Euroluce, Zona Tortona, and out and about in the design-rich city of Milan yielded some serious discussions on emerging trends and especially a spate of favorites. Of course, many of the products presented during Milan Design Week are not available in the Americas, or are too cost prohibitive for widespread use here. But no matter; innovation begets inspiration and inspiration begets design ideas with global reach that benefit practitioners near and far.

Here are some individual takes from our design experts (and me) on what was hot in Milan:

    • Judy Betts, SOM, New York: “Environments infused with light.”
    • Joe Rondinelli, Shepley Bulfinch, Boston: “Manipulating new technologies to create art.”
      “This was most evident when we looked at the lighting exhibits. The technology was no longer the star, instead our creative use and manipulation of it was. We saw theatrical spatial experiences manipulated with light; we saw the refinement of form and light as an architectural spatial tool. We have moved from what it is to what it can do.       We saw technology as the means to achieve the craft, whether it was with the sculpting of marble or the fabrication of organic resin bench forms. This is a significant leap; it shows that technology is being used as a tool for creativity.”
    • Mel Kleve, Wright Heerema, Chicago: “Geometric shapes”
      “Geometric shapes continue to be a trend, taking form in actual shapes of furniture pieces, not just patterns.”
    • James Kenner, EDRTrust, Memphis, TN:“Lighting!”
    • Antonio Caliz, ValerioDeWaltTrain, San Francisco: “Reinterpreting the classics. The reinterpretation of some of the classics makes them really appealing for a contemporary space”
    • “We are all looking at how to infuse notes of ‘domestic feel’ into corporate environments.”
    • Angela Denney, FRCH International, Cincinnati, OH: “A lot of felt.”
      “I saw a lot of use of felt, not only in upholstery but even in wall tiles.       I also saw more use of pastel colors, especially pale pink and yellow. I even saw it in one of the Bocci light fixtures.”
    • Lara Leskaj, Perkins+Will, Chicago: “Soft color and pastels.”
      “I noticed was a lot of SOFT color/pastel and pattern (freshened) and thought Missoni did the best interpretation of it all. I also noticed a lot of the light woods.”
    • Jennifer Busch, Interface, New York: “Creativity with hard surfacing.”
      “Some very interesting manipulation of hard surfacing materials, yielding creative shapes and forms that offer a refreshing alternative to typical tiles and slabs.”
  • “With lighting technology advancing so rapidly, Euroluce usually provides the most interesting product innovations at the Salone. It would seem I like circles…”
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