Companies unveil newest products during design show

Hotel & Motel Management, June 7, 2004

The Hospitality Design Expo & Conference took place April 29-May 1 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. During the show, many design-related companies featured their latest innovations.

HFS, a design, procurement and FF&E finance company, showed off its Las Vegas showroom during the show. The company put together 12,000 square feet of hotel guest-room models in the six weeks before the HD Expo. HFS has 13 model rooms to show visitors.

"We wanted to create a visual experience so hotel owners and developers can kick the tires on the look of different rooms," said John Wong, HFS' v.p. of finance who also owns two hotels in California. "There's a pent-up demand in our industry for remodeling rooms because of delayed [capital expenditure] projects, and the timing of our opening this facility is good because people can come in and actually see and feel what can go into the cap-ex project."

Hal Russell, v.p. of marketing, said the showroom is important because it's important for hotel owners to see what they're investing in for the next few years.

"It's a big commitment, and we can help make it easier to digest," Russell said. "We can do everything from design rooms and public space to help choose bedspread patterns to provide financing. It's been pretty well accepted so far."

Wong said the company plans to open similar facilities in China, Mexico and Europe in the next nine months.

Carrier Corp. displayed its improved 52F series Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with state-of-the-art touch pad controls, digital display and infrared remote control. Carrier's new Through-the-Wall series provides precise temperature control and an easy-to-read digital display eliminating the guesswork in setting the room temperature. Selected models carry the Energy Star standards designation. All 52F series models are available in sizes from 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs and designed to fit most competitive 26-inch by 16-inch wall sleeves in a variety of applications.

Best Booths were awarded to: Instyle Contract Textiles (100-square-foot category); International Art Properties (200-square-foot category); Summit Furniture (300-square-foot category); Masland Contract (400-square-foot category); Crypton Super Fabrics (600-square-foot category); and Durkan Patterned Carpet (800-square-foot category).

Delta Faucet Co. introduced its new Brizo premium faucet brand. The company said it sees Brizo as a fashion brand in the faucet industry. Brizo replaces Delta Select as the company's premium faucet brand. Brizo's booth featured the Floriano Collection for kitchens and bars, the Vesi Collection for bathrooms and the Vesi Custom Shower System that incorporates state-of-the-art technology that tailors the size and velocity of water drops. It also has a new medium-flow thermostatic valve with volume and temperature control.

Canada-based Morbern introduced (u)phoria!, a fabric that the company said combines the durability and performance of vinyl with the aesthetic design capabilities of performance fabric. The product can be used in a multitude of contract seating applications. In addition, the company announced new distribution partnerships with Arc-Com Fabrics, Architex International, Carl Havens Signature Fabrics, CF Stinson, DesignTex, Douglass Industries, International Fabrics, J. Ennis Fabrics, Mayer Fabrics, Scott Fabrics, Silver State Suppliers and Triden Upholstery Coverings.

Durkan Patterned Carpet premiered a number of programs and designs, included Stria and Stria Textured, two base grade systems that draw inspiration from the hand-made rugs of Tibet and can be used in large settings, such as ballrooms, corridors and lobbies. In addition, the company introduced its Silk Road, Emperor's Garden, Rhapsody and Japonica collections. The items were on display in the company's booth, which was designed by award-winning architect Shashi Caan.

Milliken Carpet turned its 2,700-square-foot booth into an Italian piazza as part of the launch of Ever, its high-definition patterning technology.

The Mitchell Gold Co., a furniture manufacturer based in Taylorsville, N.C., launched a contract hotels & textiles division. The company featured a walk-through of the various components of a hotel inside its 1,600-square-foot booth at the HD Expo.

Wolf-Gordon, based in Long Island City, N.Y., introduced The Haven Collection, a patterning for hospitality and contract interiors created by Patty Madden. Designs in Haven explore higher degrees of sophistication in illustration, special effects and manufacturing of type I and type II wallcoverings, the company said. The patterns are offered in a multitude of colorways and are 21-ounce, type II commercial wallcovering with an Osnaburg backing.

Sealy Contract showcased its Sealy Posturepedic UniCased Hospitality Collection. It also announced that it redesigned its Web site, www.sealy-contract.com.

Hemet, Calif.-based Pacific Sun Casual Furniture celebrated its 50th year of operation by featuring several new product lines. Among the new outdoor furniture products available are commercial grade all-weather wicker, European teak and cast-aluminum models. The new Playa Collection, which was designed for poolside lounging as well as outdoor dining, and the new Napa Sling Collection also were unveiled.