ASID Hosts Panel Discussion which consists of Hospitality Experts at High Point Market
Ever wonder what perspective an interior designers draws from when creating some of the most amazing spaces? Let’s find out what a panel of Hospitality Interior Design experts had to say about their craft. The event was hosted by the American Society of Interior Designers during the fall Market in High Point, NC. Great discussion. Here are a few of the highlights I thought I would share with you.
Patrick Sutton
Q – Patrick, in your back story you describe that you wondered around the world as a child in the early 60’s and 70’s with your Dad who was a storyteller. And he would look for stories in the worlds’ most magical and interesting places, then thru the written word would then transport the reader to where ever those places might be. You say you like to design with storytelling in mind because of your Dad. How do you do that in designing a Hotel?
“Great question”, Patrick continues. “What I like to do before I begin any project is write a narrative. We look for the story. What is the narrative we are trying to tell? What I found was that you move away from making design decisions in a vacuum or that are trendy. By using a narrative, you are able to make design decisions that tie back to ‘the story’”.
What happens is that it allows for the designs to become more true and authentic. Sometimes it is the history of the area, the location, the buildings’ architecture itself that inspires your narrative. Or it can be the aspirations of the owners”.
Gary Inman
Q – What do you love about Hospitality Design?
“I really love that you can create a moment for someone that they will remember forever. That is an extraordinary special thing to be a part of. It transcends merely being beautiful – it transcends time. You actually have had an emotional impact. You are a part of their memory forever.
We don’t always get to touch peoples’ lives in that way very often. If we do our craft well. We can make an enormous impact on them. Design has the power to do that.
I enjoy creating and crafting experiences that have a duration. Restaurants can take someone on a 2-hour journey, or a hotel that can be a few days. In contrast, residential design creates a canvas for them to paint their lives”.
Todd Ellenberger
Q – We are hearing a lot of Hotels wanting their spaces to feel like a home. Home owners want their spaces to feel more like a hotel. What are your thoughts on this?
In a Hotels, what we were used to seeing were lobbies that were not very welcoming. They were very formal lobbies. People would just walk thru them. They didn’t really sit and communicate with their friends, lounge and enjoy the spaces. Consequently, now you are seeing that transform into a very residential feel. Now we are seeing people hang out in them. They are lounging, TV, sectional sofas, feet on coffee tables and ottomans. So it seems like it really does feel more like a home.
On the other hand, home owners want their homes to feel more like a five-star hotel room: luxurious linens, fine appointments, luxury baths. What they are wanting us a space that is really an escape for them.
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