All posts by: PierPoint

Social and environmental responsibility can do more for a brand than ever before, and the next big arena of competition seems to center on wellness. Properties are outgrowing the typical facilities-based model of spas and fitness centers, moving towards a more holistic approach.

The arrival of new hotel brands, crossing over from the fitness industry into hospitality, suggests this will be an interesting trend to follow!

Design will continue to focus on how space can be both beautiful and practical but innovation will change our expectations and perceptions. Several major players have been rolling out rooms designed for wellness with designated fitness spaces, equipment, tech linens, and fine-tuned light and sound control.

Demands on surface material performance will increase as use becomes more vigorous and cleanability concerns arise. Upholstery, carpeting and linens for some areas will all need to be reconsidered for characteristics such as wear resistance, porosity, microbial resistance, and slip resistance.

Not an unusual piece to find in a room, a bench or similar can be covered in a beautiful, high performance vinyl to blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of the room while still providing full functionality as a piece of workout equipment that can hold up to abrasion, sweat, weight, and sanitization.

Speak with one of our representatives about how we can help you meet your new needs.

What works? What doesn’t?

Think about the existing space. Speak to your people – everyone from guests to management to housekeeping. Make a list of wants and needs. Assess wear, upkeep and “cleanability”, and traffic patterns.

How much disruption can you tolerate?

New window dressings and soft furnishings may be a low impact way to refresh a space. Look into gradually staging installation.

What is your timeframe?

Limited time will limit your options but producers and suppliers have a good idea of what is manageable and can work with you. Even custom options can be available in very reasonable timeframes.

Think about what is important to your organization, what ideals you want to uphold and what image you want to project. Get inspired, be inspiring.

We are seeing more and more companies opt for a campus design layout where shared space supports a more collaborative work process. Real estate is expensive and a visual delineation of areas are more efficient than physical. Amorphic and reconfigurable office layouts, with open plans and modular furniture provide multiple types of work and meeting spaces to meet a company’s needs.

Warm, inviting interiors that offer elevated acoustic dampening are an ideal counterpoint to a technology saturated workplace. Flooring has become a key solution for creating and defining spaces and as such is increasingly selected early in the design process. A huge range of colors, textures and material have both practical and aesthetic considerations, with custom options offering the possibility of a truly unique product.

Check out our In Stock Area Rug program where you can see rugs like in the photo above.

Vinyl is an ideal choice for high traffic and collaborative spaces. If fire resistance, durability, water resistance and “cleanability” were not sufficient reason, our gorgeous new line in vinyl will have you considering this high-performance textile for your needs.

New Vinyl Collection 2017 Themes

This new vinyl collection 2017 brings together a variety of themes. We have listened to our customers’ requests and are excited to bring to you a variety of colors and patterns in a matte finish. Matte surfaces are both attractive and practical, holding up particularly well to wear.

For more exotic tastes, we present several new beautifully rendered hide patterns. Ostrich leather, pigskin and snakeskin are among the tasteful but striking options that will bring character to your space. Intricate embossings increase visual and tactile engagement on the small-scale while classic colors integrate well with broader design choices.

If you are looking to build a sense of warmth and comfort, consider an aged or distressed leather look. These can add a softer element to your space or a trendy, vintage touch. This quality vinyl provides all the customary appeal of aged leather without the necessary upkeep.

The collection is completed by pattern selections with the appearance of fabric that gives way to the surprising feel of cool, soft vinyl. A conflict between the senses, these finishes blend seamlessly into design themes with the additional performance characteristics.

Contact us now to enquire about any of these great choices and to see how we can contribute to your design and space.

A common concern when entering a new lodging space is sleep quality. Asides from personal habits, the next most important factor is environment. Noise, light, temperature and the quality of the bed and bedding all come into play. How?

Providing blackout curtains to hide an early sunrise and sheers for those who want a sunshine wakeup call can also provide some temperature control.

Pillows are useful for customizing support while soft, breathable bedding with a layered assortment of covers allow a guest to fine tune their thermal comfort.

Even floor, wall and window coverings should be carefully considered for their ability to insulate and dampen sound.

The 14th edition of Techtextil North America trade fair ran over June 20-22 with more than 150 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, 5 symposium sessions and over 20 expert industry presentations.

Techtextil North America – Outline

Like the major Frankfurt edition, the show vertically assembles the technical textiles industry from R&D through materials, production and treatment through to recycling. This year showcased a number of new participants.

A new addition was a series of talks in partnership with The Nonwovens Institute hosted throughout the event and open to all attendees. The Graduate Student Poster Program was present for the 4th year running, showcasing budding research in related fields.

Next year’s edition will be held May 22-24, 2018 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

We return this month to discuss the other side of the question on whether synthetic or natural textiles are the better choice for your project. Although often used to make a statement, the push for “natural” – in this case the fibers –  is more than just a political stance.

Natural Textiles – Qualities & Uses

Natural textiles fibers have some innate qualities that may make them particularly preferable where they come into direct physical contact with the user. For example, wicking, insulation and breathability are particularly important when selecting bedlinens and bed dressings. Cotton and silk are particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies while hemp has excellent moisture dispersion and anti-microbial properties – excellent anywhere from institutional and to luxury hospitality conditions.

Manmade materials do not carry the same (metaphorical) weight of their journey from farm to user. Natural textiles are an agricultural product, overwhelmingly from small-scale enterprise in developing regions. Natural fibers are a renewable resource and can present and exceptionally tidy cradle-to-cradle loop when disposal is adequately planned for. Similar to synthetics, upcycling and recycling are also viable end of use options.

In choosing natural fibers, you are also putting yourself in the somewhat unique position of choosing what can be perceived as both the luxurious and responsible option. There is a certain cachet that comes from being able to proclaim that textiles used in your spaces are pure, natural, ethical, sustainable. “Sustainable” may also intersect with the fair trade and other ethical sourcing movements.

Many natural textiles fibers are also extremely practical. They can be good insulators, easy to clean, noise dampening and static resistant. Wool may even meet fire performance standards without chemical treatment. There are luxury properties using recycled, fire-rated and machine washable linens that are both beautiful, safe and cost effective all through their useful life.

The décor of a typical property is changed every 5 to 7 years on average. Classic design and material choices are always suitable and can even delay the need for costly updates. High quality natural textiles are inherently beautiful and are available in a range of colors, textures and styles varied enough to bring to life any vision you have. Check out our Area Rugs to spice up your property.

A major decision point when faced with a seemingly never-ending array of textiles is whether to opt for a natural or synthetic textiles material. There is not a “correct” choice here – there are benefits to either (and we will discuss the other side next month).

There is a general perception that natural textiles are more luxurious. Indeed, there is an undeniable appeal to silk and wool blend rugs or a fine leather chaise. However, high-quality synthetic textiles on the market are so well manufactured that they are typically indistinguishable from their natural counterparts. These synthetic options also offer a number of very useful characteristics that decision makers should be aware of.

Synthetic Textiles – Engineered

Engineered textiles perform very well in high use situations. Fibers are generally stronger than the natural equivalent and the materials can better maintain color integrity which results in reduced showing of wear and tear.

Variety is another huge advantage to synthetic textiles. Colors, patterns, weaves, prints, textures, lustre and weight are all available in an array of choices and are often customizable. Suitable options exist for issues such as moisture control, odor control, stain prevention and cleaning, or fire performance. Materials are available that are anti-microbial, non-porous or suitable for sanitization.

While synthetic textiles sold for commercial or industrial applications have minimum fire performance requirements to meet, many engineered textiles will have especially high ratings as the materials are inherrently fire-retardant due to the nature of the material or the construction of fibers.

One last key aspect to consider is the environmental impact of your choice. Conventional wisdom has it that natural fibers are a more sustainable choice due to their being considered as coming from renewable resources. This is absolutely not a hard and fast rule. Not only must the relative lifespans of each product be considered but the use of water and energy through manufacture and transport.

Browse our updated range of area rugs while you contemplate your options!

With Techtextil Europe just over and the North American edition approaching later this month, having a look at recent innovations in high end technical textiles seems the thing to do. With just under 1500 exhibitors and over 45,000 visitors, the show is a significant event with participants from various segments of the industry.

Technical Textiles market to reach US$160 billion

The US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration projects that the world market for technical textiles may reach up to US$160 billion by 2018. As with most industries, the developments in the high end of the market are a good indicator of what the industry as a whole will come to embrace as new technology becomes more accessible.

As might be expected by the motto “Connecting the Future”, the topic of innovative, sustainable solutions and cutting-edge environmentally responsible products permeated the trade show as was seen in both the product range and the symposium programming.

Symposium blocks discussed the future of an industry built on sustainability, resource management and circular economies. Specific issues included sustainable product design, bio-based fibre materials, recycling, upcycling, smart textiles and the evaluation of fire retardant additives in the textile extrusion process.

The benefits of Technical Textiles

While the technologies and products presented are too numerous to discuss, there are a few standouts of interest to the hospitality industry. The replacement of PFCs with protein-based water and dirt repelling finishes is particularly interesting. Green coating technology that relies on environmentally friendly halogen-free aqueous formulations offer a wide range of possibilities in function and design while the latest generation of nano-coatings feature an impressive 100% reduction in water waste among other benefits.

At the opposite end of the lifecycle, biodegradability of a product is an important aspect of assessing its sustainability with a focus of the treatment at the end of its useful life. Considering the 400 year timeline for the decomposition of plastics, there was an understandable emphasis on the use of both natural fibres and newer biodegradable man-made fibres from alternative sources – some as esoteric as non-food milk.

While color and patterns offer a more conspicuous impact, the creative use of textures and classic textured materials can add beautifully subtle depth to a design. Despite powerful patterns being on trend, the use of predominantly mild, monochromatic color schemes is not likely to lose its place in a substantial proportion of the hospitality sector. Varying the texture of a finish adds character and complexity without sacrificing the flexibility of a neutral shade.

Keeping in step with the trend towards customizable spaces, textured small furnishings and linens – napkins, table coverings, cushions, throws, spreads, rugs, etc. – allow end user an intimate interaction with the space. People are drawn to “touchable” materials and soft textures. A buttery leather complemented by a warm, nubby knit subtly engages touch and provides a sense of warmth and welcome.

As a matter of practicality, texture can be used in lieu of architectural or structural elements in defining space. Especially in large, or open plan areas, subtle changes in flooring or wall coverings can delineate spatial divisions and reduce the perceived scale of a space while not placing limitations on future reconfigurations. Carpet texture can even be used to direct foot traffic.

Classic Textured Materials

We are seeing rich, classic textured materials such as brocade, velvet and leather juxtaposed onto modern forms for a more contemporary presentation. The recent embrace of craft and culture brings interesting weaves to the fore while natural materials keep their place as the sustainability movement is universally embraced. Biophilic cottons, felts and knit fabrics fulfil an innate affinity for tactility and can build a feeling of wellness within a space.

If a simpler approach is preferred, pleats and folds elevate the style of basic window dressings. Newer technology allows for high definition dying and surface detailing of carpeting and rugs while accommodating a variety of budgets better than ever.