Brintons and Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Resort

Brintons collaborated with IGroup Design on approximately 16,000 square yards of custom axminster carpets for three phases of renovations at the Viejas Casino and Resort in Alpine, CA. The recently completed Willows Hotel & Spa project is the exclusive third phase in a series of developments initiated eight years ago. The original design started with carved themed boulders conveying an overall rustic feel.

Like a stone tumbling through a stream, each phase has further evolved the architecture in a focused approach – now revealing a sophisticated connection to the natural elements in a clean, elegantly detailed expression. The spa portion of the project informed the refinement of raw features, blending rough, textured stone to an elegant smooth lightness.
The layered geometrics of the concourse and corridor carpet patterns reflect other artisan detailing – light fixtures, fabric and wall-covering textures– all referencing organized patterns found in nature. The broken irregular form adds an artful organic facet to the overall impression. The spa and elevator lobby carpet mirrors other sculptural elements including the natural layering and balance of colors, shapes, and textures. Organic lines echo striations in the stone that blend between exterior and interior, reinforcing the holistic approach.

IGroup Design was inspired by the surrounding Alpine valley, integrating nature with the abstract interpretation of the landscape – capturing both the larger valley topography and the smaller cellular patterns in leaves throughout various elements in the project. The juxtaposition of organic textures versus geometric meandering themes is consistent throughout the entire project. Geometric patterns weave a thread to the past while maintaining a sense of organic movement that catapults the space into the present.
“With five distinct carpet patterns throughout the project, the Brintons design team was so integral to the conceptual process. Direct contact with the senior designer through email, phone and meetings was both collaborative and painless – she really captured my many nuanced edits and requests to evolve the design. The carpet was one of the first finish items installed and it gave the client early confidence in the final vision. I am thrilled with the finished product!”

Kate Paradis
Designer | IGroup Design
Project Name: Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Resort
Details: Axminster 16,000 square yards
Date: 2018
Interior Designer: IGroup Design
Photography: Studio Maha

A. O. Smith Adds Mini Tankless Water Heaters

A. O. Smith, a leading water heater manufacturer, has enhanced and expanded its popular commercial-grade ProLine® family with three specialty electric water heaters for low-demand, point-of-use applications, such as office lavatories, handwashing stations, emergency stations, RVs and more.

The ProLine Specialty Point-of-Use Electric Water Heater series includes 2.5-, 4- and 6-gallon models. Each is equipped with a single low-watt density copper heating element and durable tamper-resistant brass drain valve.

The 2.5- and 4-gallon models come with a standard 110/120V cord set with three-prong plug and wall-mounting bracket for easy installation. The 6-gallon model requires hard-wiring. It features side-mounted plumbing and electrical connections, with optional top-mounted water connections for field conversion.

“Our ProLine Specialty Electric Water Heater family covers a wider range of point-of-use applications with fewer models, enabling distributors and contractors to provide unmatched value for end-users,” said David Chisolm, vice president of marketing at A. O. Smith. “The compact design of our Point-of-Use series is good for creating extra counter space and providing hot water and temperature control in remote locations.”

The ProLine Specialty Electric Water Heater models feature a glass-coated tank and aluminum-anode rod for protection against corrosion. It features a 6-year limited tank and parts warranty.

About A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers. A. O. Smith offers its customers an additional competitive advantage in that the company designs, builds, distributes and field supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single-source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by more than 80 years of research and innovation. For more information, visit http://www.hotwater.com/.

LATICRETE New Product Line with PRIME-N-BOND™

LATICRETE, a leading manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry, has introduced PRIME-N-BOND, a versatile primer designed to enhance the performance and mechanical bond of mortars to a variety of smooth or low-absorptive substrates that can be difficult to bond to. The new product also improves the bonding of self-leveling underlayments.

“Proper bonding of tile and stone to the substrate is critical to a successful and long-lasting installation. PRIME-N-BOND provides a solution that is both easy to apply and economical,” said LATICRETE Senior Product Manager Jonathan Scott. “The light color of PRIME-N-BOND is also advantageous as it will not contribute to darkening when applied to the back of light colored stone.”

The versatile primer is formulated with polymers and silica aggregates and does not require mixing or dilution prior to application. Additionally, PRIME-N-BOND is low VOC and does not emit a strong odor, making it ideal for use in interior or occupied areas.

“PRIME-N-BOND allows for a faster preparation which can save contractors time and money on the jobsite. This product is a perfect example of how advanced building material technology has helped to drive the construction industry forward, and help installers do their jobs more effectively,” added Scott.

PRIME-N-BOND is available in 1 gallon (3.8 liter) and 3.5 gallon (13.3 liter) pails and is a component of the LATICRETE® Lifetime System Warranty providing peace of mind for trouble-free installations.

About LATICRETE
LATICRETE is a leading manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry. LATICRETE offers a broad range of products and systems covering tile & stone installation and care, masonry installation and care, resinous and decorative floor finishes, concrete construction chemicals, and concrete restoration and care including the LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® System. For 60 years, LATICRETE has been committed to research and development of innovative installation products, building a reputation for superior quality, performance and customer service. LATICRETE methods, materials, and technology have been field and laboratory proven by Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Owners. Offering an array of low VOC and sustainable products, LATICRETE products contribute to LEED certification, exceed commercial/residential VOC building requirements, and are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. For more information, visit laticrete.com.

Retail Finds Purpose Post Apocalypse

FRCH Design Worldwide, a leading retail and hospitality architecture and design firm with a focus on consumer experiences where people work, shop, dine, play, stay and heal, is building renewed purpose for retail brands looking to expand their experiential equity with transient travelers in travel focused outposts.

At a time when retail is facing turbulent shifts within the industry, travel retail remains a strong, evolving opportunity within the market landscape. Brands have the opportunity to offer an animated repreieve from the intense travel annoyances attached to getting from point A to B.

“Travel retail presents an exciting opportunity within the evolving landscape of consumer brand experiences,” said Kelsey Chessey, VP and Senior Brand Strategist at FRCH.
Consumers expect just as much from their airport experiences as they expect from any other engaging experience. Retailers and developers that focus on compelling experiences and utilize a forward-thinking approach to capture consumer attention will have a competitive edge in the years to come.

Chessey has expanded upon the main topics of focus within the growing travel industry:

1. Authentically Local
Consumers are traveling with a desire to experience cultures different from their own. Airports and travel that offer products and partnerships to create a sense of place and cultural appreciation set the bar high with exclusive experiences that leave visitors craving more.

World cultures will begin to integrate themselves into the airports with planes develop augmented reality windows that act as “portals” to the destination.
• Localized Fare: Chain restaurants will start to be replaced by local concepts that bring the local flair into the traditionally homogenized airport environment.
• Experience Culture: Rentable pods within the airport are available to travelers that immerse them in the culture of various destinations, e.g. karaoke pods to help represent Japanese karaoke culture.

2. Creating an Ecosystem
No longer stuck behind security checkpoints or confined to traditional footprints, airports of the future must become more functional, efficient and develop exciting destinations that travelers look forward to visiting. Unlike struggling malls, airports have a constant source of potential shoppers, so the focus will shift from making money from airlines to making money from passengers through commercial revenue.

Airports and the areas surrounding them become self-contained cities
• Pack Less: Consumers no longer need to pack for their trips as they rent clothing from sources like Rent The Runway and pick up their clothes in the airport upon arrival
• The New VIP: As the area around airports develop with restaurants and entertainment options, services derived from hospitality spaces become more common – including expedited transportation packages for users with security clearance from restaurant/hotel to gate.
• Unepxected Retailers: Less conventional retail options, like Buy Buy Baby, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Target enter the airport and allow travelers to purchase or rent unexpected items they might’ve forgotten

3. Home Away From Home
With both domestic and international travelers spending more time in airports, there are many comforts from home they yearn for. Airports are starting to appeal to this need by offering services that bring home to the airport for those travelers, such as click-and-collect, clothing rental, and cozy lounges that kids can run free in while parents recharge their phones.

The airport becomes a second home for frequent travelers
• Mobile Eats: UberEats or similar partnerships allow for mobile food orders to be delivered to locations within the airport or set for pick up at a gate before or after a flight
• Personal Storage: Lockers paired with dressing rooms allow people to store their suits and other slippers and other things they want on regular trips
• Convenient Collecting: Gate pods that deliver items such as toiletries, food, or other purchases so that travelers don’t need to carry them after purchaseor include in their carry-on bag

4. Wandering Wellness
For leisure and business travelers alike, there is a desire to remove as much stress as possible from the travel experience. Achieving this means making mindfulness and wellness in the airport environment part of the overall experience rather than a possible step en route to the experience (the final destination). Airports are working to expand their service offerings to include modern definitions of wellness in a bid to cater to current and future travelers.

Emerging wellness trends become mainstream and easily accessible
• Elevated Tracks: Indoor tracks that are elevated above the terminal are accessible to those who want to exercise without being confined to a treadmill
• Sensory Fitness: Immersive rooms can be rented out and change in theme to leave the user feeling transported and provide them additional health benefits
• Alternative Wellness: Non-traditional wellness options take over for traditional gyms as travelers continue to leverage alternative medicines, like crystals and essential oils infused into clothing and food

5. Adaptive Environments
Travelers consistently rely on their phones and other technology to help navigate their journeys. This provides an excellent opportunity to utilize adaptive technology to create dynamic experiences through environments that evolve based on the type of consumer visiting, traffic levels, weather, and things like delays that impact travelermoods. Pop-up shops that change throughout the day based on flight plans and automatic discounts for people whose flights have been delayed or miss a connection are example already in development.

Customers regain control of each step in their travel experience
• Flexible Furniture: Gates have flexible seating that changes based on the type of traveler coming through – conversational layouts for families, individuals seating for solo travelers.
• Personalized Environments: Consumers change their own environments in seating locations, including the heat, airflow, and even aromatherapy scents.
• Themed Zones: Gates and terminals develop themes through lighting, seating styles, and digital graphics that adapt to the time of day, season, and flight destinations.

About FRCH Design Worldwide
FRCH Design Worldwide, a NELSON company, is an international brand experience firm delivering architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding and consulting services, where people work, shop, dine, play, stay, live and heal. We provide our clients with strategic and creative solutions, grounded in meaningful insights that positively impact their environments. FRCH is privately held with offices in Cincinnati, New York and Los Angeles and a team of over 200 passionate experts. Our integrated NELSON network includes nearly 1,100 Teammates in more than 25 locations, combining collective talent, industry experience, service expertise and geographic reach to deliver projects across the country and around the world.

FRCH has been recognized as a Top 10 Global Retail Architecture Firm by Building Design + Construction and Retail Design Firm of the Year by Design:Retail, among many other accolades. For more information visit www.frch.com.

Chemical-Free Paint Stripping for the Professional User

Restoration Works Inc. has developed an environmentally friendly method of paint stripping called the Light Wave Stripper. This method utilizes advanced infrared technology, and is revolutionizing the way old paint coatings can be removed. By simply placing a Light Wave Stripper over a section of wood for 60 seconds, multiple layers of paint are loosened and lifted and the paint can be scraped off as if it were butter.

Light Wave Stripper mobile stripping cart for field use.

Light Wave Stripper in action.
The paint stripping industry is currently dominated by chemical based paint removal products, most of which are toxic or harmful to humans in some way. Eliminating chemicals used in paint stripping can have a positive dramatic impact on our health and our environment, and it can encourage more reuse and recycling of quality materials such as original, old growth forest wood. Professional painting contractors, lead abatement contractors, restoration companies, and others who strip high volumes of paint- laden objects can now do so quickly and without the use of any chemicals.

Restoration Works Inc. has been using the Light Wave Stripper internally for over 4 years with great success. Stripping production has increased dramatically because the removal process is so quick, and toxic waste has decreased dramatically (by up to 90%) because no chemicals are needed. Whether used in a shop setting or on a job site, the Light Wave Stripper saves time and therefore money. Traditional paint stripping methods are time consuming, onerous, and bad for the environment.

The traditional process involves applying chemicals, waiting for the chemicals to penetrate (12-24 hours), removing the chemicals and paint, and disposing of the waste. In contrast, the Light Wave Stripper simply requires a 60-second zap. The only thing left to collect is the paint shavings, which if lead- based must be disposed of properly.

The Light Wave Stripper was developed by Restoration Works Inc. to solve the difficulty of paint stripping and to allow more historic material to be saved and restored, as well as to promote the Green movement which encourages us to recycle, reuse, and restore older quality materials that are just being thrown away. Because the public considers paint stripping to be time-consuming and difficult, people often choose to simply replace the original forest wood used in older buildings rather than to restore and reuse it. As a result, a large amount of original forest wood is just thrown away.

When people remodel old buildings, they frequently use inferior substitute products, such as early growth pulp wood, composite wood, plastic imitation wood, and laminated boards when they could be reusing the real wood beams and boards that are being thrown away.
Gail Wallace, President of Restoration Works Inc. and Light Wave Stripping Inc., is hoping to change our “throw-away society” trends by making paint stripping less of a burden.

“Light Wave Stripping makes paint stripping so much easier and more cost effective, not only for the person doing the stripping, but also for the people who reside in the spaces where stripping might be occurring. They do not have to put up with chemical smells and vapors, plus several days of disruption,” Wallace says. “The Light Wave Stripper is a win-win in so many ways.”

Restoration Works Inc. and Light Wave Stripping Inc. won an award in October of 2017 from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center for having demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Winners are selected through a rigorous process of review and examination by ISTC experts. This award recognized all of the sustainable practices Restoration Works Inc. has developed, but especially their stripping method, the Light Wave Stripper.

Light Wave Stripping Inc. is now introducing their stripping devices to the market. “If this method of Green stripping can help change the paint stripping industry and eliminate some of its chemical use, it will steer us in a new direction toward a cleaner environment, and it will also be another step toward alleviating Climate Change,” says Gail Wallace, President.

For more information or to purchase a Light Wave Stripper, please visit http://www.lightwavestripping.com or call 815-937-0556.

For more information about Restoration Works Inc., please visit, http://www.restorationworksinc.com.

Kirkwood Material Supply Grows with Valley Park Acquisition

Locally owned Kirkwood Material Supply (KMS) plans to open a new location in Valley Park at 141 and Hwy 44 in late May.

KMS closed on the 5-acre, 25,000 Sq. Ft. former St. Louis Hardscape Facility in February of this year.

Hal Ball with Hilliker Corporation Commercial Real Estate represented KMS and the seller in the transaction. The new location will sell landscape materials as well as concrete and asphalt maintenance products.

This will be the seventh location for KMS in the St. Louis region, including retail outlets in Kirkwood, Eureka, Des Peres, Affton, Lake St. Louis and Chesterfield.

Hilliker Corporation, which targets regional and national entrepreneurs, is St. Louis’ largest independently owned commercial real estate company located at 1401 S. Brentwood Blvd. The firm’s agents, who each average over 15 years of experience, have completed more than 10,000 commercial transactions for industrial, office, retail and institutional clients since its inception in 1985.

For more information, please contact Hilliker Corporation at (314) 781-0001 or visit http://www.hillikercorp.com.

Hospitality Buyers Save Up to 50% on Lampshades

When hotel, motel, and resort buyers coordinate interior decor it can require purchasing hundreds of lampshades for rooms, lobbies, dining rooms and common areas as well as event and business facilities. This often involves customizing the lampshades in size, shape, or color to match aesthetics, whether for remodels, grand openings, or replacing any that become damaged or soiled throughout the year.

Now to save up to 50% on custom lampshades, instead of ordering from overseas manufacturers or distributors, a growing number of astute hospitality buyers are finding a better alternative: purchasing direct from a quality domestic resource online. This is cutting out the middleman, beating overseas costs, and speeding delivery by months.

To ensure the order is ready when needed, hospitality buyers are doing their homework and opting to work with an American company large enough to quickly produce hundreds of custom lampshades in time to replace needed stock or meet operational deadlines.

“We needed custom lampshades tailored to our handmade lamps in time for our grand opening, and got them at a significant savings,” says Dennis Connolly, Director of Operations for Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club in Belize. The resort is part of Hilton’s global Curio Collection of distinctive four and five star hotels that offer travelers local discovery and authentic experiences.

Until recently, hospitality buyers have typically ordered from a manufacturer in China and waited up to six months for delivery, which can interfere with operational deadlines. When dealing with overseas suppliers, questionable quality – along with long lead times to correct any mistakes – also makes this approach less desirable.

“We could not wait for a container to arrive from East Asia,” says Connolly. “It would take too long and if there were any mistakes or quality issues, it would be even more problematic.”

While ordering through an aggregator is an option, this entails paying a large middleman markup, which can double the wholesale cost. Even when aggregators hold ample inventory, it does not always meet hotel or motel requirements.

Custom On Demand
When Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club was preparing for its grand opening, everything had to be flawless, even its custom lampshades matched to handmade lamps crafted from a local hardwood.

“We wanted the shades to have a tropical, British colonial look, but with a contemporary feel as well so they had to be custom,” says Connolly.

When Connolly purchased about 150 custom lampshades for the resort’s rooms, he turned to Jack of All Shades, an Alabama based resource for custom hardback lampshades for 30 years that specializes in online sales for the hospitality industry.

The company offers a wide range of hardback lampshade options, which run the gamut in shape (round, square, oval, rectangle, drums, pendant, and half round or square); in size (from small chandelier type to 72” oversized); and in color (with a palette of over 130). It also offers a number of fabrics (linen, silk, burlap, weave, poly cotton, faux leather, leather laced or washable/easy to clean) as well as lampshade fitter types.

“The website is very simple to use,” says Connolly. “You can design your lampshade on the website, get expert help by phone if desired, and order the quantities you need.”

Connolly says the custom lampshades perfectly match the handmade lamps and arrived in time for the resort’s grand opening.

“We were able to achieve the look we wanted with large, barrel-shaped shades along with a natural, sand colored, cotton fabric that not only met our color requirements but also would wear well,” says Connolly.

To provide a contemporary feel as well, the shades also sport a special handmade “rolled edge” that eliminates the need for trim. Instead of traditional 1/2” trim, the fabric forms the finished edge of the shades for a clean look that is becoming a trend in venues aiming for a modern vibe.

In order to ensure that the shades work properly with every lamp, the lampshade company also offers a complete range of fitting types. This includes: spider and washer with harp, the most common type of fitting for table and floor lampshades; uno, usually found on smaller U.S. table lamps; euro, a European style fitting used with smaller table lamps; and clip-on, often used with accent lamps and chandeliers or Edison bulbs.

“In the future, we will probably order custom lampshades for public areas as well as our rooms,” concludes Connolly. “Our interior designer was very happy with how well the shades turned out.”

For more info, call 866-231-JACK (5225); email customerservice@jackofallshades.com; visit www.jackofallshades.com; write to Jack of All Shades at 521 Baltimore Ave., Albertville, Alabama 35950.