ROOMS DIVISION: EYE FOR DESIGN

EYE FOR DESIGN

HM’S 2023 ROOMS HOT LIST REVEALS THE TOP TRENDING PRODUCTS IN ROOMS AND BATHROOMS THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO DESIGN INSIDERS AND INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS.

When designing a guest room, the interior design team at Fender Katsalidis, led by Rosie Morley and Angela Biddle, believe that creating bespoke experiences brings connection and meaning to a hotel stay.

“When looking for the perfect pieces to layer into the interior design, we often turn to Studio Henry Wilson,” the team said.

Henry Wilson uses durable materials such as bronze and stone

“Henry is based in Sydney, where he designs and produces objects, lighting, and hardware in honest, durable materials such as bronze and stone.

“The solidity of his objects provides a sense of permanence, whilst their tactility and imperfection allow each piece to retain individual charm. Pieces feel indulgent and special yet undeniably practical, contributing to a narrative of curated comfort whilst bringing a sense of occasion to a hotel stay.”

THE TERRAZZO TREND

With demand for sustainable building materials on the rise, Terrazzo is rising in popularity once again, according to Chada Creative Director, Juliet Ashworth.

“Terrazzo is one of the oldest sustainable building materials dating back to 16th Century Venice, where off cuts of marble were used to create a hard-wearing surface,” explains Ashworth.

“Like marble itself, it’s classic and will always endure, but the terrazzo look has recently scaled to cool status in hotel design circles.

No two guestrooms are the same at boutique Sydney hotel 202 Elizabeth

“It doesn’t have to be the costly but very long-lasting precast block but a version that delivers the look in porcelain or even vinyl. If you’re designing using the real thing and you have enough quantity to justify customisation, then plastic waste, recycled glass and other waste materials can be used to create whatever scale of pattern or colour way you desire.

“Forbo Flooring has a vinyl with a traditional or chunky, digitally-printed terrazzo pattern which is soft underfoot. Slabs are great for bespoke ensuite vanities and terrazzo tiles have flat edges which fit cleanly together to give you an almost seamless look. In the porcelain tile world, there are a myriad different formats inspired by terrazzo.

“And remember, real terrazzo contains around 70% of recycled material and no volatile organic compounds or VOC – win win.”

EPIC ENTERTAINMENT

When it comes to entertainment, guest expectations are higher than ever. As a result, many hoteliers are opting for tailor-made Philips Professional Display Solutions [PPDS], according to Westan Australia Head of Commercial Product, Richie Cheng.

“Together with the hotel, interactive Philips MediaSuite 4K displays are key to offering the best experience within the hotel’s guest rooms and common areas,” Cheng explains.

Tailor-made displays can offer guests greater convenience and security

“To create a home away from home feeling, each in-room display greets its guest with a personalised welcome message accompanied by curated music tailored to their genre preference. Partnering with key integrators, content such as interactive guitar and yoga lessons can be offered via the CMND creation tool as part of the Philips MediaSuite offering.

“With the right partner, the displays also allow guests to view their current invoices, book amenities, and make room service requests for efficient and safe interactions with the hotel staff. For added convenience, the display language can also be changed to accommodate guest requirements.

The Motley Hotel in Richmond, designed by Chada, features terrazzo tiles by Earp Bros in its ensuites

“With Netflix and Chromecast built-in, guests can enjoy home-like luxuries during their stay by instantly casting their favourite content to the big screen from their personal devices. Not only does this bring greater convenience to the guests, but it also circumvented any theft possibilities of external connectivity devices. These key features result in both the guest and staff experience improvement.”

STRIKING WALLPAPER

Striking wallpaper is making a statement once again with many hoteliers now opting to introduce this impactful design tactic to bedrooms and public spaces.

The recently-opened boutique hotel 202 Elizabeth in Sydney’s Surry Hills features bold, striking wallpapers from Kingdom Home Design in each of the guestrooms – some designs feature pineapples, while others include palm fronds or roses.

The guest rooms at 202 Elizabeth feature a variety of bold wallpaper designs

And fresh from its multi-million-dollar makeover, Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders has unveiled eye-catching wallpaper in various spaces including in the lobby where Mooi flocked wallpaper extends to the ceiling and is flanked by a second pattern.

A FITTING RESULT

Bathroom fixtures and fittings are constantly evolving and at Grohe, its Lineare New tapware collection is taking an ultra-modern approach.

“The Lineare New basin mixer offers the ultimate in flexibility by combining a slim cylindrical body with the rectangular forms of the handle and spout; a harmonious blend of shapes that will complement any modern bathroom,” said Lixil ANZ Key Account Management Leader, Steven Higgins.

Grohe recently launched the Lineare New tapware collection

“In addition to the elevated design the mixer boasts our inner waterway technology Grohe Zero. This technology ensures there is no contact between the drinking water, and any metallic components in the tap. This eliminates the risk of lead or nickel leaching into the drinking water which allows us to offer healthier water enjoyment with Grohe Zero.”

ORIGINAL ART

Original artworks continue to make an impact as statement pieces in hotel rooms. At the recently opened Laneways by Ovolo, designer and TV personality Neale Whitaker has left his mark on a signature suite with a variety of original art, limited-edition objects and soft furnishings.

Artist Nunzio Miano is featured in the Neale Whitaker suite at Laneways by Ovolo

“These are all the things that are incredibly important to me,” Whitaker said.

“There are three big ticket items: a large painting by artist Nunzio Miano, a Sarah Nedovic Gaunt lamp and a portrait by Flynn Cowan.”

Miano’s flamboyant use of colour amplifies the energy in the room’s scheme, while the sculptural lamp by Gaunt was the last of the highly sought-after ‘Lady’ collection and is similar to a piece which Neale has in his own home. The illustration of Whitaker himself was created by former Ovolo staffer Flynn Cowan.