interior design!

These past couple of weeks at Wyndham have been very exciting. We are working hard for a conference in September. As I have mentioned before, we are revising the brand essences for the core brands of Wyndham. Each week we have sat down and discussed a particular brand. I have learned a lot about how we, as designers, need to cater to the franchise owners, as well as the consumer. We need to get the best price point for the owner with a unique design that will differentiate this Wyndham brand from its competitors. We also need to think about being green and using products that are recycled. As well as creating a space for the guests that creates a positive flow of energy throughout the hotel.

I have been involved in the Super 8, Ramada, Hawthorne Suites, Wyndham, Wingate, Tryp, and Days Inn design meetings. We have worked on marketing, layouts of the space, fabric colors, pattern choices, furniture and brand defining elements. Each week we get closer to where we need to be for the conference to show the franchisee owners what design direction their brand is heading in.

Last week I learned a lot about our newest brand, Tryp, and what its DNA is in the Wyndham family. I am very excited about this brand, it will hopefully be in all major cities in the US. It will revolve a lot around socialization, food and lots of energy based on some Tryp hotels that already exist in Eroupe.

For one of the brands I had the opportunity to design a tile that could possibly be used behind the lobby desk of a particular hotel in L.A. I abstracted the Wingate emblem to make it look like a design at first but at second glance you can tell that you are at a Wingate.

The designers and I have had the opportunity to have a lot of great vendors come in these past few weeks. One vendor had mirrors with TV’s in them, glass blown pieces for lights and some great options for furniture. Recently we have had a few tile vendors in and the creative solutions to tile that people are coming up with are crazy. The one that sticks out the most to me is the new liquid tile. It has a hard exterior but when you step on it the liquid in it moves based on the pressure from your foot. It is mesmerizing and it adds interest to a space, plus it is a great distraction for kids.

Other tiles that I am drawn to are these tiles that are created to mimic hardwood floors. It gives you the durability and affordability of a tile but looks like hardwood flooring which is more expensive and less durable.

One of the projects that I am currently working on is three specification books for the new Wingate designs which are, spring, summer and fall. The spec book contains everything in a hotel. From vending machines to the type of lock on the door, these books are filled with information for that hotel owner so that he can get the best design.

Just as a reference, Wyndham Worldwide is located in Parsippany, NJ. George Scammel is my superior and he is extremely well known in the world of design. He has owned his own business, worked for Disney for ten years in design, designed furniture, been in construction and has always loved hotel interior design. He is extremely inspiring and has taught me a lot about what it means to control a space that people will interact in.