EASTHAMPTON, MASS.—Treefrog, the “made in Italy and stocked in USA” prefinished real wood veneer, recently celebrated its 20th year by revamping the entire collection. This included a new color matched wood backer, FSC Certification and seven new Designer Veneers. Designer Veneers include six veneers by famed Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, who serves as the external Creative Director for Treefrog’s Italian supplier. Lissoni’s influence has led to veneers with a more natural structure, including wider wood grains, more authentic crowns, and purer color tones that best represent the European design aesthetic, from white oak to walnut and extending to...

CHICAGO—The Gettys Group, a leading integrated hospitality design firm, announced a strategic organizational restructure accompanied by a series of senior leadership promotions. These changes are designed to strengthen operational integration, advance creative excellence, and position the firm for long-term growth in an increasingly complex hospitality market. In an address to employees, Chief Executive Officer Ron Swidler underscored the firm’s legacy of transformation and its commitment to evolution in response to shifting industry needs. “Innovation has always driven Gettys forward. We challenge ourselves to think differently, to reimagine what’s possible, and to apply the same creativity we bring to our projects to...

NATIONAL REPORT—Flooring upgrades often drive long-term sustainability goals in lodging operations, particularly when considering material sourcing, maintenance, and guest expectations. Lodge owners face pressure to select products that reduce environmental impact while still appealing to eco-minded travelers and commercial facility standards. Understanding the differences between flooring can help owners plan renovations and retrofits that align with both branding and performance expectations. Environmental Manufacturing Footprint Laminate flooring utilizes synthetic cores layered with printed visuals, often relying on adhesives and resins that have higher energy demands. Wood products, on the other hand, originate from harvested timber, and sustainably sourced hardwoods can contribute to...

MIAMI—Tuuci, the Miami-based manufacturer of nautically inspired shade structures and furnishings, has been honored with several prestigious industry awards for its most recent product introductions. The latest designs elevate the art of outdoor-indoor living and are available on the company’s new state-of-the-art Design Studio visualizer, where clients can tailor features and download custom BIM files to imagine their creations within a space. “Design is where every journey begins for us,” said Dougan Clarke, Founder and Chief Product Designer at Tuuci. “These awards highlight the creativity and craftsmanship that bring beauty, comfort, and connection to life—both indoors and out.” Award-Winning New Designs Ocean Master MAX Bolero: Ombré...

It has been more than 10 years now since the first 1 Hotels property opened in Miami Beach. Today there are 15 1 Hotels properties open—10 in North America, two in Europe, and three in Asia Pacific. Four more of the luxury lifestyle hotels are on the way—in the U.S., Mexico, France and Greece. This past week I posted news about the new 1 Hotel Copenhagen. The opening of a new 1 Hotel always catches my attention. 1 Hotels are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels, which is a sustainable hotel management company led by Barry Sternlicht and an affiliate of Starwood...

LAS VEGAS—Coverings, the largest and preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, has announced that Coverings 2026 will take place March 30 to April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The announcement also marks the official opening of submissions for the 2026 Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards and nominations for the Coverings 2026 Rock Star program. “Las Vegas is a city defined by bold, forward-thinking design and unforgettable experiences,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings’ Managing Director. “It is the ideal backdrop to unite the global tile and stone community, showcase innovative trends...

COPENHAGEN—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, a transformative reimagining of the historic Skt. Petri. Copenhagen is one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities and a beacon of sustainability. So, it makes sense that 1 Hotels—a purpose-driven brand built around sustainable travel—chose the city for its first location in continental Europe. Drawing on Copenhagen’s commitment to climate leadership and eco-conscious living, the hotel pairs Nordic craftsmanship with a deep connection to nature. Guests will find calming interiors shaped by natural materials, living landscapes that shift with the seasons, and a lifestyle...

MIAMI—Starwood Hotels, the hotel brand management company behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announces the appointment of Gonzalo Bustamante as Senior Vice President of Design. With more than two decades of visionary design leadership, Bustamante will spearhead the next chapter of Starwood Hotels’ design legacy. Bustamante’s experience spans both intimate boutique hotels and major global groups, blending personalized sophistication with the expertise to deliver large-scale, iconic destinations. He previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Design and Development at MGM Resorts International where he oversaw multi-billion-dollar projects across multiple continents, including the landmark $10 billion MGM...

NEW YORK—Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, a division of Carnegie that manufactures iconic, sustainable acoustic design elements, announces the first-of-its-kind Xorel Artform Cumulus 3D Cloud, a part of the Mezzo Collection, a new suite of acoustic solutions designed to bring harmony to interior environments. Inspired by musical dynamics, the Mezzo Collection strikes a balance between sound control and aesthetic refinement, enabling designers to create spaces that are both functional and beautifully composed. The Cumulus 3D Cloud is a next-generation acoustic ceiling solution that unites sculptural elegance with sustainable performance. Measuring 55" wide, 20" high, and 4.33" deep, each cloud is topped with Kirei PET—made from at least...

WAUSAU, WIS.—Kolbe Windows & Doors officially launched its latest performance glass solutions, integrating vacuum insulating glass (VIG) options from LuxWall, Inc. into selected window and door products. This milestone reinforces Kolbe’s commitment to delivering high-performance, energy-efficient solutions to the market. “Innovative and adaptable solutions like the VIG from LuxWall reflect Kolbe’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and design,” said Jeff De Lonay, President of Kolbe Windows & Doors. “Our partnership with LuxWall empowers architects and builders to meet energy goals while maintaining aesthetic and functional flexibility.” Unlike standard insulated glass units that use air, argon or krypton, VIG...