ALPHARETTA, CA.—The Refinishing Touch, a leader in on-site, environmentally safe and cost-effective furniture asset management services for private and public organizations, has announced its preferred vendor partnership with Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), and its contract to provide furniture asset management services to each of the hotel group’s premier locations. FRHI encompasses three distinct brands—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts—and provides travelers with access to luxury, world-class lodging accommodations through its 139 properties worldwide.Through its new relationship with FRHI, The Refinishing Touch is contracted to provide its award-winning furniture asset management solutions...

CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO—Expanding on its comprehensive product portfolio, Tarkett, a leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, introduces its I.D. Inspiration High Performance Resilient Planks collection. With dynamic design, durability and low environmental impact, I.D. Inspiration is ideal for heavy traffic commercial areas including hospitality, retail, corporate, education and healthcare, among other applications.  I.D. Inspiration combines advances in technology, imaging, embossing and finishing. It is available in 20 wood plank looks, which are enhanced by bevelled edges to add depth and a unique three-dimensional impact to the product. Easy to install and maintain, I.D. Inspiration is...

NATIONAL REPORT—Architects, designers, facility managers and business leaders pursuing LEED certification may now be able to earn credit for specifying level certified furniture products under the USGBC’s new Pilot Credit 80: Environmentally Preferable Interior Finishes and Furnishings—a credit that specifically recognizes products that have been third-party certified to the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard.Scot Horst, senior vice president, LEED, USGBC, made the announcement at BIFMA’s 2013 Annual Meeting.“BIFMA and the office furniture industry have been at the forefront of sustainability and transparency in product manufacturing and its willingness to engage with USGBC has created a uniquely collaborative process that...

KINGSPORT, TENN.—Through its line of performance films, Eastman Chemical Co. has partnered with the Hyatt Regency Houston and Green Generation Solutions (GGS), an energy-efficiency and sustainability engineering firm, to measure the true energy-savings impact of EnerLogic 35 low-e window film.The 924,000-square-foot Hyatt Regency Houston sought to address temperature complaints from guests, as well as its high energy expenditures that totaled $1.6 million annually. The high utility bills were diverting resources the hotel uses to offer best-in-class service and amenities to guests.“Most solar films are great at blocking solar energy from entering a building in the summer, but they do...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS) has issued the first gold-level certification to Designtex, a Steelcase Company, under the facts ecolabel developed by the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT). The certification recognizes Designtex’s “Gold Standard” textiles collection—including its Concept, Precision, and Pop Art styles—as meeting stringent criteria for environmental sustainability from the fiber stage to end-of-use.“This certification confirms Designtex’s commitment to environmental excellence,” said Stowe Beam, managing director of SCS Environmental Certification Services division. “Its precedent-setting gold-level certification is a valuable example for other textile companies to follow.”According to Beam, the facts ecolabel is issued only after companies demonstrate that...

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, CALIF.—Jeff Lazar and Jim Hesterly announced the launch of a new hospitality lighting supplier, Meadow Lighting, and simultaneously appointed Ken Koneck as vice president to steer the new venture. Meadow Lighting is uniquely positioned to deliver guestroom table and floor lamp portables, as well as hardwired fixtures including wall mounted sconces and small hanging fixtures for lodging.“Lighting offers us a wonderful additional platform of product design and functionality in guestrooms, to blend with JLF’s seating and fine tables,” says Jeff Lazar, president of JL Furnishings. “JLF has enjoyed unprecedented growth over the last several years. Now with...

COEUR D’ ALENE, IDAHO—The 118-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, opened on August 5. The SpringHill Suites Coeur d’Alene will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by CDB Hospitality, LLC of Spokane, Wash. Located two miles from downtown, 35 miles from Spokane International Airport and five minutes from Lake Coeur d’Alene, the hotel offers guests convenient access to Centennial Trail, the Spokane River, and Silverwood Theme Park. The SpringHill Suites Coeur d’Alene has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for its contributions in making the environment a healthier place by...

CHICAGO—More restaurants are exploring LED lights, which use less energy than incandescent bulbs and often qualify for rebates or other incentives. Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency program that promotes energy efficiency, estimates LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights.Consider these points when exploring LED lighting:•    Be prepared for an upfront investment. While LEDs cost more initially, they last 35 to 50 times longer than incandescent lighting and about two to five times longer than fluorescent lighting, according to Energy Star. Restaurants typically start to see a return on their investment in four to 16...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of a new line of 4’ x 8’ premade architectural panels with rustic and reclaimed wood faces, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff.The new 3-ply engineered panels were developed in response to recent demand from the commercial interiors segment. Designed for reliability, durability and quick and seamless installation, they are ideal for wall coverings, store fixtures, signage and casework. Custom graphics and CNC designs can be applied to any panel.“These panels are incredibly versatile and they can be customized in limitless ways,” Mitchoff said. “And the slimmer dimensions make them ideal for...

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK—The oldest hotel in Yellowstone National Park, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, has received a bottom-up facelift—literally—that would make any grand dame of 122 years proud. The project, costing in excess of $10 million, included new lobby décor, major structural enhancements, the addition of an elevator, new business center and 43 renovated rooms, including four newly created suites in the west wing of the hotel.Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ Yellowstone National Park Lodges, operator of the hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, tours and activities in the park, has been working since the day the hotel closed for the summer season in 2012...