NEW YORK—The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) has launched FurnitureMatch, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect surplus furniture with nonprofits and community organizations throughout New York City. This forward-thinking initiative aims to reduce landfill waste by giving high-quality furnishings a second life in the neighborhoods that need them most. FurnitureMatch acts as a centralized hub that connects designers, furniture liquidators, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders, streamlining the redistribution of furniture and fostering a more circular economy within the built environment. By closing the gap between surplus and need, the platform helps ensure that valuable resources are...

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced that reservations are now open for 1 Hotel Copenhagen, a nature sanctuary set to open in August in the heart of Denmark’s capital. The property is a reimagining of the Skt. Petri, an iconic hotel in the historic Latin Quarter. 1 Hotels is transforming the space into a 282-room retreat that combines the brand’s trademark biophilic design with Scandinavian craftsmanship, integrating organic textures, reclaimed materials, and native greenery to create an urban oasis. A commitment to mindful living is reflected throughout the property, from energy-efficient operations aligned...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—Native Trails, a leading manufacturer of artisan-crafted, sustainable kitchen and bath products, welcomes Avalon 66—a NativeStone freestanding bathtub that provides optimum comfort. The concrete tub’s soft, rounded form and smooth, deep interior provides proper insulation to ensure a hot, deep, and relaxing soak in a variety of residential and commercial applications. Avalon 66 joins Avalon 62 and Avalon 72 as the perfect middle ground in the brand’s award-winning NativeStone Bathtub Collection. True to Native Trails’ commitment to the planet, Avalon 66 is also another step towards sustainable living. Each tub is handcrafted by artisans in Vietnam using NativeStone, a...

HICKORY, N.C.—Best in Show presents a distinguished textile trio of patterns that combine tailored sophistication with a pedigree of playfulness. From the boardroom to the lobby and everywhere in between, this collection champions both style and performance. From the handsome Haberdash plaid to the refined Perrito houndstooth and the two-tone Brushed Canvas designed by 20-year trusted HBF Textiles partner Erin Ruby, each pattern is crafted to meet the demands of commercial and hospitality environments while delivering warmth and character that stands apart in the show ring of contract textiles. “Best in Show sits at the intersection of market demand and expressive patterns,” says Casey Baxter, Vice President...

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y.—Three Ducks celebrated its opening on May 21 in Westhampton, N.Y. The boutique hotel, managed by FIRM Hospitality Group, thoughtfully facilitates meaningful guest experiences rooted in nature, authenticity, and discovery. A collaboration between designer-developers Elizabeth Bakhash and Randall Stone of Three Ducks Hospitality, the hotel introduces a lighthearted yet elevated approach to luxury, and a genuine connection to the Westhampton community. With 12 rooms, the property blends upscale amenities, experience-forward design, and a refined yet relaxed atmosphere that captures the ease and charm of the area. The Day’s Rhythm At Three Ducks, the guest experience is thoughtfully designed to follow...

DULUTH, MINN.—As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, the environment and fostering a communal appreciation for the outdoors, Loll Designs planted 1,000 trees, half white and half red pine, near Lester Creek Golf Course in Duluth on May 22. This 40-acre area has a rocky soil which is better suited for native pine trees for strong long-term growth versus its current species makeup. Restoring these native trees will help prevent erosion along the creek while adding much-needed biodiversity to the area. The tree planting initiative was done in partnership with the City of Duluth and Rajala Woods, an...

CHICAGO—Commercial design leader Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering is exploring the next level of biophilic design in its latest wallcovering launch: the Renaturation collection by 13&9 Design. Renaturation, named for the concept in which nature reclaims manmade or developed spaces, employs natural fractals for an approach to commercial design deeply grounded in science, design and wellness. The power of fractals, intricate, self-repeating patterns, is core to nature itself and has a proven impact on brain health and healing, improved wellbeing, and enhancing overall cognitive function. The resulting wallcovering collection transcends aesthetics, creating restorative environments with measurable benefits for occupants. Renaturation sprung...

SEATTLE—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the opening of 1 Hotel Seattle, a new sanctuary of sustainability and sophisticated design in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Set in the South Lake Union neighborhood—home to some of Seattle’s most innovative tech companies—this nature-inspired retreat combines sustainable luxury, hyper-local culinary experiences, and the rugged elegance of the region’s landscapes. “Seattle is a city where nature and innovation coexist beautifully—and that’s exactly what we aimed to capture with this property,” says Barry Sternlicht, Founder of 1 Hotels and Chairman of Starwood Hotels. “This city...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc. was recognized as a winner of the 2024 Product Innovation Awards (PIA), published by Architectural Products. The award spotlights colorful, art-covered XLERATOR Hand Dryers with Electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA) Filtration that were installed in the Artists For Humanity (AFH) facility in Boston. “This was such a special project for us,” said Joshua Griffing, Excel Dryer Director of Marketing and International Sales. “We were able to transform a normally utilitarian space into a bright, uplifting showcase for teen art. We’re honored Architectural Products found it worthy of this award.” Architectural Products created the Product Innovation Awards to celebrate the outstanding use...

SHENZHEN, CHINA—CIMC Modular Building Systems (MBS), a global leader in modular construction, has signed an agreement to deliver the Earth Riyadh Hotel in Saudi Arabia. As the company’s first hospitality project in the region, this milestone reinforces CIMC MBS’s commitment to advancing sustainable building practices and offering innovative solutions to the global hospitality sector. Earth Hotels, a conscious and design-forward hospitality group built for the modern, mindful traveler, is setting the stage for its bold new openings across Saudi Arabia and Europe. The Earth Riyadh Hotel is a three-story, four-star boutique property with a total floor area of 11,000 square meters, scheduled for completion in...