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Green Design

With the goal of reducing energy costs and minimizing environmental impact, architects and designers are getting serious about green design. Every part of the property can be impacted and savvy designers are incorporating reclaimed materials and restorative greenery. Visit Green Lodging News for the latest news and best practices. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Green Design

Home Green Design
With the goal of reducing energy costs and minimizing environmental impact, architects and designers are getting serious about green design. Every part of the property can be impacted and savvy designers are incorporating reclaimed materials and restorative greenery. Visit Green Lodging News for the latest news and best practices. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Koni Kim, American of Martinsville Partner on Case Goods Collection

SAN DIEGO—Koni Kim, designer of luxurious fabrics and soft goods for the hospitality industry for more than 30 years and CEO of Koni Corp., has partnered with American of Martinsville to create her first hospitality case goods collection. Selections from the three new collections will be showcased at the upcoming 2009 HD Expo, taking place at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 14 to 16. Koni’s collections for American of Martinsville complement a range of design styles and have at their core Koni Kim’s primary inspiration, nature. From hand-chiseled panels reminiscent of mahogany carvings to flowing wood grain...

Exploring Greener Alternatives to the Conventional Cotton Bathroom Towel

NATIONAL REPORT—Alternatives to the traditional 100 percent cotton or cotton/polyester blend towels are becoming more common in the lodging industry—especially at luxury and boutique properties. In fact, many suppliers now offer organic cotton towels, organic cotton towels with a blend of bamboo fibers, or 100 percent bamboo towels. One can also find 100 percent cotton towels with super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton. Each of these new towel styles are more environmentally friendly in their own way when compared to the towels the lodging industry has been using for so long. There is a cost premium to buying “green” alternatives—sometimes a...

Northland Furniture to Introduce Linea Modulara Line at HD Expo

LAS VEGAS—Northland Furniture Co. will introduce the Linea Modulara line of furniture at this year’s HD Expo. Linea Modulara has a clean, sophisticated look and a smart, functional design that makes the traveler’s experience simpler and easier while offering hoteliers a resilient, easy-to-maintain design in an efficient package. “We believe this line breaks new ground, offering innovative solutions never seen in this industry—from improved luggage management to better privacy,” explains Jim Hughes, president & CEO of Northland Furniture. “We have thought about the traveler’s experience coming into the room and staying in the room as well as the hotel...

Hilton Using InterfaceFLOR Carpet Tile in Home2 Suites Prototype

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton’s new mid-tier extended-stay hotel concept, is utilizing state-of-the-art post-consumer recycled content carpeting by InterfaceFLOR, the largest modular carpet tile manufacturer in the world, to outfit its model prototype at the Memphis, Tenn. headquarters. The “Hip and Humble” brand intends to outfit each new location with a variety of eco-friendly design elements and flooring is one spotlighted area. “Home2 Suites is a brand that focuses on marrying style and value while remaining conscious of our environmental impact,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Brand Management. “InterfaceFLOR shares our commitment and has an excellent reputation for providing...

GLN Welcomes Mountain Woods Furniture as Directory Partner

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Mountain Woods Furniture as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Mountain Woods Furniture, a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, has been committed to green manufacturing since 1991. The company offers a wide selection of American-made, unique log furniture and reclaimed wood designs. Custom pieces to the customer’s specifications are also available. Mountain Woods Furniture’s bedroom furniture was selected for Mountain Living Magazine’s 2008 Natural Dream Home. For additional information, call (970) 221-1041, e-mail dee@mountainwoodsfurniture.com, or go to www.mountainwoodsfurniture.com.

Sandpearl Resort is First Florida Hotel to Be LEED Certified

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.—Clearwater Beach’s Sandpearl Resort, developed by locally-owned JMC Communities and managed by Coral Hospitality, has been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Sandpearl is the first resort or hotel in Florida to achieve this distinguished honor and one of only 15 worldwide. Sandpearl Resort opened in August 2007 and is also a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program. “This certification is the culmination of extraordinary efforts by the entire JMC Communities development team, and proves Clearwater Beach’s commitment to caring for its natural resources,” said Michael Cheezem, CEO of JMC Communities. “We’ve...

Valley Forge Earns Environmental Business of the Year Honors

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—At the Broward County Board of County Commissioners meeting, and during the 2008 Emerald Award Trophy Ceremony, Valley Forge Fabrics was named “Environmental Business of the Year.” Altogether seven businesses were given Emerald Awards and individuals and one municipality/government agency were honored with 2008 NatureScape Emerald Awards for incorporating NatureScape Broward techniques into their landscaping. The Emerald Award program recognizes businesses for their voluntary efforts in four areas: waste reduction, recycling, improved operating practices, and other green strategies that reduce pollution and waste. This year’s winning businesses are Chris & Lee Mobile Auto Care, the Coca-Cola Bottling Co.,...

LEED 2009 to Include LEED Credits for Regional Environmental Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released the LEED regional credits as part of LEED 2009, the new version of the LEED Green Building Rating System. These LEED credits encourage that specific regional environmental priorities be addressed when it comes to the design, construction and operation of buildings in different geographic locations. “Because environmental priorities differ among various regions of the country—the challenges in the Southeast differ from those in the Northwest, for example—regionally specific credits give LEED a way to directly respond to diverse, regionally grounded issues,” said Brendan Owens, vice president of technical development,...

Hunter Douglas Collects 27 Window Covering Awards at Ceremony

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.—The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) Product Innovation Awards are the benchmark of excellence in the industry. The 2009 award results were just announced and Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions, has once again topped the esteemed competition. The window fashions leader captured more awards than any other manufacturer—27 out of the 41 awards conferred went to Hunter Douglas companies—more than it has ever won. Hunter Douglas also swept more categories than ever before—five out of a total of 12—including: Cellular Shades, Green Products, Shadings & Sheers, Specialty Applications and Merchandising. “We’re delighted...

Courtyard by Marriott-Portland City Center Nears Opening Date

PORTLAND, ORE.—What was once a vacant bank building in downtown Portland will open in May as the Courtyard by Marriott—Portland City Center. The 256-room hotel was built to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The structure, which has been given a new shell, three new floors and brand new mechanical systems, is expected to be the first LEED Gold hotel in the Pacific Northwest. Certification is expected this fall. Green hotels are becoming the norm in Portland. The Avalon Hotel & Spa announced its LEED certification last summer, The Nines hotel is expected to be...