FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics has introduced an innovative time-saving Technical Bedding Specifications book packaged in a new cover. It is the industry’s first of its kind Technical Bedding Specifications book. The 59-page book includes all details required for appropriate and varied customized bedding while showcasing ideas in artful and sophisticated combinations. “Designers and specifiers now have one central reference to help them prepare accurate bedding specifications for any item that could be on a guestroom bed,” says Diana Dobin, senior vice president of Valley Forge. “Complex and hard-to-illustrate ensembles for guestrooms, including box spring covers, dusters, bed scarves, bed...

OMAHA, NEB.—LEO A DALY, an international architecture, planning, engineering, interior design and program management firm, announced that 27 of its employees have recently become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals (APs). LEED APs pass an exam to demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System, a third-party sustainable design and construction verification tool created by the United States Green Building Council. The employees who received accreditation are technical designer Kenwood Burrows, senior associate and architect Mark A. Chalkley, intern architect Jay Chavda, junior interior designer Maria T. Araiza Davalos, interior...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Scottsdale-based Forever Resorts announced the development of the United States’ first LEED certified floating green building at Nevada’s Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina on Lake Mohave, just south of Las Vegas. Upon completion, the structure will be submitted to become the first floating LEED certified structure in the nation. A member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina recently registered the boat rental and marina service for construction. The details will be unveiled during the Green Marina Launch on May 29, at which time Forever Resorts will also announce and celebrate the partners helping to...

CHICAGO—Chicago is recognized as one of the nation’s leading green cities so it is fitting that owners of the Hotel Felix, the city’s first hotel designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, announce the property’s opening during Earth Month. Originally designed in 1926 by Chicago architecture firm Levy and Klein, the former Hotel Wacker, a single room occupancy property, closed for redevelopment in 2007. Hotel Felix now provides an innovative, eco-friendly boutique hotel with efficiencies and key design elements that lessen the environmental impact of a newly...

LAS VEGAS—Eco Exotic, a group of Indonesian furnishing companies, will unveil a new set of sustainable creations at the Hospitality Design and Exposition Conference in Las Vegas (May 14-16) that marry innovative designs, attractive pricing—and a deep-rooted respect for nature. Rather than use timber from native rainforests, Eco Exotic has turned to more sustainable sources of wood for its furniture. This is how discarded railway sleepers find a new life when artfully turned into a simple glass-top occasional table, and teak sourced from a community-based forest provides the essence of an elegant lounge chair or desk chair for a hotel...

DALTON, GA.—Healthier Choice rolled out its new Double-Term Carpet Texture Retention Warranty for residential carpet cushion. The new warranty applies to all residential carpet cushions manufactured by Healthier Choice. The new cushion warranty effectively doubles the texture retention warranty of any residential carpet installed over Healthier Choice residential carpet cushion. The cushion warranty takes effect upon the expiration of the installed carpet manufacturer’s texture retention warranty and then remains in effect for an equal amount of time. “We are very excited to offer this additional warranty,” said Craig Poteet, Healthier Choice president. “Residential cushions from Healthier Choice carry the industry’s...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, a new mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept targeting the savvy, value-wise, extended-stay guest, has a new website with features including a sustainability page and e-tour of the future space. These expanded features were added to help consumers and developers understand the brand identity of Home2 Suites and its “Hip and Humble” approach to hospitality. “The new website features will increase the momentum for our already successful launch of Home2 Suites,” said Bill Duncan, global head, brand management. “Since launching the brand with 10 franchise applications, we have received an additional 20, with the first hotel to...

LOS ANGELES—Bentley Prince Street announced that it is collaborating with designer Clodagh on a new floor covering collection—the Tuscon Collection. Together, this world-renowned designer and carpet manufacturer have teamed up to offer the design community three new coordinated solution dyed patterns. Consistent with Clodagh’s signature environments that celebrate the “experience of living,” the Tucson Collection is inspired by the colorful topography and living elements of Arizona. From red skies to abundant cacti and vast wildlife, the intricate designs evoke the essence of the quintessential desert land and all the varied elements of nature. All three styles—Canyon Rapids, Saguaro...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI) as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company is offering VenCork™ to the lodging industry. It combines the refined style of natural wood with the benefits of a cork substrate. This ASI Flooring collection offers a real wood veneer with a protective surface layer that will meet any durability requirement. The material is offered in eight colors with custom capabilities. FSC-certified veneers are also available. In addition to flooring options such as VenCork™, ASI offers a complete collection of wood panels, decorative...

SAN FRANCISCO—The InterContinental San Francisco announced its plan to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification by early 2010. Working in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the organization that sets the standards and categories for LEED certification, the InterContinental San Francisco is applying for certification in the “Existing Buildings: Operations & maintenance” category (EBOM) and will be evaluated on every facet of the property from construction and design elements to the types of amenities used in hotel guestrooms. The InterContinental San Francisco opened in February 2008. The 550-room hotel is set in the heart of...