LAS VEGAS—Spring is in full bloom at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens as the resort debuts its new display, “Springtime Celebrations Around the World.” Beautifully designed floral creations represent renowned springtime celebrations in The Netherlands, England, Thailand, and the United States. An abundance of blooming spring flowers, cherry blossom trees, hummingbirds and whimsical butterflies fill the Conservatory, representing growth, resilience, and the dawning of a new season. Designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s horticulture team meticulously designed “Springtime Celebrations Around the World,” bringing to life cherished spring traditions from different cultures. “As we leave the dreary winter months behind, we spring forward...

If you did a search on shipping container on Green Lodging News, it would turn up several pages of articles. In the coming week I will be adding yet another article. It is quite an interesting story, but Michigan developer, businessman and visionary Darius Smith just launched ASJ Homes. His company will break ground on the first shipping container home in the next two months. Now the really interesting (or confusing if you, like me, get confused by crypto currency) part: Smith is also introducing a new cryptocurrency called Container Tokens, which will be used to raise funds for...

NEW YORK—Supreen, a revolutionary new performance fabric, tackles the spills and stains of everyday life without compromising high-end design, sustainability, or materiality. A fusion of beauty and brawn, Supreen brings cutting-edge woven and coated technology to create a unique liquid-barrier textile with a soft hand that offers impressive upholstery options. This leading combination represents an evolution of performance fabrics, offering manufacturers and designers the durability they need with the aesthetic they seek. Named after a combination of the words “supple” and “preen,” preserving comfort and beauty is key to Supreen’s ethos. With a supple, surprisingly soft hand, “preen” references the...

MIAMI—Rising to extraordinary heights, in both altitude and achievement, the “Jewel” is the first beach-front development on the Gold Coast of Australia in over 30 years. Designed by architect Chad Oppenheim, FAIA, of the international firm Oppenheim Architecture, The Jewel towers rise in unison on the city’s shores, joining luxury residences with a five-star hotel—all spanning across a three-tower crystalline complex. The mixed-use development sets a new standard of luxury living among a spread of business amenities, dining experiences, and health and wellness services, all while paying tribute to its surroundings. Oppenheim Architecture was selected as a winner of developer...

SAN FRANCISCO—Smith & Fong announced the introduction of Durapalm Sugar Linear Panels, according to company founder and CEO Dan Smith. “We are really excited to offer this new linear look in the sugar palm range of plywood and panel goods,” Smith said. “It is hard to describe the radiant, multidimensional visual aesthetic of this product. In a line of one-of-a-kind palm-based products, this one still stands out.” Produced from Indian black palm (sugar palm), the graining of this panel is derived from the varying color range of stem wood available from this palm species. Colors of black coffee and nutmeg tones...

WHATCOM COUNTY, WASH.—With the success of its exclusive beachfront resort in Costa Rica, Igloo Mountain Lodge announced its upcoming expansion into the United States. Construction on 50 of its uniquely styled self-check-in air form domes and a geodesic greenhouse used for social space will commence in Washington State in early 2022. Having stayed open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Igloo Mountain Lodge has selected a site in Whatcom County Wash. as the location for its first U.S. branch, costing around $5 million to complete. Visitor spending was $705.7 million in Whatcom County in 2018, with lodging accounting for over 10 percent. The...

GREENOUGH, MONT.—Created by the founders of The Resort at Paws Up and set in the heart of Montana’s Blackfoot River Valley, the green o is slated to open on June 1, 2021, as a year-round, off-the-grid contemporary luxury retreat, primed for small-group buyouts. An array of customizable itineraries ideal for intimate weddings, milestone celebrations, incentive retreats, family office meetings, private board meeting getaways and more will be available. Designed for maximum privacy and seclusion, the green o will offer exclusive experiences in 12 design-forward accommodations—from the elevated Tree Haus to the Green Haus with a rooftop deck perfect for stargazing, the Round Haus with a sunken living room and the Light Haus with a glass-enclosed bedroom....

CINCINNATI, OHIO—If you were to look at all of the companies servicing the hospitality industry, there are few that have reached the level of sustainability as Cincinnati-based Melink Corp. The list of its accomplishments is long and so too are its future goals—from the headquarters it operates from to the products and services it offers. The company has been around a while. “I started the company in 1987,” says Steve Melink, Chairman & CEO. “We started as an HVAC company doing commissioning for restaurant chains.” It was not long before Melink saw that many restaurant ventilation systems were running constantly,...

ATLANTA—LG Hausys’ HI-MACS solid surface brand is introducing its new Wood Collection and adding four new colors to its Aurora Collection. Reflecting nature-inspired patterns and hues, the new colors can meet a variety of commercial interior design needs where calm and serenity is needed. As its name implies, the Wood Collection is a tribute to the timeless beauty of natural wood. The collection is unique in its ability to display intricate, realistic wood grain patterns and knots. Ideal for commercial spaces, its warm undertones and gentle essence intuitively brings a sense of calm and restoration. As a non-porous surface, it...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Following a tumultuous 2020, all industries are seeking insight and assurances as 2021 gets into full swing. To keep interior design practitioners and professionals on the cusp of these relevant changes as related to global trends, economic indicators, and beyond, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its annual Outlook and State of Interior Design Report. Compiled by the Society’s dedicated research division, the compendium reviews the state of the interior design industry, business, and profession to offer a comprehensive outlook for the year ahead to guide practitioners. The report studies topics such as the U.S. economy...