MILL VALLEY, Calif.—Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences, recently announced plans for a new coastal escape in South Carolina with The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection. Located along the Charleston coastline in the waterfront community of Kiawah River, the property offers 2,000 acres of picturesque land with 20 miles of riverfront, scenic nature trails and abundant marshlands set amongst native flora and fauna. With the groundbreaking planned for January 2022, The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, will be a charming, family-friendly getaway that invites guests to take in the simple pleasures of an authentic sea island lifestyle upon its opening...

CHICAGO—Hotel Chicago West Loop, an independent boutique concept inspired by the artistic ethos of its West Loop neighborhood, has become Chicago’s first hotel to bring street art inside to every guestroom. The dual-purpose property that doubles as an alternative gallery launched its highly acclaimed Annex Murals exhibit in 2018 to give guests a fully immersive cultural experience by offering 15 hand-painted rooms by 12 of Chicago’s most celebrated urban artists—prominent names like Asend, JC Rivera, and Eloo. As of today, all 116 rooms at Hotel Chicago West Loop have been decorated with street murals thus offering some of the...

JASPER, IND.—Indiana Furniture announced the promotion of Angie Kleiser to the role of Contracts & Sales Support Manager. With over 25 years of experience in contract administration, order processing, account management, and more, Kleiser has developed and implemented business plans for continuous improvement of internal processes in addition to better servicing and growing national programs. In this newly created position, Kleiser will oversee the management of federal, state, and local contracts, strategic accounts, and support teams, including Design Services, Customs, and Quotes, to ensure ongoing customer satisfaction. Her focus will be to assist in creating corporate sales strategies and building...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Green Building Initiative (GBI) announced the approval of ANSI/GBI 01-2021: Green Globes Assessment Protocol for Design, New Construction, and Major Renovations by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Following ANSI approval, GBI’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve and publish ANSI-GBI 01-2021, also known as Green Globes for New Construction 2021. “With the completion of this updated Standard, GBI is standing true to its vision and commitment to support sustainable, healthy, and resilient buildings for all,” says Brenda Steinhauer, Chair of the GBI Standards Committee and quality manager of W.A. Richardson Builders, LLC. The standard references hundreds...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Furniture retailers and manufacturers have responded more than ever to guidance that helps protect forests and contribute to sustainable use of wood and other materials, according to a new report. The 2021 Wood Furniture Scorecard, from the National Wildlife Federation and Sustainable Furnishings Council, assessed 118 furniture retailers on their wood sourcing policies. “We’re witnessing an industrywide shift toward sustainability, which is noticeable not only through the growing number of companies voluntarily getting involved in this process, but also by the increasing scores of the companies that have been scored in previous years,” said Barbara Bramble, Vice President of International Wildlife Conservation and...

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y.—Saranac Waterfront Lodge announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver, becoming the first and only hotel in New York’s Adirondacks to achieve a certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable. Saranac Waterfront Lodge, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and...

ENGLEWOOD, COLO.—Bona US, a global, sustainably-driven company that supplies products for installing, renovating, maintaining, and restoring premium floors, has announced that it purchased 35 acres in Monroe, N.C., where it will add on to its existing facility. The new, 280,000-square-foot building officially broke ground recently at an event hosted at the facility. Bona expects the building to be completed in late summer 2022. “As our business continues to grow, investing in our current factory site aligns with our core commitment for a sustainable future,” said Phil Nicolette, Senior Director of Operations and Supply Chain, Site Manager - Monroe, Bona. “By...

BANGKOK—To reinterpret the regal ambiance of a bygone era dating back 700 years, 14th-century Six Senses Fort Barwara has been sensitively transformed into a 48-suite resort, including five specialty suites, in a conservation effort that has taken more than a decade to complete. It offers a resting point during a busy touring itinerary of Rajasthan. It is within easy striking distance of Ranthambore National Park for guests looking to take a walk on the wild side with the local tiger population. Reinterpreting Royal India Originally owned by a Rajasthani Royal Family, Six Senses Fort Barwara incorporates two original palaces and two temples...

STODDARD, N.H.—Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, a leader in artisan-crafted wide plank hardwood flooring for residential and commercial spaces, has added two new floors to the Tranquil Collection, a series of on-trend flooring designs that honor the best of nature. The popular collection pairs the organic character of White Oak with a subtle wash of layered color in warm, modern tones and a smooth, super matte finish. The newest additions to the Tranquil Collection include: Elysian. White tones buffed over nutty brown wood results in a mix of pleasing cooler tones, imparting an unexpected sense of comfort and warmth. Refuge. A subtle creamy...

JASPER, IND.—Indiana Furniture announced it will begin taking orders for three new products, as well as enhancements to existing lines. These additions take design, flexibility, and especially comfort to the next level, amplifying style and functionality across a broad range of applications. Indiana Furniture introduces Plush Lounge, Polka Modular Seating, and Cush Pillows, as well as enhancements to their Square One and Accessories lines: Now more than ever, design for commercial and home spaces is blending. The new Plush Lounge seamlessly brings together the endurance needed for commercial spaces with the relaxed comforts of home. Introducing a smart range of...