This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a biophilic hotel suite design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Róisín Lafferty.
Completed by Róisín Lafferty in collaboration with Henry J. Lyons in 2024, the Woodland Suite Experience redefines hospitality. Through cantilevered, nest-inspired structures the suites blend into the wooded landscape overlooking the River Lee and Cork City. Each space is connected through soft, natural materials and colours that mirror their surroundings to create a tranquil, inviting atmosphere. Sustainability is core, with charred timber cladding and sedum roofs. The result is a restorative retreat of quiet confidence. Spaces so beautifully balanced between luxury and nature, guests feel immersed, at ease, and reluctant to leave.
Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design
Design Practice: Róisín Lafferty
Project Title: Woodland Suite Experience
Project Location: Cork City, Ireland
Design Practice Location: Dublin, Ireland
The Montenotte team wanted to unlock the potential of a steep, wooded hillside overlooking Cork City. Their ambition was to create nine luxury standalone suites and a private clubhouse, offering a truly exclusive experience distinct from the main hotel. Because the site is so visible from the city below, it was crucial that the new structures integrate seamlessly into the landscape, preserving the mature woodland and historic gardens. The brief asked us to balance high end hospitality with environmental sensitivity; crafting a destination that felt both luxurious and deeply rooted in nature.
Nature itself was our biggest inspiration. We wanted the suites to feel like “nests” in the tree canopy – retreats that touch the land lightly while opening up extraordinary views of the River Lee valley. Working with Henry J Lyons, we elevated the suites on stilts and cantilevered them to preserve the forest floor and reduce disruption. Externally, charred timber cladding and living sedum roofs allow the buildings to disappear into the woodland while enhancing biodiversity. Inside, biophilic principles guided every decision. Beds face full height sliding glass doors, so guests feel as though they are sleeping in the trees. Open-plan layouts orbit the central view, with the bath, bar, and lounge positioned to connect seamlessly to nature. One sculptural oak joinery element integrates bed, bar, sofa, and kitchen into a single flowing structure, enhanced by Japanese rice paper bi-fold screens that double as part of the headboard. Travertine sinks appear to emerge organically from the walls, echoing the earthy tones of the landscape. Tactile finishes such as boucle, Irish linen and wool combined with natural light filtering through the canopy, create an immersive, restorative atmosphere. The Clubhouse mirrors these principles with a monolithic red travertine bar, sculptural banquettes, and muted tones, offering a calm communal counterpart to the private suites.
The site itself was the biggest challenge. With steep terrain and soft woodland ground, cranes couldn’t be used, which made installing large and heavy items like the custom travertine sinks and bar, extremely complex. Everything had to be manoeuvred by hand with precision sequencing, requiring meticulous planning, phased logistics, and incredible teamwork on site. Rejecting modular construction also posed challenges, but it allowed each suite to be tailored precisely to its location in the landscape. That approach demanded extraordinary craftsmanship and problem-solving, but it ensured the buildings felt genuinely embedded in their setting and delivered a level of architectural and interior detail that would have been impossible otherwise.
For us, the highlight was seeing the stone installations come to life. The red travertine pedestal sinks in the Nest units, the oversized split-face silver travertine sinks in the River Suites, and the sweeping curved travertine bar in the Clubhouse all became sculptural anchors. These bespoke pieces demanded exceptional craftsmanship and watching them evolve from sketches to installation was incredibly rewarding. Equally, there was a joy in seeing how light, shadow, and seasonal colour interact with the interiors – mirrored walls reflecting the trees, rice paper screens glowing softly at dusk, and custom furniture pieces grounding the spaces. These details brought the vision of immersive, nature-rooted luxury to life, and gave the suites their unforgettable character.
This project redefines what luxury hospitality can be; less about excess, more about connection, restoration, and respect for place. We wanted to showcase that vision on a global stage. The SBID Awards celebrate projects that innovate and set new standards, and we believe the Woodland Suites do exactly that: they demonstrate how architecture, interiors, and landscape can come together as one holistic experience.
It’s hugely affirming for our team. Being shortlisted validates the bravery it took to reject conventional approaches and craft something so site specific. For our business, it demonstrates our ability to deliver ambitious, environmentally sensitive hospitality projects on an international stage. And for us personally, it’s a reminder that when design is rooted in nature and authenticity, it resonates deeply with people. That’s what makes this recognition so meaningful.
Questions answered by Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a lively and cosy restaurant design, click here to read it.
Recently, Deirdre Hayes, Founder of Studio Hayes, has been speaking with operators exploring the US market. Hawksmoor and Sexy Fish have helped demonstrate the appetite for UK hospitality in the US, while Dishoom's planned New York opening suggests confidence in the market is still growing. Competitive socialising concepts such as Flight Club and Electric Shuffle have also shown that the model can scale successfully in the US. I worked in-house on US projects for several years, leading interiors for Flight Club's expansion into the American market and overseeing the rollout of Electric Shuffle from its first US site onwards. It gave me a direct view of the commercial reality of delivery across different markets, not just from a design perspective but from an operator perspective too. Having worked across a range of US markets, what follows are some of the insights I gained from that experience.
Many operators begin a US expansion conversation with the brand and the city, but not every market presents the same level of opportunity or complexity. For some, faster-growth US markets may offer a more accessible first step than cities such as New York or LA, where costs, competition and delivery complexity can all be higher. Market selection often needs as much strategic thought as the concept itself.
What became clear on projects was how long it could take to find the right site, and how much site selection shaped everything that followed. The building stock in US cities can be quite different from what UK brands are used to. In the locations likely to be targeted by operators, the available space is often in newer mixed-use developments, with floor-to-ceiling glazing, larger open footprints and less built-in character to draw from.
Many UK venues benefit from the texture and spatial character of older buildings. In newer US shells, that backdrop is often absent, so the interior has to work harder to create warmth, depth and atmosphere. This becomes even more challenging where full-height glazing is present, as it changes how a space feels and performs. Light is harder to manage, intimacy is harder to achieve, and the right atmosphere may take more work to create. For competitive socialising concepts, it can also affect technology, projection and other digital elements that rely on controlled light levels.
Brand adjacencies play a part too. The surrounding operators and uses influence footfall, perception and overall fit. If a similar offer has already found traction nearby, that can give greater confidence in the location.
Including a design feasibility review as part of due diligence is worthwhile. Floor space, column grid and glazing all have a bearing on how the space functions and performs, and the commercial impact can be significant. The lease process can add to this complexity, particularly where landlord design approvals are required at several stages.
The brands that perform well in the US have a clear grasp of their own DNA. They know what is fundamental to their concept and what can be adapted thoughtfully to suit a new market, a different building type and different guest expectations.
Bar seating was one of the clearest examples of that for me. In the US, bar seats are often used for full dining occasions, not just drinks or waiting for a table. That makes the bar a more important part of the guest experience and affects how it should be planned, from comfort and proportions to service and food delivery. If it is not considered at planning stage it may never perform as well as it should.
Scale presents its own challenges. US sites often offer larger footprints and different spatial conditions from what operators may be used to at home. An interiors scheme that reads well in one setting can land very differently in another. Layout, lighting, acoustics and circulation all need to be reviewed carefully, particularly for competitive socialising concepts where activity, dining, bar and technology all need to work together.
The ones that translate best feel rooted in their location rather than simply transferred into it. That comes from making the right adaptations from the beginning, so the result is a concept that feels integrated, commercially sound and true to what made it successful in the first place.
Once a site is secured, the delivery process may feel broadly familiar. In practice, however, US projects often require more time for documentation, approvals and permitting ahead of construction. Permitting often needs to be treated as a programme stage in its own right, as timelines and requirements can vary significantly between cities and jurisdictions. Local code input can help teams identify compliance, fire life safety and accessibility requirements before they become a source of delay, redesign or added cost.
Construction costs in major US cities are higher than in the UK, so it is worth building in additional contingency. Labour structures and local requirements can all affect cost and programme. Joinery is worth resolving sooner rather than later, as some operators prefer to work with UK makers who know the brand and understand the level of quality and detail expected, while others source locally for speed, simplicity or programme reasons. The decision should be measured against quality, lead times, shipping, customs and the current tariff landscape. Lighting warrants the same consideration: some operators may want to work with UK suppliers to maintain consistency in look and quality, but fittings still need to be suitable for the US market and aligned with the relevant technical requirements. Clear documentation and change control can make a significant difference as the programme progresses, especially when multiple teams and time zones are involved.
Many operators will manage at least part of a US project from the UK, so the time difference needs to be factored into resourcing planning. From my own experience, even small decisions could take longer across time zones, and if UK projects were running at the same time, it often meant switching between different markets, priorities and working rhythms while also covering more than one role.
For some operators, a short-term relocation during key stages of delivery may make sense, so someone from the home team is on the ground when decisions need to be made quickly.
In the US, the equivalent of snagging is usually referred to as a punch list. The principle is similar, but the closeout stage is often more formal and closely tied to documentation and final payment. Defining what “done” looks like before construction, in terms of finish, sign-off and handover requirements, helps avoid ambiguity at a stage when time and goodwill can both be in short supply. A post-opening review is worth allowing for once the venue is in use, when lighting, acoustics and service flow can be tested under real operating conditions.
No project is ever completely plain sailing. There are long days, late phone calls, problem solving on site and points when delivery can feel relentless. But there is a moment when the project starts to turn a corner. Joinery is fitted, refinements are made and details that have existed on paper for months begin to emerge in the built space. The scheme reveals itself and the pressure lifts. In those quieter moments on site, as the build team resolves the last few details, the outcome becomes more tangible. In the end, that is the part people remember: not the approvals or paperwork, but the atmosphere, the detail and the experience of a space carefully brought to life.
The US remains an exciting market for hospitality brands. American guests have a real appetite for what UK brands often do well: bringing more than a menu, with a distinct identity, rich storytelling, design confidence, attention to detail and a sense of occasion that makes the experience worth seeking out.
What often separates a venue that opens well from one that struggles is not the offer itself, but the level of preparation behind it: understanding the market before committing to a site, building the right team from the start and going into delivery with realistic expectations.
This is where UK hospitality can be especially effective. At its best, it combines a clear design point of view with good food and drink, thoughtful detailing and a well-considered guest experience. With the right groundwork in place, more brands can succeed in the US. The venues that feel effortless are usually the result of good decisions made early, long before the doors open.
About Studio Hayes
Studio Hayes is a London-based, director-led interior design consultancy specialising in commercial interiors, including hospitality, leisure, and retail environments. With over eighteen years of experience across Ireland, the UK, USA, and Australia, the studio delivers distinctive interiors that balance creativity with commercial insight. Every project is overseen at director level from concept through to completion, ensuring consistency, quality, and a deep understanding of each client’s vision. Studio Hayes partners with brands and individuals to create spaces that are purposeful, beautifully crafted, and designed to connect people, from small refurbishments to large-scale hospitality rollouts and unique one-off projects.
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Deirdre Hayes, Founder of Studio Hayes, has given her insights into the industry.
My route into interior design began with a fine art background, where my focus was painting and drawing. Beginning a degree in Interior Architecture was a significant shift, and adapting to technical drawing and structured design principles took time. However, it opened a new way of thinking about creativity within the built environment.
A defining moment came when I spent a summer as a student living and working in London. Coming from Ireland, the scale, pace and cultural diversity of the city was eye-opening, and exposure to other design disciplines broadened my understanding of design as a wider profession.
I spent much of my free time exploring London’s museums and galleries and was struck by how strongly buildings and interiors could influence how you feel, from the quiet, cathedral-like galleries of the V&A to the industrial drama of the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. That experience confirmed that I wanted to design the spaces people move through and experience every day.
I enjoy the moment when a concept truly clicks, when brand, operational needs and user experience align in a clear design direction. I am particularly drawn to the strategic side: understanding how a space must perform commercially as well as emotionally, and translating that into layouts, details and atmosphere.
Collaboration is also a major highlight. There is nothing better than problem-solving live on site with a contractor or builder, navigating constraints and finding smart, buildable outcomes together. A strong collaborative team or lack of one can make or break a project, and when collaboration works well, it is one of the most motivating parts of the process.
The standout highlight this year has been launching my own practice while continuing to work at a senior level on hospitality and experiential projects. After many years leading an in-house design team and delivering projects for international brands, stepping into my own studio has been a major milestone.
A particular highlight has been the positive response from clients and peers to a more hands-on, director-led approach, with senior expertise embedded throughout each project. Reconnecting with past collaborators, building new relationships and shaping my own way of working has made this year feel like a real turning point. While starting a business is not always the easiest path, investing my time and energy into something of my own has proved to be the most rewarding aspect of my career.
I am especially drawn to hospitality and social spaces such as bars, restaurants, leisure venues and hotels. These projects are centred around connection; they are where people come together, celebrate, relax and create memories. I enjoy the complexity that sits behind the atmosphere, from circulation and operational efficiency to layouts that support a strong commercial return, paired with the challenge of making the final experience feel effortless, welcoming and atmospheric.
I also enjoy working with heritage and older buildings. Their construction, detailing and layers of history bring a depth of character, and part of the design challenge is respecting that while adapting the space for contemporary use. Through recent residential work, including renovating my own Victorian terraced house in North London, I have developed a deeper appreciation for how these buildings are put together, with each layer revealing a different story. Balancing old and new adds a richness that cannot be replicated.
Balancing ambition with reality is always a challenge. Budgets, programmes and existing buildings do not always cooperate with the initial vision, so you need to be resourceful and solutions focused. Managing expectations and communication across large teams, including clients, operators, contractors and stakeholders, can be demanding, especially when things change late in the process. However, those challenges are also what make the successful moments so satisfying.
I wish I had fully appreciated how much time is spent on coordination, communication and detail rather than purely on design. A strong concept can fall flat if the technical information, drawings and site coordination are not robust. I would also tell my younger self that understanding how projects are financed, procured, built and operated is just as valuable as a good eye; commercial awareness and curiosity about the wider process make you a far stronger designer.
I have also learned the importance of understanding different perspectives. Clients, designers and contractors often approach a project from different standpoints, and acknowledging those differences early on makes collaboration more productive and outcomes more successful.
Spend as much time as possible in real spaces, rather than relying solely on mood boards and digital references. Visit sites and new venue openings, observe how people use them, speak to staff, and take note of bottlenecks, quiet corners and missed opportunities. Form your own design opinions and let those observations guide your thinking.
Seek out a mentor for support, whether within the industry or someone with strong leadership experience. Build strong relationships with your peers, and do not be afraid to ask for what you want or to articulate the direction you want to grow in. Enjoy the wins and learn from the setbacks.
I expect a continued move toward spaces that support fluid, real-world use: places that can transition naturally from day to night, from work to socialising, and from private focus to shared experience. Clients are looking for environments that feel authentic and uplifting, not formulaic. Sustainability will also move further into the mainstream, with increased focus on longevity, reuse and responsible specification.
In hospitality, people are craving connection and shared experience in a world that feels slightly unsettled. This is evident in the rise of concepts rooted in familiar traditions and nostalgic social rituals, from competitive socialising to modern reinterpretations of the corner shop, pub or clubhouse. There is a renewed appreciation for places with heritage, soul and a sense of belonging, which may prompt a return to more timeless design, craft and spatial storytelling, even within larger brands.
AI will become more integrated into the design process, supporting research, visualisation and efficiency. Its value lies in enhancing human creativity and informed decision-making, rather than replacing the designer.
Being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer represents professional credibility, accountability and a commitment to best practice. Accreditation by the Society of British & International Interior Design provides reassurance to clients and collaborators that my experience, training and approach meet recognised industry standards.
It reflects the importance I place on integrity, ethics and continued professional development. Interior design balances creativity with technical knowledge and responsibility, and accreditation reinforces the need to uphold all three consistently.
On a personal level, SBID accreditation acknowledges the breadth of my career to date, from leading in-house design teams to establishing my own practice. It also connects me to a wider professional community and supports my commitment to delivering thoughtful, well-considered design that responds to people, place and context.
The magnificent Grade-2 listed Georgian Cuckney House on the Welbeck Estate, one of the UK’s largest and historically important country estates, has been given a complete interior makeover by Rachel McLane Ltd.
The three-and-a-half-year project converted the vacant Cuckney House into luxury 15-bedroom holiday and event accommodation.
The 15,000-acre Welbeck Estate on the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire border near Sherwood Forest has a history that can be traced back nearly 900 years and is run by The Welbeck Estates Company.
As the most prominent House on the Estate, it has been thoroughly but sensitively transformed during the £5m redevelopment project to provide a single high-spec property for extended holiday and event-related stays.
Its 15 bedrooms include family suites and a bridal suite, allowing the House to sleep more than 30 people, and it has three reception rooms, including a 28-seat dining room and a 40-seat function room. There is a large, well-appointed kitchen, games room, snug butler’s pantry, and outside, there is a large terrace with two BBQs and a wood-fired pizza oven, a walled kitchen garden and a tennis court.
The transformation of Cuckney House is part of the long-term Welbeck Project to re-purpose and breathe new life into the Estate’s collection of historic buildings.
The entire project was managed by the Welbeck Estate, which made it run like clockwork as the Estate has incredibly skilled teams across different departments, including stone masons and builders, some of whom lived on-site to see the project completed.
Working closely alongside the Estate team, we managed through internal and external structural design changes that included a reconfiguration of the walls on the first and second floors, complete re-roofing, insulation throughout, refurbishment of all flooring, including reinstated parquet flooring, and the raising of the ceiling height in the top floor rooms, as well as electrical drawings, lighting designs, colour scheme and fabrics.
We could respect Cuckney House’s listed status while giving each room its identity and personality, reflecting the original use of the building as a Manor House.
The design intent was to make Cuckney House feel like it had evolved rather than an overly designed modern interior. The overall look is eclectic and traditional, with a contemporary twist suited to today’s living expectations.
The interior design also features a new art collection that the Rachel McLane team procured to make it look like the collection had evolved. We worked with the Estate’s collections team on scans of artwork from the collections and also with a commercial art gallery, mixing traditional and contemporary artwork on the walls and around the rooms.
An added feel of the area’s landscape also comes from the work of a ceramic artist who rents a studio from the Welbeck Estate and whose work is on display in the House.
The restoration of Cuckney House has also been emphatically sustainable with the provision of electric car charging points, renewable energy heat sources, and solar panels. In place of energy-consuming kettles in each room, each floor was designed with a communal coffee and tea pod.
Nigel Porter, Property & Rural Estates Director, said, “For me, the interior design and the quality of the craftsmanship stand out.”
About Rachel McLane Limited
Rachel McLane Ltd offers a full design service that interprets a client’s brief and delivers their project on time, on budget, and as envisaged. Every client and every project is different, so how we get there is entirely up to the client. Not every project requires internal spaces reconfiguring; not every client has an architect or project manager. However, as a general rule, their project process offers: Feasibility Study – narrowing down your options; Concept Design – sketched visuals of how your space might look; Design Detailing – producing drawings & plans for trades; Purchasing – new, bespoke or repurposed; Fit-Out.
Lily of the Valley is the fruit of a family project, led by Alain and Lucie Weill, father and daughter, with the aim of creating a dream hotel inspiring Wellness and luxury. This is the very concept of the hotel, which offers to its residents an elegant setting in which they are guided in their weight loss goals with the most exclusive Technogym training solutions.
Entirely imagined and designed by the famous designer Philippe Starck, the hotel fits in naturally with the surrounding nature. With an organic architecture, the place opens up to the surrounding light and the vegetation is part of the hotel's design. He states: "I designed an organic and vernacular village. Everything is so harmonious that it feels like it has always been there. It's a place that welcomes you at any time of your life, at any time of the season."
This small "village" inspired by the gardens of Babylon, the architecture of Provençal abbeys and Californian villas, is made up of small Mineral houses with 38 rooms and 6 suites with nature and the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. 8 pool suites are also part of the picture: these private villas with swimming pool are set in the Mediterranean environment of the French Riviera. Below, the hotel's own beach with restaurants and bars is available to residents.
2,000 m² are dedicated to sport and fitness within the hotel, and 3 programmes are available for residents who wish to keep fit, accompanying them throughout the year, over 4, 7, 10 or 14 days: - Optimal weight & serenity - Intensive weight loss - Weight loss & sport
All three programmes are supervised by a team of professionals, using the so-called "TGV" method. Developed by Jacques Fricker, it is said to be in three stages and consists of a "high speed" phase, a stabilisation phase and a full fitness phase; all three allow for rapid and lasting weight loss, particularly appreciated for the flexibility and balance of its approach.
Technogym is partnering with Lily of the Valley in the development of this luxury sports area.
Fitness and coaching, present in each of the fitness programmes of the place, are thus proposed and highlighted thanks to Technogym solutions. The Artis line dresses the hotel and allows residents to live an exclusive fitness experience. From cardio equipment to weight training equipment, Artis offers high-end products with a touch of elegance. With customised workouts and a variety of entertainment options, Artis makes working out more motivating and enjoyable for everyone. Working independently on an assigned program or accompanied by the Technogym Coach through the Technogym Live console, residents have access to a simple and ergonomic training experience that adapts to their needs and goals.
Artis equipment includes Artis Run, the treadmill that combines elegance, technology and connectivity. Designed with attention to detail, it is the essence of indoor running. It adapts to the user's running style, with a natural feel that makes for the most comfortable training experience.
In addition to the Artis Line, residents can also take advantage of the Kinesis Personal Vision, the Technogym innovation “par excellence”. Perfect for a wide variety of functional exercises, it can be used to improve physical condition, endurance, sports performance or to accompany a rehabilitation process. Kinesis Personal Vision is designed to train while respecting the body's natural movements, in order to achieve fitness, athletic or health goals in an efficient and personalised way.
For over 35 years, Technogym has been promoting Wellness worldwide, a lifestyle based on regular physical activity, a balanced diet and a positive mental approach. Through its wide range of products, Technogym supports Lily of the Valley in offering high quality fitness solutions to its residents, enabling them to achieve their wellness goals through the best Wellness experience to improve their quality of life.
About Technogym UK
Technogym's globally renowned products are perfect for both home and commercial gyms. They strive to create gym equipment and accessories that are not only professional and sleek but also adapt easily to every surrounding space. For more than 40 years Technogym have been helping people live healthier and happier lives with a range of products that are exceptional in both function and aesthetics. With modular collections, they offer the ultimate wellness experience anytime, anywhere, at home, in the gym, in the office, or in a hotel.
Overlooking Lake Garda, EALA is a luxury hotel designed in every detail to give its guests a one-of-a-kind experience. The choice of Foglie d'Oro flooring, different in design but united by the quality and comfort of wood, creates a clear identity for each room - from the suites and the bistro to the wonderful hall.
In the elegant hall, the Matita modular system, in the Ca' Bollani finish and with Marquinia marble and brass inserts, creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where the natural light from outside creates a play of reflections on the dark marble.
In the refined lake-view bistro, the Tricot modular floor in Ca' Melli finish creates an evocative geometric composition. The tones of the smoked oak wood create a pleasant play of chiaroscuro, giving the surface and the room dynamism and character.
The Spina Jazz in Ca' Gabriel finish brings the rhythm of the herringbone parquet to the bedrooms, revisited by Foglie d'Oro with a contemporary soul: its serial interlocking corners create an airy, embracing design, perfect for creating a synthesis of comfort and luxury.
Our know-how allows us to meet the demands of customers and designers even beyond the wide range of floors in our catalogue, and Foglie d'Oro has created custom-made products for this project too.
Visit the Projects section of our website to see the complete gallery dedicated to EALA and discover, in the Bespoke section, how we can customise floors and panelling in a completely original way.
About Foglie d'Oro
Foglie d’Oro is Europe’s leading manufacturer of sophisticated design wood floors, XL wide planks, and American walnut floors. Based in Italy, the company has been chosen by A&D to work on turnkey projects for over 50 years, developing a reputation for excellence all around the world.
Designing a luxury hotel in one of the most vibrant metropolises means creating functional environments with a refined design, finding solutions capable of ensuring guests the best conditions of comfort, with a focus on sustainability.
It is with these premises in mind that for the Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, in London, the modular flooring Frammenti was chosen, made of oak from well-managed and responsible forests.
Thanks to its extraordinary versatility, Frammenti is the perfect solution for every type of environment. The geometric design of the modular floor, which makes it resemble an abstract, contemporary mosaic, is reminiscent of the creative flow and dynamism of the metropolis.
The customised finish was realised by Foglie d'Oro to indulge the creative intuition of the designer and contribute to building the aesthetic identity of the spaces of a luxury hotel, whose attention to detail is one of its most distinctive aspects.
The ability to create customised floors, starting from the designer's drawing and the client's needs, is one of the reasons why Foglie d'Oro is chosen by architects and interior designers all over the world.
Would you like to choose a Foglie d'Oro floor or realise your own customised solution in both finish and format? Discover more here.
About Foglie d’Oro
The spirited, high-end lifestyle hotel located in Kentucky is an upscale, independent property housing 125 rooms, featuring restaurant and dining spaces, lobby lounge and bars, rooftop with sprawling views of downtown Lexington and the Distillery District, as well as an accompanying event space and bespoke gym.
Working with the hotelier and his design team, Paragon Studio were delighted to be involved in this boutique gym project right in the heart of Lexington’s famous Bourbon district.
The gym replicates the incredible finishes incorporated throughout the hotel; built to mirror Kentucky’s unbridled enthusiasm, warm Southern light, and full-galloped feeling.
The team worked on the gym layout design, and created a kit list including Paragon Studio adjustable gym benches and boxing equipment with the hotel logo debossed into the leather pads. They also specified Diabolo Dumbbells with the logo laser engraved into the end plates, matching racks and cork yoga equipment.
Lastly, Peloton and Precor were brought in to the project to complete the gym’s cardio and strength offering.
The Manchester Hotel opened on 2nd June 2023!
About Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors
Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors is a specialist wellness design for the superyacht and prime property sectors. Their experienced team have an unrivalled understanding of the complexities of gym and space design, both on land and at sea. This together with our vast experience in the health and wellness industry helps create an unbeatable service.
As a team, sofa.com always find it interesting to look back at the successes of the year so far, delving into the data to look at what clients are seeking when it comes to luxury design.
Material of choice:
The past few years had seen an increase in sales of upholstered seating and bedroom furniture in colourful fabrics. However, 2023 so far sees a shift, as neutral tones overtake to reign supreme once again. Comprising the largest percentage of sales, two beautifully cool-toned beiges share the top spot – Pumice house basket weave, and Cashew viscose linen.
A palette which has always been well-suited to high-end hotel and residential design, this move to a more muted, modest scheme sits in line with a wider consumer trend seen this year – minimaluxe, or quiet minimalism. A focus on a few pared-back hues used together to create a streamlined aesthetic. Often you’ll notice that it is no longer colour that is used to showcase personality - the detail is all in the unique shapely elements of furniture, or the texture of the fabric selected.
Furniture Shape and design:
Sales of furniture with multifunctional features have increased year on year. The flexibility of modular furniture allows us to rearrange and reshuffle to accommodate extra guests, to adapt for entertaining purposes, or to allow increased space for stretching out and relaxing.
The top preforming sofa first debuted in 2009 and has continued to hold the top spot – and for good reason. The timeless shape, and ever-expanding offering of configurations allows Bluebell to sit equally as perfectly within contemporary specifications as traditional schemes. Another classic which has hurdled a few other contenders and is now situated at second place, is our Otto. Sleek lines, yet unbelievable comfort make this the ideal option for all settings.
Sofa.com have been lucky enough this summer to work on a number of hotel redesigns, and are pleased that the focus on creating bedroom furniture that is both designed to last yet has elements of key trends is popular within the hospitality sector as much as with residential shoppers. Sales of beds and mattresses in particular sit at 50% up on last year’s figures.
The sofa.com design and trade teams continue to work together ceaselessly to ensure new products are created in response to the needs of our customers, building on successes, adapting to meet any challenges and always bespoke.
About sofa.com
Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.
Hotel & Resort Design South, the premier event for hotel and resort design professionals working within the Southern States and LATAM, is excited to announce its Conference Program, supported by NEWH.
This year's program features a dynamic line-up of speakers and panel discussions covering topics ranging from travel horizons and design trends to shaping hospitality through regional influences. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain insights from, and network with some of the industry's most innovative leaders, while also earning continuing education credits.
The conference will kick off with a keynote featuring; Francisco Jove, Principal Owner – Modus Operandi, Kavitha Iyer, Head of Design, Americas – IHG Hotels & Resorts; Emilio Perez, Senior Continent Leader Global Design – CALA, Marriott International.
Following this, marine and land-based design collide in the joint session ‘A tale of design – creating an emotional connection’, panelists include Christopher Stubbs, AVP Sailor (Customer) and Crew (Employee) Experience – Virgin Voyages, Trisha Poole, President – Design Poole Inc. and Kristin Cullen, Interior Design Director – Dash Design.
Other highlights of the program include ‘Shaping hospitality design through regional influences’ and ‘What's new in fast design, guest loyalty and micro experiences?’.
"The Hotel & Resort Design South Conference is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the design and development of hotels and resorts in the Southern States and LATAM," said show organizer, Toby Walters. "The program reflects current topics and trends emerging from this vibrant region, and we are excited to bring together such a talented group of speakers and attendees for the very first time."
Visitors will also have access to the schedule of content at the co-located CSI Design Expo Americas providing even more opportunities to leave the show inspired.
Secure your complimentary conference and networking pass here to join the hotel & resort design community in Miami on 6 – 7 June.
About Hotel & Resort Design South
Hotel & Resort Design South is exclusively dedicated to connecting the suppliers of the global hospitality design community with the South and LATAM purchasers and decision-makers.
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