Caitlin St John - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

4 min

Peter Arnell Appointed as First U.S. Chief Brand Architect at Newly Formed National Design Studio

📰 Met Gala 2026 saw celebrities like Gracie Abrams and Hunter Schafer channel iconic artworks at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" featured New York spots like Waldorf Astoria and Bubby's. Peter Arnell became the first U.S. chief brand architect at National Design Studio, aiming to transform government identity. Corvas Brinkerhoff plans to open a 20,000 sq ft art bathhouse in Austin by summer 2027. HD Expo 2026 highlighted hospitality innovations in Las Vegas, awarding Williams-Sonoma and The Standard, Brussels.

4 min

HD Expo Highlights Wellness Integration, Cinematic Guest Experiences, and Contextual Luxury Design Trends in Hospitality

🏨 At the HD Expo, wellness in hospitality design was highlighted as essential, with technology like massage chairs and red light therapy integrating into spaces for a seamless experience. Cinematic guest journeys were emphasized for their choreographed transitions. Desert Rock in Saudi Arabia showcased luxury hospitality rooted in natural landscapes. The event underscored the need for business acumen for creative leaders, emphasizing the importance of operational knowledge in sustaining design studios.

4 min

HD Expo Day One Highlights: Wellness Technology Integration, Cinematic Guest Experiences, and Contextual Luxury Design in Hospitality

📚 During the HD Expo 2026, key themes emerged: wellness integrated into all hospitality spaces, cinematic guest experiences crafted through thoughtful design, and contextual luxury exemplified by Saudi Arabia's Desert Rock resort. Experts emphasized the need for business fluency in creative leadership. Notable insights included Glenn Nowak's views on seamless wellness technology integration, Rebecca McBride's focus on transitional design poetry, and Chad Oppenheim's contextual luxury approach. This diverse expertise highlights evolving trends in hospitality design.

13 min

The Standard, Brussels Wins Best in Show at 2026 HD Awards for Projects; Kevin Barry Art Advisory Tops Products Category

📈 Nearly 475 people gathered at Encore Resort, Las Vegas, on May 5th, 2026, for the 22nd HD Awards by Hospitality Design magazine. From 1,200 submissions, The Standard, Brussels won Best in Show for projects, and Kevin Barry Art Advisory's program for Chamonix Casino Hotel topped in products. The event celebrated global achievements in design, highlighting diversity across lifestyle, upscale, and luxury hotel categories, with winners from places like Brussels, Boston, and Tokyo.

13 min

The Standard, Brussels Wins Best in Show for Projects at 22nd Annual HD Awards Ceremony

🏠 On May 5th, 2026, Hospitality Design magazine held its 22nd annual HD Awards at Encore Resort at Wynn Las Vegas, attended by nearly 475 guests. The event evaluated around 1,200 submissions, honoring innovative design globally. Best in Show for projects went to The Standard, Brussels, and Kevin Barry Art Advisory's art program for Chamonix Casino Hotel won Best in Show for products. Key winners include The Atlas Hotel in Boston for lifestyle hotel public space and Fairmont Tokyo for luxury hotel.

3 min

Robert Natale Becomes CEO of Sixpenny, Launches New Wild Air Collection Featuring Brand's First Print

📃 In 2010, Robert Natale moved from New Jersey to New York to join Warby Parker. By 2016, he was involved with Sixpenny, a furniture brand founded by Jing Zhang, whom he later married. By 2020, they co-owned the company. As CEO and chief of design, Natale launched the Wild Air collection, featuring Sixpenny's first print. The collection is available at the Sixpenny Loft in Dumbo, Brooklyn, showcasing a California-cozy style.

4 min

New Listening Lounges Inspired by Japan's Jazz Kissa Trend Emerging Across Global Hospitality Industry

🎧 Hotel Saint Augustine in Houston introduces a Listening Room in the Augustine Lounge, featuring a reel-to-reel tape deck and turntable. Vinyl Room at Hollywood Palladium, designed by Studio Collective, offers an intimate space for analog sound inspired by Japan’s listening bars. Anima at Locke in Berlin anchors social spaces with a vinyl-focused bar. Stylus in New York, opening this fall, features the Ephemeral listening room with Amadeus Acoustics. Jam Record Bar in Sydney offers a 45-seat venue with over 15,000 vinyl records.

4 min

Diane Keaton's Archive To Be Auctioned By Bonhams With Over 50 Lots Available Starting June 8th

📰 Salone del Mobile 2026 in Milan featured highlights like Harry Nuriev's interactive installation, Yinka Ilori's Veuve Clicquot collaboration, and Aesop's first table lamp showcased in a 15th-century church using 16,000 fragrance bottles. Diane Keaton's curated collection, including a Gucci suit and Ralph Lauren items, will be auctioned in June in New York and Los Angeles. HD Expo 2026 occurs May 5-7 in Las Vegas, featuring the Women in Design Awards Breakfast and other signature programs.

3 min

Bunkhouse Hotels Unveils Hotel Daphne in Houston Heights, Blending Historical Charm with Modern Design Elements

🏨 Hotel Daphne, located in Houston Heights, Texas, was designed by Bunkhouse Hotels and Blanchard A+D. The five-story building features 49 guestrooms with custom beds and psychedelic textiles. The lobby showcases a vintage Murano chandelier and onyx chess sets. Hypsi restaurant, run by chef Terrence Gallivan, reflects Prohibition-era styles. The hotel blends modernity with historic neighborhood aesthetics, aiming to create a community hub for both guests and locals.

2 min

Charter Furniture Unveils Over 20 Innovative Seating Designs for Modern Hospitality at HD Expo 2026

💺 Charter Furniture will debut over 20 new seating designs in 2026, focusing on flexibility and durability for modern hospitality. The collection features refined lounge seating and versatile guestroom solutions. Booth 4611 at HD Expo 2026 offers a first-hand look. Each design emphasizes craftsmanship, using precision tailoring and engineered cushions for durability. Updated resources enhance designer interaction, ensuring clarity and efficiency in navigating options and specifying products.

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