THANKFUL FOR NEW DESIGN INSPIRATIONS: Exploring BDNY 2019

As professional members of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the RLPS Interiors team regularly researches new products, evolving code requirements and industry trends.  We take many of our design cues from hospitality venues, the best of which set the standards for brand identity, distinctive style and positive user experiences.

According to its website, BDNY is the creative nexus of the industry—bringing 8,000+ designers, architects, purchasing agents, hoteliers, owners and developers together with 750+ inventive manufacturers of design elements for hospitality interiors.  This year several members of our team had the opportunity to attend the event and participate in site tours, product exhibitions and continuing education seminars.

Here are a few of our designers’ TOP 3 take-aways from this year’s event.

Jessica Jack, IIDA, LEED AP

1. Foliage integrated into ADA signage – we love to see new ideas for fundamentals like these signs.

2. Fall color palette – these fabrics by Pollack l Weitzner illustrate contemporary earthy tones of neutral browns, blacks and grays.

3. Mosaic marble looks in Porcelain – the sophistication of natural stone at a much lower price point!

Matt Barley, Associate IIDA

1. Art deco is still relevant for contemporary design – these Wolf Gordon wall covering patterns are just one of many wonderful examples we found.

2. Moss green wall – self-contained, self-maintained and made in Pennsylvania by Verdure, great for biophilic design.

3. Seating innovations – always on the lookout for great chair designs, although some of these are not a fit for our senior living or education clients. The center chair example is designed and fabricated in Reading, Pennsylvania by Grosfillex, a French outdoor chair company.

Stacy Hollinger, IIDA

1. Handcrafted ceramic tile –  The sculptural look and colors of the glazes were eye catching for these tiles from Craven Dunnill Jackfield – such beautiful detailing.

2. Touch Free Soap Dispensers – We love the understated elegance and functional simplicity of the many options from Stern Engineering. Soap dispenses are a critical functional item for commercial applications, but the end result often makes us cringe with so many other models that pay no attention to aesthetic appeal. The touch free feature makes these more sanitary as well.

3. Innovative new lighting options – from the texture of the illuminated glow of rock crystals with handcrafted organic glass and integrated LED from Hammerton to Fire Farm silky crystaline fixtures, created entirely using 3D print technology. Both companies are US based, from Utah and Iowa respectively.

Design inspiration can often be the easy part.  Unlike what we see on television design shows, the real decision-making process involves overlaying aesthetic goals within the context of a myriad of functional, quality, safety, sustainability and, of course, cost considerations. The practice of commercial interior design intersects public health, safety and welfare in areas of space planning; access, egress design; barrier free design; national, state and local building codes and standards; and materials and their properties. We like to say that we “dream big – within the parameters of good design principles.”

Blog Editor – Jodi Kreider, LEED AP