Boutique Design - January/February 2019 - 21

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C O U R T E S Y O F V I S I O N H O S P I TA L I T Y, L AU R E N R U B E N S T I N E ( T H E E D W I N H O T E L ) ; B L A N D O N B E L U S H I N
( S U L L I VA N ) ; C O U R T E S Y O F T H E G E T T Y S G R O U P ( FAY, P R E N D E R G A S T ) ; K AT I E T H O M P S O N ( K R A U S E )

A 2019 WHITE PAPER forecast for the hospitality
industry could justifiably be titled, "Deep Thought." The
real factors that will shape the projects most likely to
become legends have little to do with style or trends. They
draw on sweeping new directions in social, cultural,
psychographic and economic movements, and demonstrate just how that will transform best-practice/highsatisfaction standards for interior design.
Across the globe, leading lights from the world of
hospitality design chimed in to share recent and upcoming
projects that herald what will define the industry's future:
1. Experiential cross-pollination: destinations that offer
multiple experiences to strengthen brand identity
2. Spaces that work harder: whether for work, play or
both; multifunctional spaces that can be transformed
to help hoteliers squeeze every drop of revenue from
their asset as real estate prices keep growing
3. Biophilia: with wellness a top priority, connections
with nature are a must
4. Balance: backlash from 24/7 connectivity and social media
addiction is driving people to disentangle from the web
and find an antidote in quiet privacy
5. Digital infusion: the marvel of digital possibilities
continues to fascinate and inspire
6. My terms, on demand: guests expect choices catering
to their lifestyles and the capacity to access them on
their own time

USA
"Today's increasingly sophisticated consumers expect and
demand not only great design but a memorable encounter
from every hospitality space," says Andrew Fay, president
of interior design and architecture, The Gettys Group,
Chicago. "Hotels are becoming the living rooms of our
cities and the office for mobile workers," he says, so to be
desirable, they must also provide cultural immersion. For
The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection, that opened in
September 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Gettys
team combined vintage Southern style with modern
touches to creatively connect guests to the city's present
and past, bringing in locally-made FF&E and art.
Meg Prendergast, design principal, Gettys, says digital
factors increasingly influence their concepts. The studio
checks out virtual communities to consider concepts for nextgeneration travelers, while reading TripAdvisor reviews helps
them create better models for guests, owners and operators.
Their design at Le Grand Bistro aboard the new Celebrity
EDGE cruise ship incorporates a "digital guest experience," Le
Petit Chef, in which animated characters prepare courses
beside dinner plates before actual dishes are served.
Kajsa Krause, co-founder of interior design studio
Krause Sawyer, New York, says, "The major changes that will
drive design are all based on new experiences, with a focus
on those that are 'on my terms' and 'on demand.'" This

ANDREW FAY
THE GETTYS GROUP

MEG
PRENDERGAST
THE GETTYS GROUP

SHAWN SULLIVAN
ROCKWELL GROUP

KAJSA KRAUSE
KRAUSE SAWYER

1 Local artwork
is prominently
featured at The
Edwin Hotel,
with more than
75 pieces commissioned by
Gettys from 65
artists based
in and around
Chattanooga.

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