21 March 2018

Trend or brand?

We always like to keep a close eye on industry trends so that we can offer products that meet the needs of our architect, design and contractor clients.

But seeing recent news about upcoming hospitality trends for this year set to be ‘simple and environmentally sensitive’ as well as returning to a ‘more traditional feel’, got us thinking…

How much of a hotel’s design choices are led by trend and how many are brand led?

In our mind, it’s a mix of both and we come to this conclusion after revisiting recent hotel projects to see what influenced their design choices.

 

Hotel Indigo

This Liverpool boutique hotel boasts a chic, yet industrial style interior. The lighting for this venue needed to be classic, functional and practical, but also have a slightly eccentric edge to mirror the hotel's location in Liverpool.

Designers of the hotel chose to showcase Chantelle's upcycled drum pendants in the hotel reception, tapping into the city's music heritage and creating a talking point for new visitors.

In the restaurant Aether fittings,from our Elemental range, gave the hotel its effortless, quirky effect, while the polished copper wall lights,offered a classic and elegant touch.

So, very much a trend of traditional elegance coupled with funky and vivacious to meet the independent brand here.

 

Village Hotel Group

Let’s then consider a national chain, the Village Hotel Group. There is absolutely a need to meet brand guidelines here, so that customers, wherever their location, know they are in a Village Hotel.

We have supplied large quantities of light fittings across the UK, most recently table lamps and floor lamps.

There is a slightly urban, dark feel to the hotels in general, so to lighten things up a little, the designers were looking for fun, quirky and interesting light fittings.

And that's exactly what we gave them, creating playful light fittings, which were still simplistic enough to suit the rest of the interior. So again, a point for simple and one for brand here.

 

Greenback Hotel

Okay, so we’ve covered city centres, we’ve covered national chains, where does the land lie with independent hotels off the beaten track?

The Greenbank Hotel dates back to 1640, when it was once a private residence. The beautiful building is nestled on Falmouth harbour and makes its mark as the oldest hotel in the area. The hotel really does blend the best of coastal living with the finest in contemporary comfort, so guests can experience life...on the water's edge.

The location by the sea and the traditional, classic feel to the hotel were features they wished to keep, but they also felt it was important to add a slightly contemporary edge to the look of the interior to keep up with the times.

Chantelle Lighting was approached by Dynargh Design about its Manor range; a selection of cut glass decanters inspired by historic halls and estates in its home county of Lancashire.

Dynargh, had seen a wine glass chandelier elsewhere, and wanted to create their own three-tier chandelier using the Manor range.

Manufactured at the Chantelle factory, the chandeliers were eye catching and contemporary, but still classic looking; they complemented the interior of the restaurant and bar, and brought a new dimension to the overall look and feel.

So, bringing up to date while maintaining the classic simple look here too….

 

It seems that no matter whether group, independent, urban or rural, clients are looking for the perfect blend of simple and traditional mixed with contemporary fun. And that suits us just fine!

When considering future design trends, panellist Constantina Tsoutsikou, creative director at hospitality interior design consultants Hirsch Bedner Associates, highlighted "more simplified, great design in a way that is more mindful of the environment”; while group managing director of fit-out specialist Beck, Chris Galloway, said he saw a return to a more traditional feel.

These are both good themes to explore and show examples of – what suits where and why.