The Refinishing Touch Blog

Tonight Monday, July 28th at 7pm EDT, The Refinishing Touch will be featured on the Discovery Channel's Planet Green network! We will appear on the new show called the G Word in an episode about "Chemical Cleanup" showcasing how TRT modifies armoires for the hospitality industry as well as our strategies to help them minimize their carbon footprint.


The G Word is a great new show dedicated to giving viewers advice for better environmental living. We filmed the piece with the Planet Green network in Anaheim, CA at the Crowne Plaza resort, where we were completing armoire modifications for the hotel. We were able to give G Word's, Evette Rios, a hands-on demonstration of how we modify an armoire efficiently and environmentally friendly, all on site.

Working with Scott Mathews, the general manager of the property, as well as the G Word's team of field producers and host was an experience of a lifetime. We are eager to see the segment this evening and excited share our mission to help companies not only save their bottom line but also help them become greener in their business operations. Please watch and let us know what you think!

Labels: About The Refinishing Touch, Green

While reading the July/August Issue of Defense Communities Magazine, the Green Team from The Refinishing Touch, noted some rather important information about "Buying Green". According to Executive Orders, EPA policies, and Federal Acquisition Regulations, buying green is not only smart, but it is the law.

Formaldehyde, such a pretty name:
As noted by Eugene Lisa in "Smart Tips for Buying Green", formaldehyde is a carcinogen. Like tar, nicotine, and asbestos, formaldehyde is not good for your body and can cause cancer. Most all furniture products made with particleboard, which binds them together, contain formaldehyde. When you purchase furniture, make sure to avoid formaldehyde - and better yet, just recycle furniture so that you are not funding the creation of more products containing formaldehyde.

Let's talk trash
There are two types of waste: pre-consumer (i.e. factory waste) and post-consumer (i.e. population waste). Pre-consumer waste generally gets recycled through factories, creating revenue for the manufacturer. Post-consumer waste normally ends up in a landfill, creating greenhouse gases and dirty air. Instead of purchasing new furniture and throwing out old, you can reduce pre-consumer and post-consumer waste by simply, reusing furniture.

Breathe in, Breathe Out
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a common concern when you go outside and the thermometer on your car reads 109 degrees. VOCs are naturally occurring gasses and they are more harmful indoors than outdoors. With environmentally friendly chemistry, TRT can help you avoid these harmful VOCs by using safe materials and will help you breathe much easier.


It's great to see government agencies lead the way in the green movement as it is up to them to set an example for most business owners. By using these "buying green" tactics you can help save money and the environment.

Labels: government, Green

Last week The Refinishing Touch attended the 2008 East Coast Buyer Interactive Trade Alliance and Conference (BITAC), hosted by Hotel Interactive at the Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Florida.

BITAC was a eventful conference this year, with 71 suppliers and 75 Lodging Executives. We were very impressed, as always, by the convention because it seemed everyone there was very open and like minded working towards maintaining and establishing strong professional relationships. The "speed dating" meeting setting is a perfect atmosphere to establish and strengthen our hospitality relationships. With the wide range of activities, and integration of buyers and suppliers, BITAC is always a successful event.


During the conference we attended of a number of enlightening speeches and were part of some roundtable discussions, including "What are some of the toughest issues facing the lodging business going forward" and "Outshining Guest Expectations Through Design".

Overall it was a great event for The Refinishing Touch as we learned a lot and met great people. We also got to see our old industry friends, which is always good for business. This year we will also be participating in BITAC Purchasing & Design 2008 West from October 19-21st in Colorado. For more details on this and other upcoming events check out the Hotel Interactive BITAC page.

Labels: Hospitality

The Hilton Hotels Corporation has notorious brands that are represented throughout the US and across the world. The Refinishing Touch has revamped rooms within Hilton brands since 1977. Some of the 2008 jobs operating within Hilton consist of the Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson, AZ and the Hilton Harrisburg in PA.

Hilton just announced their corporation's sustainability goals in June, which TRT is happy to help them achieve. As noted in Hotel Resource News, by 2014, the Hilton family of hotels is to reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20%, reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, reduce output of waste by 20%, and reduce water consumption by 10%.

Refurnishing armoires, refinishing, and reupholstering can help Hilton reach their sustainability goals while saving money and trees. The Refinishing Touch is happy to be a part of this short-term sustainability mission.

Labels: Hospitality

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, of which The Refinishing Touch is a member, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, ratified in February, is offering a break to hotel owners for "Increasing expensing limits and a 50% 'bonus' depreciation".

With technology influencing almost every business decision made in 2008, TVs are going digital as hotel owners are quickly replacing them and armoires that held them while revamping their properties. The Refinishing Touch can help with this process, while maintaining the highest level of satisfaction, and saving money on each room.

Hospitality and other business proprietors can deduct $250,000 of capital investment made in the year of 2008, if they spend less than $800,000 of capital assets in the same year.

Bottom line: manage your assets, it pays back!

Labels: saving money

Education has always been an essential aspect of American culture and with the economy in the state that it is in, tuition fees are on the rise, but enrollment is as well. The university market is one of the biggest markets in which The Refinishing Touch operates, refurbishing older residence halls and common areas, such as the work we have done for Georgetown University.


Sustainability, economic factors, and the environment are all at the top of the Dean's List when considering construction and building maintenance. Cost-benefit analysts should consider all the factors of university, when making sustainable and educated decisions about residence halls. Students with good grades and academic achievements will choose the university that will give them the ultimate campus experience so school officials know that residence halls should be kept up to par, utilizing the school budget.

While reading the June issue of the American School and University Magazine, a residence hall report caught my eye. This publication states that the average cost per resident of 2007 resident halls in colleges is approximately $58,252. This price includes new furniture, construction, and all the amenities. From TRT's perspective, reducing the cost per student could greatly influence education in America.

By maintaining old residence halls, the look, feel, and impression could be better targeted at education. Some solutions would be to use the funding to reduce the cost of books or reduce class size, rather than splurging on furniture.

Labels: university

The Refinishing Touch is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) a non-profit group working to "transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life."


According to the USGBC's recent newsletter, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law in December of this past year, is making way for the "green" movement in both government and education sectors.

Department of Education facilities and High-Performance Federal Buildings have been driven to take a green approach and re-consider "life-cycle costing issues". Rather than a 25-year life cycle, these government assets in questions (i.e. furniture) must now be considered to have a 40-year life cycle.

The Congressional Research Service also states that the Small Business Administration has been authority to make "express loans for certain energy efficiency projects." This is good news for small business owners and The Refinishing Touch, considering our expertise. Being green is the way to go. Pre-planning, with government incentives can lead to rich and emerald future.

For more information, read further details on the Energy Independence and Security Act (PDF warning)

Labels: government, Green, university

The Team at The Refinishing Touch would like to wish you and your family a wonderful 4th of July weekend. May you have safe travels and good spirits this Independence Day!

The weather in Atlanta is hard to predict. This spring and summer, tornados have ripped through Georgia, leaving a path of destruction. On March 14, 2008 a tornado made its way into downtown Atlanta, damaging buildings that make the city what it is. The CNN Center, Phillips Arena, and even Centennial Olympic Park were affected by up to 60 mph winds tearing through the city. Not only did the tornado damage buildings, but also it took a toll on business, closing roads, offices, and colleges.


The Westin Hotel at Peachtree Plaza, a Starwood property, is a staple on the Atlanta skyline. It is the second-tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the western hemisphere. It is one of Atlanta's favorite hotels, as it is convenient to most all events downtown. The Westin was damaged in the tornado on March 14th along with other hotels in the downtown area.

The Refinishing Touch is in progress to help the Westin restore and beautify the hotel. We take great pride in our work and we are looking forward to seeing the results and helping our local properties rebuild after a distressing storm.

The photo above was taken by John Krivec. To view more pictures from this collection visit AmericanVagabondPhotography.com.

Labels: Hospitality