September 30th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As our work continues to expand, so does the culture of our crews. After landing in Houston, Texas, our team of refinishers had the opportunity to experience a little piece of history first hand. Founded in 1836, Houston is the largest city in Texas and fourth largest in the United States. Home to over 2 million people, it’s no wonder Houston has become the melting pot of the South. Fortunately for the diverse residents and visitors, the historical yet modern Magnolia Hotel is located in urban downtown Houston.

Formerly the Houston Post Dispatch Newspaper Building and corporate headquarters for Shell Oil Company, the Magnolia Hotel now boasts 314 guestrooms and suites after recently taking an innovative approach to modernization and renovation. While there, our crew modified the existing armoires, using our environmentally safe refinishing process, to position flat screen TV’s atop sparkling black glass, saving time, money and the planet. Along with countless luxury accommodations, The Magnolia Hotel was named “best hotel bar” by Houston Press in 2007. Offering complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks in the hotel lounge, how could they not be deserving of such an award? And for a “right at home” feel, a cookies-and-milk buffet is served from 8 to ten P.M. before settling in for the night.

And because The Magnolia Hotel understands the busy bustle of life and travel, they offer extended stay suites for guests that are staying in Houston for 30 or more consecutive days. With so much to do and see, who wouldn’t enjoy a month-long stay? Home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (the largest rodeo in the world), a 17 block theater district, 11,000 restaurants, 23 Fortune 500 companies, 40 colleges and universities, 5,000 energy related firms, and the world’s largest medical center, Houston is the epitome of that famous saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas!”.

green, Magnolia Hotel, refinishing

September 27th, 2011 by TRT Blog

We’ve realized we do a lot of writing about the work we do. The pieces we work on undergo a dramatic transformation, but no matter how descriptive the text, you really need to see it to understand. As they say – a picture’s worth a thousand words. So with that in mind, welcome to the first installment of our visual blog posts, which detail some of the renovations at the properties where we work.

Eastern Mennonite University:The life of college furniture can be tough, but a little love gives students a durable centerpiece for the room, while saving the school up to 80% over buying new. It doesn’t hurt that it’s sustainable also.

Boston Hyatt: Essential pieces such as this table serve many purposes, but are sometimes overlooked, both by guests and property managers. Fixing it up with new a finish and hardware will certainly help it stand out to everyone, like it should.

Kennesaw State: Drab and torn, this chair has certainly seen better days. And with our re-upholstery, those better days have come around again.

Stuffed chair: While most would give up on preserving a piece such as this, we saw a unique opportunity and made the most of it by giving this chair a whole new exterior.

Nightstand: Clearly lacking attention, this nightstand needed a ton of work, which is what it got, through new hardware, a new finish and some structural reinvigoration.

Armoire: This is a piece that may have been replaced, since it no longer met the property’s needs. Luckily these managers knew what they had (and what we could do), and now this armoire is re-engineered to support a flat panel TV.

before and after, refinishing, renovations, visual blog post

September 23rd, 2011 by TRT Blog

As the school year gets into full swing, the little things that can help the environment are likely to slip the mind of students and teachers alike. Instead, studying and ensuring papers are submitted and graded will be at the forefront of many minds. As it should be – education is important. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to remember some simple ways to ensure the planet gets as much attention as schoolwork does. In this month’s Refinishing Resource, we’re giving the back-to-schoolers some tips that will make this year the greenest yet.

-Recycle. This should be a no-brainer but unfortunately recycling isn’t as prevalent in schools as it needs to be. Proper disposal of your water bottles (or better yet, carrying a refillable bottle) will prevent unnecessary waste.

-Commute smarter. Just because you can drive across campus or town doesn’t mean you have to. Look into bikes or public transportation for your ride to class. Also, keep in mind that carpooling isn’t just for business professionals – it’s good for students and teachers too.

-Get involved. In the past, we’ve discussed how some schools have high participation rates involving green initiatives at schools, and how others falter. To help your school stand out, get involved and promote progress. It’s only through people getting involved that we’ve seen positive action taken – for example, plastic bottled water sales being banned at some schools.

-Save your stuff. This tip is for later in the year. When the time comes, don’t think that because the school year is over, all your items can be tossed. We’ve talked with those involved in programs to help incoming students get lightly used furniture that’s better than what’s provided by the school. How many times have you thrown something out, only to realize later that you could’ve still used it? Save yourself the frustration – restore or donate the things you think you’re done using instead.

Interested in other techniques to help preserve not only your belonging but the planet as well? Sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Email: marketing@therefinishingtouch.com to get signed up.

green, recycle, school, Sustainability

September 20th, 2011 by TRT Blog

By Glenn Hasek of Green Lodging News

I had an opportunity yesterday to take a tour of Moen’s headquarters facility in North Olmsted, Ohio. Most of you are probably familiar with Moen. They manufacture items for the kitchen and bathroom such as faucets, sinks and shower heads. A 2010 EPA WaterSense Partner of the Year, the company is helping its customers save millions of gallons of water every year. After my half-day at Moen, I don’t believe I will ever look at a faucet or shower head the same way again. While I did not get a chance to see products manufactured (production plants are outside of Ohio), I did have an opportunity to learn what takes place leading up to the point of manufacture. I was amazed at how much time is spent doing market research, brainstorming new product ideas, designing new products, creating test models, and then actually testing the products.

In the basement of the headquarters building there is actually a shower where, you guessed it, employees test new shower heads. During my visit, an engineer was photographing the water flow from a shower head. Yes, Moen is even concerned about the visual appearance of the water that flows from its products. Moen uses a lot of water in its testing process but I was told about 70 percent of that water is recycled. I was shown new prototypes that I will keep a secret here but let’s just say the shower experience of the future will have much more technology behind it.

Moen is constantly working on new ways to advance its sensor technology–good news for those interested in saving water using sensor-activated faucets, toilets and urinals. The good news for designers is that Moen, like its competitors, is making water conservation look good. Fixtures are available in many styles and finishes. Interestingly, Moen has copied nature to produce water flow spiral-shaped patterns in its shower heads. In the design world, this is called biomimicry.

I was joined yesterday on my tour with two other journalists. Moen is not an advertiser of mine; I am not trying to plug Moen. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Moen headquarters, or the research and development facility of any other vendor with whom you do business, I highly recommend it. You will walk away with a much greater appreciation of the product that is going to help you save money while minimizing your environmental impact.

This blog entry first appeared at http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/Blog/. To subscribe to the weekly Green Lodging News e-newsletter, go to www.greenlodgingnews.com.

Glenn Hasek, green lodging news, hardware, Moen, Sustainability

September 16th, 2011 by TRT Blog

September 11, 2001 is a day that will forever weigh heavily on the hearts of all Americans and millions of others around the world. With the tenth anniversary observed and mourned only a few days ago, we are reminded of incredible strength needed to rebuild.

In an effort to honor those who lost their lives and accompany the beautiful 9/11 memorial, the greenest, most environmentally advanced skyscraper is slowly making its way into the New York City skyline.

1 World Trade Center, or 1 WTC as it’s frequently referred to, has already drawn an impressive list of tenants upon its 2014 opening—including Condé Nast that has signed a deal worth around $2 billion dollars over the next 25 years for over a million square feet of office space.

Tenants will be moving into a state-of-the-art building, including features such as daylighting, in which interior lights will dim automatically based on the amount of natural light coming in, hydrogen fuel cells that will provide 1.2 megawatts of power, and steam turbines, which will turn wasted steam into electricity.

The building will promote healthy living as well, with CO­₂ sensors that will increase fresh air in offices that need it. The lower Manhattan financial area will also see increased public transportation access and facilities for bicycle commuters in an effort to decrease car traffic and air pollution.

All of these features are designed to achieve gold level certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)—the second highest attainable status. The certification would be the first of its kind for a skyscraper of this size.

9/11 was will forever be an unfortunate chapter in our country’s history. But with a new skyscraper and breathtakingly stunning memorial, New York City’s and our country’s memories of those lost and the bravery of the first responders will be honored and never forgotten.

September 13th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As you may have seen, we’ve opened a west coast office in Los Angeles. It’s a great locale for not only the scenery but for the opportunities it presents and the mindset of Californians. You get the sense from being out here that most understand the necessity of promoting climate change and improving the use of our resources for the betterment of our society and planet.

Now, thanks to a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, we have hard numbers to back up the feeling we have. More residents favor climate change policy, want to cut greenhouse gas emissions and believe they are already experiencing the effects of global warming.

Over 2500 Californians were polled and what was found was an educated population who saw what needed to be done and had varying ways of achieving it. Nearly 80% favored government regulation on the release of greenhouse gases from power plants, cars and factories. That 80% were split between a cap and trade system and a simple carbon tax.

66% saw air pollution as a big problem, with half finding the pollution in low income areas serious. Over two-thirds of respondents think global warming is negatively affecting the economy and 60% think they’ve already seen the effects global warming has on our environment.

Despite the excellent forward thinking, there is still room to improve. 70% said they commute to work by driving alone with 12% carpooling and still less, eight percent, taking public transportation. It’s safe to say that to realize the results they’re looking for, these bad habits will need to be changed.

Adjustments are also needed in government, both at the local and federal level, with the Sierra Club of California saying President Obama has promised much but delivered less, and Gov. Brown being handcuffed with budgetary problems.

Regardless of where fault lies, it’s promising to see a state as large and powerful as California understanding what the problem is, what needs to be done and how to get there. We’re looking forward to the positive impact we, and our neighbors will have in our time here.

California, Government, green, Sustainability

September 9th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As you would imagine, and as our chat with Glenn Haussman showed, there are many different factors that go into a traveler’s decision to stay someplace. Cost, amenities and previous guests reviews all can factor into how one determines to spend their downtime when travelling. But what about green guest room attributes? What, if any, factors of a green room help a guest decide where to stay?

A Cornell University study asked over 550 business and leisure travelers what factors went into their decision to stay at a green hotel and how much they thought that service was worth. Factors such as recycling policies, energy efficient light bulbs and green certification were all a part of the research in finding out what matters most.

Through the research, the authors were able to determine that both business and leisure travelers had the same preferences. Each:

• Preferred a room with a refillable shampoo dispenser
• A key card that controls power to the room
• Energy-efficient light bulbs
• A towel reuse policy, and sheets changed on request only
• Would like recycling bins in the lobby, not in rooms
• Prefer that the hotel have a “green” certification

Knowing what guests want doesn’t mean hotels can blindly charge them and expect guests to pay. In fact, in the report we learned that the majority of travelers (78% business and 84% leisure), are willing and expect to pay the same for these green attributes. Few, five and six percent respectively, are willing to pay less and 18% business travlers and ten percent leisure travelers would pay more.

Despite showing that guests aren’t as willing to pay for the work required to improve a property’s green appeal, it’s still important for property’s to realize what guests are looking for. This report gives a firsthand, scientific look at what guests want. It won’t speak for everyone, but basing decisions off a sample size like this won’t lead managers and owners astray.

Cornell research, hospitality, hotel guests, Sustainability

September 6th, 2011 by TRT Blog

With any presidency there will be mixed reviews. Fairly or unfairly, President Obama has been criticized over the last two years as much for what he hasn’t been able to accomplish as what he has. Whether that’s a product of what was left for him by a previous administration or his own shortcomings, it’s tough to tell. Either way, we’re not here to judge, particularly when it comes to the on the difficult financial situation that plagues our country. But we can take a look at the areas in which we work extensively, and here our views are mixed.

To be sure, the importance of preserving the environment is secondary to the growth, prosperity and safety of our nation. But these things are not always exclusive. Preservation of our natural resources and the need for alternative energy sources are vital to the future of the USA. There is a lot of promise in this respect. During a State of the Union address, Obama made clear his desire and the country’s need to reform more than its technology and science programs it the US is to reclaim its dominant status as an innovator. Recently, the President has taken to touring plants where innovations are taking place, and are being created with the greenest possible methods.

President Obama has also made efforts to rectify the job situation, but perhaps not with the long term vision we would like. This is especially true with green jobs, where the majority of the positions are undefined and temporary. But maybe this will change – in a speech this week he’s expected to formally announce a large scale plan to increase jobs, particularly the amount in the green sector.

This is all to say that whether he is re-elected or not, the final verdict will still be out on the job President Obama did while in office. His campaign was based on change, and whether through fault of his own or those who preceded him, not as much change came as promised. But we have hope that the groundwork he laid will have a lasting impact on our country.

change, energy, Obama, Sustainability

September 2nd, 2011 by TRT Blog

No organization, regardless of size, function or industry, is immune from the perception that it needs to do more for the environment. This stands true for businesses, universities, and branches of government, including the military.

Fortunately most organizations recognize this need, and from the work we’ve done across its various divisions, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, this includes the United States Armed Forces.

And it’s important that they do: the US military is responsible for 80% of the Federal Government’s energy use and one percent of the nation’s total energy consumption.

Much of the progress being made is thanks to forward thinking on the part of military decision makers. Leaders in the Pentagon are looking to lesser known agencies that are big on energy savings for purchases. The Marines and the Army are replacing surveillance systems with more energy efficient versions, and the Army and Navy are taking a page out of the general consumers’ handbook and developing fuel efficient and hybrid technology vehicles, such as the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV).

The CERV is an all-wheel drive vehicle with a diesel hybrid-electric powertrain that can produce over 5,000 foot-pounds of torque. This beast can travel 80 miles per hour and climb terrain with a 60% grade. Designed for use overseas, it’s just one example of what the military is doing to move forward in an efficient way.

As technology advances, it’s safe to say that we can expect to see more developments from the private sector infiltrate the military, and help make it a lean green fighting machine.