February 7th, 2012 by TRT Blog

With an increasing demand for eco-friendly practices, many industries have already begun their own initiatives in an effort to increase and standardize sustainability. With continued advancements, both socially and technologically, going green is a reality for many sectors. However, not all industries have had such luck. One industry in particular has come under fire for the little advancements that have been made in innovation and green practices: construction.

According to an article by Construction Digital, over the past few decades the construction industry has seen little movement towards green building. Although the demand for green building has increased and much of the appropriate technology is available, construction has not changed in the ways other industries have. Many have argued that the construction industry has not become more environmentally friendly due to the high costs of replacing machinery, an area which largely has seen little to zero new technology. 

Despite its past, the construction sector has a hopeful future. Sustainable technology continues to advance (as well as become less expensive) and will soon help to ease the transition into green building. However, one issue for green building that has remained unresolved is the translation from digital designs to physical materials. Exciting new technologies such as 3D printing is emerging as a technology that can speed up the building process and most likely require little man power. This technology is already being applied around the world—a 30 story skyscraper was recently completed in less than 360 hours in China using similar technology.

While as a refinishing and refurbishing company, we try to incorporate as many sustainable practices into our business as possible, we also understand those practices aren’t as plausible for other industries. We hope that the construction industry continues to look for sustainably alternatives to help it catch up with the demand for green building and structures as well as seek out new, emerging technologies to help it get there.

construction, eco-friendly, green, green building, sustainable

January 27th, 2012 by TRT Blog

When working with clients, there are several different ways
The Refinishing Touch helps transforms their properties and assets, across the education, hospitality and government industries. From armoire conversion to refurbishing, The Refinishing Touch transforms existing assets to like new condition while minimizing out-of-pocket costs.

One important aspect of The Refinishing Touch is upholstery. While it may seem like a small part of refinishing and refurbishing, reupholstery can make a big difference when updating existing furniture. Over time, fabrics often lose their luster or become outdated, but replacing furniture can be costly and time consuming. Reupholstery is a great, cost effective alternative to buying new while still updating and extending the life of your furniture.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we help clients breathe new life into their furniture with reupholstering. We use our original, Touch Textiles, which offers a wide variety of patterns and colors, ensuring that clients across all sectors find exactly the fabric they’re looking for.

Touch Textiles offers a large selection of choices, and with the help of our in-house design team, clients are sure to achieve the look they want. The best way to understand how reupholstery can change the look of a piece and an entire room is to see for yourself. Take a look at how our Touch Textiles have helped clients achieve a new, updated look without the cost and hassle of buying new furniture.

Before & After:

Hilton Atlanta:

Pala Casino:

Windsor Court New Orleans:

Banquettes:

Boston Hyatt:

Headboards:

Boston Hyatt, fabrics, Hilton Atlanta, Pala Casino, reupholstery, Touch Textiles, upholstery, Windsor Court New Orleans

January 25th, 2012 by TRT Blog

As we announced on Tuesday, this week we released our findings to an ongoing survey that we had been conducting about Product Improvement Plans (PIPs) in the hospitality industry. All of the findings were very interesting and we have been receiving great feedback about the survey from members of the hospitality industry, as well as journalists that have been reporting the results.

One bit of coverage that we really enjoyed, came from Hotel News Now. Today Stephanie Wharton compiled the regular section, ‘5 things to know’, and included some of the key findings from our survey. She included findings such as, 57% of respondents admitted they had experienced leniency from corporate franchisors regarding PIP implementation and 61.5% of managers believe travelers are unsympathetic to lapses in hotel renovation.

To see the entire article, go the HotelNewsNow.com.

coverage, Hotel News Now, HotelNewsNow.com, PIPs, Product Improvement Plans, Stephanie Wharton, survey, survey results

January 20th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Going green is no longer a novel idea on college campuses nationwide, it has become a necessity. One school, the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, has plans to build eco-friendly housing for its students. In the works for the past three years, the college will replace popular housing in need of repair with eco-friendly dorms complete with cutting edge technology

Cost has persuaded the school to replace these facilities rather than renovate, as the project is expected to reduce energy consumption by 75%. While many fear losing the old structures because they a part of the college’s history, the new plans will certainly make history of their own.

The students in these seven cottages will enjoy state-of-the-art faculties; the school is calling them an eco-village. Each cottage will house nine students, each helping to reduce the schools’ carbon footprint. The cottages will include energy efficient amenities like washers and dryers, water conserving bathroom features, and each building will be repositioned to use solar power. In addition the entire eco-village will feature a solar plaza which will power the entire complex and a rain garden around the perimeter.

To read the college’s entire plan, read the article here.

carbon footprint, eco-friendly, energy consumption, energy efficient, renovate

January 17th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Since 2006, the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has collected over 674 signatories for the cause. ACUPCC has aimed to combat global climate change through a network of high education institutions that have committed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase research and education to promote the importance of sustainability.

The ACUPCC states that signatories will set a target date and interim goals to become climate neutral, integrate sustainability into the educational experience, and more. The most recent university to announce its sustainability target date is University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (UWGB).

The school has recently set a plan of action to become climate-neutral by 2050. The university has categorized its campus emissions into three categories: direct emissions from university owned and controlled sources, emissions from products that deliver on-campus energy, and emissions related to university operations.

UWGB’s climate plan was released campus-wide for an entire institutional collaboration. To learn more about UWGB’s sustainability plans read the entire article here. To learn more about the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment visit the website.

ACUPCC, climate change, education, greenhouse gas, Sustainability, University of Wisconsin

January 12th, 2012 by TRT Blog

InTouch is back! The third installment of our quarterly newsletter was released today and we’re excited to continue to bring you company updates, ongoing projects, upcoming events, commentary on world news and thoughts on the economy, straight from The Refinishing Touch.

This quarter’s newsletter is filled with stories about our work at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, news and comments on the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference that convened at the end of last year, thoughts on how companies and organizations should examine key performance indicators (KPIs), resolutions for 2012, and more.

We hope you enjoy this edition of InTouch. To subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, fill out a subscription form at the bottom of our homepage.

As always, thanks for reading!

intouch, KPIs, Mario Insenga, newsletter, quarterly newsletter, resolutions, The Refinishing Touch, Windsor Court Hotel

January 6th, 2012 by TRT Blog

As sustainability becomes more important, schools have begun to take the notion of ‘going green’ more seriously. Not only does energy efficiency save money and the environment, it has increasingly become a draw for students. The Department of Education, through its new ‘Green Ribbon’ awards, will be recognizing public schools of all levels around the country for being environmentally conscious.

Experts around the country have made it clear: schools don’t have to be originally built for sustainability in order to lower their carbon footprints. According to senior associate at the nonprofit, Global Green USA, Ted Bardacke, simply by keeping the thermostat at a certain temperature in both the winter and summer, as well as turning off lights and computers at the end of the day, schools can dramatically decrease their energy usage—up to 30 percent.

Very few states have actual environmental education requirements, but through creative teaching, schools can bring learning and sustainability together. For example: English courses can think of creative recycling campaigns, while math courses can learn to calculate a school’s carbon footprint.

As a refinishing and refurbishing company, we support schools of all levels moving towards sustainability. We’re sure that all of the winning schools will be more than worthy!

States begin nominating schools in December and the Department of Education will announce awards in the spring. To read the entire article visit USNews.com and to learn more about the Green Ribbon program visit Ed.gov.

carbon footprint, Department of Education, Global Green USA, Green Ribbon awards, Sustainability

January 3rd, 2012 by TRT Blog

With another year gone, many of us are looking towards 2012 and predicting what this new year will bring. From hotels to education to government, we are interested in all of this year’s industry trends and predictions.

Last week, Travel Weekly previewed 2012 for the hospitality industry, after 2011 brought higher hotel demands than expected. Analysts are predicting that 2012 will bring a five percent increase in revenue per available room, but say occupancy growth may continue to decline.

With this trend, hotels will continue to increase their bottom line and should expect to see growth in hotel profits. While this growth might be a decrease from 2011’s numbers, consultancy Pricewaterhouse Coopers, forecasted that 2012 occupancy rates would reach 60 percent for the first time since 2007.

2012 is also expected to bring increased hotel renovations and repairs, as franchisers begin to push hotel owners to spend more money in this area.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we hope that hotels will continue to grow in both rates and occupancy, since the hospitality industry tends to mirror the performance of the US economy. To read the entire article and predictions visit Travel Weekly, Preview 2012: Hotels.

2012, hospitality, Hotels, predictions, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, PwC, Travel Weekly

December 30th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Every year, it’s important to look back and appreciate all that took place, both good and bad. This year, while many companies and individuals continue to struggle as America slowly finds is economic footing, The Refinishing Touch is thrilled that we were able to help organizations across the country reduce carbon foot prints, decrease spending, and stay committed to saving the environment through refinishing, refurbishing and asset management. We are so proud that our work continues to increase our country’s overall environmental sustainability year to year.

As you look back on the happenings of 2011, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. As we quickly move into 2012, we hope that you will join us in making at least one New Year’s resolution: be conscious of how we treat the environment and work towards becoming a more sustainable, environmentally friendly country.

Happy New Year!

2011, 2012, environmentally friendly, new year, New Year resolutions, resolutions, sustainable

December 27th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch works with businesses across multiple industries to achieve the same goal—reuse and repurpose what they already own. In our most recent Lodging Hospitality online article, we discuss how seemingly different industries can come together and share successful solutions to meet industry standards, maximize customer service and maintain commitments to sustainability.

By naming some of the overlooked similarities between the education, hospitality, and government industries, such as time pressures and budget constraints, it makes it clear that cross industry transparency and communication is more important than ever. 

In the article, we stress that by refinishing and refurbishing furniture and paying close attention to proper asset management, industries can benefit both economically and environmentally.

To read the entire article or to share your thoughts on the topic visit LHonline.com. To learn more about The Refinishing Touch visit www.therefinishingtouch.com.

article, communication, Lodging Hospitality, Mario Insenga, similarities, Sustainability