The Refinishing Touch Blog

If you've been watching this space, or even just stumbled on our blog for a quick look, you will have noticed that we're intrigued and invested in hospitality industry. As news of today's hard-hitting times continues to drape the pages of just about every publication available, we've taken note of some trends; and highlighted five that seem to be at the forefront of the airwaves and editors' minds in the wake of the current downturn:

1. Travel industry's gloomy outlook – The airline industry has reported some of the largest passenger declines since the early 1980s.

2. Hospitality cutting back – Amenities and luxuries in hotels being reevaluated by some of the industry's largest luxury hotels.

3. Hotels working to get the world traveling again – Hotels have begun offering low rate travel packages as a means to put bodies back in rooms that have been showing vacancies more often than not.

4. Government involvement – The stimulus bill looks to create jobs across all industries, and is estimated to create or maintain 346,000 jobs for the hospitality industry.

5. Hotels turn to asset management – Hoteliers have begun turning to asset management as a means to save on bottom lines while maintaining the quality of stay on their properties for travelers.

But it's not all doom and gloom: In the next week we're going to look and question some possible benefits that have come from each of these.

Labels: economy, Hospitality, travel, trends

While enjoying the latest issue of Hospitality Design Magazine, I noticed a few trends.


It seems that plush fabrics, loud colors, and smooth lines are all in vogue. Granite in hotel rooms is becoming more common than in previous years, particularly lighter colored granite. Clean profiles were also consistent among guest suites, with bold pieces of art being the main focal point. Bright colors, such as bold reds and rich browns were common across all interior design content within the publication, but the most important color in interior design is green - people are concerned about the environment, and they are concerned about expense.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we have some ideas of our own. The thing is, you don't need to run out and buy new furniture when redesigning a room - you can use what you've already got. Whether its hotel furniture, motel furniture, university dorm furniture, or casino furniture, it can be re-imagined to fit in with your design aesthetic. It's not a matter of simply touching up the furniture - a splash of paint here, a dab there isn't enough - we totally re-engineer the piece, and our techniques are specific to each individual project. The result is furniture that's not just as good as new. It pretty much is new.

Quality furniture, environmentally friendly furniture, cheaper furniture, furniture that adds value to its home - those are the trends we continue to follow.

Labels: About The Refinishing Touch, Green, Hospitality, saving money, trends