April 26th, 2013 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch begins each project with the avid determination to provide cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally-friendly furniture asset management solutions to all of our customers and the establishments in which we operate. Through the implementation of our refinishing, re-upholstery, and remanufacturing solutions, hotels are able to reduce budgets and eradication unnecessary landfill waste, while minimizing the impact projects have on guests and day-to-day workflow.

Recently, our team completed a project at The Westin Grand Central Hotel in New York, NY. Previously known as The New York Helmsley Hotel, the property became part of the Westin family of hotels in October of 2012 and subsequently underwent an expansive renovation project, focused on combining beauty and sustainability. Nestled in the heart of downtown Manhattan, the hotel is a popular stay for travelers, tourists, and locals alike.

When the hotel was faced with furniture in need of an update, Westin Grand Central turned to The Refinishing Touch. Our crew quickly moved in to assess the existing furniture assets, formulate an effective plan, and reinforce 445 sofas and 754 lounge chairs. The end-result was over 1,000 re-upholstered like-new assets.

And the Westin Grand Central didn’t stop there. The hotel has also recently commissioned The Refinishing Touch to re-upholster 65 additional furniture assets. And in addition to saving approximately 80 percent in refinishing and re-upholstery costs when compared to purchasing new furniture, the hotel has also remained worry-free about the environmental-health of its establishment throughout the entire project. The Refinishing Touch implements eco-friendly materials and low VOC lacquers across all of our furniture asset management projects, bringing a new level of sustainability to each of our customers.

For more information on The Refinishing Touch and its services, please visit our website or email us today for a free quote. To book a stay at the luxurious Westin Grand Central Hotel, make a reservation here.

environmentally friendly, furniture asset management, hospitality, hotel, New York, Operational Update, re-upholstery, refinishing, renovation, The Refinishing Touch, VOC lacquers, VOCs, Westin Grand Central

July 3rd, 2012 by TRT Blog

The Fourth of July holiday is a great time to have cookouts, watch fireworks and enjoy time off with family and friends. All are wonderful ways to celebrate and mark such an important day in U.S. history.

In much the same way, here at The Refinishing Touch, we help our clients — such as Starwood, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott hotels, the U.S. Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and other government agencies, and universities across the country — become independent from furniture replacement costs, significant room downtime and from causing further environmental damage. On the Fourth of July, we always feel especially proud to have been founded in such a great country, and strive to continue our long-standing goals of helping our clients achieve eco-friendly objectives with attractive, up-to-date, functional furnishings.

Our unique on-site, non-toxic refinishing services of existing furniture assets such as arm chairs, sofas, nightstands and dressers is quick, environmentally-friendly and truly transformative. It’s a welcomed option for budget-conscious businesses looking to revamp and be kind to Mother Nature.

This Fourth of July, in addition to joining together as a united nation, we also want to extent our deepest appreciate to all of our independent-minded clients who we have the pleasure of working with, thank you.

Enjoy time with your loved ones over the holiday — and don’t let the burgers stay on the grill too long!

air force, army, environmentally friendly, Fourth of July, furniture asset management, Government, Hilton, hospitality, Hyatt, Marines, Marriott, Starwood, Universities, US Navy

May 18th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Last month, the University of Delaware unveiled its innovative green rooftop addition. The University’s Colburn Laboratory classrooms have now begun to reap the benefits from the first phase of the building’s environmentally-friendly green roof, with the help of public-private grants and donations.

Due to the Colburn Lab’s aging 1960s one-story structure, the building was notoriously over-heated. The 600 engineering students who frequent the building’s classrooms, regularly experienced temperatures of upwards of 86 degrees. This was primarily blamed on the heat transfer from southern exposure, large panels of glass windows and a flat roof.

These unfortunate and uncomfortable learning conditions sparked the imagination of two University engineering professors, who teamed with a landscape design professor to explore their options. The professor think-tank developed a plan for a green, growing roof, with multiple proposed benefits:

- Reducing indoor heat by an estimated six degrees or more thanks to four-inch deep rooftop planters
- Improving nearby water quality by collecting storm water runoff
- Teaching students green engineering solutions in a living classroom
- Improving air quality and reducing operating costs of existing HVAC system

Following a year of planning, generous help from the local community and Girl Scouts, plus a $60,000 cash injection, over 1,200 square feet of roof space have already been covered with two-foot by two-foot movable planters.

“The Colburn lab green roof exemplifies what happens when several groups work together and follow through on a good idea. Simple in design and big in impact, these useful and beautiful plantings are a great addition to Colburn Lab,” said Robin W. Morgan, Dean of the University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

By June, the University expects to have completed the project, with 2,600 square feet of the roof dedicated to green planters, and the remaining area occupied by recycled rubber access paths, safety railings and mechanical equipment.

For more information about the University of Delaware’s green roof project, read the entire story here.

Colburn Laboratory, environmentally friendly, Girl Scouts, HVAC system, Robin W. Morgan, rooftop garden, University of Delaware

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