5 Budget-Friendly ways to update your boutique property.

Owning and operating a boutique hotel brings with it the unique challenge of maintaining a captivating and stylish atmosphere for your guests. While luxurious renovations might be tempting, they aren't always feasible on a tight budget. The good news is that there are plenty of creative and budget-friendly ways to refresh your hotel's interior design and styling.

Ready to level up your hotel styling game without breaking the bank?We’ve got the inside scoop on how to turn your property into a dazzling gem without denting your wallet while staying unique. In this post, we'll explore five impactful strategies that will breathe new life into your independent hotel property without breaking the bank

Suite Vibes

1) Raid the Thrift Scene: Give your hotel's interior a unique touch by incorporating repurposed or upcycled furniture and decor items. As designers, we LOVE a good find. Unleash your inner treasure hunter! So hit the thrift stores and garage sales with a keen eye for hidden gems. Hunt for vintage pieces at thrift stores or online marketplaces that can be refreshed with a new finish or reupholstered to match your desired aesthetic. These one-of-a-kind items not only add character to your space but also promote sustainable practices, which many travelers appreciate

2) Embrace the Power of Paint: One of the most cost-effective ways to transform your hotel's interior is through a fresh coat of paint. A well-chosen color palette can set the tone for each room, creating a mood that resonates with your guests. Consider warm and inviting tones to create a cozy atmosphere or cool, calming hues for a more serene environment. Experiment with accent walls, color blocking, or even stencils to add unique visual interest without overspending.

3) Artful Displays and Gallery Walls: Transform plain walls into captivating visual stories by creating gallery walls or showcasing local art. Frame a collection of local artwork, vintage prints, or even travel photos taken by your guests. This not only adds a personal touch but also supports local artists and gives your hotel a distinctive identity

4) Play with Patterns: Mix and match like a style ninja. Combine patterns and textures that wouldn't normally mingle – the unexpected fusion can create a vibe that's out of this world. Of course, there are some basic rules to adhere to. Combine geometric with organic patterns; small with large patterns, etc. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also contribute to a sensory-rich experience that guests will remember

5) Greenovation: Elevate your oasis with indoor plants. I cannot stress enough the benefits of biophilic design: from lowering stress and blood pressure to increased focus and productivity, nature and plants is where it is at . From sleek succulents to leafy monsters, they add a fresh, hipster-chic vibe. Plus, they're the perfect guests – they don't check out! If you want to go for maintenance free, opt for really high-quality fake plants. You won’t ever need a green thumb.

Revitalize your boutique hotel today 

Updating your independent hotel property's interior design and styling doesn't have to be an overwhelming or costly endeavor. By embracing these budget-friendly strategies, you'll create a memorable and visually appealing experience for your guests, enhancing their overall stay.

Are you ready to elevate your boutique hotel's interior without stretching your budget? Reach out to our team of experienced interior designers who specialize in creating captivating, unique, and affordable design solutions. Let's work together to bring your vision to life and offer your guests an unforgettable.

Salone del Mobile 2023

Welcome to our tour!

 Pack your bags and get ready! DESIGNBAR is flying to Milano, Italy to visit the world famous trade show Salone del Mobile in April 2023 and we cannot wait. Together with Nancy Fire Design, I will be exploring the latest and greatest European designs and see first hand where the future of design is leading us. Want to tag along without having to buy another flight? No worries, I got you. The show will take start on April 18th and throughout the show I will be posting on our @designbar Instagram account. I’ll also be providing you with a summary of the show, a plethora of pictures with my coolest finds and my takeaway on interior design now and in the future based on what I see. I’m beyond excited!

Italo Design - HPMKT F’22

I am expecting the unexpected! Rethinking forms, functions and the use of sustainably sourced and re-used and re-purposed materials in unique and creative ways.

Let’s talk a little bit about each.

1) Rethinking Forms and Shapes: Who ever said that rugs can only be square, rectangular or round, must think again. Yes, when cowhides were thrown into the mix we finally saw what organic shapes can do to a design. The formality disappeared and the visual appearance changed completely. Some of this trend we saw translated into a few fine, hand-tufted and hand-knotted pieces in the past year or so but we expect for it to take off and take over. And that’s just one example.

2) Rethinking functions; Let’s go crazy there because we can. Applying the principle of re-use and re-purpose to clothing that is durable and re-use it in interesting and fun ways for upholstery, draperies, soft textiles and more. Why not take a bunch of old and torn pantyhose. Instead of clogging landills, let’s maybe braid them together in an interesting way to be the front of a decorative pillow case. On another note, multi-functional furniture pieces are my jam. I love a piece that transforms or converts into something completely different.

3) Re-use and re-purpose of existing materials in unique ways: see 2) … ;-)

Learning for Life 

DESIGNBAR team members in exploration mode

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for learning something new. Anything really. Several people have asked me why I fly all the way overseas to go to a trade show. I want to learn, that is why. Oh, and it’s Milan … hello!? Seriously though, what better way to keep your brain engaged and your creativity flowing than giving it new insight, knowledge and most of all: inspiration.

The future of design is here. Let’s say HELLO!

How HPMKT changed my life

HP MKT Fall ‘22

In 2010, I drove to High Point to experience first-hand what the historic Furniture Market was all about. I knew at that point that I wanted my career to focus on commercial design and that High Point Market (HPMKT) was considered a residential furniture trade show, but to be as close as Charlotte is, it was something I had to see for myself. Having worked in corporate environments for 10 years, I also felt that commercial spaces needed to feel warmer and livelier and at the time, the typical contract environment felt more institutional and colder. What I didn’t expect however, is the impact it would have, and continues to have on my career.  

With over a decade of HPMKT experience under my belt, I feel that commercial design studios can highly benefit on attending. As market just passed, I have been reflecting on all the positive experiences I have had through the years and the ways that it has shaped my career and my business. For me, market offers three main things to design businesses like DESIGNBAR: incredible product resources, networking opportunities, and free (!) education with the option to earn CEU credits towards affiliation requirements. Not to mention the possibility of creating relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

HP MKT Fall ‘22

Things to know about HPMKT: It is one of the biggest furniture trade shows. There are over 11.5 million square feet of show space with 2,000 exhibitors in some 180 plus buildings. It’s best to do your research and planning beforehand. Highpointmarket.org has incredible resources to use and the handy phone app: MyMarket is great to use while being at market to find your way around. Get to know the manufacturers and vendors you want to see and meet. Think of market as a trade show that attracts every major vendor in the industry. Vendors that will help you effectively serve your customers well.  Put on your networking hat and get ready to shake some hands.  

Beyond the showrooms, HPMKT is an incredible resource for professional development and furthering education for the design industry. My advice is to find panel discussions and workshops that align with your focus and sign up. By showing up to panel discussions and meeting the speakers, I have been able to find mentors and lifelong friends. Although there is plenty to be entertained by, my approach has always been to get the most out of the experience by learning and growing. 

Walking into market can be a sensory overload. Even after going steady for over a decade, it still takes me a little bit to get adjusted and into the zone. Once you walk in it becomes clear, right away, what value HPMKT provides. Being prepared will help you make the most of your time by seeing the showrooms on your list, sit in on the seminars and panels that align with your focus, and find the inspirations that will carry your through the six months until the next show.  

Relationships That Build 

Nancy Fire

In 2014, after speaking on a panel about trends in design, I met Nancy Fire. At the time she was the Creative Director of HGTV as well as the CEO of Designworks International, a New York based company, and had incredible insights on industry trends and has always emphasized the importance of sustainability. After her presentation, she was happy to engage and answer questions. Little did I know then, that we would become close friends and the influence she would have on my life. In addition to her role at Designworks International, she has since launched Nancy Fire Designs and is a well-known industry expert. 

In retrospect, 2014 was a huge year for me. I left my corporate career in the previous year to fully invest my time in DESIGNBAR. As I evolved as an entrepreneur professionally, everything started to come into focus on how to maximize time and fully benefit from what market had to offer. At a panel discussion about hospitality design, I got to hear and meet Gary Inman for the first time. With both of our backgrounds in commercial design, we immediately started talking.  Over the years, we developed a friendship and a working rapport that would later mature into an alliance named Meraki Design Alliance. Meraki is a Greek word meaning the soul, creativity, or love put into something. The essence of yourself that is put into your work. The alliance comprises several design studios that virtually share their expertise, resources, and networks for large-scale hospitality, multi-family, and high-end residential projects.  

Meraki Design Alliance @ HP MKT Fall ‘21

Meraki Design Alliance created a chance to strengthen the reach of what any studio could achieve by combining the experiences and knowledge compounded through each of our careers. Through the alliance, we all have benefited in ways that have sped up our individual growth, working on projects that once seemed out of reach.  

Without HPMKT I wouldn’t be where I am today. From the education and industry awareness to the relationships I have formed along the way, HPMKT has continued to propel my personal and professional growth. For those students who are inspired to become interior designers, or if you are a growing studio like DESIGNBAR was at one time, I highly recommend you make the journey into High Point, North Carolina, in either April or October for the High Point Furniture Market.  

Hospitality Design, Today.

Figo36

Over the last 10 years, we have seen an incredible shift in the interiors throughout hospitality design, from restaurants to hotel lobbies, gyms, cafés, bars, and spas. There used to be a standard around building brand equity with familiarity from space to space. Regardless of where you were, every company’s location was identical. There was very little individualism in the lobbies and dining rooms, which as a result, often felt sterile and cold. Hospitality focused on traditional values that were conservative and dated. Consistency was valued as the most important factor to design as it was seen to establish a quality standard.

Today, we are experiencing a renaissance in hospitality design where the current norms call for uniqueness. There is a new atmosphere that tells a more localized story. Where the standard upholds the integrity of a brand while sharing a more detailed narrative that visually communicates the food and surrounding neighborhood. Now, we see the focus shift to a quality of experience that leaves the consumers wanting more and challenges them to get out of routine. We have also seen the rise of social visibility, where one of the greatest marketing tools a business can have is the post shares by their guests.

There is an emerging movement that you see in hospitality design today where more attention is being given to consumers' emotional connection with a space. This is done by leveraging more of a story with the user experience. A company can share values and purpose with full transparency and benefit from the loyalty that comes with consumers on a deeper level. When the doors open and consumers start experiencing the space, the elements that were created with purpose are the things that create emotional connections.

The Vintage Whisky & Cigar Bar

One way we have been able to pull out more stories in our hospitality work is to focus on three important factors of a business—Locality, History, and Aspirations. The location of a business offers great insight into what local demographics react to and the aesthetics that resonate with those consumers. Another great element that helps tell design stories can be the history of a space, a product, or community. And lastly, aspiration can be a great kick starter in telling a visual story as a brand’s focus and purpose can help make the emotional connections that have become so important with modern interior design.

Mellow Mushroom - Lynchburg, VA

When we approach a new project and have gone through a deep dive with a client for discovery, color is one of the first elements we look to figure out. It set’s the stage for where a project can go. In some cases, such as Figo36 and Cantina 1511 we collaborate with the client to develop a palette that can be used as brand colors beyond the space. This way, the brand is synchronized between the environment and the graphic collateral. Color has psychology behind it that allows us to create an ambiance and mood from room to room and becomes essential when supporting the story we look to tell with design.

 The next piece of the puzzle we look to solve is the creative art elements, the emphasis pieces. We start our search by looking at locality, history, and aspiration to narrow our search to which artists make the most sense and the type of work that will help us create authenticity in the market.  We have worked with many local artists through the years and built rapport with Charlotte’s cultural community. By constantly working on your relationships with local artists, you will have a broader vision of the stories you can tell and a notable style that gives your studio notoriety.

We are proud to be a part of the city of Charlotte and the community here. It is a young city with endless possibilities, which for an emerging design studio spells opportunity. With each new local client we take on for a hospitality design project, we take to heart the impact each space has on establishing a standard on what consumers expect in the experience. As designers, we take charge of telling the city's stories and representing the best of what the city has to offer.

Our Squad @ Figo36

As I was working on this month’s blog post and the theme of our marketing for September, I asked the squad about what aspect of hospitality design they enjoyed the most.. because clearly, we all love working on consumer-focused spaces.

For Eleni, it was all about the possibilities. “I get so excited when we get a new client with an exciting vision. The challenge of collecting inspiration, materials, and FF&E and going above and beyond the client's expectations leave us with so much joy and fulfillment.”

For Cassie. “Hospitality Design is a sector of design where your wildest imaginations can come alive in the spaces people use daily. You can push the boundaries and develop beautiful atmospheres that will impact the experiences of someone and create lasting memories for the user.”

Follow along on our social channels this month as we share some of our favorite projects and the important elements that help give Designbar our unique style.