Welcome to Elevate Hotel Design! In this episode, host Lorraine Francis of Cadiz Collaboration dives into the vibrant world of surf design with Lynai Jones, the creative force behind Mitchell Black, known for its bespoke wall coverings and design-forward products. Discover how Lynai's unique blend of classic techniques and modern vision has made Mitchell Black a go-to brand for those looking to infuse spaces with personality and story. Learn about the brand’s evolution from stationery to large-scale art and wallpaper, and how their customization options are enhancing boutique hotels and luxury residences. Join us for an exclusive tour of their creative space in Ravenswood, Chicago, and gain insights on the magic behind their bold designs. Don’t miss out—subscribe to Elevate Hotel Design on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design Podcast00:06 Meet Lynai Jones: Creative Director of Mitchell Black01:46 The Journey of Mitchell Black04:16 From Finance to Design: Lynai's Career Shift07:09 Manufacturing in Chicago: Challenges and Choices17:08 Exploring the Art Department22:36 Custom Colorations and Cost Considerations23:10 Modern Botanical Designs25:34 Inspiration and Research27:08 Collaborations and Custom Projects29:03 Material Bank and Sampling31:15 New Collections and Designs39:16 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Elevate Hotel Design, host Lorraine Francis of Cadiz Collaboration dives into the role of color in hospitality design with guest Amanda Malson, founder and principal of Common Standard. Amanda discusses her journey in design, the influence of her creative upbringing, and how she fearlessly uses color to provoke emotion and enhance guest experiences. Listen to Amanda’s insights on transformative colors, maintaining brand integrity, and the vibrant community that supports her vision.

00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design Podcast
00:14 Meet Amanda Malson: The Colorist at Heart
02:18 Amanda’s Journey into Design
04:00 The Influence of Color in Amanda’s Life
09:08 Color in Hospitality Design
13:51 Teaching Color Theory
17:12 The Power of Color in Branding
21:23 Balancing Risk and Timeless Design
23:42 Rediscovering Inspiration in Mexico City
24:16 Sources of Artistic Inspiration
24:25 The Influence of Portuguese Tiles
25:07 The Power of Social Media in Design
26:11 Exploring Vintage Design
27:00 The Importance of Community in Vintage Design
28:24 Memories and Stories in Design
30:07 Lightning Round: Design Essentials
30:56 Conclusion and Farewell

Welcome to Elevate Hotel Design, the podcast where Lorraine Francis delves into the artistry and strategy behind today’s hospitality spaces. In this special episode, broadcasting from the stunning showroom of Taber Company in Irvine, we explore the craftsmanship and innovation of Brian Taber, founder and principal of Taber Company. With over two decades of experience, Brian has led his company to blend old-world craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, serving luxury hospitality, retail, and residential projects across Southern California. Join us as Brian discusses the essence of building a brand, shares his insights on successful project partnerships, and takes us on an exclusive tour of the factory, showcasing the intricate process of architectural woodwork and the importance of teamwork and quality. This episode is a deep dive into the world of custom millwork and is filled with inspiring stories and valuable industry insights.

00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design Podcast

00:18 Meet Brian Taber of Taber Company

01:22 The Craftsmanship Behind Taber Company

01:57 Building Relationships in the Industry

04:16 Early Days and Evolution of Taber Company

06:03 Challenges and Solutions in Millwork Projects

10:16 Exploring Taber Company’s Showroom

13:47 Core Values and Family Involvement

18:34 Showroom Tour and Design Details

21:09 Discussing Stone Work and Subcontracting

21:57 Exploring the Lounge and Surf Event Sponsorship

22:52 Touring the Project Management and Engineering Areas23:18 Employee Longevity and Company Culture

24:55 Factory Operations and Efficiency

25:48 Sustainability and Waste Management

26:33 Cabinet Production Process

29:34 Upholstery and Craftsmanship

30:39 Mockups and Custom Projects

35:07 Break Room and Employee Care

37:30 Concluding the Tour and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Elevate Hotel Design, host Lorraine Francis of Cadiz Collaboration interviews Amit Patel, Project Director at Creo Hospitality. Amit shares his journey from biochemistry to hospitality, his pivotal role at Creo, and how the firm manages procurement, logistics, and installation for some of the most thoughtfully designed hotels in the country. The conversation covers the complexities of hotel development, the importance of strong vendor relationships, and the future of hospitality design in a post-COVID world. They also discuss AI’s role in procurement and the significance of detailed communication across teams. Tune in for in-depth insights on bringing hotel projects to life.

00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design Podcast
01:04 Meet Amit Patel: From Biochemistry to Hospitality
02:02 The Origin and Growth of Creo Hospitality
04:34 Understanding Procurement in Hospitality
06:56 Challenges and Strategies in Hotel Design
08:48 Navigating the Complexities of Procurement
11:42 Adapting to Industry Changes and Innovations
18:05 Managing Logistics and Warehousing
20:53 Procurement Challenges in Hospitality
21:38 Cost-Saving Strategies in Hotel Projects
22:16 Value Engineering and Client Communication
24:30 Project Management Success Stories
29:43 Favorite Hotels and Tools of the Trade
35:42 Future Aspirations and Industry Trends
38:35 Conclusion and Farewell

Join host Lorraine Francis on Elevate Hotel Design as she dives into a captivating conversation with Nick Nicola, founder of NOA and veteran architect with over 20 years of experience. Explore Nick’s journey from his early days at Gensler to leading high-end resort projects, including his latest venture — the Montage project in the Bahamas. Discover the challenges and intricacies of island development, storytelling in design, and the lessons from building a luxurious yet sustainable paradise. Tune in to learn about Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit, future expansions, and the art of crafting remarkable hospitality experiences.

00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design
00:17 Meet Nick Nicola: Entrepreneurial Journey
01:04 Starting NOA: From Vision to Reality
04:24 Challenges and Lessons in Entrepreneurship
05:39 Montage Key Project: A Caribbean Adventure
09:50 Logistics and Construction Challenges
14:51 Sustainability and Community Building
17:05 Storytelling and Design Philosophy
17:54 Embracing the Natural Beauty of the Island
18:35 Architectural Scale and Privacy
19:04 Guest Experience and Arrival
21:36 Expansion in the Caribbean Market
24:41 Design Philosophy and Core Values
26:57 Photography as a Creative Outlet
31:18 Advice for Aspiring Designers
32:57 Favorite Hotels and Hospitality Joy
35:55 Conclusion and Future Projects

In this episode of ELEVATE: Hotel Design, host Lorraine Francis from Cadiz Collaboration discusses the critical importance of water quality in hospitality design with Mike Sale, Director of Home Water Systems at Delta Faucet. With over 70 years in the industry, Delta Faucet has pioneered transformative water interactions across homes and hotels. Mike shares their innovative solutions addressing water quality and sustainability, and enhancing guest experiences. Explore topics like reverse osmosis, water tasting, and the impact of high-quality water systems on wellness. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of hospitality design and how Delta is making a difference in sustainability and wellness. 00:00 Introduction to Elevate Hotel Design Podcast 00:17 Guest Introduction: Mike Sale from Delta Faucet 00:48 Delta's Innovations in Water Quality and Sustainability 01:23 Personal Experiences and Water Quality Concerns 03:43 Consumer Trust and Water Quality Issues 04:53 The Science and Future of Water Treatment 06:33 Water Quality in Daily Life and Hospitality 11:25 Reverse Osmosis and Technological Advances 18:31 Becoming a Certified Water Sommelier 21:26 Water Tasting and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 24:12 Exploring Bottled Water Preferences 24:45 Understanding Natural vs. Commercial Bottled Water 25:13 The Popularity of Fiji Water 25:59 Tasting Icelandic Water 27:12 The Queen's Water: Hilden 28:34 Gerolsteiner: A High TDS Favorite 29:44 Three Bays: An Australian Marvel 32:09 Vichy Catalan: The Bold Spanish Water 36:41 The Future of Water Filtration Systems 42:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of ‘Elevate Hotel Design,’ host Lorraine Francis from Cadiz Collaboration welcomes Rich Levins, Senior Vice President at Fulcrum Hospitality. Rich provides a deep dive into the intricacies of hospitality asset management and development. They discuss significant transformation projects like the conversion of Cambria hotels in Sonoma and Napa into Hilton Tapestry hotels. Rich shares his personal journey from aspiring chef to hospitality expert, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, relationships, and strategic planning in the industry. Additionally, they explore upcoming trends, challenges, and the critical role of thoughtful design and management in elevating the hospitality experience. Tune in to gain valuable insights and hear inspiring stories from the world of hotel design and management.00:00 Welcome to Elevate Hotel Design00:13 Introducing Rich Levins from Fulcrum Hospitality01:22 Rich Levins’ Journey into Hospitality03:26 Starting at Fulcrum Hospitality06:12 Role of an Asset Manager08:06 Partnership with Ohana Real Estate Investors09:50 Transforming Cambria Hotels into Hilton Tapestry19:27 Design and Development Trends in Hospitality21:46 New Construction Challenges in Aruba28:03 The Allure of Aruba: A Year-Round Destination28:38 Development Challenges and Opportunities31:04 The Importance of Collaboration in Hospitality34:16 Navigating Project Hurdles and Success Stories38:10 Current Market Challenges and Financing45:17 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Hoteliers49:54 Balancing Personal and Professional Life52:46 Conclusion and Future Insights

Join host Lorraine Francis in this episode of ELEVATE: Hotel Design as she delves into the transformative journey of Material Bank with co-founder Farshid Tafazzoli. Discover how Material Bank is revolutionizing the material sourcing process for designers, architects, and vendors through its tech-driven platforms, global expansion, and commitment to sustainability. Learn about their seamless ordering system, extensive data-driven insights, and innovative tools like digital mood boards and centralized sample operations. This episode highlights Material Bank’s role in modernizing the design industry, tackling industry pain points, and offering tailored growth strategies. Tune in to explore the future of design sourcing, the company’s strategic initiatives, and how they’re making the process faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly.

00:00 Welcome to Elevate Hotel Design
00:15 Meet Farshd Tafazzoli from Material Bank
01:10 Farshid’s Journey to Material Bank
03:45 The Role and Evolution of Material Bank
04:47 How Material Bank Works
10:45 Global Expansion and Challenges
15:07 Innovations and Future Plans
25:22 The Popularity of Branded M&Ms
26:08 Leveraging Data for Design Trends
29:41 Supporting Small and Medium Brands
35:46 Sustainability Initiatives
40:25 Innovative Tools for Designers
43:54 Future Outlook and Industry Innovations
48:55 Closing Remarks and Reflections