Navigating High Traffic

The summer season may be winding down soon for the hospitality industry, and as we head into the holidays, traffic is heating up for hotels and restaurants. Whatever the “busy season” may be for your commercial design clients, there is always a need for high-quality, sustainable, nearly indestructible wallcovering solutions. According to the U.S. Travel Association, while travel patterns are stabilizing post-COVID, there are still predictions that business and leisure travel will continue to grow, albeit at more normalized levels. In addition, international travel continues to rise.

As we enter the “off-season,” operators are factoring in the longevity of décor solutions when looking into renovation options. Even with the hospitality industry rebounding, commercial designers are tasked with shrinking renovation budgets and increasing scrutiny to redesign return on investment. Today’s new décor designs need to withstand high traffic while bridging generational gaps to withstand the test of time. In a recent Hotel News Now article, hotel operators acknowledge that even with the increased activity in the renovation market, they are looking for ways to cut costs to reduce the overall capital expense when refurbishing as construction costs continue to inflate. While the standard timeline for hospitality industry renovations is still on a 7-14 year cycle, when elements of a design can withstand the test of time that cycle can be even longer.

The wallcoverings industry is ahead of its time, focusing on form and function when designing new collections. Enhanced innovation and superior materials are table stakes. Now, the composition of wallcovering materials needs to not only be GREENGUARD certified and low VOC, but for hotel lobbies, corridors and guest rooms, operators need to source the strongest materials possible with Type II vinyl. For commercial designers embarking on their busy season of research, planning, preparation and procurement for the newest materials, there is good news in the variety of sourcing options that are both resilient and robust without sacrificing gorgeous design for every new hospitality client’s renovation project.

Bold is Beautiful

Befitting that the ginkgo leaf is symbolic of longevity, the new bold and modern, Kaali wallcovering from Momentum Textiles and Wallcoverings combines an oversized pattern with an elegant palette of natural tones. From deep, dark greens to smooth whites, the Kaali pattern pays tribute to Art Deco design with hints of metallic sheen. The ginkgo leaf features a beautiful, flowing shape and evokes a sense of health and wellness — precisely what today’s hospitality guests crave. Most important, Kaali is a vinyl type II wallcovering material, durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of high-traffic areas such as lobbies, entries, and corridors.

Durability On Track

Designed for durability, York’s commercial-grade wallcoverings are as beautiful as they are strong. Created for hospitality, corporate, wear and stain resistance associated with commercial grade vinyl, it comes in designer styles and colors for the modern marketplace. York’s new On Track collection from Stacy Garcia Blue Label line features artistic watercolor brushstrokes which soften groups of rectangular bars floating against an ocean of textural linen. The Stacy Garcia Blue Label wallcoverings offer forward, colorful designs that are approachable while unique, creating hospitality spaces that are playful and exciting while layering the best of culture, nature, technology and fine art.

Tailored and Dependable

The Astek Wallcovering team and HVS Design created customized commercial wallcovering for the always-busy MGM Resorts’ iconic New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (see July/August’s On the Map column). Specifically targeting solutions for the very busy Las Vegas resort corridors, the ability to tailor designs on high-quality materials delivered game-changing results. Newly crafted, bright wayfinding signage was printed on custom-made, rich charcoal-colored, cork-textured Type II wallcovering materials. Plus, the ability to print designs on various vinyl textures offers the industrial aesthetic of urban walls and exposed brick that is both realistic and forgiving of stains or surface flaws. Designing a custom wallcovering is more accessible than ever, and there’s no sacrificing performance.

Strong + Sustainable Wall Protection

Wolf Gordon Rampart Resolve Redondo Wallcovering

The latest designs in RAMPART Resolve (Wolf-Gordon’s recently developed line of PVC-free wall protection) offer impact and abrasion-resistance with the unique addition of a sustainably-oriented material construction. Redondo is a multi-textured embossing with metallic accents and naturally-inspired colorways. Lucea, on the other hand, is a grass-cloth embossing with irregular strands and knots. RAMPART Resolve offers exceptional durability, is bleach-cleanable, and is made from 30% pre-consumer recycled content. Making it easier and less expensive to protect walls in hospitality environments, RAMPART Resolve also offers straightforward installation without the requirement of additional trim and hardware, and can be railroaded below a chair rail for 80 linear feet without a seam.