Boutique Design - December 2014 - 4

BY MARY SCOVIAK, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

STAND UP TO STAND OUT
EVERY DECEMBER, Boutique Design

editor Matthew Hall turns over his
editor's page to me to welcome you to
our special issue featuring the year's
winners and finalists of the IHM+RS
Gold Key Awards for Excellence in
Hospitality Design. Co-sponsored by
Boutique Design and HOTELS magazines, this 34-year-old honor recognizes
the best design work submitted in 19
categories as well as the Designer of the
Year. The creative minds behind the top
vote-getters in a record field of nearly 300
entries were celebrated at the sold-out
Gold Key gala Nov. 10 at the Mandarin
Oriental New York, capping off our fifth
annual Boutique Design New York trade
fair and forum.
So, what's required to be among
the firms that get to take home one of
the glittering star awards created by
Swarovski for the Gold Key winners?
This year's nine-member judging panel
had some definite ideas on that subject.
They liked projects that were provocative, even polarizing. For judge R. Tyler
Morse, ceo and managing partner, MCR
development, like his fellow panelists,
the words "been done" instantly knocked
an entry out of contention. His favorites were "clever," "unique" and/or "truly
innovative."
As judge John D. McMullen, Highgate
Hotels' senior vice president of construction, pointed out, hospitality clients
are looking for designers with fresh
ideas that will differentiate their properties. Conceptually, anything's on the
table-with a couple of big caveats. First,
the designer has to be able to explain
the "why" of every piece of the interior
puzzle. Second, he or she has to justify

4

boutiquedesign.com DECEMBER 2014

those decisions within the context of the
building, the setting, the hotel's target
market client's aims, the budget and the
brand or individual property's DNA.
Wow factors are still essential for
a Gold Key. But the definition of what
that means has changed. Judge Trisha
Wilson, chairman of Trisha Wilson
Global, echoed her colleagues' high
marks for projects that used interesting
finishes, unexpected details, unusual
local materials or elements that were
just "fun." In some cases, the right table
lamp or rug pattern was as important
as any expensive art work or chandelier in getting a submission short-listed.
Authenticity was key, whether as an
exposed brick wall in a repurposed
factory or a new way of expressing individuality within tight brand standards.
Starting on p. 14, we showcase the
gallery of inspiration that includes the
2014 Gold Key winners and finalists.
Watch for the 2015 call for entries. Next
year, it could be your turn to join the
Gold Key design stars.

EDITORIAL
Executive Editor
Mary Scoviak
mary.scoviak@stmediagroup.com
Editor
Matthew Hall
matthew.hall@stmediagroup.com
Interim Art Director
Kimberly Pegram
Assistant Editor
Christina Green
christina.green@stmediagroup.com

SALES
Associate Publisher/
Business Development Manager,
Midwest/West
Melani Beattie
melani.beattie@stmediagroup.com
(312) 218-5691
Business Development Manager,
Northeast
Michael Schneider
michael.schneider@stmediagroup.com
(513) 263-9379
Business Development Manager,
Southeast
Scott Rickles
scott.rickles@stmediagroup.com
(770) 664-4567

CORPORATE
President
Tedd Swormstedt
Senior VP Hospitality,
Publisher, Boutique Design
Michelle Finn
Audience Development Director
Christine Baloga
Book Division Director
Mark Kissling
Production Coordinator
Linda Volz
Reprint Information
(717) 632-3535, Ext. 8265

SUBSCRIPTION
SERVICES
EXECUTIVE EDITOR

P.O. Box 1060
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 763-4938
fax: (847) 763-9030
BD@halldata.com

CORPORATE
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Cincinnati, OH 45242
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Boutique Design - December 2014

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