NEWH - June 2009 - (Page 38)

cover story W Durkan Hospitality adapts with the times By Alia Akkam Photo of Lee Blair by Tony Benner/Oscar Einzig While Durkan Hospitality realizes the economy is shaky right now, that isn’t enough reason for them to pull the reins in on their creativity. “Last year we made a really conscious effort to rededicate ourselves to the design community,” explains Lee Blair, Durkan’s senior vice president. “This downturn won’t last forever; when this economy bounces back, and it’s going to come back, we need to be ready for it.” This confident approach has undoubtedly led to Durkan’s many successful design collaborations, including signature carpet collections from Todd Oldham, Virginia Langley, and Tracy Lee Stum, who is now working on her second project for the company, the Electric Lotus collection. Durkan continues to receive tremendous positive feedback for the launch of its Synthesis product platform last year, a technology that allows for a distinct layering of textures and bold, colorful patterns on top, with blends and loops providing exceptional depth. Blair, who has 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, first started his carpet career at Milliken. Through the years, he has witnessed the rapid consolidation in the industry (Durkan was family-owned up until about 2000 when it became part of the Mohawk Group) but points to Durkan’s strong design ties as one of the reasons the company has managed to stay both relevant and progressive amid the changes. “Whereas other companies focus on end-users, we focus on the interior design community,” he notes. 38 june 2009 www.newh.org tel 800.593.NEWH Ride Magic Carpet http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - June 2009

NEWH - June 2009
Contents
News
Have you Seen?
Product Know-How: Lighting
Design 101
On the Scene
Sustainability: POV
Sustainability: Green Award
Sustainability: Competition
Cover Story: Magic Carpet Ride
Project: TD Banknorth Garden
Project: Ajax and Sneaky’s
New Members
Save the Date
Partner Profiles

NEWH - June 2009