NEWH - September 2009 - (Page 36)

cover story The stylish LV08-04 lounge chair from NLP with a custom black iron scroll back. Quality Control I Photo by Janet Van Arsdale NLP’s Joe Cabrera makes furniture with a designer’s eye By Alia Akkam “ I believe that all furniture should not only be stylish but in harmony with each other. ” — Joseph Cabrera CEO NLP Furniture Industries In 2006 Joseph Cabrera designed the LV-07 05 Bench, a banquette with inlaid veneer side panels. “I would have loved to call it the Nicole Bench because it was my wife who sat with me and helped draw it out,” says the CEO of San Diego-based NLP Furniture Industries, Inc. “It was in a magazine and I sold hundreds; designers loved it.” Soon, hotel chains like JW Marriott, Radisson, and Renaissance were snatching up the product. Even when Cabrera launched NLP back in 1985, concentrating on reupholstering and refinishing, furniture design was always in the back of his mind. He had the chance to pursue this in 1987 when the Hilton Palm Springs tapped him to build furniture for the property; Cabrera created all the casegoods and seating, some of which still remains at the hotel today. “I have always had an eye for great design. I believe that all furniture should not only be stylish but in harmony with each other,” he explains. As designers sent NLP ideas for certain furniture styles, Cabrera was constantly asked to use his expertise in making sure scales and proportions were accurately interpreted. These days Cabrera is most excited about the debut of NLP’s new sofabeds, the Premier Sleep Systems. Series I is upscale while Series II is more affordable. The sofabeds, which Cabrera thinks will “truly revolutionize the industry,” were created specifically with hotels in mind. Unlike traditional sofa sleepers, these models feature no bars and springs but rather a quilted mattress and frames made from North American hardwoods. The Premier Sleep Systems is specifically engineered to contain a simple, durable pullout system that converts into a bed with no uncomfortable sagging. “This bed just pulls out; there’s no lifting required. Housekeepers often hurt their backs attempting to open and close a bed day after day but not with this one,” explains Cabrera. Developed in conjunction with Leggett and Platt, orders are already in the pipeline for the beds. NLP also recently collaborated with Karen Struck and Mike Russell of PD&A on a custom-designed Premier Sleeper for the Embassy Suites San Diego, and plans are in the works for a cruise ship version. With more than 20 years in the industry, Cabrera has seen hospitality design trends change drastically from the late 1980s to today’s more streamlined approach. “Furniture as well as hotel design has transitioned from a commercial feel to a more inviting residential one,” he says. He has seen the old-skirted look make way for a modern one embracing mixed elements of wood, metal, and fabrics. Of course, most current design plans now incorporate sustainable elements and NLP is devoted to an eco-friendly approach. While not LEED certified, the company is currently 70 percent green; interior frames are made from recycled alderwood and lacquers with lower VOCs are used. By this time next year, Cabrera says he’s hoping NLP will be 90 percent emission-free. As Cabrera and his team busily promote the sofa sleepers, they also have their plates full by broadening their base through senior living and healthcare markets, and developing an inline table collection for guestrooms, suites, and public areas. Each new project NLP tackles, though, features Cabrera’s commitment to teamwork and successful design principles. “Designers have come to rely on me to collaborate on their ideas through my own eyes,” he says. “That has inspired me in many ways to feel such passion for details in every design.” I www.nlpfurniture.com 36 september 2009 www.newh.org tel 800.593.NEWH http://www.nlpfurniture.com http://www.newh.org

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

NEWH - September 2009
Contents
News
Sustainability: POV
Design 101
Case Study: Project
Case Study: Product
Have you Seen?
Product Know-How: Fabrics
On the Scene
Cover Story: NLP
Project: Langham Shanghai
Project: Founding Farmers
New Members
Save the Date
Partner Profiles

NEWH - September 2009