Furnishing and wall coverings have a quiet presence in any space. Subtle yet with a mighty impact, they add the ‘e’ in extraordinary hotel experiences. BY S. IYER
What transforms a luxury hotel into an opulent one is right accoutring. An important aspect of a guest’s sensory experience of a hotel property is the impact an ambience—public as well as private spaces—has on him. Apart from the objets d’art that catch the eye, the fundamental accessories in interiors include soft furnishings and wall coverings. They can create an appropriate backdrop for the right theme and mood to come through in every space—be it a lobby or a coffee shop and also in restaurants, banquet halls and guest rooms.
We get several brands to talk about the latest trends and the criteria for selecting material for walls, curtains, upholstery and other soft furnishings that make-up perfect interior. We also got the hospitality services to reveal the key to a well-maintained space.
Furnishings turn the mundane, boutique-like dressed-up rooms into personal spaces and fabric is the prime contributor in hospitality furnishing. Priyanshu Maheswari, director of services at JW Marriott Hotel-Bengaluru explains, ‘Fabric has many roles to play, it brings style, reflects one’s taste and controls the mood. Moreover, it increases livability and workability of a small place, can act as noise barrier and enhance the acoustics of the space.’ Fabric lends texture, colour, character, scale and completes any wall and flooring.
A good fabric possesses properties such as light fastness, resistance to seam slippage, resistance to staining, pilling and snagging, and flame retardancy. “Textile fabrics most commonly used for hotels may be listed as silk, cotton, jute, rayon, wool, nylon, polyester, satin, organza, organdy, etc.,” adds Maheshwari.
Housewares are increasingly perceived as fashion items therefore consumers are making frequent purchases to keep up with the latest fad. Soft furnishing fashion is now influenced by the trends in clothing and giftware industries. Maheshwari highlights, “Although not as fast moving as clothing, the furnishings’ lifecycle has been reduced considerably to approximately three years for soft furnishings, five to seven years for carpets, and four for durables like lighting, mirrors and frames.”
Natural fibres like cotton and linen are being preferred in soft furnishings. Window treatments play an integral part in enhancing the interior. A heavy cotton fabric holds its shape and gives it a finishing touch. On the other hand for wall coverings woven fabrics are highly recommended which are designed with great care and expertise to perfectly compliment every decor. Retesh Sharma, director, Zynna adds, “Eco-friendly wall coverings made up of natural palm, bamboo, grasses and paper weaves in grass cloth are also in demand.”
On the other hand, Karan Sharma, director, Marshalls Wall Coverings says that solid vinyl wall coverings are majorly preferred as they lend a hard surface which helps to protect the walls from damages. “Wall coverings also act as thermal insulators thereby saving 5% on electricity,” he adds. Digital wall coverings are in vogue. He lists out Marshalls’ offerings, “The Krsna Mehta collection and the Younique collection. Apart from these Marshalls also offers wall covering designed by world famous designers like Karim Rashid, Ulf Moritz, Barbara Becker to name a few.” According to Ramachandra Shastry, director RUMORS Fine Furnishings graphic patterns and bolder colours are gaining popularity. Illustrating on the trends he says, “Trend and preferences change according to current decor environment and economic climate of the country.”
One often sees use of white upholstery and furnishing in most hotels. According to experts there is a primal association between the colour white and cleanliness. “Most colours, besides white, camouflage dirt. And subconsciously guests know this. Bright, freshly laundered white sheets look cleaner and therefore seem more sanitary,” elucidates Maheshwari. Other perks of using white include easy usage, easy replacement and lastly, white sheets bring out colours and patterns of other upholstery.
According to Retesh, fibres such as nylon and polyester are easy to maintain and are therefore best suited for every day purpose; cotton, on the other hand, is used extensively as it looks and feels comfortable and is durable. Damask a self-coloured satiny fabric with woven floral designs gives a promising and alluring look to the curtains.
Next to selection, in priority, is cleanliness and maintenance. Experts suggest that to prevent the spread of germs, all towels and linen should be washed at 600C or at 400C with a bleach-based laundry product. With white, one can bleach stains away. Wash the whites in hot water and they come out looking brand new. Periodically clean carpets and soft furnishings using a suitable product. Carpets and furnishings can be hygienically cleaned by steam cleaning. Curtains, on the other hand, can be cleaned by laundering or disinfected by steam cleaning.
A hotel must invoke feelings of royalty beyond the ordinary and furnishings play a crucial role in completing the look and feel of any property. As Abhinav Mahajan, director retail, Maspar, rightly puts it, “Hotels without tasteful furnishing and wall coverings is similar to a bride without her bridal couture.’ Indeed, soft furnishings and wall coverings are an integral part of any decor.
