About 1,100 exhibitors and more than 11,000 national and international industry professionals crowded in the annual HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 15 through 17, making it the world’s largest international trade event dedicated to the Hospitality Design industry. Here Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG of Color Turners reports her findings. 

Color, Comfort and Clarity were the predominate themes at the 2008 HD Expo.

PRIMARY COLORS
Fresh tropical inspired corals, oranges, blue and greens, with white being the neutral were the primary colors. Gem stones, such as this Blue Agate, by Majestic Gemstone were incorporated into furniture.

CRYSTAL CLEAR
Swarovski Crystals were incorporated into hardware, faucets, furniture, art work and contemporary light fixtures such as this by Bruck Lighting.

Hospitality Trend
The competition in the hospitality industry continues to increase, as room supplies grow and demand slows. Hotels are putting more glitz and glam into their properties. This was particularly apparent at the HD Show.

Spa Trend Continues
Spa Colors continue to gain momentum. Overworked consumers have raised the luxury bar; gone are the days of pleasing them with a comfortable bed and soft towels. Consumers want an experience.

Chroma Therapy, Aroma Therapy continues to support the Alternative Healing movement. Southing blues, greens and chocolate browns have become the quintessential stress reducers.   

Donna Johansen is an artist and Reiki Master whose work is beautiful and healing. As a health care interior designer for over 20 years, she now produces paintings for hotels, spas and health care facilities. Donna incorporates Reiki healing symbols into her paintings and embellishes them with Swarovski crystals; this art supports in the reduction of stress, depression and other ailments.

Acrylic & Glass
Acrylic products in brilliant colors are emerging to support the Renaissance Modern Movement. This includes retro ’70s furniture, lighting and sculpture.

Multi layered slump and hand-blown glass are becoming more prevalent in commercial spaces, where in recent years they were not as common. This is greatly due to manufacturer’s ability to make glass safer. Fire-rated doors now have glass panels, where in recent years would have been unheard of. There were more glass art pieces at this show than in recent years such as these stunning pieces by Fusion Z.  

Textures & Patterns
Textures and Patterns are becoming more simplified. One to three colors in scheme is the norm. Subtle colors give focus to form, texture and pattern with interplay of shadows and light. 

Patterns continue to be organic, nature inspired while others are reminiscent of the ’70s. Special affects of the same hue in various sheens was prevalent in virtually every kind of product as in these doors by Fused Graphite® with Mirror finish door from Forms+Surfaces.

Marketing Trends
With the downturn of the economy several non-competitive color companies have joined forces to maximize their marketing efforts. Some shared booths at the show, while others are sharing floor space in stores. One dynamic duo, Big Apple Wall Coverings, Inc., particularly stood out for their innovative marketing approach. They installed display monitor kiosks in several Benjamin Moore Paint stores, which enables their customers one-stop shopping for paint and wall coverings. It eliminates floor space for wall paper books, the maintenance of them, as well as preventing discontinued wall paper books from going into landfill, too.