Finish Selections: Materials as Storytellers
In hospitality interiors, the finishes we choose do more than define aesthetics; they articulate identity and brand. Textures, color palettes, and materials shape the tone and tenor of a space, functioning beyond mere decoration. They express and define the personality.
Whether it's the burnished gleam of aged brass echoing a region’s history or the soft rhythm of woodgrain recalling the natural surroundings, finishes act as storytellers in quiet yet strategic ways. At their best, finish materials seamlessly create an unspoken, yet compelling backdrop for the guest experience.
Texture
Organic textures, such as linen, natural stone, and wood grains, ground guests in nature and cultivate a tactile connection to place.
Polished, sleek surfaces convey elegance and precision, while timeworn finishes nod to history and authenticity.
Color
Regional palettes such as the blue-grey mist of the Virginia mountains and the ochre tones of dried hayfields create color stories that root a space in geography.
With its psychological impact, color is used to enhance the desired guest experience. Calming neutrals, energizing primaries, or grounding earth tones all create intentional atmospheres.
Materials
Local Craftsmanship, in the form of hand-forged iron or regionally quarried stone, honors the talents and textures of a community.
Curating material selection for context and significance, not merely appearance, results in additions that are unique and meaningful.
When finishes are selected with purpose and place in mind, guests don’t just see the difference, they feel the difference. That sensory nuance is what sets elevated hospitality environments apart.
