Bring the Look & Feel of Vacation Home with Decorating Tips from Top Hospitality Designers

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While it's sad to see summer vacations come to an end, there's no reason you can't bring the look and feel of the hotel home with you to enjoy all year long.  To create a peaceful and relaxing retreat in your own bed and baths, we asked two top hospitality designers for their tips to create hotel-inspired spaces.  Here's a look at what they're doing in their hotels that you too can achieve at home:

• Make it clean, white and bright -- but don't forget some whimsy.  "Replace existing bedding with a white duvet, along with a plush down insert.  Add fun, colorful toss pillows that can be changed easily with your mood or seasonally," says Interior Designer Amy Gleghorn of hospitality design firm, Design Directions International in Atlanta, GA.  "In an otherwise sedate space, adding some whimsy with an over-sized wingback chair in a bold, colorful pattern can liven and brighten up a room."

• Big, tall headboards make a big statement.  "This does not have to match the other furniture pieces either," says Gleghorn.  "A simple tufted upholstered headboard framed out with wood or a MirrorMate frame, and accented with nail head trim gives your room a focal point and mimics what a lot of designers are specifying for boutique hotel rooms today."

• Add recessed down lights.  "Lamps on dimmers or simply changing out the light bulb's color are other easy fixes," says Gleghorn.  "Lighting is one of the most important and overlooked changes."

• Paint is the cheapest and best way to add a quick change.  "Calm, neutral colors help create a relaxing and soothing environment for rest and relaxation," says Brenda Wulff, director of product design and innovation for Choice Hotels International.  

• Frame your bathroom's plate glass mirrors. "Instead of replacing the entire mirror, a MirrorMate frame can be added to the bathroom vanity mirror in a matter of minutes to finish the look of the bathroom and save money," says Wulff.  Some suggested styles include MirrorMate's Portage in Pebbled White for a light beach-y feel or Cherokee Java for a chic, city look.

• Add fluffy white towels for a pampered, spa-like feel in the bath.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110823/NE54681 )

It's no surprise hotel and spa design is often the basis for residential design, as we find inspiration in the places and spaces we love, and love to visit.  With these tips your home can become as much of an oasis as your favorite hotel suite.

About MirrorMate LLC

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, MirrorMate LLC was founded by Lisa Huntting, who invented the MirrorMate® frame as a retro-fit framing solution for the bare bathroom mirror in her own home.  As the original and industry leader, MirrorMate frames are patented in the U.S. and Canada, with over 60 frame styles available for retail and wholesale customers.  The mirror frame kits are extensively used in residential homes, as well as many leading hotel chains. For more information, please visit MirrorMate at www.mirrormate.com or www.facebook.com/mirrormateframes.

About Design Directions International

Design Directions International is an Atlanta-based Interior Design firm specializing in hotels, country clubs and hospitality-related projects.  For more information, please visit www.ddi.cc.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of December 31, 2010, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 9,000 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 18 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide.  In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.  Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

SOURCE MirrorMate LLC