MIAMI BEACH, FL— The HD Boutique Exposition and Conference 2005 got under way here at the Miami Beach Convention Center with a flurry of activity as better than 4,000 attendees crowded the exhibit halls and the opening keynote session with famed fashion and interior designer Todd Oldham. Oldham, who was involved with the designing of the nearby Hotel of South Beach, detailed much of his design philosophy. “We were trying to create a unique space that had the feel of a cruise ship that had just docked. That way guests wouldnt have to leave South Beach to have that experience,” he said, noting that he didnt shop around when furnishing the hotel. “I didnt go out and look for the bedspread I wanted, I designed it myself. If I wanted a particular light switch, I sketched one out.” Oldham also touched on the importance of continually updating the hotel. “Its fun to react to business and constantly refresh a space. In the hospitality industry, the design is really what welcomes the guests.” He also recognized todays consumers being much more sensitive to design than in the past. “No doubt the publics taste levels and understanding of design has risen,” he said, pointing to the increasing popularity of the lifestyle brand. “In the past, a hotel was never nicer than your home. Since the late 80s there has been a shift; hotels are a sort of immersive event,” Oldham noted. “Today, even in the economy hotels, they are using smart furniture and clever fabrics. The elitist edge on hotel design has worn off.” Being a self-taught photographer has also given Oldham a particular appreciation for lighting. “Lighting does everything for a space and its usually overlooked in design. Nothing looks good if the lighting isnt right.” As for color, Oldham pointed out he dislikes anything trendy and often highly saturates spaces with color when designing. “I love color, and its important when designing not to look at it as just color. The right colors can actually have healing properties,” he said. For the future, Oldham said he would love to design a hotel for those with limited financial means. “Id love to design an amazing place where you can stay for $89 a night,” he said. “Why should that segment of the population be excluded when it comes to hotel design?”
