Safemark was thrilled once again to be part of HI Connect Design™ this year in Nashville. The Vignettes (mock rooms) were an incredible opportunity for designers to display their creativity and served as the perfect showcase for Safemark’s Safes.
We had an opportunity to interview an amazing design firm, Diamond Interiors LA, who would later go on to win a prestigious award during HI Connect Design. Diamond Interiors LA provides an array of services including Interior Design, Branding, Architectural Design, Product Design, Sourcing and Project Management. The principal, Lori A. Neal, has been in the business for more than 25 years with a unique background that includes residential, hospitality, TV and even the Oscars! Lori’s vast network allows her to collaborate with other designers to create a talented ensemble to meet each client’s needs. Here is a recap of our conversation with Lori, who by the way, had the coolest take away item for attendees…a fur envelope full of product fliers.
Chatting with Lori A. Ne
al
Q: Is this your first time at HI Connect?
A: I attended last year as a guest and have been a BITAC attendee. HI Connect is a great concept as participants get to see how a room comes together based on designers and what their vision is.
Q: HI Connect is incredibly different than the typical trade show. What was your process for preparing for such a unique event?
A: We were over-the-moon excited to be selected as one of the designers for HI Connect. Our team rallied together and through the process we made fantastic, new relationships. The entire process took about 8 months from the initial design concepts to putting the final touches on the vignette this past week. The last two months were incredibly busy as we wanted to make sure our end product would “wow” the attendees.
Q: Tell us about the feedback you are receiving here at HI Connect?
A: Oh my – we have heard amazing comments and we’ve seen some hotel brands come back multiple times for another look. They’re interested in the entire collection and from a designer’s perspective that makes me so proud. My vision is here – there is no other place I would want to be today.
Q: How do you incorporate the safes into your unique designs?
A: I am a woman traveler so a lot of what goes into my designs is about my personal experiences and expectations. The hotel safe is an important part of my travels and my design. I carry a ton of jewelry while on the road so safes need to be easy for women to access without scuffing shoes, running panty hose…all of the things that we encounter. The Safemark safe is so easy to use – it’s flow, it’s soft, it’s nice and I work it into my designs first.
Q: Any final thoughts for us?
A: HI Connect has been a wonderful experience. I would absolutely do this event again and without a doubt, incorporate Safemark safes into my design!
Award Winning
As mentioned above, the team at Diamond Interiors LA went on to win an award from HI Connect Design as the “Vignette most likely to make guests want to move in permanently.” We can’t agree more as we found ourselves relaxing in their vignette for so long one would have thought we were part of the furniture!
