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Hotel Versailles interior design

Connection to history guides redesign of Hotel Versailles

By Carol Kim | Vaask Visitors to the village of Versailles, Ohio, are often impressed by the distinguished history of the small town, which dates back to the early 1800s. This includes the stories behind Hotel Versailles, located in the town’s epicenter on a site that has held a hotel for more than 150 years.  So when a fire in 2019 forced closure of the hotel, then known as the Inn at Versailles, owner Midmark knew rebuilding was important for both historical and sentimental reasons.  “It’s been the site of so many weddings, baby showers and retirement parties, many people have emotional ties to the location,” said interior designer Kimberly Orr, whose design firm Sketch Blue worked on the project, along with architectural firm DK Architects. Hotel Versailles managing director Jack Olshan wanted the new hotel to use architectural elements that retained the building’s character and authenticity. At the same time, he wanted to modernize the hotel and offer amenities and design features that today’s guests would enjoy. A modern take on a historical building The result is a 30-room hotel featuring French influences interwoven with industrial accents and nods to the village’s past, all with a more modern flair. Details such as the high, arched, metal-framed windows adorning the hotel mimic the architecture of the Palace of Versailles with a contemporary twist. Furniture designed with simple, clean lines is combined with rich, plush upholstery that hints at historical European accents. “The design incorporates the grandeur and artistry of the past, while also connecting each guest with an authentic experience rooted in small-town, Midwestern values,” Orr said.  Locally sourced Olshan noted how they made a special effort to incorporate local companies, vendors and artisans throughout the hotel, further reinforcing the connection to the surrounding area.  The hotel’s restaurant, Silas, takes its name from Silas Atchison, who founded the town of Versailles in 1819. Silas offers dishes with locally sourced ingredients, such as blue crab salad and curry smoked BBQ carrots. It serves cocktails, including a Golden Eagle Old Fashioned and Esther’s Scotch Bonnet, that harken back to the town’s heritage, with a present-day twist. The restaurant even features a locally crafted table in its private dining room. (By the way, fittingly, Atchison was among the first innkeepers in the area.) Other examples of local sourcing throughout the hotel include the custom doors and metal bar shelves, wood cabinetry in the guest rooms, centerpiece window banquet chandelier and artwork. Even the snack and beverage bar found in every room is stocked with locally sourced products.  Perfect for the space Along with the updated décor elements, the hotel features modern technology to provide guests with comfort and convenience. Each room has an iPad compendium with fitness classes and access to more than 100 news publications.  The hotel also installed permanent hand sanitizing dispensers that combine stylish design and exceptional functionality. When Olshan saw Vaask’s hand sanitizing fixtures at the 2021 HD Expo hospitality trade show, he knew it was exactly what the hotel needed: sophisticated and low-maintenance.  “Sustainability was important, and so were upkeep and aesthetics,” Olshan said. “Vaask is the only hand sanitizer company that’s done something this beautiful. It looks like we designed around them.” In placing the fixtures, Olshan’s team worked with Vaask experts to consider high-traffic areas, including the restrooms and restaurant. Click here to see Vaask in action. Photos by Catie Viox; courtesy of Hotel Versailles

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The Architect’s Newspaper

Vaask wins The Architect’s Newspaper Best of Product Awards

Hand sanitizing fixture recognized for excellence in commercial spaces NOVEMBER 3, 2022 — NEW YORK — The Architect’s Newspaper today honored Vaask® as part of its Best of Product Awards, recognizing the touchless hand sanitizing fixture for creating healthier public spaces. The eighth annual competition showcases top products for the publication’s readership of top-tier architects, designers and taste-makers. Each entry was evaluated by leading architects, designers and the publication’s editors for innovation, aesthetics, performance and value. Built to last, Vaask offers an effective, money-saving hand sanitizing solution. Vaask’s features include: Click here to learn more about the honor for Vaask. Click here to see Vaask in action.

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World Design Awards

World Design Awards honor Vaask

Hand sanitizing fixture recognized for creating healthier spaces NOVEMBER 2, 2022 — NEW YORK — The World Design Awards today honored the Vaask® touchless hand sanitizing fixture for its innovative design that improves health and safety in public spaces. The annual contest seeks out products that feature “fresh thinking and originality.” Built to last, Vaask offers an effective, money-saving hand sanitizing solution. Vaask’s features include: Click here to learn more about the honor for Vaask. Click here to see Vaask in action.

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vaask brushmill wine

An 1800s New England landmark gets a thoughtful update

When interior designer Caryn Paradis was brought on to refresh the historic The Brushmill by the Waterfall restaurant, she knew they would need to proceed carefully. A New England landmark located in Chester, Conn., The Brushmill occupies a space dating back to the early 1800s. First converted to a restaurant in the mid-1970s, it has been a local destination for decades.  The renovation needed to retain enough of the longtime look and feel of the space so loyal regulars would still feel at home in their beloved eatery.  Paradis, the lead designer with Caryn Paradis Interior Design, worked with the owners to incorporate details from the original mill while making the space feel fresh and modern.  “Highlighting the historical beauty was our main goal with these renovations,” the owners noted in a Facebook post announcing the project.  A complete gut renovation was needed.  “There’s not a square inch that we haven’t touched, starting with all new floor joists,” Paradis said.  But key details were retained and restored. The chestnut beams, the stacked stone fireplace and the overhead pulley system from the mill are all from the original building.  As much as possible, anything that couldn’t be restored was repurposed. The old chestnut floors had to be removed, but the wood was repurposed into tabletops. An old tool bench from the mill was turned into a bar top. The holes that held the tools were kept in place to serve as a reminder of its original purpose. The owners didn’t limit their updates to the restaurant’s decor. They also included forward-thinking amenities to address the comfort and welfare of their guests. For example, they converted an old coat check into a nursing room for comforting or feeding a crying or hungry child. The room features a comfortable lounge chair, changing table and refrigerator to store food for a baby.  Making hand sanitizer readily available to guests and staff was another top priority for the owners. They installed Vaask hand sanitizing fixtures in the restaurant because they matched the contemporary yet historical ambience of the updated restaurant. But Paradis recommended they use Vaask for more than its stylish design.  “We needed a permanent solution that looked great and functioned well,” Paradis said.  With so many different fixtures in the 10,000-square-foot space, the owners didn’t want to add replacing batteries to their maintenance list. Vaask fixtures are hard-wired, so no batteries are required. Refillable with any sanitizer gel, the large-capacity sanitizer tank can also go longer between refills.  Paradis and the owners are happy with the results of the year-long project — as are the guests.  “Everything from the food, ambiance, setting, staff and presentation was incredible. Highly recommend!” one patron wrote soon after the restaurant reopened. Click here to see Vaask in action.

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Nightingale Awards 2022 Gold Award for Vaask

Healthcare Design’s Nightingale Awards honor Vaask for clinician support

Hand sanitizing fixture recognized for sustainability, quality and innovation OCTOBER 10, 2022 — SAN ANTONIO — The healthcare industry’s prestigious Nightingale Awards today honored Vaask® with its Gold Award. Conducted in partnership with the Center for Health Design and announced at the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, the Nightingale Awards honor top products in the healthcare built environment. The awards are named in memory of Florence Nightingale, a tireless advocate for the improvement of care and conditions in military and civilian hospitals in the 1800s. The jury, made up of leaders of firms including Perkins&Will and CannonDesign as well as Ernst & Young, evaluated entries for sustainability, quality, functionality and positive patient outcomes. Built to last, Vaask offers an effective, money-saving hand sanitizing solution. Vaask’s precise dispensing equipment is reliable and accurate, eliminating mess and waste: Vaask fixtures are also easier to maintain, saving time and effort: Click here to learn more about the honor for Vaask. Click here to see Vaask in action.

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Vaask’s Recognition

Ready for Vaask in Your Space?​

Vaask’s Recognition

Ready for Vaask in Your Space?​