HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
We welcome 2011 and look back on the past year with gratitude and thank all of you who supported us. We look forward to a healthy and successful year for us all.
Last year we attended some interesting seminars at the Design Centers, learning interesting facts about leather, paint, furniture embellishments, etc, which I'll share in future blogs. For now, I'll share insights of one witty and colorful keynote speaker, Roger Thomas, designer for all Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau. When we travel to Vegas and enter the doors to this Disneyland for Adults, we don't have a clue as to what goes on in this wacky world of design to create this wonderland that draws many to it's one armed bandits. I thought it would be fun to share his adventures and challenges.
Roger's father started a bank in Las Vegas when the gaming industry came into being; and loaned money to the casinos. Roger grew up with Steve Wynn, who was like an older brother to him. He shared behind the scenes stories of what it takes to get these lush resorts created. Travelling the world to collect items for use on the properties, Roger located 17 1/2' giant urns made of stone while in China. The large size meant bringing them in with cranes, but the Chinese could not find a crane in all of China to lift them; so asked if they could recreate them in Bronze! Thus, it was done.
Suprising bits of history were uncovered. An oil jar, larger than a car, was located in Italy. Upon installation, a letter was found inside the jar. It had been written in the 1940's, during World War II, by a woman to her husband. She wrote of how their children had grown and a journal page showing her budget needs for money to be spent. This urn can be seen in the Italian restaurant in the Wynn.
Unexpected items are utilized in unusual ways....like the use of a crystal chandelier in a tent outside. They want their rooms to be surroundings where memories that last a lifetime are created for their guests: Where you would 'Pop the Question' or merely say 'I Love You'.
Some generalities: Roger draws every idea that comes to him when travelling so he can adapt it as need be. Every five years they refurbish the hotels. What used to be dark is now light and vice versa. Their signature is fabric: Draperies and trims are seen everywhere. He develops all table tops with Elaine Wynn, Steve's wife. Steve doesn't like art behind glass, which is why he uses alot of embroidered art. Lighting designs must pass security approval. Millwork is a herculean task. Their team has been with them for 25+ years. Creating huge custom umbrellas, Roger spent five hours a day, two days a week for Three Years, seeing the project through completion with the manufacturer. Roger refers to the installation of a 103" TV like parking an oven on the wall!
The art collection that was at the Bellagio was Steve's personal collection. It was seen by some 2500 visitors a day. Some of it went on to the Wynn, with the balance going back to their own personal collection.
Upon completion of a space, Steve Wynn can always tell if something is missing; and challenges Roger to figure out just what it is!! One time it took cloisonne camels walking on water to solve the problem! Regarding the Wynn, Steve had asked Roger to design the best hotel in the world. Later he asked the same for the design of the Encore. Roger told Steve, "If I knew you were going to ask that again, I wouldn't have worked so hard the first time!!" He refers to these creations as 'Post Classic Shazam Interiors'.
It took five years to collect the rare plants for the atrium entry of the Encore. It has a butterfly theme, which in all cultures studied, represents: Good Luck, Beauty, and Good Fortune. He had forty-five days to 'Sinatraize' the Sinatra Restaurant and did another one inspired by Oscar Wilde. Here they deformalized the rooms so they are comfortable and appropriate whether one is wearing jeans or a tux. For Erwin-Lambeth, furniture manufacturer, Roger designed a chest, used in the Encore, with rock crystal hardware, for which he hand selects each piece. E-L has added this to their line of furniture and is available to us through the Alexander-Sinclair showroom here in Scottsdale.
For the Wynn Encore Macau, Roger was given 9 months for completion and he exceeded an 'unlimited' budget!!! A 27' crystal dragon was created and backlit for a wall in a restaurant. Imperial Yellow, historical color for China and once used solely for the Imperial Family, is now used here. Red lacquer, another revered color in China also was incorporated. A 7000 pound chandelier with crystal balls was specifically designed for this resort. For a year, Roger collected every gold bird he could find to put into curio cabinets. Since Marco Polo brought China to Italy, he brought Fortuny (Italian fabric) to China. Roger found Oscar de la Renta's embroideries and used them for backs of chairs and wall panels.
Every Hi-End gamer comes with 'hangers on' and Wynn knows the need to have lavish places for them to 'hang on'! Wynn is aware his guests live in high quality and expects to stay in it as well. The next time you step into a Wynn resort, maybe you'll spot some of these details, knowing that you were privy to just a sampling of what goes on behind the scenes to give you a "WOW" experience.
