BDNY 2025: Highlights and Innovations from Boutique Design New York

Image Courtesy Maya Romanoff

Boutique Design New York (BDNY) returned to the Jacob K. Javits Center on 9–10 November 2025, drawing designers, architects and hospitality executives from around the world. The two‑day show is the premier event for boutique hospitality design and this year’s edition raised the bar with more than 700 exhibitors, immersive designed spaces and thought‑provoking conferences. According to event organisers, BDNY 2025 was curated to showcase cutting‑edge products, meaningful design conversations and dynamic networking opportunities. Here are the major takeaways and a look at how Studio 198’s brands contributed to the show.

Immersive spaces and trend‑setting themes

BDNY’s signature Designed Spaces were expanded this year, offering visitors restaurant and lounge environments constructed by leading design firms and sponsored by manufacturer partners. These spaces provided inspiration and hosted panel discussions on topics such as wellness, inclusivity, sustainability and AI‑driven design. The four headline installations were:

• The Alchemist (Booth #773) – An elevated dining concept by Aria Group that used mixed metals and imaginative details to transform a lunch break into a magical experience. It was part of the Dine & Design pavilion and sponsored by Maya Romanoff, Cava Surfaces, Opuzen, Shaw Contract Hospitality, Villa Lighting and Woodcraft Hospitality

• Châlet Après (Booth #255) – A refined alpine retreat designed by BHDM Design for Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy. The booth mixed rustic charm and urban sophistication with layered textures and clean lines, and it was sponsored by MDC Interior Solutions along with Bluebird Lighting, County Draperies, Ratana, Raydoor, Reid Witlin and others

• The Splash Pad (Booth #1873) – Dream Hotels teamed with Nivek Remas to create a high‑style lounge that referenced the hotel brand’s iconic poolside social hubs. Mirrored accents, dreamlike forms and DJ sets set the tone, with sponsorship from Astek, Fairmont Designs, Mannington Commercial and other partners

• Midnight Garden (Booth #3119) – A sensory installation by DesignAgency that guided visitors through shifting light, sound and form. Arches and cinematic details invited reflection and inspiration. The space was sponsored by Credible Group, Hollis + Morris and other manufacturers

These spaces were anchored by BDNY’s expanded Dine & Design pavilion, which provided high‑end restaurant and bar design inspiration and hosted a chef panel and mixologist demonstrations. In addition to the installations, the show offered nearly 40 accredited conference sessions exploring human‑centred design, wellness, inclusivity and emerging technologies. Signature events such as the Platinum Circle Awards Gala on 7 Nov (honouring lifetime achievements in hospitality design and the Gold Key Awards on 10 Nov. added glamour and networking opportunities.

Studio 198 brands at BDNY 2025

Studio 198 represents a portfolio of luxury fabric and wallcovering brands. Several of them were active participants and sponsors at BDNY 2025.

Maya Romanoff

• Sponsor of The Alchemist: Maya Romanoff, renowned for handcrafted wallcoverings, co‑sponsored the Alchemist designed space, Their materials added richness to the mixed‑metal palette and highlighted how artisanal surfaces can elevate hospitality environments.

• Launch of Gilded Cloth™: Earlier this year, Maya Romanoff introduced Gilded Cloth™, a collection that applies genuine gold or silver leaf to a canvas backing. The company emphasises that the metal leaf is meticulously hand‑inlaid in open or closed patterns, allowing the coloured canvas to peek through or providing a subtle texture; a protective topcoat ensures the finish resists tarnishing. Gilded Cloth is made with water‑based colourants and adhesives and is free of heavy metals and formaldehyde, making it suitable for hospitality or residential spaces. The collection debuted in May 2025 and is available in eight colourways. Maya Romanoff showcased this collection in its BDNY booth (773D) alongside other signature lines.

• Other 2025 introductions: The company’s 2025 product catalogue features several new offerings – including Coco Chenille™ (a chenille‑like embossed wallcovering), Timantti™ (a woven fabric with subtle sheen) and Bouquet™ (handcrafted patterns reminiscent of pressed flowers). New vinyl additions in the Entwine series (Inlet Linen, Lakeside Linen, Serene Silk and Spindrift Silk) and fresh patterns in the Ajiro wood‑veneer line (Ajiro Honeycomb™) also underscore the brand’s commitment to innovation

MDC Interior Solutions

• Sponsor of Châlet Après: MDC Interior Solutions co‑sponsored the Châlet Après installation, underscoring the company’s presence in hospitality design

• Nvolve – PVC‑free wallcoverings: MDC introduced Nvolve, a collection of durable, cleanable wallcoverings made entirely without PVC. The line uses the company’s evo technology, which combines 20 % recycled materials with a performance finish that is stain‑ and impact‑resistant. Nvolve allows designers to achieve luxurious looks while avoiding heavy metals, phthalates and formaldehydeThe naturally inspired patterns range from subtle textures to vivid motifs, offering sustainable options for hospitality projects.

• Zintra acoustic innovations: The firm’s Zintra acoustic programme expanded with nine new Etch patterns, six new Baffles profiles and four new Textiles designs that blend sculptural forms with sound‑absorbing performance. These panels and baffles were designed for walls or ceilings and offer designers flexibility in shaping acoustically balanced environments.

• Natural Silk II and Mega Textures: In 2024 MDC launched Natural Silk II, a collection of silk wallcoverings that uses dupion yarn to create rich textures and comes with a stain‑repellent finish. Their Mega Textures collection (2023) introduced deeply embossed wall panels in nine patterns and five metal‑inspired finishes. These lines continued to attract attention at BDNY thanks to their tactile appeal and durability.

Other participating brands

While Maya Romanoff and MDC Interior Solutions were the most visible Studio 198 brands at BDNY, the show also included many manufacturers whose products we admired. For instance, Shaw Contract Hospitality presented Reverie, a hospitality carpet collection inspired by the seasons; it features four motifs and is available in multiple constructions and custom colourways. The collection emphasises sustainability and was officially launched at BDNY Townsend Leather debuted Cleopatra, a leather line with textures and colours referencing ancient Egypt, at BDNY booth #2325. These introductions indicate broader trends towards nature‑inspired palettes, tactile surfaces and environmentally conscious materials.

Dine & Design

Image Courtesy SLEEPER  

After debuting last year, BDNY’s Dine & Design Pavilion returns in an expanded format that invites food‑and‑beverage designers and owners to explore high‑end restaurant and bar concepts. Curated to showcase the latest products, materials and design solutions for front‑of‑house spaces, the pavilion includes a special installation called The Alchemist by the Aria Group, complete with a chef panel and mixologist demonstration to spark conversation about the future of F&B design. The pavilion’s Dine & Design booth is sponsored by Cava Surfaces, Maya Romanoff, Opuzen, Shaw Contract Hospitality, Villa Lighting and Woodcraft Hospitality. underscoring the collaborative spirit that defines the event.

What we saw and learned

The 2025 edition of BDNY underscored several key trends:

1. Tactility and texture are in demand. Gilded leaf, chenille textures, deeply embossed panels and woven acoustic fabrics all drew crowds, reflecting a desire for surfaces that appeal to both sight and touch

2. Immersive environments tell stories. The four Designed Spaces demonstrated how narrative‑driven design whether alchemical experiments or alpine retreats can create memorable brand experiences

3. Technology and human‑centred design coexist. Conference sessions explored AI as a co‑creator, inclusive design and wellness, signalling that future hospitality interiors will be both technologically savvy and empathetic to human needs

Final thoughts

BDNY 2025 offered a vibrant snapshot of where boutique hospitality design is heading. For Studio 198, it was an opportunity to support our brands and witness how Maya Romanoff and MDC Interior Solutions continue to innovate through hand‑crafted artistry and sustainable performance. From gilded canvases and PVC‑free wallcoverings to immersive dining and lounge environments, the show illustrated that creativity and conscientiousness can go hand in hand. If you missed the event or want to explore these products further, please contact us at Studio 198 we’d be delighted to share samples and discuss how these collections can elevate your next project.

Image courtesy BDNY