Expert Advice: 9 Hard-Wearing Material Recommendations from a Hotelier

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Hotels are designed to take a beating: Everything that goes into them, from building materials to bedding, has to be not only exceedingly comfortable but resilient. What looks great day after day—and even gets better over time?

For advice, we turned to hotelier Ray Pirkle, a hospitality pro and aesthete who earned his creds working for Ian Schrager and Amy Sacco, among others. Ray is currently co-owner of Hudson, New York’s Rivertown Lodge, a former movie house that he transformed with Workstead design into lodgings that are as fresh looking as they are cozy—see A Hotel with a Sense of Place. And recently, Ray opened Camptown: A High-Style Cabin Retreat in the Catskills. Here are Ray’s tips for hard-wearing interior materials.

Photography by Matthew Williams, unless noted.

1. Iron accents

when selecting materials, think about how things will look going forward,&# 17 — Above: When selecting materials, think about how things will look going forward,” advises Ray. “You want everything to gain a positive patina.” Toward that end, the lobby at Rivertown Lodge has Workstead-designed iron firewood racks flanking a Morso stove. The coffee table legs are also iron.

2. Wool upholstery

ray sourced the sturdy vintage seating from ebay and added wool upholster 18 — Above: Ray sourced the sturdy vintage seating from eBay and added wool upholstery that’s “both soft and strong and surprisingly easy to clean.”

3. Matte wood floors

dark wood floors tend to show more dirt and scratches than light wood floo 19 — Above: Dark wood floors tend to show more dirt and scratches than light wood floors, according to Ray. In the Rivertown Inn, he spec’ed Scandi-style bleached European oak from LV Wood’s Hakwood collection, and after considering several matte finishing options, settled on the easiest: clear Monocoat, a natural oil. “It was a cinch to apply—we did it ourselves—and it’s durable. We use Monocoat Soap to maintain it, and Monocoat Refresh gets rid of stains.” Adds Ray: “The floor has a lived-in look, but that’s exactly what we wanted. When just about everything in a room is pristine, it’s nice to see signs of life.”

4. Vegetable-tanned leather

&#8\2\20;leather darkens over time and gets scarred, but there’s not 20 — Above: “Leather darkens over time and gets scarred, but there’s nothing you can do to it that makes it less attractive,” says Ray, by way of explaining the hotel’s leather touches. These include saddle leather guest room key rings and the Rivertown Tavern’s leather-topped Jack Stools by Tyler Hayes (available from Lostine). The bar counter is oil-rubbed bronze, “another outstandingly tough and beautiful material.”

5. Waxed canvas

banquettes in the tavern are upholstered in an unexpected material: water resil 21 — Above: Banquettes in the Tavern are upholstered in an unexpected material: water-resilient waxed canvas sourced from Martexin. (Shown here, Army Duck Plain Weave in olive.) To maintain its finish, the fabric gets touched up with Martexin Refinishing Compound. “Waxed canvas develops a great weathered look and is so durable. I don’t know why everybody doesn’t use it on everything,” says Ray. He and the Workstead team also used waxed canvas as mats, rugs, and hallway runners that extend for 25 feet (with felt pads underneath), all custom made by Black Point Mercantile. In guest rooms, benches have waxed canvas cushions (“you can put suitcases on them or sit on them; they’re so easy to clean”).

6. Satin-finish paint

paint selections, including this farrow & ball india yellow, are all satin 22 — Above: Paint selections, including this Farrow & Ball India Yellow, are all satin finish (Farrow & Ball’s Modern Emulsion): “It’s wipeable and hard-wearing,” says Ray. “We even used it as a kitchen backsplash and it’s worked well.” The counter, shown here, is schist, which Ray notes, is “incredibly hard and doesn’t stain, but is prone to chipping—we knew that going in and don’t mind.”

Of course, Ray also has favorite tabletop items: Duralex glasses (“good-looking, inexpensive, and virtually unbreakable”); enamelware mugs (“light and unbreakable; we use these as water glasses in the rooms”); vintage flatware, especially hotel silverplate (“it’s heavier than standard”); and denim napkins (“they get better in the wash”). He buys the latter in 100-percent American cotton denim from Small Gunns and is in the process of sourcing yardage so the hotel can make its own.

7. Egyptian cotton sheets

long staple eygptian organic cotton is the softest and longest lasting,&#8\ 23 — Above: Long-staple Eygptian organic cotton is the softest and longest lasting,” says Ray—”I’m not overly thread-count conscious, but I’ve found that 200 is the minimum; 200 to 800 is all good.” The hotel uses Frette, “I don’t think there’s anything out there that’s better and the company has a well-priced commercial line.” The Shadow Plaid Blankets are Faribault’s washable wool. The lodge keeps three of each for every bed, so they can be swapped out and cleaned. “It’s admittedly a lot of work—and dryer energy—to keep them clean (we run them on low in the dryer and it takes three cycles), but they hold up well.” For mattresses, Ray swears by the eco-friendly Keetsa and says “I’ve discovered most people like a much firmer mattress than they realize.”

8. Raw brass fixtures and wood doorknobs

raw brass is ray&#8\2\17;s go to material for faucets, shower heads, expose 24 — Above: Raw brass is Ray’s go-to material for faucets, shower heads, exposed pipes, and lighting (designs throughout the hotel are by Workstead). He loves the way brass develops a patina and emanates warmth. The bath in the suite, shown here, has a Waterworks gooseneck tub filler paired with a Henley Cast-Iron Pedestal Tub from Signature Hardware. In other rooms, Ray says he saved money by using Chicago chrome sink fixtures and a chrome shower system made for prisons: “We had a local metalworker strip them—they’re raw brass underneath.” As for metal maintenance: “Everything gets cleaned once a week with Brasso, but raw brass just naturally picks up such a great look.” Photograph by Emma Tuccillo of And North, courtesy of Rivertown Lodge.

Note the wood doorknob: Ray tracked it down in the UK and ordered in bulk. Finished with Monocoat wood oil, they too, develop nice signs of wear and feel good to the touch.

9. Wicker

&#8\2\20;wicker is light but strong, and it gets the best color when you le 25 — Above: “Wicker is light but strong, and it gets the best color when you leave it out in the sun,” says Ray. The Rivertown porch has a wicker pendant light found on eBay and a wicker-inset table by Japanese cult workshop Truck Furniture. The cot is piled with Utility Canvas’s 34-inch square pillows—”they’re actually dog beds, but they’re perfect.” Ray also swears by Utility Canvas coverlets: “Canvas, like linen and denim, gets softer and better with every wash”). Photograph by Emma Tuccillo, courtesy Rivertown Lodge.

We have lots of Expert Advice to share. For a sampling, take a look at:

N.B.: This story originally ran on February 10, 2017, and has been updated with new information.

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Frequently asked questions

What are some hard-wearing natural materials for home decor?

According to the hotelier, some hard-wearing natural materials are leather, linen, cotton, wool, sisal, sea-grass, jute, bamboo, and cork.

Is leather a sustainable material for home decor?

Leather can be a sustainable material if it is vegetable-tanned or upcycled. Look for leather that is sourced from responsibly raised animals and avoid synthetic leather.

What are the benefits of using natural materials for home decor?

Using natural materials for home decor is beneficial because they are eco-friendly, durable, and offer a timeless aesthetic. Natural materials also improve air quality and are biodegradable.

What is sisal and how is it used in home decor?

Sisal is a natural fiber that comes from the agave plant. It is commonly used in rugs and carpets because it is durable and adds texture to a space. Sisal is also used for baskets and wall hangings.

Can bamboo be used for home decor?

Yes, bamboo is a versatile material that can be used in home decor. It is commonly used for flooring, furniture, and window treatments. Bamboo is also a sustainable and fast-growing material.

Is it possible to have a stylish home while using natural materials?

Yes, natural materials can be stylish and luxurious. Mixing textures and layering different natural materials can create a cozy and elevated look. It's all about balance and choosing quality pieces.

What should I look for when shopping for natural materials?

When shopping for natural materials, choose sustainable and responsibly sourced materials. Look for certifications like OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and Fair Trade. Also, make sure to read labels and ask questions about the production process.

Product summary

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1. Iron accents

2. Wool upholstery

3. Matte wood floors

4. Vegetable-tanned leather

5. Waxed canvas

6. Satin-finish paint

7. Egyptian cotton sheets

8. Raw brass fixtures and wood doorknobs

9. Wicker

Frequently asked questions

What are some hard-wearing natural materials for home decor?

Is leather a sustainable material for home decor?

What are the benefits of using natural materials for home decor?

What is sisal and how is it used in home decor?

Can bamboo be used for home decor?

Is it possible to have a stylish home while using natural materials?

What should I look for when shopping for natural materials?

Product summary

Rubio Monocoat Soap

Refresh Eco

Jack Leather & Wood Stool – Tan

Henley Cast Iron Double – Ended Pedestal Tub – Rolled Rim

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10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Blanket Chests

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