Material CEO Tim Roberts Featured In Handcrafted Hotels

It is one of five new unscripted series set to premiere on the Magnolia Network following Chip and Joanna Gaines’ joint partnership with Discovery+.

Graduate Hotels?founder Ben Weprin and his in-house designers and creative partners foster a nostalgic experience throughout the four-episode series. They created a show that follows hoteliers as they venture through their respective towns. Viewers will get a tour and explore the enriching histories behind Nashville, Knoxville, New Haven, and Chapel Hill.

“We create hotels that reflect the towns and the universities they inhabit,” Weprin says in the?trailer.

“Every hotel is designed to tell a story of the community, of the people, of the traditions. It’s not manufactured. It’s not forced. It’s organic, and you can really feel that love, and you need an artist to do that.”

The cast and crew capture the spirit of “Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, the University of North Carolina, and Yale University while also providing guests with a ‘one-of-a-kind experience,'” according to Parade.com. Viewers will also meet the artists, craftspeople, and designers who helped bring the beauty and architecture of each hotel to life.

Roberts is among the creative partners set to make a guest appearance in the?Graduate New Haven?episode. Design & Direct Source was first contacted by the developer’s design team of the Graduate Hotels.

The inspiration for the tiles was a picture of a blue and white Portuguese tile to be used in the upcoming Graduate New Haven, near Yale.

We confirmed our ability to make patterned Portuguese tiles within their stated budget.

The next phase of design kept the blue and white theme but very different designs, 7 or 8 individual and unique tile designs. Because I have spent some time in New Haven and Yale, I recognized that the design inspiration for these tiles is found in the original ironwork of the gates of Harkness Tower which were made and designed by Samuel Yellin, America’s premier iron artist of the time, between 1917 – 1921.

We confirmed that we could replicate these designs on ceramic tiles, all designs, and in 3 or 4 “line weights”.

These tiles were to be installed in many of the Hotel’s bathrooms and carry the blue & white theme throughout the space.

You’ll also see a cameo from NFL star Peyton Manning, who is an alum of the University of Tennessee. He partnered with Graduate Knoxville to create the hotel’s Saloon 16 bar and restaurant.

Chip and Joanna Gaines will showcase a boutique hotel of their own – but it will not be featured this season. Hotel or travel enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on the premiere of Handcrafted Hotels. The episode will be available to stream on the Magnolia Network and Discovery+.