Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

May 30, 2006

KNPR Talks With Wynn Interior Designer Roger Thomas

Posted by Hunter

I discovered this excellent and informative KNPR interview with Wynn Design and Development Executive Vice President Roger Thomas. This interior design guru is responsible for all interiors at Treasure Island, Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas. Listening to this interview it is clear that nothing there happened by accident. Fascinating interview.

http://www.knpr.org/audio2006/mp3/060217_r-thomas.mp3

For those that don't listen regularly, KNPR's State of Nevada is a great insight into all things Las Vegas.

Update: I had no idea that Roger Thomas is the son of E. Parry Thomas, the famous Las Vegas banker.

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Categories: Bellagio, Casino Design, Interviews, Las Vegas Strip, Wynn Resorts


Comments

Read archived comments (11 so far)
May 30, 2006 2:44 PM Posted by detroit1051

Hunter, Thomas talked about the carpeting and mosaic. On my last trip, it appeared the problem with mosaic stones coming loose had been solved. The red carpeting, however seemed to have lost much of its color, probably due to cleaning. I'll be there again in June and will pay attention to wear and tear. Some of Thomas' comments went over my head. For example, I have no recollection at all of what the chairs and fabric in Alex looked like. All I know is I like Wynn more than any other property in Vegas.

May 30, 2006 2:55 PM Posted by Hunter

I found the interview fascinating. I'd love to have a sit down with this guy (or even better, a walk through).

He mentioned his design partner Jane... That was the woman that walked me through the property a year ago. That was VERY interesting.

May 30, 2006 3:26 PM Posted by detroit1051

Yes, it was fascinating. It came through loud and clear that Roger Thomas is someone who thoroughly enjoys his life's work and is passionate about it. That surely translates to superior design. Las Vegas (and Steve Wynn) is fortunate he didn't stay in New York City or elsewhere in the world.

May 30, 2006 3:55 PM Posted by Mike P.

I think the problem with loose mosaic stones is solved by frequently replacing them. Almost every time I've been up and about early enough I've seen tile mechanics working on the mosaics with piles of tiny tiles and quick set mortar.

Mike P.

May 30, 2006 5:04 PM Posted by brianfey

Yes those mosaic tiles are beautiful at Wynn, but they sure do seem to be a maintaince nightmere. I don't know what went wrong. I don't know if they are installed wrong, or not made to handle that amount of traffic.

May 30, 2006 5:18 PM Posted by detroit1051

I don't recall Bellagio having similar problems with the mosaic floors. The tiles in the lobby and Conservatory are probably in the highest traffic area in Las Vegas, and they're in excellent condition after almost eight years. What did Steve do differently?

May 30, 2006 8:05 PM Posted by John

Well, as Thomas said "you don't usually go with a company from California to do mosaics"

And from the sounds of it, they only went with this California mosaic because it gave Wynn a large amount of control, maybe they sacrificed higher quality mosaics for control during the design process

May 30, 2006 11:19 PM Posted by Mike E

Loved the interview although I wish they would have gone more in depth with the rooms and suites of all properties or what MGM Mirage has been doing to his former projects. Funny how he spoke of Treasure Island as a bit of a mistake.

May 31, 2006 4:41 AM Posted by Brian Fey

No, the mosaics are different. I am in the flooring business. The ones are Bellagio are much thicker, and set differently. The mosaics at Wynn are Glass, and very thin, not a natural and thicker stone like was used at Bellagio. These are very different materials.

June 1, 2006 4:49 AM Posted by Andrew

Bellagio's mosaic did not have similar problems because it was built by Italian workers who are from a Venice's mosaic worker family who dated back to more than 500 years ago in this field.
In this case it paid off to spend a little extra money.
I'm from Italy and I could immediately tell the difference between the two mosaics.The one at Bellagio is a real mosaic,the one at Wynn is a joke.

June 2, 2006 9:55 AM Posted by Fin

The Roger Thomas interview is being aired again on News 88.9 KNPR today, June 2nd. Tune in at 10am and 8pm. And thanks from Nevada Public Radio for your interest in our show.

/Fin
Producer, KNPR's State of Nevada