Walking the Story: A Return to ilani
Returning to ilani for this year’s Northwest Indian Gaming Conference was more than just a visit. It brought me back to one of the most meaningful projects of my career.
While working with the incredibly talented team at Crossley Axminster, I had the opportunity to collaborate on the custom Axminster carpet for ilani’s hotel corridors, guestrooms, and suites. It was a fast-moving project with a tight timeline. Most of the design decisions had to be finalized before the holidays, which meant constant coordination with the casino team, Tribal Leadership, and the design firm.
The design carried deep cultural meaning. We created a pattern that honored the Cowlitz Indian Tribe through imagery of salmon swimming peacefully below the surface, a nod to the river that sustained the community. The movement in the pattern was intentional, calm, and symbolic of harmony.
Our salmon weren’t struggling upstream. They moved with purpose and peace.
But the true power of the project came after the installation. The team at ilani didn't just lay carpet and go. They fully embraced the story, weaving the narrative into their culture and sharing the design’s meaning with staff and guests.
“To the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, storytelling is vital to our legacy. Since time immemorial, we have cared for these lands and remained deeply connected to our ancestral home," said Bill Iyall , Chairman of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. "This custom-designed carpet holds history within its patterns, weaving stories that connect people to the land and to one another. We are grateful for our partnership with Crossley Axminster, who have approached this project with deep respect for our journey and heritage.”
After the install, I did what I do for every project. I walked the space. A hotel bellman joined me during that visit, and without knowing I had worked on the carpet, he shared the story of the river and the salmon. That moment, hearing the story reflected back without prompting, reminded me why this work matters.
Carpet can be more than floorcovering. It can hold history. It can connect people. It can honor legacy.
Today, I carry that same passion and purpose into my work with Encore Hospitality. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside two of the most respected carpet design and manufacturing teams in the industry. My journey has taken me from one powerhouse to another, each with its own strengths, values, and creative spirit.
At Encore, we continue to approach every project with deep intention, crafting flooring that reflects culture, community, and identity. Ilani will always be a favorite. And walking those corridors again reminded me that the stories beneath our feet are often the most powerful.
