Vivian/ Nichols Unveils Interiors of Gaylord Palms Resort
Award-winning Firm Celebrates Grand Opening of Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla.
DALLAS--In a business where you're only as good as your last project, Dallas-based Vivian/ Nichols now tops the charts of U.S. interior architectural design firms. After more than three years, this standout firm has completed the interior design of the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, the world's largest hospitality-oriented new construction project in over a decade.
"This hotel project has provided a wonderful opportunity for our team of talented designers to set new industry trends and to test the limits of our creativity and capabilities," said Reggi Nichols, Vivian/ Nichols founding partner.
Situated in Kissimmee, Fla., adjacent to Disney's Magic Kingdom, this 2.1-million-square-foot facility features a breathtaking four-acre glass atrium, 3 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, 2 ballrooms, and 1,406 guestrooms and suites.
This elaborate structure replicates a turn-of-the-century Florida mansion. Vivian/ Nichols brought this idea to life with historic arches, filigree ironwork, and decorative lighting -- all elements of late 19th century architectural detailing.
While staying under one roof, guests can experience everything Florida has to offer. Go back in time to historic St. Augustine; splash around tropical Key West; venture into the rustling Everglades; and stroll through sophisticated Emerald Bay. Each of these sub-environments boasts themed common areas, restaurants, and guest rooms.
Importantly, these four distinct sub-environments are the backbone of Vivian/ Nichols' way-finding system designed to help guests and staff navigate this enormous structure. Linked with a color-coded "highway" system, each is designed with a specific style and color scheme. Audio cues appropriate to each sub-environment, such as chirping crickets in the Everglades or calypso music in Key West, further assist guests. In addition, guest rooms in each sub-environment are lavishly and appropriately themed, and "street signs" throughout the complex display color-coded icons so guests know where they are at all times.
Quick facts about the interiors of Gaylord Palms Resort
All fixtures, linens, and decorative elements utilized in this project are custom-designed because it is impossible to procure standard pieces in such large quantities, or in some cases, in such large scale. This provided an opportunity for Vivian/ Nichols to make every aspect of the Gaylord Palms Resort's interior significant and special. Vivian/ Nichols designed all elements down to the smallest detail, and the firm worked with manufacturers to push the limits of the creative process and produce these pieces.
In this project, Vivian/ Nichols utilized:
- 90,000-yards of fabric in guest rooms
- 281,200 bathroom tiles
- 106,000-square-yards of carpeting
- Eight 22-foot diameter, hand-painted handeliers that light the 50,000-square-foot Osceola ballroom and the 30,000-square-foot Sun ballroom
- 400 semi-truck loads of trees, plants and greenery
- One 60-foot sailboat
- 3 snapping animatronics alligators
About Vivian/ Nichols
Based in Dallas, interior architectural design firm Vivian/ Nichols has played an integral role in the hospitality and gaming markets for 17 years. Founded in 1985 by partners Dierdre Duchene and Reggi Nichols, this award-winning firm has provided innovative design for numerous prestigious hotels, resort properties, convention centers, historic restorations, and casinos throughout North America and Mexico. The firm's patented creative process, Spatial Mythology, ensures that every finished project is a distinct blend of reality and fantasy that meets the client's needs and exceeds their expectations. View photography and learn more at