Boutique Design - December 2018 - 52

2 0 18 G O L D K E Y AWA R D S

BEST GUESTROOM LUXURY
WINNER

HOTEL CALIFORNIAN
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

DESIGN FIRM: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design, Los Angeles
THE COMMISSION: Celebrate the guestrooms' 1920s Spanish

Revival architecture and create a fresh adaptation with new layers of
design that brings them into the 21st century. Reflect both the city's
storied past and the neighborhood's present-day creative renaissance.
THE CHARRETTE: Located in the heart of Santa Barbara's revital-

ized waterfront Funk Zone, the 121 guestrooms layer diverse interior
design inspirations with modern technology. Mid-century furniture inspired by Italian masters such as Gio Ponti and tilework with
the geometric look of 1960s graphic designs are juxtaposed with
the historic Spanish and Moorish-influenced styles of Santa Barbara.
Bold colors and patterns merge with Moroccan accessories and
traditional Portuguese antiques.
THE CHALLENGE: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, principal, Martyn
Lawrence Bullard Design, says the studio needed to "shake up the traditional palettes and motifs prevalent amongst the area's beach resorts to
give guests a more memorable experience and ambience." Rather than
the "coastal" pastels conventionally seen in local properties, the palette
of the Hotel Californian employs bold pops of deep ruby red, emerald
green and gilded brass, along with crisp black and white patterns in
assorted scales and styles. Bespoke tile wainscoting is used as a monochromatic backdrop in the guestrooms as well as throughout the hotel.
THE COOL STUFF: Art, mostly custom-designed exclusively for the

THE CARRY-OUT: Finding synergy amongst the shapes, scales and
palettes of modern and historic patterns opens up the playground
for designers to make their own eclectic stamp on interior spaces.
For example, the clean simplicity of pop-art graphics found on each
guestroom's bed runner and cushions balances the energy created by
the wall tiles' intricate Moorish motifs.

SOURCES
OWNER/OPERATOR: 35 State Street Hotel Partners, LLC., Santa Barbara, California; DESIGN
FIRM: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design, Los Angeles: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, principal; Sergio
Osorio; Matt Stokes, project architects; Marvin Padilla, project architect; Laura Lee Compton,
Jane Chen; Brittney Recker; Erica Browne, designers; ARCHITECT: DesignARC, Los Angeles;
PURCHASING COMPANY: Project Dynamics, Las Vegas; GENERAL CONTRACTOR: MATT
Construction, Los Angeles; ART & ACCESSORIES: Treason Gallery; voila! Creative Studio; BATH
& SPA: Kallista; Kohler; FABRICS: Clarence House; Martyn Lawrence Bullard Fabrics; Pindler;
Perennials; Scalamandre; FLOORCOVERINGS: Bentley Mills; FURNITURE: Artistic Frame;
Design Quest Custom; Eric Brand; Palecek; LIGHTING: Chapman; SURFACING MATERIALS:
Ann Sacks; Buena Tile + Stone; WINDOW TREATMENTS: Interior Specialties Group

52

boutiquedesign.com DECEMBER 2018

DOUGL A S FRIEDMAN; SCOT T JOHNSON

hotel with the gallery voila! Creative Studio in Los Angeles, adds an
unexpected yet quirky elegance. Select pieces such as a vintage-style surf
poster in the guestroom corridor reference Santa Barbara's scenery and
history to create a sense of place. Modern interpretations of Moroccan
arabesques and decorative tilework spice up the design while referencing the ornate interiors of the Santa Barbara Mission. Gilded snake
sconces and custom cocktail bars feature Moorish-inspired details.
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