The Hawthorn Hotel

Scottsdale, Arizona

Spanish Colonial Craftsmanship 

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this Spanish colonial hotel was in desperate need of a full renovation, gutting the inside but keeping the structure. From designing the light fixtures and chandeliers used in the restaurant to the imported solid mahogany Solomonic columns, I layered details and staged the entire space. Some of the original vintage chandeliers and wall sconces juxtaposed beautifully against a more modern aesthetic. Keeping the artistry of European craftsmanship in mind, all the millwork used the highest quality materials.

Adding a lobby and restaurant meant incorporating new areas, while remaining consistent with the adjoining spaces. The grand fireplace had a stone hearth and mantle, and a faux-painted wall above it, making a statement piece for the entryway. I discovered the armoire while sourcing and found the perfect place for it. The repetition of a gold and blue medallion became the motif, carried as a border around the front desk and the room. This also served to break up the 20-foot ceiling height so guests didn’t get so lost in the beamed A-frame structure.

Impactful, Powerful Fabrics and Art 

In the restaurant, I introduced wrought iron all the way around, using colorful handmade tile for the backsplash and inset carpet for the flooring. The banquettes used blue tapestry fabric and recessed lighting. Carefully carrying details from the lobby, I pulled the Spanish Colonial design concept into each space, resulting in a beautiful continuity.

The majority of the guest spaces were two-room suites, and I incorporated a play on artwork by making it over-scaled. The bedding, fabrics, and upholstery purposefully stayed in neutral tones, in a desert-inspired color scheme. To complete the look, the color of the piping on the window cornices pulled out the colors from the artwork.