California Bed & Breakfast Inns Make the Move toward Modern
SACRAMENTO, CA [June 12, 2013] -- A growing number of bed and breakfast inns in California are swapping lace doilies and patchwork quilts for a modern aesthetic to attract younger and more urban travelers. Some inns, like Brewery Gulch Inn, were designed and built specifically to provide travelers with a modern bed and breakfast experience favoring clean lines, uncluttered design and refined color palettes. Others, like the historic Chanric Inn, which re-opened in March, have undergone extensive renovations to blend period architectural qualities with modern interior design. Jenn Wheaton, Program Coordinator for the California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns (CABBI) says she sees a trend with a rising number of inns taking a more modern design approach. “Nearly 30 percent of our total membership feature contemporary décor and furnishings, but of the 24 inns that have joined CABBI since January 2012, half have a more modern design aesthetic,” says Wheaton.
The Chanric Inn in Calistoga reopened in March 2013 after an extensive remodel by owners Jean Marc Dollard and Joel Haddad, who purchased the 1876 farmhouse in 2012. They wanted to preserve the architectural heritage of the inn’s exterior, but completely renovated the interior to give the inn a luxuriously contemporary style. The rooms feature new designer furnishings from the San Francisco Design Center, Karibi and Carrara marble for the bathrooms, contemporary stone vessel sinks, minimalist color palettes, and thoughtfully selected artwork. The open and airy main living room features an open stairwell and a modernist gas fireplace.
Two goals for the new owners of the Inn on Randolph in Napa were to create a place where guests feel at home and to appeal to a younger generation. Dan and Karen Lynch spent nine months renovating the circa-1860 estate with an eye toward preserving the original architectural details, but there’s nary a doily in sight. “We wanted to provide the highest levels of personal service and amenities offered by a bed and breakfast, but without the lace and doilies,” says Karen Lynch. The inn, which re-opened in May 2012, features uncluttered design, contemporary furnishings, crisp white linens with a soothing palette of earth-tone accents, and completely remodeled bathrooms with heated floors.
The sleek and modern Aurora Hotel & Spa opened on Catalina Island in 2008. With the custom furniture and furnishings designed by Lisa Bruchmann of b designed, the ocean view hotel has a metropolitan vibe. Draperies and bedding feature circle and wave patterns evocative of the ocean in hues of teal and chocolate brown. Marine life photography from underwater photographers Bill Boyce and Bruce Hall adorn the walls. Custom-built bed platforms, dressers, and chairs feature a sleek, minimalist design. Aurora’s exterior reflects the modern interior with darkly stained apitong wood, a unique stucco finish and tempered glass panels lining the balconies. “Modern design allowed us to better utilize space, creating an oasis of style,” said partner Kathleen Gosselin.
The Brewery Gulch Inn, which was designed by architect Caroline Lapere and built in 2001, has a contemporary Art and Crafts style that honors the region’s rich logging history with dramatic use of eco-salvaged redwood timber. The timber for the inn was pulled from the bottom of Mendocino’s Big River and milled on-site. The three-story great room is anchored by an enormous, four-sided glass and steel fireplace that was made by a local shipbuilder. Light floods the room through skylights and a bank of 13-foot high windows with spectacular ocean views. Rich leather chairs and modern, earth-toned furnishings create a warm, soothing ambiance. Pacurar bought the inn in 2007 after an extensive cross-country search. He said when he walked through the doors of the Brewery Gulch Inn, he felt immediately at home.
The Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point was designed as an inn from the ground up in 1990. “The concept was to maximize the number of rooms with ocean views,” said Four Sister Inns President Shelley Post, who oversaw the inn’s design and construction. “We also designed the rooms with very large bathrooms, all with a jetted spa tub, and most with a separate shower. In addition, all of the rooms have gas fireplaces.” The décor for Nantucket-inspired inn has been updated regularly over the years to remain contemporary. Currently, the rooms feature a soothing white and warm gray color palette with blue and green accents. The bathrooms have granite countertops and slate tile. The artwork and the upholstery—featuring stripes or seashell motifs—evoke the beach setting.
For more information on California boutique and breakfast inns, visit www.cabbi.com.
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