9 Hotel Design Details to Steal to Make Your Home Feel Like a Getaway
The fresh-baked sourdough toast and tart garden strawberries served during breakfast at Southall Farm & Inn were day-brightening, true. The sweeping views of native plants out the windows were also gorgeous. But what really captivated me and my mom was the wallpaper.
Stick with me here: After waking up each morning during our vacation earlier this year, we would stroll down to breakfast at Sojourner, the on-site café. Just like the rest of the property, the room was overflowing with thoughtful details and nods to the history of the land or the owners’ mission to celebrate the natural beauty of Central Tennessee. While flipping through a recent issue of Better Homes & Gardens and chatting about our favorite Color Stars as the kitchen prepared our breakfast orders, we started discussing the color story and the TLC that had to have gone into selecting (and precisely applying) the intricate wallpaper.
At that moment, I began scrolling through the metaphorical camera reel in my brain of previous trips—and the top-notch design decisions I wished I could copy from my favorite hotels and paste them into my actual home. So once our vacation concluded, I started my search to bring you along inside some seriously stunning spaces, in hopes they might inspire you as you redecorate, renovate, or search for your dream home.
Statement Wallpaper
Southall Farm & Inn, Franklin, Tennessee
The 325-acre farm at Southall influenced every aspect of the hotel’s design. Rich with organic textures, local art, and nods to flora and fauna, Southall’s aesthetic showcases a juxtaposition of modern and rustic. Part of that contemporary aspect comes through with the colors, bold elements, and graphic nature of the wallpaper that surrounds the Inn, which was custom made by Intuittex.
Dueting Tile and Wallpaper
Graduate Auburn, Auburn, Alabama
Speaking of wallpaper, it makes a statement in the bathrooms at this Alabama retreat. To create a layered, eclectic look, the designers paired the retro hand-sketched wall covering with complementary hexagonal tiles. The bold orange, moody navy blue, and white tiles tip a cap to Auburn University’s school colors, while the scenes in the delicately-drawn custom wallpaper exude nostalgic energy and commemorate local lore.
Coastal Grandfather Aesthetic
Marine Troon, Troon, United Kingdom
You may have heard about (and perhaps have even tried) the coastal grandmother trend. But have you thought about adding a few coastal grandfather touches to your space? Unlike coastal grandma’s relaxed yet refined energy that’s reminiscent of a refreshing Aperol Spritz, grandpa enters the chat with moody, cozy, and plush features that feel like a warm hug or glass of bourbon on a chilly evening. Inside this new hotel, the guest rooms boast dark woods, brass fixtures, velvet headboards, leather furniture, and plaid patterns that practically invite you to curl up with a book by the fire.
Embracing Curves
Hotel Hartness, Greenville, South Carolina
Yes, sharp lines and edges look clean. But they don’t exactly ooze comfort, which is what many of us seek at home and while traveling, when many unexpected hiccups can arise. Research suggests humans naturally gravitate to curves over angular shapes, so it’s no wonder that the curved furniture trend is popping up at high-end and budget-friendly retailers. It’s also omnipresent in the chic dining room of Patterson Kitchen + Bar, this hotel’s on-site restaurant. Attractive soft edges and arched shapes are on full display from the top of the space (spy that ceiling feature?) and in every seat in the house.
Skylight-Illuminated Shower
Nobu Ryokan Malibu, Malibu, California
Japanese minimalism meets California coastal style with serene results at this 16-room sanctuary. One of many luxurious features that makes us swoon: the shower space. Situated next to the teak soaking tub, it’s illuminated by the sun via an airy skylight that pays homage to traditional Japanese Ryoka, aka inns. (Don’t worry, there’s a light on the wall if you opt to soak or shower after dark.)
Floor-to-Ceiling Bathroom Tile
Edgecamp Pamlico Station, Hatteras Island, North Carolina
On the subject of beautiful baths, take a peek inside the Jonathan Adler-designed digs at this resort. With rope details, weathered wood furniture, and other touches of marine-inspired decor, it feels relaxed, modern, and nautical. Since the rooms are steps away from the beach, we imagine the floor-to-ceiling tile makes it a cinch to sweep up sand.
Emotion-Minded Design
Angad Arts Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
Situated in the heart of the Arts District, this is the first hotel in the world where you can select your room by the emotion of color. Color psychology sets the tone, and design details from the bedding to the art to the furniture feature that hue. When you book, you can decide if you’re feeling free (blue), rejuvenated (green), empowered (red), or curious (yellow). Outside of the rooms, Angad Arts Hotel also celebrates artists at its twelfth-floor lobby gallery and first-floor art exhibits.
Patterned Ceilings
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, Sonoma, California
Look up: A statement ceiling has long been one of our favorite ways to breathe new life into a space. The one inside this escape combines several splashy ceiling details with seriously eye-catching results. It’s a coffered ceiling (which pop up across the rooms and restaurants at MacArthur) that’s two-toned, geometric, and mixes materials. It’s subtle yet surprising and really adds a pop to the gathering space.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Style
The Claremont Hotel, Southwest Harbor, Maine
Originally opened in 1884 as a popular getaway for families from the Northeast, The Claremont Hotel reopened in 2021 under new leadership—and with a fully refreshed design. The new owners and designers didn’t want to ignore that the property has been a cornerstone of the area for generations, so they aimed to marry nostalgia with a peek into the future. You can do the same by layering old (say, inherited and thrifted items) and new elements (your favorite tech features and modern comforts) throughout your home. At The Claremont Hotel, this concept comes to life when Sister Parish wallpapers, Newport Brass bathroom fixtures, and vintage rugs live alongside Peloton bikes, luxury linens, and stainless steel appliances.
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