Bryce Canyon Resort

Bryce Canyon Resort is a 71 room Motel right on the edge of Bryce Canyon, Utah.  In stark comparison to it's big box neighbor, Ruby's, the motel offers a more traditional family style roadside accommodation.  The resort has seen better days and we are very excited to help renovate the property and have it reach its full potential.

Below are photos of each room type with a short fly through of our design solution for it.

Cottage:

The architectural language of the property is reminiscent of the tradition log cabin.  Many of the units are stand alone.

Most rooms afford good natural light but are very outdated and in need of modernization.  Every aspect of each room has been redesigned, from carpet to lighting, window treatments to bathroom tiling.  All of the furniture is currently being custom built to our design specifications.

 

Country Cabin:

This is a teeny little unit with a very small bathroom but has great potential for one of the lower priced room products for people on a tighter budget.  

A very edited color palette helps to keep the design uncomplicated and the room feeling open. We have used large scale photographs of the expansive horizons in the vicinity to populate the headboard walls and reiterate the enormity of the local landscapes.

Historic Cabin:

The historic cabins were in the most disrepair....

The color palette we pulled each room scheme from was informed by the colors found in the immediate natural environment.  We took photographs of the rock formations and flora and fauna in the surrounding area and extrapolated colors from the images we collected.

Pioneer Cabins:

These rooms have very low ceilings and are paneled with knotty pine making them feel very claustrophobic.  They do not currently have any closet storage which we were able to design back into the space, making the room much easier to rent.

Using full length drapes to accentuate the light source and painting the wood paneling the room suddenly feels fresh and clean.  We specified a different Pendleton blanket in each scheme to be used as a luxury bed throw.  These rooms boast photography of beautifully derelict roadside Americana mounted in oversized mats.

 

 

Standard Room:

The standard double Queen room is the most requested product on the property and makes up over half of the room count.

The furniture we designed is reminiscent of mid century modern, harking back to the Heyday of 'Motel' and offering an updated yet nostalgic version for today's more demanding customer.

 

Lobby:

The current lobby feels divided into three distinct sections: reception, retail and lounge.  We wanted to make the space feel more like one cohesive, inviting environment where a patron could shop, get a coffee or just hang out and use the free Wi-Fi.  The lobby sports an iconic river rock faced fireplace which we left in tact, making a decorative storage space for fire logs to one side.

We wanted to mix the old world cabin feel (antlers and the illusion of stacked vintage suitcases) with a very contemporary language in the furniture to provide a reassurance of modernity whilst retaining some rustic charm.

We wanted to mix the old world cabin feel (antlers and the illusion of stacked vintage suitcases) with a very contemporary language in the furniture to provide a reassurance of modernity whilst retaining some rustic charm.

We will keep you updated on the progress of this exciting project. Make sure to follow us on instagram at @stripedesignservices to stay up to date on all of our projects. 

Brian Rounds in context

Brian Rounds, local Santa Cruz en plein air painter creates beautiful canvasses that are a delight to integrate into any interior.  

The fabulous thing about Brian's work is that it is totally accessible - his smaller canvasses, painted on lacewood (above) range from $100 - $180 which is great for the entry level collector.

Larger canvasses are more of an investment but allow for a looser, more expressive style.  Beloved views from all over the county populate the walls of many of our private clients' homes like this one.

We particularly love Brian's other worldly depiction of eucalyptus trees.  

Come and see Brian's most recent work @ Stripe this First Friday 05/06

Bathrooms We Love

We have had quite a few bathroom remodels this year so it is fair to assume that our Bathroom Pinterest board has a large variety of inspirational photos for us to drool about. 

Take a look at some of the most recent noteworthy bathroom ideas:

1. This bathroom made our list because it is simple yet dramatic. The natural wood planks brings just enough warmth to this otherwise austere bathroom.  

2. There is no denying that we are big fans of cement tiles here at Stripe which is the reason why this bathroom caught our attention. The bold color combination paired with copper fixtures makes us dare to be a little more fearless when designing bathrooms. 

3. Another simple and beautiful design. The cement walls are a perfect alternative to tiles in wet areas ultimately making this room feel like a spa. 

4. Between the white herringbone wall tile, hexagonal floors and brass fixtures, this bathroom takes the cake for being the most trendy on our list. 

5. This room reminds us of a beautifully crisp adobe home. Hand crafted and perfectly imperfect. 

6. Bold patterns are subdued by a limited color palette making this bathroom feel visually three dimensional. 

Make sure to follow us on Pinterest to see more inspiring bathrooms. 

Venus Spirits Tasting Room

Venus Spirits is a locally owned small batch distillery located at 247 Swift Street, Santa Cruz. 

Owned and run by Sean and Grace Venus, the firm distills two gins, two whiskies and an agave from this location.  The long term dream of Sean, Venus Spirits has a distincly hand crafted, local feel about it whilst boasting a very slick, classic identity that appeals to high end alcohol consumers across the generations.  The Venus' approached Stripe in November 2014 to help them design a tasting room at their faciility.  Above shows the external view of the building in their temporary state and below shows our design implemented.

We wanted the tasting room to nod to a 1920's style speakeasy, referencing darkened dramatic tones which we felt was a welcome relief from the recent extensive use of natural reclaimed or recyclyed timber.

Above is a rendering we produced for the bar area.  Below is a photograph of the finished product from the same view. 

Sean showed us a sample of blackened wood that he had made as an experiment in our second meeting.  We leaped at the chance of working with such an experimental material.  The bar is comprised of panels made up from varying depths of the material laid on the diagonal.  The panels were then bookmatched.  We selected some of the exposed edges of the thicker planks and apinted them with copper paint to highlight this detail.

The V and W motifs echoed again in the back bar shelving subtly reiterate the Venus Brand and the Wayward whiskey product.  The copper bar top was fabricated by George Wilson Inc.  It is beginning to build up a beautiful patina as the surface gets more and more use.

The choice of copper was dictated by the material from which the distilling vat is fabricated (see below).

The chalk board was written by a professional sign writer and features daily tastings.  It is flush to the surrounding encaustic tile which is featured floor to ceiling. 

The glass pendants and matching gooseneck wall sconces were hand crafted by Johnson Art Studio out of Watsonville. 

We very much enjoy the edited patette of materials we used in this design and are delighted with the outcome.

E-design Services

We are excited to offer an E-design service to clients who would like a way to work with our team without committing to a full design service. This is not only an affordable alternative but it is a great option for those clients who live outside of Santa Cruz County.

Our fee varies based on your square footage and needs but most projects start around $2K.

To get started, we will have you fill out a questionnaire and provide us with photos and measurements of the space(s) you would like us to design. Next, we will send you a proposal. After it is approved we will produce a mood board, a space plan (including a rendering) and a shopping list. 

Let's walk you through the process.

You will send us before photos like these (this project was for 2 spaces- dining and living room):

In addition to a floor plan with dimensions: 

Make sure to send us inspiration photos or add us to any Pinterest boards you have started for your space:

We will then have a detailed conversation with you about your hopes and dreams for your space. We will find out things like how the color orange makes you sweat and how you've had a love affair with woven textiles from a specific country. Now is the time to tell us we have to accommodate your grandmother's 16th century Welsh dresser. We really get to know you. 

Next we will send you a bid. Once that is signed off, the fun begins and you will receive mood boards like these:

We will include a shopping list and a paint schedule:

And will supply drawings for any custom furniture we have designed:

We give you absolutely everything you need to move forward. It is that simple. We will be here along the way if you have any questions or need guidance. 

Ready to get started? Send us an email to info@stripedesigngroup.com with the subject line: "E-design service inquiry." 

We are looking forward to working with you.

Master BEDROOM Suite

in January, we were approached by a new client who was adding a second story to his home to create a master suite. Located near the ocean, his interior decor currently resembles that of a modern beach house. We decided to give him two design choices for his new suite, both tying in the look and feel of the rest of his home. 

In the first option we showed our client how the walls could look if they were clad in shiplap.  This creates a nice texture and brings in a relaxed, coastal element. A custom bench is flanked by built-in bookshelves and would be the perfect place to read a book. We used the Drommen bed from CB2 paired with Restoration Hardware Reclaimed Russian Oak nightstands lit by wall sconces in this design. 

In the master bathroom, we used a bold cement tile that continues up the wall where the floating toilet would be installed. A glass shower enclosure, chrome fixtures and a wall hung modern vanity make this bathroom feel more like a spa. 

In the second option, we used a navy color for the walls to create an intimate setting while tying back in to the nautical theme. The custom bench has moved to the adjacent wall from the first option and looks directly out onto the ocean. The bookshelves go all the way to the vaulted ceiling and are painted in white to lighten up the space. The upholstered sleigh bed from West Elm is paired with walnut mid century nightstands and cement pendant lights. 

In the master bathroom, charcoal hexagonal floor tiles ground the room. Elongated white subway tiles create texture to the walls. We used a freestanding vanity with vessel sinks and changed the fixtures to matte black for this option.

Our client was really pleased with both designs but ultimately felt that option two was the best fit for his lifestyle. We will keep you all updated as we progress further in this project. 

Stay connected with us on instagram @stripedesignservices and on pinterest @stripedesign1. 

Monochromatic Design

Picking a color to inspire your design can not only be an overwhelming task but quite a commitment. Designing with a monochromatic palette not only gives you the freedom to play with pops of color in accessories without the long term commitment but it also makes your space feel more refined and classy. Texture then becomes the key element.

Check out a few of our favorite monochromatic spaces. 

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Master Bathroom Remodel

We are just days away from seeing this master bathroom remodel complete and we couldn't be happier to see our designs come to life. 

Bathroom BEFORE:

BEFORE: Between the outdated fixtures and an ineffective layout, our clients were ready for a complete overhaul in their master bathroom.

Separate vanities made the space feel more like a hotel in Vegas than a family home.  The palette of brown, beige and cream is very unadventurous, quite unlike our client who is a risk taker. 

BEFORE: Because there are breezeway entrances to this bathroom (through the office and through the master bedroom) our clients requested that we create an enclosed area for the toilet.

By removing an entire vanity, we were able to create more space for a larger shower.

Below is a video walkthrough of the final design: 

We created a spacious walk-in shower that included a built-in bench, hidden niches for shampoos and encaustic tile flooring. Because the existing flooring is an acid washed cement that is carried through the entire house we chose to work with it. We lightened up the walls with white paint and added blue custom plaster to the shower and tub enclosure that brought out the blue in the encaustic tile. All matte black fixtures replaced the pre-existing chrome ones. A new vanity was built with a double sink made out of concrete. A custom medicine cabinet with integrated outlets behind the doors was designed to house any items that previously cluttered the counter. 

Every inch of this bathroom was carefully thought through. As we near the end of this project, we are getting more and more excited to see the final product. 

Stay tuned to see some after photos. 

Pacific Collegiate School, Santa Cruz, CA

In 2016 Pacific Collegiate School, known locally as PCS, moved into their very own, custom designed facility on the West Side of Santa Cruz.  

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20151006/NEWS/151009799 

The language of the architecture is very contemporary the colors were derived from Diebenkorn painting depicting an ocean view.  The lime and teal with just a splash of orange also inform the classrooms and corridors.  The only place in the school where students are absolutely NOT allowed is the staff lounge...

This is where we decided to have a little fun.  

Our Inspiration was made up from 1 part Ralph Lauren hunting lodge and 2 parts Dumbledore's study.  We wanted to create a sanctuary like retreat for the faculty - somewhere utterly distinct from the rest of the school.

Stripe organized a photo shoot of the staff where they were asked to dress in attire or bring a prop that described their personalities.  We had faculty arrive in full costume, with dogs, in disguise - the chemistry master lit a series of small explosions!  We sepia scaled the images and hung them floating in mix-matched vintage gilt frames above a black mantle piece.  A real fire flickers, pops and crackles on a flat screen TV in the hearth.

The adjacent long wall is papered in a library wallpaper on which floating shelves were hung which we then populated with real books and artifacts.  

We hope that the room offers a well earned respite from the constant demands of teaching academia.

 

Coffee Tables We Love

Coffee tables can pull together a living room instantly. I went 3 years without a coffee table thinking that my patterned rug would suffice but the day I brought my coffee table home, my living room felt complete.

Check out our top 6 coffee tables we have scoped around the web: 

1. Marble Topped Pedestal Coffee Table (source): We love the classic feel of this coffee table using traditional materials like marble and brass to complete the look. 

2. Tribal Carved Coffee Table (source): If you are looking to add a little more of an ethnic flare to your living room, this tribal table is a winner. The mixture of wood and lattice work makes this piece feel textured and warm. 

3. Moroccan Tray Table (source): These tables were originally used to serve tea to guests using floor pillows. It's a nice option for people who host more casual events at their house or generally like the idea of sitting on the floor. 

4. Atlas Coffee Table (source): This coffee table comes in a variety of different options for tops including glass, travertine and marble. Our favorite is, of course, marble. 

5. Hexa Inlay Coffee Table (source): This handcrafted coffee table almost feels like a sculpture. The intricate detail of the bone inlay mixes beautifully with the modern lines. 

6. Sterling Coffee Table (source): This industrial looking table also can feel quite glamorous when placed with other cream or light colored materials. 

Make sure to click on the links and see how each site has styled these tables to get some more inspiration.