Wimberly Interiors brings art deco-inspired glamour to Tempo by Hilton

With spaces envisioned as Mary Louise, a fictional character conceived of by Wimberly Interiors and the client, Tempo by Hilton, Nashville layers storytelling into every detail. Imagined as an iconic figure of the 1950s with a fondness for Art Deco aesthetics, Mary Louise embodies the city of Nashville and its glamour and charm, youthful confidence, and soulful elegance.

Image credit: Taggert Sorensen; Courtesy Wimberly Interiors

Prioritising a character-driven approach allowed Wimberly Interiors to ensure Mary Louise’s personality is reflected in thoughtfully curated choices across the hotel. The lobby features a plum-coloured palette and intricate floral wallpaper details. Vibrant jewel-toned velvets reference imagined evening wear, and chandeliers allude to the protagonist’s earrings. Metals such as brass, bronze, and black accents and light fixtures – 90 per cent of which were custom– contribute to the nostalgic visual narrative.

“Working with the rich context of Nashville and the narrative of Mary Louise allows us to take guests on a journey through interior design,” explained Joon Kim, Wimberly Interiors’ Project Manager for Tempo by Hilton, Nashville. “From the second they walk in, guests are transported into this fictional character’s world where everything is elegant and warm, historic yet fresh. The result is something that is distinct to Nashville and the Tempo by Hilton ethos.”

Image credit: Taggert Sorensen; Courtesy Wimberly Interiors

Tempo by Hilton, Nashville represents a continuation of Wimberly Interiors’ successful partnership with Hilton following the completion of the interior design for guestrooms and suites, public spaces, restaurant, bar, terrace, and fitness centre at the inaugural Tempo hotel in the heart of New York’s Times Square. By crafting a bespoke design narrative for the hotel centred on Mark Twain’s notion to ‘explore, dream, discover,’ Wimberly Interiors became a trusted advisor for the Tempo by Hilton brand.

At the heart of Tempo by Hilton, Nashville, a grand bar showcases Wimberly Interior’s meticulous design approach. A one-of-kind mural is recreated through textile prints on the backs of bar stools. Five individual patterns were derived from a mural wallcovering and translated into fabric pieces, then oriented onto stools in a sequence that replicates the mural. A complementary brass-framed alabaster panel installation around the perimeter of the bar serves as a modern and elegant evolution of Art Deco motifs.

Nashville’s music heritage is also directly honoured throughout the design. Lighting features refer to the shape of vinyl records, and guest room headboards draw inspiration from soundwaves. The work of the iconic Hatch Show Print, a working letterpress print shop established in 1879 that produces handmade posters for iconic Nashville institutions like the Grand Ole Opry, is translated into fabric for guestroom desk chairs.

Image credit: Taggert Sorensen; Courtesy Wimberly Interiors

Michael Coolidge, Chief Investment & Development Officer of HRI Hospitality, added, “Nashville is a city with such a rich story to tell, and Wimberly Interiors did an extraordinary job of capturing its essence in the unique design of our Tempo by Hilton, Nashville Downtown. Through their collaborative approach and distinctive vision, Wimberly Interiors worked with the HRI Hospitality team in creating an experience that is full of character, charm, and timelessness.”

Image credit: Taggert Sorensen; Courtesy Wimberly Interiors

Additionally, sustainable design is a focus and centres on eco-friendly materials, local craftsmanship, and energy-efficient technology. Low-VOC paints and sustainable degradable vinyl seating add to conscientious interior spaces, while vintage pieces and locally sourced millwork support the community and help reduce carbon footprints. Low-flow plumbing fixtures in guestrooms and public bathrooms minimize water consumption, supporting long-term resource conservation. Smart technology further amplifies environmental efficiency throughout the hotel.

Wimberly Interiors’ thoughtful and imaginative approach invites travellers into a world where every space tells a story. The interior design for Tempo by Hilton, Nashville captures the city’s essence, weaving together history, art, and music to create an atmosphere that is elegant, vibrant, and unmistakably Nashville. It is an experience that Mary Louise herself would be proud to call home.

Main image credit: Taggart Sorensen; Courtesy Wimberly Interiors.