Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Casa Loma Hotel’s transformation by Interior Design studio Electric Bowery stands as a homage to the region’s creative heritage and natural surroundings…
Completing the architecture and interiors for Casa Loma Hotel’s renovation, Electric Bowery marries the local bohemian spirit with the natural and mythic energy of the sea. The overall design is intended to foster creativity in both private, quiet moments in guest rooms and social engagement throughout the lobby lounge, outdoor pool and communal meeting spaces. The blend of this creative history and the energy of the sea creates a tranquil mood, with moments, both introspective and vibrant.
Image credit: Chris Mottalini
The Casa Loma Hotel guest experience is inspired by historic seaside village hotels, with a sense of relaxed hospitality, sun drenched verandas, and salt-washed hues. Located at the ocean’s edge, the hotel’s architectural influences and materiality embody the fictional muse of ‘Cecilia’, a wellness maven, and her mythic spirit of the sea. Electric Bowery draws inspiration from the long history of artisans in Laguna Beach, specifically from the original makers of surfboards, who are local legends. A subtle bohemian spirit evokes the ethos of Laguna Beach’s creative roots and creates a canvas for present day innovative thinkers and artists.
Image credit: Chris Mottalini
Throughout Casa Loma, the guest is enveloped by a calming palette of sandy neutrals, clay tones, and sea glass greens, framing panoramic views of the sea. The organic and sculpted forms of the interiors and built-in pieces are born from the sea’s gentle waves and movement. The lobby bar and lounge is the social hub of the project, where fired clay tiles create a curved check-in desk and scraped sandy coloured plaster wraps the built-in banquettes.
Image credit: Chris Mottalini
A sculpted mural, created in collaboration with LAND, tells the story of Cecilia, and is the focal point upon the guest’s arrival. The influence of the original surfboard shapers is evident at every scale of design, from the custom beds and built-in desks, in the guest rooms, to the sinuous forms found in the sofas and case goods. Lighting and banquette designs are inspired by organic shapes found in the surrounding the sea scape, including guest room vanity fixtures by SKLO and custom lighting fixtures throughout by Kassandra Thatcher.
As the landscape designed by ORCA reflect the local natural beauty, Electric Bowery’s design truly captures the creative spirit of Laguna Beach’s past and present artisans, for a cohesive approach from the exterior to the interior, that feels indelibly linked to the hotel’s environs.
Main image credit: Chris Mottalini
