In Naples, Fla., LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has completed a restoration project, with Waldrop+Nichols studio involved in the design. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the newly renovated lobby, guestrooms and suites in the Gulf Tower, as well as the restaurant, draw design inspiration from the natural elements surrounding the resort.
The lobby honors the diverse ecosystems of southern Florida with an employed design aesthetic influenced by the surrounding coastal environment. There are custom chandeliers, decoratively painted console tables, sculptural floor lamps, accent tables, an Italian-crafted area rug, and outdoor accent seating.
Reflecting the abundance of local flora, custom artwork showcases hibiscus flowers and monstera leaves in plaster.
Natural influences were further incorporated into the materials selection in the form of terrazzo flooring, cerused oak and wicker lounge seating.
The resort’s restaurant, Baleen, has an interior space with a tropical influence. The restaurant has new natural finishes and incorporates organic forms such as a four-foot-wide sculpture reminiscent of a whale bone, designed by Barcelona artist Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson.
The rooms in the Gulf Tower have views of the Naples sunsets from private balconies. Inside, guestrooms have new, oversized organic-patterned area rugs, four-post beds with Floridian-inspired textiles, photography of the beach, and an oil-on-canvas art collection.