Historical insinuations at a new Kimpton hotel
By Michael Adams
Photography by TK
T
he city of Alexandria, Virginia, has a long
history and its reverence for its past is well-
known. The historic district, Old Town, is a
favorite for almost every visitor to nearby Washington,
D.C., so it is no surprise that the owners of the new
Lorien Hotel and Spa sought a look that referenced a
comfortable Early American style.
But no one hires Vicente Wolf to get the ordinary
or predictable. The veteran designer, known for
more than three decades for his cool, classic work for
(mostly) high-end residential, admits that he is not and feature white linen curtains. The spa entrance’s
“a great lover of early Americana” but, he adds, “I’m a long hallways also use mirrors to add dimension, with
contemporary designer very influenced by the past.” water and bamboo adding the feel of nature.
Wolf’s eventual solution for the 107-room hotel The hotel’s restaurant, BRABO, overseen by Chef
was to take elements in a historical setting and either Robert Weidmaier, has been given a congruent
make them seem contemporary or “juxtapose them style. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, BRABO is
with contemporary items.” Thus a modern lamp marked by both traditional tables and half-rounded
rests on an antique drop-leaf table, or traditional banquettes, more oversized mirrors, and a generous
bookshelves could hold nothing but white books. use of copper and bronze. “In the morning,” Wolf
Photos are black and white, but many are on modern says, “the blues take precedence; in the evening, the
subjects. Windsor chairs are painted blue. The copper shimmers.”
tradition of red brick in Alexandria is coupled with “I love doing restaurants,” Wolf says. “It’s pure
slate floors and walls. And a traditional server is made fantasy, and you can reach people in a direct way
large to act as the front desk. for two hours.” In summary, says Wolf, “we wanted
Other notable elements are a private courtyard to strike a balance between minimalist and total
with a trellis backed by mirrors, and a Kimpton fantasy,” he says, “to bring the comforts people would
signature—an in-ground fireplace. Guestrooms have in their homes if they could afford them.” •
replace the headboard with a lacquered wood piece
www.lorienhotelandspa.com
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