HBA San Francisco Unveils Design of Renewed Spaces at Carmel Valley Ranch

Posted in News on 19 August, 2024

Revitalized experiences capture the spirit of Carmel Valley’s surrounding natural landscape.

Set within the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains along California’s Central Coast, Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre resort playground with a recently transformed guest experience, including fresh interiors designed by HBA San Francisco. The award-winning hospitality design firm’s scope encompassed the Ranch’s signature Valley Kitchen restaurant, Think Tank meeting space, Fitness Center at River Ranch, and two family suites.

Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, USA. Above and below: Suite. All images credit Noah Webb

Suite Bathroom

HBA San Francisco’s design for Carmel Valley Ranch balances the duality of coastal California’s airy elegance and the agrarian richness of the scenic countryside. Streamlined interior architecture and muted natural tones evoke the feeling of casual luxury, while tasteful screens, fixtures, and rich woods and leathers recall a modern ranch style.

“We wanted to bring a sense of California cool to Carmel Valley’s natural beauty, with its rolling hills, lush vineyards, and expansive woodlands,” said HBA San Francisco Senior Designer Joelle Henning. “We drew inspiration from nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea for our color palette. Elements of edited rusticity are layered within clean simplicity for a refreshed, honest expression of the locale that is refined, relaxed and bespoke.”

Outdoor bar; Valley Kitchen lighting; Suite bathroom Above and below: Valley Kitchen

In Valley Kitchen, warm woods, leather detailing, and black metal combine in a harmonious blend of rustic and modern with layered, textural sensibility. Wood-and-metal screens echo the gentle curves of the landscape with vertical elegance. Smart plaid wraps the bar lounge banquettes in cozy farmhouse style, embellished with leather straps at the seat back for a taste of tailored sophistication. Antique panel mirrors lend a vintage touch, while geometric rugs provide complementary contemporary contrast. Bar stools in solid wood and leather with buckle detailing are equal parts timeless and of-the-moment. Sleek, matte black metal panels at the back wall make a bold statement.

Valley Kitchen

“Sliding barn doors lead to a new private dining experience, where a live edge slab enlivens the space. The organic pattern of the wood grain and the material’s natural warmth are beautifully highlighted against the handsome blue walls,” said HBA San Francisco Senior Designer Arianna Keegan. “We crowned the custom table with a glass pendant chandelier cradled by brushed antique bronze straps reminiscent of leather’s utility form, offering a fresh take on the modern ranch aesthetic.”

Outdoor Bar

Outdoors, a newly constructed pool bar invites guests to relax and connect beneath a pergola made of reclaimed wood. Accent tile at the bar front and backsplash nods to the valley’s terroir with handmade charm. Teak counter stools with basket weave detailing contribute to the tactile experience.

Think Tank

The renovated Think Tank meeting room employs a minimal ranch interior approach. Wood planks and beams at the ceiling pair with custom wood cabinetry, enveloping the space in relaxed warmth. Under the gentle graze of light, natural stone in a monumental wrap exhibits its movement and beauty at the kitchenette backsplash and conferencing center. Sliding wood doors reveal an all-new TV and camera system and when concealed, display an expressive series of botanicals, pottery, art, and accessories with residential familiarity.

At River Ranch, the resort’s biggest play space, updated locker rooms continue the design narrative and modern luxury ranch experience. Rich wood adds character and warmth to the locker and vanity, while wood and concrete compose a parquet floor, providing a contemporary twist on a classic element. Handmade ceramic tile, laid in a creative pattern, lends whimsy and sparkle to the showers. Bespoke lighting showcases personality with a hint of equestrian style.

Suite details

Two redesigned suites at Carmel Valley Ranch tell the story of the surrounding landscape through the layering of textures and colors within a clean, interior architectural envelope. Crisp white walls are a breath of fresh air, balanced by residential touches in the millwork and offset by the soft, luxurious glow of sleek, recessed lighting. Natural hues reflect the tranquil serenity of coastal Carmel-by-the-Sea, while warm woods, sumptuous leathers, hardware, and traditional craftsmanship speak to the valley’s agrarian roots.

In the living rooms, custom landscape paintings by local artist Melissa Dickenson draw guests in and deepen the physical connection to the locale. Using raw minerals collected from the Ranch, the artist created her own paints by processing the solid forms with a mortar and pestle to produce earth pigments.

Handmade terracotta tiles in the bathroom showers are characterized by variations in color and shape that come from the human hand, rendering a rich tapestry of subtle tonality that delicately balances simplicity and artistry. Double Queen bathrooms have additionally been upgraded with freestanding bathtubs.

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About HBA Americas
With a primary specialization in hospitality design, HBA Americas transforms the built environment with narrative-driven spaces that evoke emotion, bring a sense of wonder and inspire discovery. Each project for HBA Americas is a new opportunity to develop one-of-a-kind creative design solutions with integrity and collaboration. Boutique in its approach while international in reach, HBA Americas has offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco and is enhanced by the depth of skill and resources of a global company. HBA Americas has been honored by Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards, Hospitality Design’s HD Awards, and Boutique Design’s Gold Key Awards, to name a few.

www.hba.com

About Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre playground set in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains along California’s Central Coast near Big Sur and Monterey. A sophisticated escape for all ages with plenty of room to roam, explore, and discover, the resort encompasses 179 guest suites; the treetop Spa Aiyana; outdoor fitness and wellness experiences; Valley Kitchen restaurant and bar; culinary programming at The Market & Creamery; three swimming pools; the River Ranch activity center; and an 18-hole Pete Dye-designed golf course. Additionally, a thriving on-site farmstead features an organic garden, four-acre pinot noir vineyard, apiary, salt house, hen house, and goat barn. The Ranch also offers one-of-a-kind activities and adventures across wide-open spaces, including beekeeping and honey harvesting; hilltop yoga; hiking and foraging walks; archery; arts and crafts; cooking classes; nightly s’mores around fire pits; and more.

carmelvalleyranch.com