As featured on the blog of  Luxury Travel Concierge and Expert, Gwen Books (www.gwenbooks.com)

In my globetrotting, performing site inspections at five-star luxury hotels, our clients understand I am obsessed with the arrival – whether it be an exceptional ceremony or a distinctive design nod to the geographic locale. The arrival sets the stage for a guest visit. Will your eye drift to the décor, does the space suggest a sense of place?  There is nothing more frustrating to stay in a hotel and think I could be anywhere. What subtle or direct messages are included in the overall atmosphere of a hotel? I’m envisioning a deeper design statement, tell me about the history of the people, present a preview of the flora and fauna in textiles or art, who are the locals? Tell me a story.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora General Manager, Diego Stembert, called to thank me for our recent booking, he had read my blog posts and noted it’s been too long since your last visit. Please come and view the newly refurbished resort, mentioning the prominent San Francisco design firm BAMO, who accomplished the renovation; in one of those small world encounters, I had recently been introduced to and consulted with the BAMO principals discussing key issues for luxury travelers and operating brands. I was pleasantly surprised to discover BAMO had designed many of the Four Seasons properties I’ve visited as well as many other of my preferred hotel properties. BAMO also designs private homes including a few of our client homes. Don’t you love these circular connections?

I adore a clever intriguing story, I thought it would be delightful and interesting to share a behind the scenes look at luxury hotel design with and in particular, the Four Seasons Bora Bora. I’m very excited to introduce you to Anne Wilkinson of BAMO. With 25 years of experience in luxury hotel and residential design, Anne brings an unparalleled amount of knowledge to each project at BAMO. A New York native, Anne earned her Design degree from Cornell University, alongside interests in theatrical lighting and classical and modern dance. Named Principal of BAMO in 2017, Anne has contributed to the growth and success of the firm since its inception.

Anne shares their inspiration for the refurbishing of the Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort.

Q & A with BAMO Principal Anne Wilkinson

Q: What do you enjoy most about designing luxury hotel spaces?

A: I’m passionate about every part of the process from solving a tricky space planning puzzle to finding the perfect leather piping for a pillow. But, I find the big picture, conceptual design the most rewarding. To me, every project has a design vocabulary, a style language, that speaks both to its sense of place, and to the feeling or mood we want to create. That language evolves through researching the project’s location, it’s history, culture, geography, etc., while also drawing on other inspirations that are less expected or have more modern-day relevance. I enjoy taking in that range of information and translating it into a unique design and a unique style that transcends obvious interpretations, yet captures a sense of place that is right for the project.

Q: In your opinion, which area in a hotel has the biggest or strongest design impact?

A: I couldn’t agree with you more that your first impression is key, and sets the tone for the entire property. That said, you probably spend most of your time in the guestroom, which tends to have an  outsize impact on  your overall experience. Usually the most design budget is allocated for the lobby, and the most design time is allocated to getting the guestroom right.

Q: BAMO also designs private residences. How do you think your experience designing hotels benefits your residential clients, or vice versa?

A: I think that the biggest influence our hotel design work has on private homes is the under- standing that true luxury is in the way a space makes you  feel. Of  course beautiful materials and impactful design moments are a part of the luxury experience but if those things don’t work together to put you at ease and in a state of bliss then we haven’t done our job.

In a luxury hotel, every moment is choreographed, to anticipate a guest’s known wishes and essential needs, and to elevate the experience beyond those known needs to unanticipated desires. We want a client’s home to function in the same way. We work with our clients to uncover how design can enhance their lifestyle at home, just as you work with your clients to determine their “travel lifestyle.” Then we  take it  a step further to bring that air of luxury that  I can only describe as the “sigh of  calm” that happens when you arrive at your favorite hotel; The sigh of knowing that you can relax, be  at  peace with yourself and be  inspired to  live – and to dream – more fully.

We’ve had a number of private residential clients come to us after staying at one of our properties. For example, a couple who frequents the Four Seasons Bora Bora wanted the same feeling of sanctuary and French Polynesian serenity in their Master Bath. BAMO created this space inspired suite, complete with custom details like under-counter cold storage for water, fresh juice and wine, that has become their escape at home.

 

FOUR SEASONS BORA BORA | UPDATED

A FRESH NEW LOOK, WITH THE SAME EFFORTLESS SENSE OF PLACE

We’re excited to share with your readers, a behind the scenes look at our latest design  for the Four Seasons Bora Bora guest bungalows. We’ll share some of our inspirations and give you a glimpse of the process involved in creating a luxury retreat. Starting with our concept statement following, which gives the rationale for our new direction.

CONCEPT & APPROACH

+ Continuing the thread of the existing property – not fussy or pretentious, feeling like it belongs, reflecting the spiritual and sensual nature of French Polynesia.

+ Use of natural materials that are of the site, wood, shell and mother of pearl, reeds or grasses, coral, basalt.

+ Textural and woven materials inspired from traditional uses such as thatched roofs and woven pandanus grass ceilings

+ Lacy, pitted surfaces that recall the coral formations of the motu.

+ Organic, rounded shapes recall the carved wooden canoes and water vessels that the Polynesians used to explore the world.

+ Recall the indigenous culture with artwork and artifacts that draw on the craftsmanship inherent in French Polynesian tools and decorations.

+ With the renovated design – heighten the sense of comfort and luxury – authentic but refined, using luxurious materials to lend warmth and texture – wood, mother of pearl, unique stone accents and natural fibers that breathe and feel good against your skin. Edited use of patterns that pay homage to the beauty and symbolism of Tahitian tattoos.

+ Create special moments – employ lighting to highlight focal elements such as the enticing four seasons “my bar.” – invite romance, with furnishings that create cozy and inviting places for couples or families to enjoy close contact – introduce art at key places to enrich the guest experience.

+ Provide an enhanced guest experience with more functional lighting and integrated technology and power where it is needed.

RE-INNOVATING

With an existing property, part of the challenge is to see the same space with fresh eyes. Deciding what to keep and what to change is the first step. Starting with what’s there, we look at:

1. Practical Considerations – What’s working? (The bones of the room were good!). And what’s not? (Not enough lighting, old technology, under-appointed minibar)
2. Design Considerations – What looks dated or worn out? How big a style change is needed?

In this case, the client loved the feel of our original design. We applied a lighter touch to maintain the beloved character of the property, keeping the natural wood envelope of the space and blue plaster accent panels, adding a more sophisticated, modern mood, playing up bolder, indegenous patterns with less emphasis on color and more on sensory textures and layering. This was accomplished by replacing all the furniture and fabrics, some  of  the  lighting and augmenting the millwork with unique details and integrating more user-friendly technology.

Tattoo, or Tatau as it’s called in Tahiti, carries great cultural and symbolic significance. We developed a custom fabric pattern for the original design for the property that was re- colored in red and black for the renovation.

HERE’S OUR PROCESS FROM INSPIRATION TO COMPLETION

 

ART AND ARTIFACTS

In the recent renovation, we retained the artwork created for the original 2008 guestroom, as it still played a key role in connecting guests to the history and culture of early French Polynesians and their Oceanic life; Beautiful mother-of-pearl fish hooks, tools made with stone, woven grass rope and carved wood, intricate basketwork and striking native jewelry. Each guest bungalow still features these varied compositions of fabric-lined shadow-boxes, which display exquisite reproductions of original artifacts.

To have these produced in an artful and authentic way, we reached out to a long-time friend of BAMO founder Pamela Babey. What luck to have Bruce Carpenter, a well-known author, art historian and gallery owner in Bali, apply his incredible eye to overseeing our simple but important endeavor.  Using  his resources in Bali, Bruce had the pieces made according to our specifications, crafted by hand and capturing much of the charm and effect of the original items.

Fast forward ten years to 2018, we again reached out to Bruce Carpenter, still working in Bali. This time, he suggested we work with his son, Avalon, which proved to be another successful collaboration. Through the custom furniture studio Kalpa Taru, Avalon helped bring our design ideas to life, carving wood to make our organic patterned, decorative screens, and suggesting a bolder, carved wood art piece, which fit well with our more contemporary, natural aesthetic.

Custom carved wood accessories were also made for  the  bungalow renovation: a  bowl  on  feet and a decorative shell based on a piece by artist Carola Vooges.

You can find Kalpa Taru at www.kalpatarubali.com, or check them out on Instagram to see their most recent creations: https://www.instagram.com/kalpatarubali

MODEL ROOM REVIEW

Once the design is complete, the next step is to have prototypes of all the furniture pieces produced, including in some cases, multiple options for the same piece. Any built work, improvements or additions to the room construction is also done for the model room review, in order to evaluate the completed design in full. The BAMO team arrived at the property in November of 2018 to meet with the Four Seasons team and ownership. We were happy to have a lift from our Beach Villa to the prototyped model room.

ON-SITE REVIEW

Every detail is double checked on site, with adjustments made as needed to ensure the design functions as it should. The bar area evolved after this first review to integrate additional lighting and open up the side with floating shelves.

Our temporary workstation on the terrace came with a stunning view of Mt. Otemanu! One of the perks of working in beautiful places.

COMPARING OPTIONS, CHECKING DETAILS

Small details, like a recessed pull in the side of the ottoman, make a big difference in ease of use for the guest.

With this project so far away, we did more options for each piece than would typically be produced. A  new  cushion at  the  entry bench was  evaluated in both the red and black tattoo fabric. Two versions of the lounge chair were considered. In this case, both chairs were great, one was selected for the bungalows and one was earmarked for the upcoming beach villa renovation.

 

THE FINAL RESULT

The transformation of  the overwater guest bungalows has now  been rolled out for all to  enjoy.    A more inviting, casual feel that reflects how we live today. Work can be done from anywhere, including nestled into a comfortable sofa with your feet propped up on a generous ottoman, a vista of the calm lagoon stretching between the motu and the mountain.

Our neutral scheme allows the brilliant turquoise water and lush green landscape to color your view. The warmth of natural materials and tactile, woven textures invite a feeling of ease and comfort. Bold contrast patterns, and the hand carved wood elements and handmade art capture the essence of French Polynesia.

A year or two away from implementation is  the beach villa transformation, where we  have begun  to envision a dramatically upgraded, luxurious outdoor living experience. Yet another reason to return to this island paradise!