Photography by Vicente Wolf; guestroom shot by Fred Licht Photography

The city of Alexandria, Virginia, has a long history (beginning in the late 17th century), and its reverence for its past is well-known. The historic district, Old Town, is a favorite for almost every visitor to nearby Washington, DC, so it is no surprise that the owners of the new Lorien Hotel & Spa (under the Kimpton flag) 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 "a great lover of early Americana." However, he adds, "I'm a contemporary designer very influenced by the past."

Wolf's eventual solution for the 107-room hotel was to take elements in a historical setting and either make them seem contemporary or "juxtapose them with contemporary items." Thus a modern lamp rests on an antique drop-leaf table and traditional bookshelves hold nothing but white books. Photos are black and white, but many are on modern subjects. Windsor chairs are painted blue. The tradition of red brick in Alexandria is coupled with slate floors and walls. And a traditional server is made large to act as the front desk.

Other notable elements are a private courtyard with a trellis backed by mirrors, and a Kimpton signature—an in-ground fireplace. Guestrooms replace the headboard with a lacquered wood piece and feature white linen curtains. The spa entrance's long hallways also use mirrors to add dimension, with water and bamboo adding the feel of nature.

"We wanted to strike a balance between minimalist and total fantasy, to bring the comforts people would have in their homes if they could afford them," Wolf says.

The hotel's restaurant, BRABO, overseen by chef Robert Weidmaier, has been given a congruent style. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, BRABO is marked by both traditional tables and half-rounded banquettes, more oversized mirrors, and a generous use of copper and bronze. "In the morning," Wolf says, "the blues take precedence; in the evening, the copper shimmers."

"I love doing restaurants," he adds. "It’s pure fantasy, and you can reach people in a direct way for two hours."

Lorien Hotel & Spa
Alexandria, Virginia

Owner: DSF Group
Architecture Firm: Baskerville and SKI, Richmond, Virginia
Interior Design Firm: Vicente Wolf Associates, New York
Interior Design Project Team: Vicente Wolf
Contractor: John Moriarty and Associates of Virginia
Purchasing Firm: Ramsey and Hospitality Merchandising
Civil Engineer: VIKA
Kitchen: Cini-Little
Landscape: Urban
Graphics: Color-Ad (interior signage) and ES&A (exterior signage)

COURTYARD
Chairs: JANUS et Cie
Tables: Knoll Studio

LOBBY
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Front Desk Accent Wall/Front Desk/Round Table at Restaurant/Entrance/Picture Ledge: Custom design by Vicente Wolf
Club Chairs: Restoration Hardware with leather by Spinneybeck
Custom Upholstered Tufted Ottoman: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; manufactured by Texstyle; fabric by Dedar
Window Treatments: Designtex

LOUNGE
Built-in Bookshelves: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; wallcovering at bookshelf back panel by Donghia
Sofa: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; manufactured by Texstyle; and fabric by VW Home
Wing Chair: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; manufactured by VW Home; and fabric by Zimmer & Rhode
Lighting: Flos, Restoration Hardware, and Hinson & Company
Wall Mirror: APF Group
Photography and Framing: Conde Nast Archive

SPA LOUNGE
Wallcovering: MDC Wallcoverings
Bench: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; covered in terrazzo tile by Waterworks;fabric by Sunbrella for JANUS et Cie

DOUBLE ROOMS
Wall Mirror: The Uttermost Company
Upholstered Headboards: Custom designed by Vicente Wolf; fabric by Maharam
Round Nightstand/Rectangle Nightstand/Desk: Designed by Vicente Wolf; manufactured by Design Bridge
Desk Chair: Global Allies