Bardessono Magnolias © Alice Joyce
Bardessono: Napa Wine Country: A grey, rainy winter day in Northern California gives way to the staff’s friendly welcome, and the warmth emanating from fireplaces in the hotel’s comfortable lounge areas.
Hestekind Sculpture Olive Courtyard © Alice Joyce
Architecture designed by Ron Mitchell (WATG), art in stone by Richard Hestekind, and an evocative landscape crafted by Bertotti Landscaping unite harmoniously at Bardessono, the first California hotel and spa to be given LEED Platinum certification.
Bardessono Magnolia bloom © Alice Joyce
Magnolia Courtyard / Bertotti Landscaping – Outdoors, the glowing blooms of magnolias abet the brilliantly executed landscape, and the modernity of the hotel’s environmentally conscious design. In constructing the main buildings and guest room clusters, a tactile combination of materials and plantings softens the sleek angles.
Recycled and organic materials (in general, locally sourced) are used throughout the property, including wood from salvaged trees and organic fabrics.
Yuba river blue boulders articulate a planting bed within one cluster where magnolias are a late-February highlight. The sinuous sweeping curves of stone paving play off the linear footbridge, especially emphatic when viewed from the second level.
I love seeing Michelle’s post and then yours. Looks like you had a great time and the magnolias really add to the drama of the hardscape.
Christine
It’s rare to see a hardscape design that so perfectly complements the architecture as that of Bardessono. It was worth getting soaked to take in the high points of the property.
Thanks for commenting. When will we meet, I wonder?
Dear Alice, The pink of the magnolias in sharp contrast to the stone makes for a very brave and bold design. It is refreshing to come across something which is modern in its own right rather than a pastiche of the past – which seems so often to be the case where modern architecture is concerned.
Alice,
You graciously omitted that the toilet seats in the hotel also ’emanated warmth’.
It was a fun day that I shall always remember.
Best,
Michelle
What a wonderful day we had–thank you for everything. Thanks for sharing your pix. Mine will be the third sometime next week or the week after.
These are gorgeous shots and so beautifully described Alice. Susan told me what a wonderful time you all had
touring this hotel and the other days festivities. Sounded devine. I look forward to
meeting you at Rebecca’s in a few weeks.
Judy, Can’t wait to meet you and so many other virtual garden buddies at Rebecca’s. Cheers … in advance!