We recently did an article that discusses the Natural Modern style of design and how it was used to draw our guest’s focus to the beauty that surrounds the hotel and pulls that beauty inside providing a calm and relaxing space.
In this article, we will be meeting the designers who helped Karen and Valeria (the founders of the Ocotea Boutique Hotel) fulfill their dream of creating a uniquely peaceful hotel that combines a welcoming, beautiful interior design with both practicality and sustainability.
Sebastian and Andres own and operate the A Scala Interior Design company out of San Jose and were excited by the challenge put before them. I had a chance to ask them a few questions about the inspiration for this unusual project.
Here is what they had to say.
A Chat with the Designers of Ocotea
Could you start by describing the original vision that you had for the property, and what inspired you?
First, to make the hotel a unique and different space in the area. We discussed many options but they all share materials and decoration styles. Really, with Ocotea, what we wanted was to make interior design and decoration a totally different experience from what was already available in other hotels in the area. In the end, the inspiration came from the forest and its ability to give different sensations, play with our senses, and affect our comfort, using heights, materials, and colors.
Did you make a conscious choice to use a natural modern design for the hotel, (I know it's a fairly new design trend), or did the design team (including Karen & Valeria) naturally gravitate towards the organic simplicity and natural finishes already?
The style decision was made to differentiate the hotel, a bit also associated with the trends that are being used today, natural materials, simple lines, finding beauty in simplicity, and making the space minimalist but comfortable, and welcoming. Karen and Valeria had a lot of ideas in terms of what was wanted and in style choices, and that made the design process a lot easier.
The interior finishes are quite unique, most notably the wooden slats that create such a simple yet beautiful contrast throughout the hotel. What type of wood did you use? Is there a significance behind the choice?
All the wood used in the hotel is Guanacaste wood. This type of wood is used first for its excellent quality in climates such as that of the area, but also for its aesthetics and tone, which is kept as natural as possible to highlight the unique beauty of this type of wood.
As I wandered the hotel, I noticed how much of the visual interest is the result of the natural light playing against the decor or reflecting on the materials you have used. How do you plan that? Can you visualize in your head what effect the light will have or did you study the flow of light around the property?
The hotel prioritizes the entry of natural light in most of the spaces, this is done to have much greater visibility to the outside and add the richness of its views. All the materials chosen play an important role not only to make them stand out with natural light in the spaces but also to play harmoniously with the elements, details, and colors of the exterior.
The Unique Elements of Ocotea
Tell me about the inspiration for the glass staircase. I find that part of the design fascinating because it is simple and practical but it also somehow stands alone- almost like a piece of art.
The idea of using glass on the stairs is to give more space and fewer visual blocks to the space. To make it flow more simply without obstructions and then you can highlight the beauty of the materials and the fluidity that exists in the space. You can live in the spaces in a single moment as soon as you enter. The same with the railings on the balconies, so that then the internal/external spaces can be lived in in the best way.
Tell me about the process behind the design and creation of the bathroom tiles. Did the artisans have free rein with the design?
All the tiles were designed specifically for the hotel, from the lines, whether they are squares or hexagons, we wanted to keep that simple and fluid concept, without much ornamentation and focus on the beauty that lies in the simple line and their colors. This added to the artisan style that they have, which today is something that is highly valued. The designs and colors of the tiles were chosen by us and handmade one by one by artisans from Cartago.
When I spend time on the property, I have to say, there is a palpable sense of calm and peace that pervades the space. Do you think that is amplified by the simplicity of the interior design?
Totally. The designs and the colors that were used in the property come from the initial design idea of comfort, peace, and tranquility that the Cloud Forest gives. And that was what we wanted to transfer to the hotel, a living space, with design but full of peace and harmony.
The Results
Having spoken to Andres and Sebastian about the property, it is easy to see that they have left a piece of their hearts and souls in the very walls of this place. There is a warmth to the space, despite the simplicity of the design and the furnishings, that creates a sense of welcome within this striking modern building.
I have experienced its magic for myself, and I can vouch for the entire atmosphere as a place that encourages relaxation and welcomes you from the moment you step in the door. To learn a little more about my experience there, you can click here. Or to experience it in person, head over to the website and let one of the friendly staff help you plan your perfect escape to Monteverde. You won’t regret it!
