Santa Fe is a town defined by its amalgamation of different cultures throughout history, its Native American heritage, Spanish conquistadors, and local Southwest flavor. With all these elements creating a distinct aesthetic in the city, Jim Rimelspach, executive vice president and director of design at Dallas-based Wilson Associates, only needed to enhance the elements that offer a sense of place for the guestroom redesign at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi.

Rimelspach has a unique history with the hotel, as its original interior designer when it was built 25 years ago. And after purchasing his own home in the area, he felt “compelled to be involved in the renovation.”

Because the inn is rather small—only 58 rooms—and located right in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, Rimelspach wanted to make sure the locality would play a role in the updated guestrooms. “Local materials, architectural details, and art were all combined to make the guests feel as though the hotel belongs to them and is their own home away from home,” he says.

The redesign followed a “discreet luxury” credo that is at once modern and traditional, comfortable and sophisticated. Creating a relaxed, intimate ambiance was achieved through a neutral palette—which lightened the rooms—and accented by vibrant colors. For example, the white bed linens give the room “a fresh, bright feel,” while the multicolored pillows adorning the bed and red textured fabric on benches embrace Santa Fe’s style.

Streamlined furnishings bring the focus to the rooms’ architectural details, such as wood-beamed ceilings and adobe-constructed kiva fireplaces, which highlight pervasive natural cerused oak and leather detailing. Rimelspach outfitted the rooms with Anasazi-inspired ceramic pottery from local artists that is displayed on each fireplace as well as framed vintage ledger prints that adorn the walls. “All of these elements help create a local and authentic atmosphere,” he says.

The rest of the inn’s design offers a residential feel rather than the unfamiliarity that sometimes surrounds hotels. And though nearly three decades have passed since Rimelspach and Wilson Associates made Inn of the Anasazi a focal point in Santa Fe, “it hadn’t lost an ounce of its character or appeal,” he says. “It was just time for a new set of clothes, in a sense” to “bring the property to the next generation of travelers.”