Unlike the resorts, wineries, and vineyards that cover Napa Valley, the Wydown Hotel, in St. Helena, breaks the mold with its contemporary design. “We didn’t want the project to look like the typical Napa hotel with more traditional furnishings, but rather a space that was warm and welcoming,” says designer Dave Masin of Bellevue, Washington-based Masins Fine Furnishings & Interior Design. “What we ended up with was a space that was chic yet timeless.”

Owner and operator Mark Hoffmeister began with a personal reference-Wydown Boulevard in his hometown of St. Louis-and aspired to create a hotel that feels like home. “We want guests to feel as if they are staying in a designer bedroom in a beautiful locale,” says Hoffmeister. “As we designed our hotel, we focused on words such as crisp, comfortable, timeless, clean, and design-forward.” Masin, his longtime friend and former roommate, then furnished the space with both traditional and modern décor for a fresh aesthetic.

Previously the Eagle & Rose Inn, the building required a yearlong overhaul that converted the lobby from a retail space and eliminated kitchenettes in the guestrooms. The 12-room boutique hotel now welcomes guests with plush leather furniture, a live-edge maple table, and large-scale photographs taken by the owner’s brother-in-law. Hoffmeister contributed to the collection with his own paintings of St. Helena and Napa Valley. To highlight the Valley, pops of red were added to contrast against the lobby’s neutral backdrop.

“We wanted the lobby to be like someone’s own living room,” says Masin. Separating it from the entryway are an Epoch style, round, ivory settee; a Philippe Starck chair; a ‘C’-shaped floor lamp with a rectangular shade; and a bent glass top coffee table, all weaving in a touch of urbanity. “We have designed common areas of condos or hotels that look stunning but aren’t very user friendly,” adds Masin. “This project accomplished both.”

Fittingly, the three styles of guestrooms all offer bursts of color-either in warm, neutral hues or cool tones-and clean lines. “Being from the Northwest, we tend to go with more organic materials,” explains Masin. Brown headboards and wooden furnishings complement colorful throws, while the bathrooms boast marble countertops and white palettes. “We worked hard to locate and procure furniture that you will not find in other hotels, but rather a fine home,” adds Hoffmeister. Natural materials, such as walnut armoires with mirrored paneled doors, complete the vibe.

“Since the hotel only has twelve rooms, each piece stands out,” says Masin. “It was important that each item was unique, told a story, and was memorable.”