Hotel Wren recently earned a coveted spot on the New York Times T List, and we couldn't be happier to see our handcrafted Casita Lamp playing a role in the thoughtfully designed space. Hotel photography by Ethan Jones.
A Design Story Three Years in the Making
Jessica Pell of LA-based Manola Studio spent three years transforming a fire engine-red 1940s motor lodge into a modernist 12-room desert retreat. The result is a space where Santa Barbara-style plaster walls meet textured wood and rattan accents, all wrapped in a color palette that speaks directly to the landscape — sand, sage, adobe pink, and ochre. Pell's approach prioritized the natural environment:
"The sound of silence is such a rarity in the city," Pell explains. "It was about letting that and the sounds of nature come forward."
This philosophy shaped every decision from major architectural interventions to the selection of individual furnishings, including our Casita Lamp. The Casita Lamp's handmade character adds texture and personality to the hotel's serene spaces. Created by the skilled hands of Mexican artists Eligio Zárate Blanco and award-winning Belén Perez Garcia, these ceramic table lamps bring exactly the kind of natural warmth that makes Hotel Wren special.
Recognition Well Deserved
The hotel's recent New York Times T List recognition confirms that Pell has achieved something special in transforming this humble motor lodge. The hotel's unofficial motto, "no time to rush," extends to the design philosophy and to every carefully considered detail. And the interplay between bold architectural moves and thoughtful material choices elevates the entire experience.
The Power of Thoughtful Curation
Hotel Wren demonstrates how thoughtful curation and architectural vision can redefine a destination. The integration of handcrafted elements with Pell's modernist framework creates a space that feel both designed and authentic, sophisticated yet rooted in place. We're honored to see Twenty One Tonnes lighting in this celebrated project.
Explore our collection of handcrafted ceramic lighting
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