Love it or hate it - everyone’s got an opinion about our fabulous city by the Bay. While it expands and contracts, dot bombs and ai balloons, we’re sticking around. Here’s a toast to San Fran, and please, it’s never Frisco.

SEARCHING FOR VISUAL IDENTITY

Creating art that captures a place and its community; not too obvious, but obvious enough. We had a few wild ideas and some worth exploring further, others were rightly shelved. We mined data and poked fun at tech bro culture, dug into history and looked ahead to the future, hunting for the right mix of nostalgia and inspiration.

This is the work we love most; finding local voices, translating new concepts into visual experiences, and allowing place-rooted art to do the storytelling.

LOCAL ARTISTS

Throughout the property, dedicated spaces showcase curated collections from regional artists, including local painter and muralist Jessica Martin and ceramicist Jan Schacter. These works bring authenticity and intimacy into the guest experience while reinforcing Appellation’s commitment to craft.

That spirit of craft is woven throughout the hotel experience itself. Rather than centering the traditional front desk, Appellation’s lobby welcomes guests with its restaurant, open kitchen, and circular fireplace; placing food, gathering, and connection at the heart of arrival. Nestled behind check-in, a large-scale topographical print is elevated by material and technique reinforcing the brand identity and connection to terrain.

THE EMOTION OF LUXURY

The guestrooms, meanwhile, offer a quieter expression of luxury. One of the most successful moments in the collection was the panoramic artwork, elevated by a unique inset design detail that created both visual depth and calm. The guestroom story is ultimately one of serenity and leisure, and the artwork plays an integral role in shaping that emotional experience.

Luxury hospitality today is no longer defined solely by finishes or amenities. True luxury comes from emotional connection, authenticity, and a feeling that the experience could only exist in that exact place. Art is essential to creating that feeling.

We’re incredibly proud to have contributed to Appellation Healdsburg’s vision and celebrate this award alongside the talented teams at EDG and Appellation.