Eugene Hotel: Interior Design
Written by Amanda Viale
Eugene ID: A New Interior Design Experience
Designing the interiors for the Eugene Hotel has been an exciting and immersive experience for Studio GWA’s interior design team—one full of creativity, collaboration, and growth.
On many projects, our team designs the built environment while clients manage fixtures, furniture, and equipment (FF&E). But with members of Eugene Hotel’s development team working in-house at Studio GWA, our ID role expanded to include it all. For Interior Designer Emily, this has been an incredible opportunity to take the lead on every design detail—down to the last throw pillow.
Designing Within the Details
Emily has gained deep insight into what it means to thoughtfully design considering a hotel’s budget and guest experience. Balancing beauty and practicality, she’s learning where to spend thoughtfully and where to simplify—all while ensuring the guest experience remains at the forefront.
A great hotel, after all, should feel safe, comfortable, and memorable. Emily knows that even small missteps—a misplaced duct or thermostat—can compromise that feeling. Every decision is intentional, from the color of the walls to the way flooring feels underfoot and sounds as you walk across it.
A Modern Take on Historic Character
The client envisioned a simplistic, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic—a clean, modern style that needed to harmonize with the hotel’s historic architecture. Emily’s challenge was to honor the past while creating something modern and clean.
Her concept brings a bold, moody edge to hospitality design: deep, dramatic tones that envelop guests from floor to ceiling, creating an atmosphere that feels both cozy and elevated. It’s Studio GWA’s first fully saturated project—walls and ceilings alike painted in rich hues that embrace the guest in warmth and depth.
Emily has collaborated closely with product reps to ensure every material and finish aligns with her vision. As the project moves into construction administration, she’s hands-on in bringing those paper plans to life—testing textures, colors, and details through mock-ups to ensure the final experience feels intentional and cohesive.
Construction drawings of a typical queen guest room. Note the restoration of the picture rail, the added panel moulding on the walls, the custom casework of the floating desk, kitchenette, and wardrobe.
Looking Ahead
With construction underway and installation anticipated for June, Emily is deep in the details of procurement and coordination. Next on her list: drapery and wall art.
The hotel’s artwork will celebrate Monroe’s local heritage, featuring black-and-white historic photos of the original hotel and the surrounding square—curated in partnership with local historians and framed by a Monroe craftsman. These pieces are designed to evoke nostalgia and connect guests and residents to the town’s story. Local artists will also have their work showcased throughout the space, grounding the hotel in its community roots.
Before opening, a full guest room mock-up will mark a major milestone for the design team. Much of the furniture and décor will arrive via Williams Sonoma’s white-glove delivery service, with Studio GWA and the development team jumping in to assemble and install everything from fitness equipment to TVs.
Bringing Vision to Life
The Eugene Hotel is more than a project—it’s a complete design journey. Emily’s thoughtful approach, keen eye for detail, and sensitivity to both guest comfort and historic context are shaping a hospitality experience that feels timeless yet fresh.
We can’t wait to see her design come to life—and to welcome guests into a space that tells the story of Eugene’s past and future, all in one stay.