Check Into The Landsby For A Modern Take On Solvang's Classic Danish Style
Solvang, California, a small central-coast town that's famous for its Danish heritage, is replete with architecture resembling traditional European facades. And while nostalgia for a certain time and place is part of this area's allure, that reverence for history was not meant to include a nondescript building built in the 1980s. That's exactly what the Landsby was before Studio Collective, a design agency based in Santa Monica, worked to renovate it. The team wanted the hotel to emulate a Scandinavian lodge, in keeping with the neighboring styles on this main street, but they also strived for the interior to reflect a modern sense of minimalism. The exterior was kept simple with a charcoal-and-white palette, while textural details on the inside — like exposed-grain walls, leather accents, and sheepskin throws — give the fresh design scheme a warm finish. Now, the Landsby is a welcoming representation of its Danish name: a "village" where guests and locals can feel at home with the past and present.
1. Exterior
In the courtyard, large clay fire pits are surrounded by a mix of teak-framed chaises and chairs. Cream umbrellas match the hotel's exterior paint color.
2. Guest Room
David Tsay
The guest bedrooms share heather grays, clean ivories, and bright yellows to complement the exposed-grain woodwork throughout.
3. Guest Room
David Tsay
The artwork is simple but balanced in the guest rooms, which mirrors Scandinavian style. For instance, the hanging leather magazine rack matches the frames of the midcentury chairs, and the black-and-white alpaca painting — which was done by regional artist Rachel Brown — coordinates with the area rug.
4. Bathroom
David Tsay
Brushed-brass fixtures, small succulents, and pewter-grey accessories add color to a marble vanity in the bathroom.
5. Restaurant
David Tsay
At Mad + Vin, the hotel's restaurant that translates to "food and wine," neutral tones pair with polished-brass lamps and espresso-black chairs. Meanwhile, the midcentury bar stools and tiling detail feature smart lines that are in keeping with Danish sensibilities.