The stately chateau lobby at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in California’s Sonoma County was recently renovated and re-designed by San Francisco-based interior designer Maria Khouri Haidamus. This lobby is a vision of exquisite French style using fine materials, venerable antiques and precious art across the entry hall, grand salon and retail boutique. As with all of her projects, Haidamus’ work is memorable, glamorous and imbued with a fresh, modern sensibility. “Creating a seamlessly curated and layered lobby space like the one at Jordan involved a combination of thoughtful design principles and attention to detail,” she said. “I envisioned a lobby that transports the visitor to a feeling you have when visiting a chateau in France, while simultaneously holding a natural progression from space to space.”
The new entry hall welcomes guests with a custom reception desk rendered in Ponte Vecchio-honed marble, an homage to the George V Hotel in Paris. “I get inspiration from so many beautiful spaces in Paris. The marble reception desk design draws from the timeless elegance of classical architecture,” the designer noted. “This piece represents a fusion of historical grandeur and contemporary functionality.”
Adjacent to the entry hall, a grand salon is designed with a treasure trove of museum-quality antiques: armchairs from the Napoleon III period clad in new fabric; a collection of 18th-century drawings; a custom Louis XVI-inspired walnut console table; and decorative bookcase objects sourced from antique dealers in France and the U.S. “While each vignette within the lobby may have unique elements, there’s a thread of design continuity that ties everything together,” Haidamus recounted. “This was achieved by the selection of color, a consistent choice of materials, and creating interest with something unique to Jordan in every space.”
The second reception area contains an intriguing art collection of commissioned works and vintage French lithographs and engravings. “Details are what truly tie a space together, so curating the perfect European-inspired collection of art and lighting was key in achieving our vision for the overall design,” Haidamus revealed. “I sourced most pieces from Parisian artists and galleries including Alice Riehl, Galerie Marie-Pierre Jaudel Antiquités and Galerie Jabert, among others. The grand chandeliers and lighting fixtures were primarily sourced from the lovely Fisher Weisman Collection.”
A retail boutique and reception area is a gracious space where guests can browse Jordan merchandise. “The classic French blue color scheme for the lobby area draws inspiration from the rich history and cultural heritage of France, particularly in art and architecture,” the designer explained. “This color has endured through various design eras, from the Rococo period to modern times, making it a versatile choice for an atmosphere of sophistication and charm.”
Jordan asked Gracie Studio, a family business crafting hand-painted wall coverings since 1898, for a bespoke look in the women’s lobby bathroom. “The elegant, custom-made wallpaper in the women’s restroom is a true star of the show. This hand-painted mural depicts a serene, natural landscape with birds, flowers and trees that are all native to the 1,200-acre Jordan estate. It’s a very special piece that embraces Jordan’s dynamic environment, showcasing its natural beauty in a new light,” Haidamus stated.
Scroll through for more images from Maria Khouri Haidamus’ lobby design at Jordan Vineyard & Winery:
Photography by Christopher Stark.
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