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Kris Lajeskie Design Group Unveils Boutique Hotel Hotel St.Francis...

Simplicity and tranquility are the hallmarks of her design, which has transformed the venerable but dated 46,000-sq.-ft hotel into a serenely minimalist sanctuary reminiscent of a Franciscan monastery. Taking St. Francis himself, the city's8217;s patron saint, as her inspiration, Lajeskie has created a fresh and contemporary environment that honors the city's8217;s historical, cultural, and spiritual roots through her painstaking attention to historical detail and her meticulous selection of materials and finishes. The color scheme of creams, tans, browns, and grays, derived from the muted shades of the natural wool of the churro sheep, is complemented by rustic wooden furniture, tumbled travertine floors and walls, and hand-forged ironwork. Together they evoke the spirit of Santa Fe's8217;s early Franciscan settlers while creating an inviting, soothing ambience of understated luxury and warm welcome in both public spaces and guest rooms.

's8220;It has a wonderful calming effect on the staff and the guests,'s8221; observed concierge Inger Boudouris, a 22-year veteran of the hotel. 's8220;I feel very blessed to work in such a beautiful environment, and the guests feel it too. The new design makes everything seem more spacious, and people want to linger rather than just pass through. It clearly was a work of love, and Kris put her heart and soul into it.'s8221;

's8220;This has certainly been a labor of love,'s8221; concurred Lajeskie. 's8220;I wanted to create a destination hotel for Santa Fe that would honor its rich heritage and pay homage to Saint Francis. And, as always, I brought together a talented group of local artisans who handcrafted furnishings, lighting, and native decorative arts. That added to the authenticity of the project, and by keeping it local it supported my personal commitment to stimulating economic development wherever I work. In the end, I wanted this to be a place where visiting guests and locals alike would congregate and feel comfortable, just as they did in the old days.'s8221;

The lighting in the public spaces was designed to emulate candlelight, which is enhanced each evening at dusk when oversized candles are lit, enveloping the lobby and restaurant in a warm, magical glow as Gregorian chants play softly in the background.

What people are saying's8230;

's8220;The Old World monastic theme of the renovation is just great! It evokes a sense of the historic in a way that is simple and unexpectedly soulful. Kris did a fantastic job harmonizing the contemporary with the historic by truly understanding where these design types intersected. The measured and deliberate use of wood, metal, and leather in the custom accent pieces that adorn the stone backdrop is intriguing. There'ss definitely a timeless sense about the design.'s8221;

--Brian Nenninger, Director of Hotel Real Estate Acquisitions, Drury Hotels Southwest

's8220;Since Santa Fe's8217;s acceptance into UNESCO's8217;s Creative City Network in 2004, we's8217;ve been working very hard to promote the unique cultural and creative history of Santa Fe internationally. Kris Lajeskie's8217;s sensitive and creative renovation of the St. Francis has greatly enhanced another historic treasure that we can proudly share with the world!

-- Rebecca Wurzburger, Santa Fe City Council and Mayor Pro Tem

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