Catalina's Hotel Metropole

S.K.I.N. Design Studio is embarking on the redesign of the guest rooms and lobby at Catalina Island's Hotel Metropole. In 2008, S.K.I.N.'s Deniece Duscheone led the design and renovation of the boutique hotel’s luxury suites (pictured here), while helping the owners to re-brand their hotel as Catalina’s first sustainable luxury boutique hotel.

The Hotel Metropole has a long history for being the first hotel on Catalina Island located on Avalon Bay, and it has been an honor for S.K.I.N. to assist the hotel in raising the level of experience on Catalina Island. This southern California island, which is host to Outstanding In the Field as well as the annual Jazz Festival, is continuing to evolve with new additions this season.
The Hotel Metropole has just recently unveiled M Restaurant, the first farm-to-table dining experience on Catalina Island. The oceanfront restaurant features Chef Michael Stewart, who has created an innovative New American cuisine with an emphasis on sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients from local purveyors.


The clean and simple design expression in the suites evokes the historic Hollywood origins that the island is known for and the calm energy of the adjacent harbor, cultivating a liveliness and experience that expresses eco-luxury in a timeless and elegant composition.

La Pensione boutique hotel

Studio Castillero spent another afternoon shooting S.K.I.N. Design Studio's recently unveiled model room for La Pensione boutique hotel in San Diego's Little Italy district. Photographs will be published in January 2010, and the complete hotel redesign is slated for completion in spring. We will keep you posted with the latest details!

Unveiling La Pensione's Model Room

S.K.I.N. Design Studio has just unveiled the model room for the complete redesign of La Pensione boutique hotel in downtown San Diego's Little Italy district.

S.K.I.N. has transformed the interiors, infusing a contemporary urban aesthetic while paying homage to the community's Italian heritage.

Principal designer Deniece Duscheone has developed a concept of affordable luxury, indulging in Frette linens and Carrera marble while designing customized furniture pieces to optimize space and budget. For the color palette, Duscheone drew inspiration from Italian masters of past and present, using shades of persimmon and ochre against a backdrop of bright white with rich grey tones.

The redesign of La Pensione’s guest rooms, including 6 newly created suites featuring private balconies, is scheduled for completion in spring 2010. View additional photographs and keep in touch at http://www.skindesignstudio.com/ for updates regarding the hotel's relaunch!

Photography by Studio Castillero