INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

The Redesign Adapts Iconic American Fashion Elements to Create a Contemporary “New American Original”

dash design, a New York-based interior design firm, renowned for thoughtful, innovative hospitality　and retail　projects, recently renovated the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel. As part of the new brand direction for Renaissance Hotels, David Ashen, Principal of dash design, and his team completed the redesign of 807　rooms, including 10 suites, as well as guest corridors. The goal of the redesign was to create a unique boutique environment within a massive 900-room building, while staying true to the Renaissance brand core values: Intriguing, Indigenous, and Independent.　

“Our design concept came from the idea of Washington, D.C., being our nation’s hub,” says David Ashen, “therefore we focused on what was quintessentially American rather than specifically local. We wanted to create what we called “A New American Original” and took our inspiration from casual American fashion.”　

The dash design team explored iconic American elements—leather; red, white, and blue; khaki and plaid; and crisp tailored design—to create a look that is casual and comfortable yet thoroughly contemporary. The rooms’ color scheme combines a sophisticated neutral khaki palette with splashes of color　the furniture in the rooms is inspired by twentieth century modernism and is streamlined and timeless in design.

Art throughout the property adds a local flavor through the use of paintings and photographs, capturing the glimpses of the city’s landmarks as well as more intimate moments. A creative collage of Washington monuments serves as a backdrop to the commode in the luxurious and modern bathrooms.

The dash design team included Creative Director Evelyn Sherwood, Project Manager Ned Lager, and designers　Vasiliki Zannettis, Lindsey Bonime, Silvia Park, and Jeehee Son.