North Block (formerly Hotel Luca) is a modern boutique hotel located in Napa Valley’s idyllic town of Yountville; wine country’s most coveted epicurean locale.

Situated at the north end of this culinary mecca, North Block is a perfect destination for food and wine connoisseurs: a short stroll to top restaurants and small production wine tasting rooms and home to Redd Wood, the latest restaurant from acclaimed chef Richard Reddington. A mix of old world charm and modernity, North Block Hotel is designed for an unpretentious wine country escape. The stone façade and welcoming entrance are lined with citrus trees, hand-painted tiles and softly lit lanterns. The well-appointed guest rooms are simple and sophisticated with modern touches like luxurious linens, flat screen televisions, wi-fi and iPod entertainment docking station

The Challenge

The owner/client had a vision of how the hotel should look and operate. His vision included aspects of an old world traditional Italian Villa blended with contemporary technology and comfort. The primary goal of the lighting design was to include traditional elements and details that would complement the historic architecture but provide efficient and high quality lighting.

The Design

In keeping with the vision, the client imported ornate elements, tiles and accessories from Tuscany to be merged into the architectural and interior design. In one case, old recycled terra cotta roof tiles were made into exterior wall sconces for lighting the guest room entries and decks. Many of the interior lighting fixtures for the restaurant were a blend of rustic iron and translucent stone with efficient light sources to complement the “Old World” interiors and finishes. Courtyard pathways are lined with lanterns that look like someone just sat them there to light the way. More traditional landscape lighting enhances the aged patina of the exterior building finish while adding playful shadow images.