In “hotelcore” residential spaces, private bedrooms are sanctuaries shaped by bespoke design, where furnishings and art are deliberately chosen and every detail contributes to a sense of quiet luxury and ultimate comfort. Much like a favorite destination, the space becomes a reflection of place and mood, proving that the most compelling escapes are often built not through grand gestures, but through thoughtful nuance.

These designers prove that the “hotelcore” trend is less about replication and more about translation—bringing the considered elegance of a hotel suite into the rhythm of everyday life. 

For some, “escape” isn’t about leaving home—it is about creating a space that lets them exhale the moment they enter. In this cozy guest cottage created from a 400-square-foot garage, designer Kerrie Kelly  achieved a sense of ease in a soothing palette, layered lighting, plush textures, and thoughtful details that anticipate a guest’s every need. 

Her Sherwin-Williams Account Executive  was instrumental to the project’s success, confirming undertones, sheen selections, and how the colors selected would behave in a compact, high-use space with changing natural light. 

“Our Account Executive helped us validate that Snowbound SW 7004 (256-C2) would keep the cottage feeling airy and expansive, while Salty Dog SW 9177 (253-C2) would deliver the depth and drama we wanted for the ‘hotel-core’ kitchen and bath moments,” Kerrie tells us. “That guidance gave us confidence that the colors would perform as beautifully as they would photograph.”

Kerrie believes that homeowners are craving places where they can unplug, be taken care of, and feel a sense of ease without getting on a plane. “‘Hotel-core’ design offers a little ritual and ceremony in the everyday—fresh bedding, beautiful lighting, a soothing palette, a place for everything. Culturally, we are all navigating busy lives and a lot of noise; creating a hospitality-inspired retreat at home is a way to reclaim rest and make the ordinary feel special again.”

Photos by Lindsey King.

Rachel Morrison ’s clients wanted to honor their home’s 1940s California mission roots while modernizing it with elegant details. While highlighting existing terracotta floors, hand-painted ceilings, and beams, the designer layered in thoughtful updates through cabinetry, tile, stone, and lighting for a finished result that is warm, refined, and quietly luxurious. 

The blend of modern touches with traditional elements created a timeless, lived-in, and beautifully layered home. The dominant color choice—a Designer Color Collection favorite, Cheviot SW 9503—perfectly embodies the home’s architectural heritage and, according to Rachel, the color direction of hospitality-inspired residences the world over.

“We’re seeing warm neutrals, earthy pigments, and soft, nature-inspired tones gaining momentum—palettes that feel grounded, calm, and timeless,” Rachel says. The color scheme for this project was selected to support the layered materials, celebrate the home’s original details, and allow furnishings and art to shine. “We’re seeing more tactile, artisanal, handcrafted moments at home, and warmer, more personalized materials in commercial spaces,” Rachel concludes. “The blending of these worlds—comfort with sophistication—is exciting.”

When asked how she creates residential retreats that feel like a luxurious daily getaway, Sherrell Neal  says it all begins with one question she asks each of her clients: What are your favorite hotels and places to travel? “Their answer shapes design details and luxuries we incorporate into their home. It’s always experience-focused.”

As one of 21 interior designers invited to make their mark on a $3.8 million River Oaks mansion, the ASID Texas Gulf Coast Show House, Sherrell took full advantage of a rare opportunity to design without a client brief. “Without constraints, I leaned into details that highlight craftsmanship, layering, and thoughtful risk-taking,” she says of this unique experience. “The goal was to create a space that felt intentional and lived-in, even without a personal narrative driving it. In many ways, it became a distilled expression of how I approach design—collected, balanced, and rooted in heritage while still feeling fresh and current.”

“Flowery prints on the walls, curtains, and chairs are part of my history,” she goes on. The Show House’s guest bedroom features a painted wall pattern by Amanda Colville, stenciled in Cocoa Whip SW 9084 (198-C4) over existing Snowbound SW 7004 (256-C2) walls for maximum efficiency and visual impact. “It captivated me,” Sherrell says of the design. “It’s a little French, a little Early American, and reminds me of lined drawers and cupboards. The blend creates a perfect, warm, and inviting envelope.”

Denean Jackson, owner and lead designer of D. Nicole Design Studio in Charlotte, considers a project she affectionately named Project Jewel Box to be the ideal representation of an escape. “To me, ‘escape’ means that when the day ends, you can find comfort and restoration in your own home. A true retreat doesn’t require travel—it lives where you rest, recharge, and reconnect with yourself.” 

The client asked Denean to transform a second primary suite into a personal oasis, color-drenching the bedroom in the rich and moody Moscow Midnight SW 9142 (221-C7) to create a cozy, luxurious retreat that felt like a hidden gem—one that was drawn from Denean’s memories of a favorite boutique hotel in Houston.

“Hotels and boutique spaces are often where designers take the biggest risks, and those ideas eventually trickle into residential interiors,” Denean muses. “I believe homeowners are ready to make bolder, more expressive choices that reflect who they are. Our homes should tell our stories, not just follow trends. That said, there is a mutual exchange—residential spaces are becoming more expressive, and hospitality is becoming more personal.”

Throughout the project, Denean’s Sherwin-Williams Account Executive, Natalie Miller, provided constant support. “She was not just a resource, but a true partner,” Denean says. “When I shared the design, she immediately engaged with it, offering professional insight and encouragement. That level of investment means a lot to me as a business owner and designer. Knowing she is genuinely invested in my success makes all the difference.”

For a space in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico, designer Daniel Torres wanted to create a simple, “visually light” effect that conveys peace in the midst of a busy city center. To put it in his words, he wanted the space to offer comfort without excess. “Not feeling any need becomes part of the luxury.”

To strike this balance in a formerly abandoned building, the designer turned to careful space planning and practical product choices, like the right Sherwin-Williams primer to block mold and a durable, stain-resistant paint for a reliable and long-lasting finish, both at the advice of his Account Executive, Rafael Ferrer.

He tells us that the client wanted a modern boho style, and Daniel used the original midcentury touch of the home’s façade and elevated it to a more current design language. “Even though it’s an urban home,” he says, “the intention was for guests to feel a tropical, relaxed atmosphere—an eclectic, minimal, and neutral style that would appeal to any visitor.”

Daniel used light-toned woods to bring freshness and tropical warmth—with subtle black accents for balance and a modern touch—capturing the exotic destination of Puerto Rico while blending in beautifully with the urban surroundings. Origami White SW 7636 (259-C3) in a matte finish provides the perfect pristine backdrop for a universally comfortable environment.

Rachel Brill sees “hotelcore” design as a way for homeowners to bring that sense of retreat and inspiration into everyday life. “They don’t have to wait until they go away on business or vacation,” Rachel says. “They can replicate these looks in their bedrooms and baths and feel that sense of escape when they are in their own homes.”

The most luxe hospitality-inspired spaces combine unmatched comfort with ingenious creativity, and Rachel brought this combination into play in her design of the secondary bedroom of the Aspire Magazine Showhouse in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Inspired by the art of Jose Lerma and Virginia Woolf’s 1928 essays delivered to the women’s colleges at the University of Cambridge, she created a feminine “room of one’s own” using Serenely SW 9632 and White Sail SW 9622, both from our Designer Color Collection.

“The design could be whatever Rachel Brill Design desires, which can be overwhelming, considering I could take the room style in any direction,” the designer says. “I am proud of being able to incorporate strong and large-scale artwork from a prominent working artist like Jose Lerma into my designed space and make that space feel liveable.”

This client came to the design team at The Georgian Goose wanting their guest bedroom to feel like a conversation starter and a true retreat to which visitors would want to return. Owner Trish Roe says she started by dialing in the mood through color, lighting, and pattern, and then amping up tactility and immersive vibes with luxurious materials and elevated, unexpected decor. “Every decision was rooted in how the space would feel to be in,” the designer says. “We wanted it to feel like a boutique hotel suite, with an atmosphere of luxury and storytelling—welcoming, enveloping, and meaningful.”

Despite the challenge of balancing “going big and going personal,” Trish was able to curate a collection of accessories, eye-catching colors, and plush materials that soften the space while letting its details shine. “From the custom framed Taylor Swift piece to the family heirloom wall mirror, we were able to incorporate so much of our clients’ own story into this room, while still creating a guest suite that feels welcoming to everyone.” 

She says this give-and-take mimics the relationship between hotel and home design too, since hospitality spaces often push the boundaries of design rules, while in turn looking for ways to feel more custom and personalized, like the very best in residential design. “I think both industries inspire and are inspired by one another,” Trish says.

“At its core, this trend is about comfort, escapism, and emotional well-being. Life feels busy and overstimulating, and homeowners are craving spaces that feel restorative and indulgent. Hospitality-inspired interiors offer a sense of care and intentionality, like you’re being looked after in your own home.”

As you create transportive retreats for your clients, your Account Executive can look after the fine details and provide you with complimentary large-sized samples—also available using your PRO+ account.

Top image: Cheviot SW 9503 (Designer Color Collection) in Flat (walls and ceiling) and Eg-Shel (trim). Photo by Lance Gerber. Design by Rachel Morrison.