Built in 1896 and extensively remodeled in the late 1980s, The Audubon Inn takes its name from the French-American ornithologist, John James Audubon, noted for his remarkable, scientifically accurate bird paintings. The structure is an example of carefully preserved Queen Anne architecture – a three-story brick building decorated with elaborate pressed metal cornices with a polygonal domed turret rising from a corner bay. Located adjacent to The Horicon Marsh (a major birder destination) and deemed a National Historic Landmark, the hotel is now operated as a boutique inn, restaurant, and bar, and was selected by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as one of the top inns in the United States.
When the new owners asked for our help selecting new exterior paint colors and re-imagining the lobby and other public spaces, we began by removing excess signage, a wall of laminated plaques, and every extraneous bit of decor our eyes – and hands — landed on…a process Richard calls “editing.” Our client agreed that the floral pattern wallpaper had to go, but rather than endure the hassle and expense of stripping, we instead opted to prime and paint over the wallpaper – an early decision that saved a great deal of time and money.
The gray-blues we selected for the walls and new broadloom carpet complemented the warm, honey-tones of the paneling and grand staircase. With funds limited and time short, we pulled the best looking seating we could find from other areas of the hotel and arranged them with a few new glass top tables and new floor and table lamps. The stunning, large scale canvas prints of iconic Audubon watercolors are visible from the street. That artwork, and the illustrated Audubon books displayed in the lobby, set a welcoming tone and help set the stage for a fascinating story – and a comfortable stay.
