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Making Magic in The Napa Valley
by Marge Lennon
Owner
Lennon Communications Group
After returning from a vacation, most people easily remember the experiences they enjoyed, but are seldom able to recall the color of the carpeting or the furnishings in their room. Least of all, what was hanging on the wall.
But Elaine Lazarus of Shell Vacations intends to change that for visitors to the company’s recently opened Vino Bello Resort in the Napa Valley, CA.
“The Napa Valley is really a magical place,” explained Elaine. “As we were selecting the interiors for Vino Bello, we wanted to add to that magic by choosing furnishings and artwork that truly conveyed the essence of the area. Our intention was to enhance each guest’s vacation enjoyment by bringing the true spirit of the Napa Valley into each unit.” What better way, she thought, than to include art from local artists?
Elaine is responsible for the Design Direction of all Shell Vacations timeshare resorts. She also manages relationships with outside designers like the Orlando office of Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG), which completed the Vino Bello Resort and several other Shell projects including Las Vegas and Hawaii.
After developing 23 resorts and nearly 40 years in the business, the Shell Vacations development team has learned what their 112,000 Shell Vacations Club (SVC) members / owners desire in vacation accommodations. Vino Bello - the masculine version of the Italian words “beautiful wine” - is the culmination of this extensive knowledge and the most expensive the company has built on a per-key basis.
At the resort’s groundbreaking ceremony, Shell Vacations CEO Shelly Ginsburg met local artist Sherrell Harper, a member of the Napa Valley Art Association, and mentioned that they were interested in purchasing local art. After he put Sherrell in touch with Elaine, the program began to take shape.
Jeffrey Server is the Executive Vice President of Acquisition and Development for Shell Vacations and has been Elaine’s mentor for several years. He was a key force in the acquisition of the property and its ultimate development from a vision to reality. “Elaine played a significant role in helping make this happen,” he added. “We are very proud of her dedication to this unique effort.”
With Shell Vacations for about 12 years, Elaine has been involved with the genesis of the Vino Bello, which required over four and a half years of planning and development. “During this time, I began to feel the essence of the Napa Valley. Because the Vino Bello is such a unique place, it called out for us to do something different with the unit interiors. After we built a model unit, I felt inspired to bring in local artists.”
Added Elaine, “I had originally planned to commission Sherrell to create one piece for the 116 resort units. But after an initial meet meeting, a light bulb went off and we knew that using several local artists should be part of our design strategy.”
Sherrell, who also works as an art broker and dealer, quickly assembled a portfolio of artists from the community. Soon the local artists’ community was abuzz with the news. Artists submitted their works. First one piece, then another. The project became Elaine’s passion. She reviewed artwork and made selections. Five artists were chosen, using both originals and reproductions. Soon, the project had evolved from a single piece of art to an art gallery, a revolving art display and rooms almost entirely decorated with pieces from local artists.
By the time the paintbrushes had been cleaned and put away, over $250,000 of work by local artists had been commissioned. Today, original works are displayed in the common areas and reproductions hung within the units. Two large hallway glass cases feature a rotating exhibit from other Napa Valley artists. This changes every six weeks and is maintained by the Napa Valley Art Association with reproductions for sale in a local gift shop.
“We are delighted with the results,” says Elaine. “Our guests are asking how they can buy not only the artwork, but also some of the furnishings and even the dishes! We also recognize that local artists have a difficult time finding venues to display their work. They are proud of their work and want people to see it. We were happy to help provide that opportunity.”
Sherrell Harper’s watercolor print is featured over the living room fireplace. Her firm, Harper ART Enterprises is located in Napa. Abstract contemporary painter Kim Wild, also from Napa, has her red abstract Tuscan pieces displayed in the Vino Bello hallways. A metal sculpture of grape vines created by Mike VanDuyn has been installed in the resort’s community room. The metal artist is also a Napa resident. Watercolorist and former art teacher Bonnie Rosen, of Santa Rosa, created an original grapevine piece for the resort lobby, which has been replicated for the rooms. Shannon Morgan, a glass artist from Sacramento, created beautiful vases. A glass blown custom piece designed by Elaine herself created a decorative element that consists of a hand-woven grapevine basket holding a glass bowl.
Phase I of Vino Bello includes twelve one-bedroom units and 52 two-bedroom-two bath lock-off units, for a total of 116 keys. The interior design features an old world Tuscan theme, with many custom made furnishings, top-of-the-line kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, luxurious bedding, fireplaces and private balconies. All units have a 37” flat panel wall-mounted TV in the living room and wall-mounted TVs in each of the bedrooms.
The master bedroom includes a Jacuzzi tub with luxurious bedding packages. Porches have a variety of views with some overlooking a growing vineyard on the property. The porches on studio units feature seating for two while the porches on larger units include seating for four with a rocking bench.
Amenities include a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and water spray playground, and state-of-the-art exercise facility with a large flat panel mounted television. An underground spa and wine cave are scheduled for opening in early 2007.
Adds Shell Vacations CEO Shelly Ginsburg, “”The Vino Bello will be sold as part of our point-based Shell Vacations Club - West region and is already in high demand by our Club members. The addition of local artwork makes it a special and unique resort. We applaud Elaine’s tireless efforts to help make this happen.”
Enthuses Elaine, “The Napa Valley is truly an extraordinary place. People can FEEL it! What we’ve created with the Vino Bello is also something very special: a place that can be enjoyed for generations to come. It will be here long after I’m gone. Five years ago, this was just twelve acres of land, and now people are staying here and making wonderful vacation memories. It gives me tremendous pleasure knowing that. It’s an almost indescribable feeling. The artists are also proud to have their works selected and displayed here. People can tell that a great deal of love and care about each detail went into creating this resort. I am very proud to have been associated with it. For me, the magnitude of this experience will last forever.”
Magic, does indeed happen in Napa Valley, especially when you combine a beautifully designed resort, luxurious furnishings and amazing art, the kind that Pablo Picasso would agree would “wash the dust of daily life off our souls.”