Styling
Bar & LoungeCollaborators
Interior Styling
Haley Beckham-Shetty, Bex Interiors
Architecture
Earl Swensson Association
Construction
Bell Construction
Interior Design
Wimberly InteriorsClient Prompt
The Tempo Hilton Hotel sought to infuse its branding with a compelling story inspired by the fictional character Mary Louise, a singer-songwriter whose persona embodies the 60s and 70s. The branding was to be woven throughout the hotel, with motifs and Easter eggs that paid homage to her journey, style, and musical career.
I was brought on by local photographer Tausha Dickinson to lead the set design for a photoshoot of Mary Louise, which would be used to produce 15 large, life-size sepia-toned images to be displayed in the guest hallways. After working together on set, the hotel’s owner reached out to me to help curate and style accessories for various spaces within the hotel, adding depth to Mary Louise’s story throughout the property.
Result
This project blended design, storytelling, and decor to create an immersive experience throughout the hotel. Each space told a piece of Mary Louise’s story, with subtle yet significant nods to her life and career in music.
As the lead set designer, I was responsible for crafting the visual narrative for the photo shoot, which was a key component in telling Mary Louise’s story. I designed the set to evoke the 60s and 70s era and reflect the essence of Mary Louise's journey. The shoot produced life-size sepia-toned portraits that were then placed throughout the guest hallways.
In addition to the photo shoot, I was tasked with curating and styling accessories throughout the hotel to bring Mary Louise’s world to life. The Lovelorn Bar became the focal point for the hotel’s romantic motifs. Here, I carefully selected vintage books of love poems, references to iconic love songs, and symbolic trinkets that embodied the love story elements of Mary Louise’s character.
In the Sessions buffet, designed to resemble a recording studio, I used a mix of personal items like old radios, antique recording equipment, and music business books to create a space that felt authentic to Mary Louise’s creative process. This room was meant to give guests a behind-the-scenes look into the life of a songwriter.
The Folklore Room celebrated women in the music industry, with items that referenced female musical icons like Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift. Symbolic touches, such as butterflies representing Dolly’s famous tour bus, added a layer of depth to the story of Mary Louise’s influences and inspirations.
Overall, my work on this project ensured that every space—from the public areas to the guest hallways—felt like an extension of Mary Louise’s persona. Through carefully curated accessories and strategic design choices, we created an immersive experience where guests could step into her world.
Collaborators
Set Design
Haley Beckham-Shetty,
Bex Interiors
Photography
Tausha Dickinson
Producer
Anthony Romano
Wardrobe Stylist
Emily Goodin
Mary Louise Model
Haley Robbins
Special Thanks to
Kristen Vaselaar
from HRI PropertiesThe Mary Louise Project
This unique space could not have come to be without the imaginative work of our team editorial, led by photographer Tausha Dickinson.
Here are some of the lifestyle “portraits” they created for Mary Louise, a fun and unique source of inspiration for Tempo Hilton.
