The New Spa at Sonoma's Farmhouse Inn is a Rustic-Chic Retreat
Set in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the Farmhouse Inn has been a favorite of oenophiles, gourmands and sybarites alike since its acquisition by siblings Joe and Catherine Bartolomei in 2001. Set amidst Sonoma’s wineries, and with a Michelin-starred restaurant on the picturesque premises, the property’s recent $8 million renovation includes a brand new spa that is making Forestville worth a restorative detour. Led by noted Healdsburg designer Myra Hoefer, the renovation was one of the iconic decorator’s final projects before her passing earlier this year. Hoefer brought her signature easy elegance to the inn and spa, giving it a grace that echoes sweeping valley vistas.
At the entry to the spa, a stacked Napa fieldstone hearth and water features transition guests into a more tranquil state of mind. “This is the spot where people are drawn to sit and relax,” explains the inn’s marketing director Meghan Smith. “There is no rush here.” While beginning their repose, guests can peruse the personal apothecary cart, which holds organic and wild-harvested essential oils like bergamot, birch and cedar, all waiting to be hand-mixed to their specifications.
Drawing on farmhouse vernacular, San Francisco's SB Architects designed a modern stable to house the new spa. The firm designed a dramatic 16-foot peaked roof, a sliding barn door at the entry to the treatment area and a charming Dutch door to front the reception room. A slatted wall along the main passage also creates a breezeway that keeps the spa divinely connected to the outdoors. Hoefer’s selection of clean white beadboard for the walls and cabinetry completes its rustic-chic look.
Along the main hall, a succession of four "stalls" serve as treatment rooms, complete with hand-drawn equine murals by local artist Tina Wainwright. Continuing the play on equestrian life, each room also features a body pillow filled with fragrant herbs and alfalfa used in the spa’s Roll in the Hay treatment. And when the massage or facial is complete, guests can retire to their individual, private outdoor space with chaise longue and shower, perfect for reclining and relaxing under the wine-country sun. Adds Smith, “The rooms face out to the western hillside, which adds to the bucolic atmosphere.”
The spa’s products and treatments have been thoughtfully curated by Francis & Alexander—the firm behind the Spa at Auberge du Soleil—and include ginger-honey scrubs derived from owner Catherine Bartolomei’s nearby farm, as well as cucumber-scented sunscreens and lotions courtesy of San Diego suncare company Coola. The spa menu focuses on organic ingredients, many sourced from the inn’s own gardens.
Since unveiling its redesign, the Farmhouse Inn has earned accolades, but ultimately, its atmosphere is testament to Myra Hoefer’s legacy of quiet, timeless style. “We are lucky to live here,” notes Smith, “and Myra’s subtly chic design has capitalized on the natural beauty that surrounds us.”
A version of this article appeared in the November/December 2015 issue of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens with the headline: Stable Treatment.