Sonoma: A Designer’s Guide

February 28, 2020

When I launched my interior design firm in San Francisco, I quickly learned the value of a well-timed getaway—especially one wrapped in texture, light, and the kind of beauty that resets your whole nervous system. Sonoma, with its blend of pastoral charm and polished simplicity, became my sanctuary. It still is.

Whether you’re hunting for inspiration, a change of pace, or just a better view, these are my favorite design-forward retreats in Sonoma—each offering its own kind of magic.

MANKA’S INVERNESS LODGE

Rustic. Reverent. Timeless.

Tucked into a wooded nook near Point Reyes, Manka’s is more than a lodge—it’s a sensorial experience. The interiors are what I’d call a study in comfort composition: paneled wood walls, heirloom reading chairs, flannel throws, and couches that practically ask you to cancel your dinner plans and stay in. The breakfasts here feel like they were made just for you—and they kind of were.

Bar Hana
Bar Hana

BELTANE RANCH

A working ranch that works for your soul.

Beltane is the kind of place you return to again and again—if you’re lucky enough to snag a room. The grounds feel more like a secret garden than a bed and breakfast, and the farmhouse details are pitch-perfect for lovers of tactile, unfussy beauty. I always try to visit on non-wedding weekends so I can wander the vineyards, sip wine under the oaks, and take in the kind of quiet you only find in places where time slows down.

Design note: most of what you’ll eat here is grown on-site. Even the tennis court feels like it’s in on the aesthetic.

INDIAN SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

TMineral water, modernism, and a little mid-century magic.

There’s something cinematic about Indian Springs. At dawn, steam rises over the Olympic-sized mineral pool while the light filters through palm fronds and bungalow shadows. Between the geothermal hot springs, classic mud baths, and unexpected extras (like shuffleboard, bicycles, and an outdoor fireplace perfect for quiet mornings), this is a place to rest—but also to remember what rest should actually feel like.

If you’re a designer, stay long enough to study the original architecture and its graceful renovations. If you’re anyone else, just float.

Bar Hana

Inspired Living Begins with Inspired Escapes

I believe a well-designed space doesn’t just reflect a lifestyle—it shapes one. And it’s often in places like these, where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, that we remember how powerful environment can be.

Whether you’re designing a retreat of your own or simply need a reset to rekindle your aesthetic vision, Sonoma delivers.

Take the First Step Toward Your Dream Space

If you’re a couple with multiple homes, a hotelier in need of a redesign, or a developer seeking elevated interiors, my team and I are here to bring your vision to life. With 15+ years of expertise across residential and commercial projects, we create spaces that are as functional as they are unforgettable.

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

You may also like...

Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

Thinking about hiring an interior designer? In this guide, Rachel Blindauer distills years of expertise into clear-eyed advice on what truly matters—training, temperament, and the unspoken art of compatibility. Before you commit, learn how to choose wisely, ask the right questions, and sidestep the costly mistakes too many regret in hindsight.

Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

Turn up the glitter for the holidays! Christmas by the beach calls for a new kind of tradition. Rachel Blindauer shares how to create elegant holiday interiors using tropical plants, sun-washed palettes, and design details that reflect the warmth and beauty of Sarasota’s coastal landscape.

The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

Most people never think to look up. But in the 16th century, the ceiling was a canvas as vital as any wall—integral to the room’s story. How forgettable would the Sistine Chapel be, had Michelangelo not been asked to paint the sky? Today, too many interiors ignore that fifth wall. Yet with a wash of color, a textured treatment, or the right medallion and lighting, the ceiling can become the soul of a space—quietly dramatic, unexpectedly intimate, and undeniably yours.

You may also like…

Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

Thinking about hiring an interior designer? In this guide, Rachel Blindauer distills years of expertise into clear-eyed advice on what truly matters—training, temperament, and the unspoken art of compatibility. Before you commit, learn how to choose wisely, ask the right questions, and sidestep the costly mistakes too many regret in hindsight.

read more
Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

Turn up the glitter for the holidays! Christmas by the beach calls for a new kind of tradition. Rachel Blindauer shares how to create elegant holiday interiors using tropical plants, sun-washed palettes, and design details that reflect the warmth and beauty of Sarasota’s coastal landscape.

read more
The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

Most people never think to look up. But in the 16th century, the ceiling was a canvas as vital as any wall—integral to the room’s story. How forgettable would the Sistine Chapel be, had Michelangelo not been asked to paint the sky? Today, too many interiors ignore that fifth wall. Yet with a wash of color, a textured treatment, or the right medallion and lighting, the ceiling can become the soul of a space—quietly dramatic, unexpectedly intimate, and undeniably yours.

read more