{"id":18308,"date":"2025-03-14T09:01:55","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T14:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/?p=18308"},"modified":"2025-09-26T15:38:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T20:38:58","slug":"a-conversation-with-isabel-tragash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/tastemakers\/a-conversation-with-isabel-tragash\/","title":{"rendered":"A Conversation with Isabel Tragash"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michelle Payer<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not every day that we can sit down for a lengthy conversation with the extraordinarily creative Isabel Tragash, principal of STA Architectural Group. Known for her timeless aesthetic and meticulous attention to detail, Isabel blends elegance with functionality to create unforgettable spaces at Acqualina Resort<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 We caught up with her as she pored over rich fabrics, bespoke rugs and incandescent finishes to take you inside the transformation she led about Acqualina Resort\u2019s Gallery Lobby:<\/p>\n

The color palette has changed and brightened significantly. With such a rich legacy of a grand Italian villa Galleria and condominium lobbies, how did you begin to approach this rejuvenation<\/strong>?\u00a0My team and I did a great deal of research on stately European properties that have modernized while preserving their interior architecture. Our findings inspired us with the use of a fresh color palette bringing life to the architectural features and punctuating them with high-style furniture and bespoke rugs.<\/p>\n

Much of the architecture, including the ceiling millwork and custom convex smoked wall mirrors really pops now with even more natural light significantly brightening the lobby. How does this enhance the guest and residence experience<\/strong>?\u00a0\u00a0The pearlized walls and the shades of white highlighting the interior architectural details with hints of emerald-green on the furnishings enhance the Acqualina brand\u2019s stately, yet casual experience.\u00a0\u00a0The convex mirror domes replace the round latticed medallions on the walls to add an unexpected reflective touch and play with natural light streaming through the oversized windows across the lobby. The lobby\u2019s luminosity highlighted by the fresh color palette, the reflectivity of materials and the natural light lifts the Acqualina Resort experience to new heights.<\/p>\n

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It has been said that \u201cDetails make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.”\u00a0Two examples are the existing chandeliers refinished in white with silver leaf accents and restored alabaster shades, and the condominium elevator\u2019s rich wallcovering from the Handcrafted Thames collection.\u00a0 What additional striking details coalesce to create the grandest guest and residential experiences<\/strong>?\u00a0We were challenged to create harmony and distinction between the hotel lobby and the condominium lobbies.\u00a0In both, we preserved the existing architectural features with shades of white in the hotel lobby and stained oak millwork polished to its original luster in the residential lobbies. The common thread between the two lobbies is the emerald-green accents, the reflective mirrors and the high-style furniture.<\/p>\n

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The rich green marble that marks the entrance into the hotel and restaurants is striking, set against black marble. Where is it from, and how did you unearth just the right hues<\/strong>? \u00a0That Irish Green<\/em> marble was actually sourced in Italy. During our design process, we envisioned carrying it through to the reception desk as a backdrop. The idea thrilled Stephanie Trump and she took it upon herself to search for the perfect green slab that would speak to the existing Irish Green marble.\u00a0 After searching high and low she discovered a remarkable Fusion Green quartzite marble in Brazil that not only relates to the current green marble but also picks up surrounding gold and alabaster tones. This slab\u2019s movement and colors is an amazing representation nature\u2019s extraordinary art.<\/p>\n

It looks like you\u2019ve retained the original marble floors and imposing columns, which are reminiscent of a grand Pompeiian estate<\/strong>. How did you bring them to life?<\/strong>\u00a0Our vision was to retain and enhance the stately architectural elements which contribute to the making of an iconic lobby.\u00a0 The existing Corinthian and Doric columns as well as the rosettes on the vaulted ceiling are highlighted in shades and sheens of white.<\/p>\n

How long did the design process take on a monumental project like this?\u00a0<\/strong>You just made me aware of how quickly time goes by. We began talking and dreaming with Stephanie Trump and Deborah Yager Fleming in April 2020 and had our first design presentation eight weeks later. We continued with the design development drawings and final furniture selections and completed this phase in July 2020.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Michelle Payer It\u2019s not every day that we can sit down for a lengthy conversation with the extraordinarily creative Isabel Tragash, principal of STA Architectural Group. 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