This week I took a last-minute trip to Washington DC to participate in a forum organized by the Department of Labor and booked a room at the W Hotel located hardly a block from the White House. Having traveled extensively in the last five years since I became a professional blogger, I’ve seen every sort of hotel room that exists, and once came face to face with a discarded condom wrapper underneath my pillow. Didn’t know it was physically possible, but I jumped like a cat and ended up hanging from the ceiling by my fingernails.
Last year when I was thirty-weeks pregnant I embarked on a three-week book tour visiting nine different cities and sleeping in nine different hotel rooms. And those rooms were all perfectly fine, some very nice and at times lovely. But you know when you’re watching a makeover show and a client sees her redecorated bedroom for the first time? And without fail she will say, “I feel like I’m in a boutique hotel room!”
She did not stay in the hotel rooms I stayed in.
Of course, she’s probably not thirty-weeks pregnant, either. That can affect your mood.
Until this week. Until I walked into this room, saw the decor and fell madly, deeply in love. It was everything I imagined my dream home would look like. From the eclectic mix of furniture in the sitting area (I love how they covered such a traditional, hard-edged chair in white leather and paired it with a soft suede, semi-circle couch):
To the jagged edges of the moldings at the ceiling, and the clean, symmetrical lines of the dresser:
To the knock-your-socks-off modern touches of the bathroom:
To the retro feel of the desk in the corner:
And then the bed itself. The padded headboard against a giant wall of elaborate metallic wallpaper:
I did not want to leave, and no they did not pay me to say any of this or comp my room. I was genuinely blown away, and will save these pictures for the next time I get an itch to move a few things around in my home. If this is the kind of boutique hotel rooms people are talking about, then I finally understand!
(Of course, maybe I need to get out more. Noted!)
Would you mind posting the "straight up" pictures, please? I would like a better sense of the coloring.
I stayed in that hotel for a night in October…it was the fanciest I had ever felt! Our room had the added bonus of a frosted glass shower that acted as a wall between the sleeping area and the bathroom. The fanciness goes right out the window when faced with taking a shower and having a friend of a friend hanging out on the bed. Can you imagine the awkwardness during a family vacation?
W Hotels are awesome. I think the detail would be easier for your readership to appreciate without the iPhone photo stylizing app.
is this the 'horror movie' filter in Photoshop? This is ridiculous.
Dude. Heather. I love you, and I know you love your iPhone/ragged-edge/blue-green combo, but it's really difficult to…see past it to what you're talking about. Ineffective communication is by definition poor communication, and you're now officially obscuring your own communication with WIDGETS LOOK AT MAH WIDGETS YOU GUYS!
I can't see a thing. I know you love your apps but it look like a 12 old got some shrinky dinks and pasted some crappy pics on them.
I was wondering if we, as in the taxpayers had to pay for that hotel. If so I'm miffed, if it's you–go right ahead and enjoy.
Shrinky Dinks! I forgot all about those. They're fun
I, too, would love to see the un-iPhone app'd photos.
Have to agree that your choice of filter was off for this type of blog post.
No, you as a taxpayer did not pay for that hotel or for the airfare to DC. It was all out of pocket.
Because this trip was so unexpected, I left our good camera at home and was equipped with only my iPhone. I wasn't expecting to be so blown away by the room, and when I attempted regular iPhone shots the pictures came out looking like crappy phone pics. I'm pretty sure that if I had posted those I would hear, "These look like crappy phone pics."
Don't think I could win either way.
I like this iPhone app, and I'm actually really find of the artistic way it renders photos. Thought it'd be appropriate to showcase this room in this artistic way. I appreciate the criticism, and next time I'll pack the good camera.
Thank you. I know that may have come across ignorant to some, but I didn't know so I asked.
You are so graceful and your humility is inspiring
I just adore you Heather B. Armstrong 
I’ve always wanted to design a hotel like that…
Random: I wonder if heather thrift shops?
got to love the constant criticism. unreal.
I agree that the objects were obscured by the effect of app. Especially the first few. I had a hard time making them out. Perhaps not the best choice for a design blog. I don't think that's rude criticism, just fact. The taxpayer comment, however, would have been ridiculous had it not been so lame. Have you tried the ShakeIt Photo App? I think the elements of this room would have been captured gorgeously with it. Just a head's up for next time!
You can see photos of the guest rooms on the hotel's website. I think Heather's pictures accentuate the lines of the items she is highlighting.
I'm stunned you had to pay your own way. Really. A last minute trip had to be pricey. Glad it was such a great experience.
Lisa,
You think it's stunning that she or any of those whom were invited had to pay their own way? What rock do you living under? When we're bailing out banks, people are losing their homes and jobs and you think we should pay for a blogger or anyone to stay in a hotel and airfare to participate in a forum?
I mean anyone. I think if you are invited to participate in something, it's likely that you are a guest- hence the invitation. Frankly, it's common for most speaking engagements, conferences, etc. to be that way.
And frankly, I didn't say it's the way it "should" be, but it is the norm.
Seriously Patsy, the president is going to buy a new Airforce 1 plane. I wouldn't be surprised if "we" paid for her ticket and honestly would rather my tax dollars pay for that then a new plane for the president.
Is that a filter? I love it!
Can you share what kind?
Here is a link to the W Hotel's site with photos:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/ph…
Beautiful room.
This app is a little too "silence of the lambs night vision goggle" for me, but I can see (thanks Norabloom for the link) why you were so thrilled to spend time there. It's gorgeous. What do you think your favorite design style/piece is? I'm digging those lamps that I think are on the desk (bowls of light).
So pretty! How did your restrain yourself from packing that office chair into your suitcase and taking it home? 'I want to go to there.'
I think the app is badass (even for this post). I appreciate Heather making the most out of what she had – again, talking about the pics. She wanted to post for the design blog, so why not include the stylized filter? Plus, I can make everything out just fine. Chairs, lamps, bed, bathroom… yep yep, I see it and it's all very neat. Glad you had an enjoyable time.
She's talking mostly about shapes and lines in her post, which are perfectly visible from and enhanced by her photos. I appreciate the change from the typical "here's a picture of the bed" and "here's a picture of the bathroom." If you want to see more photos, go to the hotel website. Not that hard to google it.
Have you ever stayed at the Parker Hotel in Palm Spring, California. Now that's a place I never wanted to leave.
I have a really hard time seeing past the filters to the furniture.
Which is unfortunate because the furniture sounds pretty cool from your description.
BTW I am also surprised that you had to pay for it yourself. Sure we are bailing out banks, but it seems normal to cover the cost of travel for people. I am only a graduate student and all of my travel costs are covered by the government.
Dangit Heather, just fly back on your dime, pay to go there again and take some good pictures. Don't you care about us at all?
Kidding.
I've really come to hate that iPhone app.
oh, boy – heather, you just can't win. sorry for all the sour comments. i think the pictures are lovely.
Heather, those photos tell me nothing. If you're going to call yourself qualified enough to write on HGTV's website, then take decent photos. It's a huge stretch having you on this website as it is, but to continue to write as if you're posting on Dooce and not a respected home and garden site is disappointing. To mention condoms and then post those awful photos is just too much. I'm not at all getting why you're on HGTV.
Ditto.
Dooce is the awesome. I'm pretty sure HGTV asked her to blog here because of who SHE IS… not to pretend to be someone else when she writes on their blog. I'm sure they invited her knowing she'll bring her fans to their boring blog.
do you really not have anything better to do? all heather was doing was trying to show people a hotel she enjoyed. sorry you don't have a sense of humor and feel the need to have professional photos at all times.
HGTV, I'm really disappointed that you would willing compromise the quality of what you offer like this. Dooce has a huge following, and that's what you're after. Is the increase in your ratings enough to justify these lousy posts? Dooce is cheapening what you offer.
HAHA "DOOCE IS CHEAPENING ALL MY QUALITY TIME WITH MAH TELEVISION." wtg.
Go back to bed, mother.
People are so mean.
My mother always reminded me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. Perhaps the internet needs a reminder as well.
Do you need to be redeemed
To the one you've sinned against
Because he's all you ever knew of love?
(lol)
Heather, I find these images HIGHLY offensive, in several ways.
First of all, I used to be a director of horror movies. I was big time. I was rich. Until that fateful day, when a clean lined dresser and a hard edged white leather chair fell on my legs. Both had to be amputated. My dreams were…crushed. Literally. Because of my accident, I can no longer look at clean lined dressers or hard edged white leather chairs. ESPECIALLY if they are in a picture taken with an iphone and edited with iphone camera apps. If I see such images, I uncontrollably drive to the closest store, purchase 17 packages of Reese's Cups, and place a Reese's Cup on each of my fingers and toes, and then walk around the neighborhood asking random strangers if they have a bottle of shampoo.
Secondly, I have a problem with the fact that you stayed at a W hotel. W was the middle initial of my great-great-aunt's cousin. He lost the family fortune when he opened a chain of unsuccessful soul food Vietnamese fusion fast food restaurants. He is a blemish on the family tree and the only reason I pursued a directing career in order to gain back my family's fortune. How could you not know this?! You deliberately posted this JUST to upset me.
In short, Heather B. Armstrong, UNFOLLOW.
Ha!
Haha Rosie…wait…you mean you put Reese's on each of your prosthetic toes? Omg. I bet that was sooooo awful. On your behalf…..UNFOLLOW, Heather.
Loved it. Thanks for making us laugh.
LOL Rosie! Good for you!
Heather, I think you'll find affinity with the song "Good Morning" by Chamillionaire. Keep showing all of the haters love ;]
If you ever find yourself needing a cheaper version of the W, try an Aloft Hotel, also by Starwood. The hotel has a lot of open community space throughout, and felt like a chic hostel, but with A+ accommodations. Bonus: they have the same desk chairs, and the one where I stayed had a marble bowl sink with modern fixtures.
Sweet Jesus. People People…Why are there so many envious douchebags out there. And we are surprised that children go to school and bully another child to the point that she takes her life.
Look in the mirror for those who feel they have a right to judge and judge and judge. It's awful to read.
W Hotels rock! Going to stay in one soon and can't wait. Love the designs!
are you seriously freaking kidding me? i cannot believe the viritol of some of these comments. i can’t believe even more that people who can’t stand her have taken all the time and effort to follow her here just to post nasty comments. do you not have anything better to do with your time? call me a dooce sheep all you like, but yay to you, HGTV, for inviting heather to blog here. i am delighted to have another place to read her writing and i would not have come to your site otherwise. in addition to her writing style (CONDOMS, CAPS AND ALL) i enjoy not only her asthetic tastes, but her passion for the things she likes. including that filter. i am appalled at the lack of manners here, geez. signed, a lamb even clarice can still hear screaming about this.
I love the pictures! Is it just me, or is that the perfect sink to bath like twelve babies in??
full disclosure: I do read Dooce.com regularly, and I also follow Design Happens, separately, and without prompting. I am not a fan of this iPhone filter and think it is distracting in this post.
That being said, the thing that kills me about this argument is that all these "long time readers" who just love this blog so much and feel that Heather RUINED EVERYTHING by barging in here, barely comment on any other posts. The ONLY posts getting more comments than Heather's in the last two weeks are contests. There is no design discussion going on here. – oh wait, until Heather posts something and then there are 50 comments debating the merits of her design choices.
Like it or not, clearly HGTV made a savvy business decision.
Look for us over at the HGTV forums – that's where many of us old-timers take the discussion. Less foul language, friendly company, and I think the forums actually predate this blog, which might be why many read here, but discuss there.
I have a younger daughter who loves this website and HGTV. These posts of Mrs. Armstrong are not quality contributions to this website. As a family we love watching Candice's show and many of the other shows. We discuss the designs and then sometimes plan mini-projects for our home. This website is an extension of what we love so much about HGTV. That someone like Mrs. Armstrong has been invited to come here and talk more about herself than design, and to turn this into an extension of her rather tasteless blog rather than an extension of HGTV, is really upsetting. There seems to be a number of her fans posting in the comments, and I have to second what the previous commenter said, which is that we are not here for Dooce. We've been enjoying this website since its inception, and are truly bothered that these posts are so out of place and have very little to do with what we've come to love about HGTV and this website. It just makes me so sad that HGTV feels that this a healthy direction for their website. When a fifteen-year old girl is bothered enough to have brought these posts to my attention, that's something to think about, HGTV. It wasn't me that stumbled upon Mrs. Armstrong's contributions here, it was my daughter.
But, thanks for taking the time to make a comment. Also, get off of the couch and get a life, mother. 50 is the new 40, try some yoga.
Sheesh. Suck it up, people. She forgot her good camera. Get over it.
When does Heather forget her good camera? She never goes anywhere without it. She and her husband are camera junkies.
Dooce isn't a mommyblog. She does happen to be a mother who blogs. Her blog is much more than that, though.
Oh? Dooce is a mommyblog. 99% of the posts are about being a mommy. It's not an insult to call it that.
Gosh some people are boring-I love the photo effect and can totally see the funishings fine.
GET OVER IT, YOU WHINY LOSERS. I am sorry you have nothing better to do than to critique every little thing Heather does, writes, or posts. Are you all soo bored with your own lives that you have to put someone else down? You people should be ashamed of yourselves.
Finally, a voice of reason. Thank you.
I think the photos are great Heather. Haters, suck it!
I am an avid HGTV watcher, but do not frequent their website until Dooce. I appreciate that she tried with what she had. I am not a sheep, but a fan of both HGTV and Heather. Heather's style is not how I would decorate, but it is nice to see a "non-designer's" opinion. Thanks for sharing!
I am an avid HGTV watcher, but do not frequent their website until Dooce. I appreciate that she tried with what she had. I am not a sheep, but a fan of both HGTV and Heather. Heather's style is not how I would decorate, but it is nice to see a "non-designer's" opinion. Thanks for sharing!
I love the comment about "my daughter reads this site and Heather is inappropriate." Lady, trust me, if this is the most "offensive" thing your daughter comes in contact with during her life, I'll be amazed.
For a bunch of HGTV followers, I think the haters have missed the point of this post. Heather is commenting on the artistic aspects of the hotel room. Showcasing the particulars in an artsy way seems perfectly reasonable to me. Each photo looks like a piece of abstract art. You have to study them in order to see what exists within them. Why show the same old boring photos, photos that can be found on the hotel website? Be original, people.
Also, UNFOLLOW!
If I had an iPhone i would be taking pictures with that app all the TIME.
I do too, Rebecca. a few pics were fun, but every pic? I come to HGTV for design ideas, not iphone experiments.
I can't for the life of me figure out why people bother to comment negatively – good golly is it tiresome. Thanks for sharing!