It’s all for you, my suite

At the Hotel Bel-Air, the swans that swim on the property’s brook-fed pond -- and across the jacquard pattern of its custom Italian bed linens -- serve as just one symbol of eternal love. Filled with red-tiled roofs, sun-dappled courtyards, bridges, fountains and lush grounds, this legendary romantic California Mission hideaway employs rosy English Manor and French Country decor to set a stage for which every stay can become Valentine’s Day.

As if one-of-a-kind accommodations weren’t enough, the hotel recently repaid its devotion to frequent visitors by letting them consult with interior designer Sybil van Dijs one-on-one about their favorite suites. “What makes the Bel-Air such a home away from home for people is its sense of privacy, its understated elegance and quiet comfort,” says Van Dijs, who recently completed an extensive couture renovation and redecoration of more than 30 suites in the north wing. To achieve this, the Belmont Shore-based designer concentrated on bringing the beauty of the exterior -- the building’s pink stucco and the gardens’ verdant hues -- inside.

Of course, that means sumptuous floral fabrics, as well as furniture with warm wood finishes and elegant curves. It’s all placed in a setting defined by simple color palettes of “ethereal shades” with equal values that feel light and airy in the day and warm and intimate at night.

How can you re-create this mood at home? The color samples, inspired by the Chalon Suite at the Bel-Air, were chosen for their calm qualities that complement the subtle tones of handcrafted rugs, while the fabric swatches exhibit a tactile luxury, from richly woven damasks to plush velvets.

In the boudoir, romance blossoms with soft floral prints. Layer them with plaids and stripes in coordinating colors, pile on the pillows, and don’t be afraid to ruffle a few feather-filled comforters. The crowning touch? “A canopy,” Van Dijs declares. “We’ve found that many of our younger couples love them because it feels like they’ve sneaked into their parents’ bedroom.”