A Presidential Moment at the Conrad Washington, DC

Washington, DC has a rhythm of its own and every four years, that rhythm shifts. During the presidential inauguration, the city fills with visitors, media and guests from around the world and hotels become more than places to stay—they become part of the experience.

For the Conrad Washington, DC, we were invited to design a custom activation that would meet the moment while staying true to the brand’s refined, contemporary aesthetic.

Designing for a Historic Weekend

Rather than leaning into overt symbolism, the goal was to create something that felt celebratory and distinctly Conrad: modern, polished and memorable without being loud. We designed a custom-fabricated photo moment that guests could step into—a sculptural frame that doubled as a backdrop and an experience.

The installation was fully branded for the hotel and designed to live seamlessly within the space, allowing guests to capture a moment from an important weekend in the city without the activation overpowering the environment.

An Elevated Take on Americana

Color was an important consideration. We wanted to reference the occasion subtly, using a refined palette inspired by red, white and blue—interpreted through florals and textures that felt elevated rather than literal.

Lush arrangements framed the structure, balancing bold color with softness and movement. The result felt celebratory and intentional, offering a visual anchor in the hotel while remaining aligned with the Conrad’s understated luxury.

A Moment Guests Could Take With Them

The activation became a natural gathering point—inviting guests to pause, step inside and mark the occasion with a photo. In a city defined by history and ceremony, the goal wasn’t to explain the moment, but to give guests a way to remember it.

Projects like this reflect how we approach design in Washington, DC: understanding context, honoring the scale of the moment and creating experiences that feel thoughtful, timeless and deeply connected to place.

About the Studio

The Floral Guru designs large-scale public art installations, retail displays and environmental installations for commercial spaces, brands and hospitality environments.

Our work focuses on creating spatial experiences that balance visual impact with thoughtful execution—whether a project is designed to live on for years or exist for a single moment. 

Have a project in mind? Contact us.