Open outdoor lounge area overlooking a body of water with green hills in the distance. Features include lounge chairs, a wooden ceiling with fans, and modern seating.
Two lounge chairs on a patio facing an infinity pool with a view of a bay, green trees, and a sailboat in the water, under a wooden roof.
Outdoor patio area with six chairs with cushions surrounding a fire pit, a lounge chair, and a view of the ocean framed by trees and a partly cloudy sky.
Luxury bathroom with dual showerheads, a large stone wall, and a sliding glass door leading to a balcony with ocean and trees view.
Modern bathroom with free-standing bathtub, large window, and a walk-in shower with a marble accent wall.
Living room with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors, ocean view, beige sofa with pillows, small wooden coffee table, rug, and outdoor balcony with seating, trees and sky visible outside.
Modern hotel room with large glass sliding doors, a balcony with a lounge chair, and an interior featuring a king-sized bed with white bedding, a wooden nightstand, a blue patterned rug, and wall-mounted lamps.
Balcony overlooking a lake surrounded by trees at a modern house.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, marble countertops, and a breakfast bar with four chairs.
Living room with a large open window overlooking trees and a body of water, with modern decor including a beige pouf, wooden shelving, and a blue area rug.

Openined- July 2025

Tatiana Sheveleva and her dedicated team responsible for creating custom, timeless interior design for the Ultra Luxury Villa.

The scope of work: Four bedroom villa with spacious living space, kitchen /dining area, and family room.

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant seasons of Papagayo, Costa Rica, Chapi Design embraces the unparalleled beauty of nature's palette.

The lush greens of the rainy season and the fiery sunsets of the dry season provide a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and forms for interior design. What could be more enriching than translating the raw, untamed beauty of the Costa Rican landscape into captivating and harmonious living spaces? By mirroring nature's effortless elegance, Chapi Design creates interiors that are not only visually stunning but also deeply connected to the surrounding environment, fostering a sense of tranquility and well-being.

This philosophy is evident in their masterful integration of deep green and radiant gold hues throughout the space. The lush, vibrant greens evoke the rich foliage and verdant landscapes characteristic of one season, while the shimmering gold tones echo the sun-drenched beaches, golden hour light, or perhaps the drier, more golden aspects of the alternative season. Together, these carefully chosen colors create a true parallel with Papagayo's unique seasonal shifts, transforming the interior into a harmonious extension of its magnificent surroundings.

The sun is a persistent, golden eye in the sky over Papagayo. From December to late April, this is the season of relentless brilliance, a time when the Pacific stretches out like an endless sapphire, and the rolling hills that cradle the Gulf of Papagayo turn a toasted, tawny gold. This is the Dry Season, or Verano, and it arrives with the whisper of the Papagayo winds – a north-easterly breeze that sweeps the clouds away, leaving behind an almost impossibly clear canvas of blue. The air is warm, dry, and carries the faint scent of salt and sun-baked earth.

Then, around late April or early May, a shift begins. It’s subtle at first, a whisper of change in the humid air, a hint of darker clouds gathering on the horizon more frequently. This is the Transition, a period of anticipation. The first rains are a revelation – not a gentle sprinkle, but often a sudden, cleansing deluge that quickly turns the dusty paths to rich, dark earth. The air fills with the intoxicating scent of petrichor, the smell of rain on dry ground, a primal aroma that signals nature’s sigh of relief.

And with it comes the Green Season, or Invierno , which reigns from May through November. Papagayo undergoes a breathtaking transformation. The toasted hills quickly shed their golden cloak for an emerald velvet. Every shade of green imaginable explodes across the landscape – chartreuse new growth, deep jade jungle foliage, vibrant lime-green undergrowth.

  

The initial concept for the bathroom was rooted in a desire to dissolve the barrier between indoors and out. Oversized windows were envisioned, framing the landscape like a living artwork, while an outdoor shower promised an invigorating connection with nature. The bathtub, strategically placed beside a lush garden nook, ensured that even a simple soak would be an immersive experience. Our core intention was to forge a seamless bond between the bathroom's interior and the spectacular views beyond, allowing guests to fully appreciate the beauty surrounding them from every corner of the space.

The selection of finishes then became a thoughtful and intentional process, carefully considered to enhance this nature-inspired narrative. A deep green stone, laced with delicate gold veins, emerged as the perfect embodiment of the transitional seasons, capturing the richness of Green Season, or Invierno  , fading into the golden hues of  Dry Season, or Verano . This striking stone was then complemented by richly colored wood, its warm tones creating a bold and cohesive picture, enhancing the space's overall character and drawing the eye to its carefully curated details.

The luxurious villa stands as a testament to meticulous adherence, fully embodying the stringent Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand requirements, an exacting standard equally upheld throughout the main Hotel. At the heart of this design ethos lies the pursuit of timeless luxury, where interior expectations are met through an unwavering commitment to the highest quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Uniquely, the villa was intentionally conceived with a distinct design narrative, setting it apart from the general aesthetic of the other villas and the hotel. Yet, this intentional differentiation does not compromise its essence; rather, it powerfully retains and expresses the identical core values and elevated expectations synonymous with the Ritz-Carlton Reserve experience.

The owners envisioned a truly exceptional design for this villa, one that would harmonize with its extraordinary location and set it apart from typical branded residences. This vision translated into a unique architectural approach, highlighted by an organically shaped infinity pool and a captivating outdoor terrace. Given the distinctiveness of the exterior, the interior design naturally followed suit. The fully retractable front glass partitions and doors, offering unparalleled panoramic views, became a key element influencing the interior layout. The goal was to create living and dining spaces that maximized the breathtaking scenery while also fostering a cozy and inviting atmosphere for guests to relax and enjoy quiet evenings by the fireplace. Details such as the flexible living room layout, featuring an oversized double-sided sofa configuration, the beautiful modern kitchen with operable windows leading to an outdoor breakfast area, and the inviting fireplace, all contribute to the villa's exceptional and unique character.

When referencing Costa Rica's vivid earth tones and geologic textures, our approach leaned heavily into material selection and application techniques that went far beyond simple color matching. Rather than literal "brown" or "green" paints, the aim was to evoke the very essence of the landscape, allowing its spirit to permeate the design. This philosophy extended to the interior, where organic shapes mirroring those of the exterior infinity pool created a seamless visual harmony. Complementing the golden hues of the surrounding trees, natural rustic wood side tables introduced a warm, inviting glow. Furthermore, the extensive use of rich, locally sourced wood for both millwork and furniture truly grounded the space, imbuing it with an authentic sense of place.

 “The driving force behind the villa's design was cultivating a profound sense of belonging, ensuring the owner feels utterly at home within its walls. Comfort took precedence over elaborate aesthetics, prioritizing a welcoming and cozy atmosphere above all else. The aim was to craft a space where ease and relaxation reign, fostering an environment that nurtures pleasant memories with every stay.”- Tatiana Sheveleva

Sunlit indoor corridor with glass sliding doors, stone and wood interior, potted plants, and seating area with pink cushions.
Open wardrobe with a straw hat and clothing inside, view of a bathroom with a marble shower wall and rainfall shower head.
Luxurious bathroom with a double marble sink, large mirror, wooden cabinetry, stone accents, and a walk-in shower with marble walls.
Modern living room with beige sectional sofa, decorative pillows, wooden bookshelf, wall art, and large window showing greenery outside.
Living room with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, surrounded by trees, with a ceiling fan and modern furniture.
A modern bedroom with a large bed, beige sofa with pillows, and large glass sliding doors opening to a balcony with trees outside.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinetry, marble countertop island with five bar stools, large window overlooking trees, kitchen appliances built into cabinets, sliding glass door leading to outdoor deck with railing.
Luxe outdoor pool area overlooking a coastal ocean with hills in the background, featuring modern white seating and wooden accents, under a partly cloudy sky.

THE RITZ- CARLTON RESERVE VILLA, COSTA RICA