Designing to the Max
The August 2017 Designer Issue of Casual Living examines the work of leading outdoor designers, including a two-page Designer Viewpoint feature on Peter Max Bowden and his transformation of the exterior hospitality spaces at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina.
In “Designing to the Max,” writer Laurie Rudd profiles Peter Max Bowden’s work at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, an expansive waterfront property on Goat Island overlooking Narragansett Bay. The feature explores how Bowden approached the resort’s outdoor spaces as integral parts of the guest experience rather than secondary amenities.
Following the property’s $18 million renovation, Bowden developed a series of distinct al fresco environments, including a three-tiered deck with built-in banquettes, multiple fire-pit settings, outdoor dining terraces and separate cocktail lounges. Each space was given its own identity while remaining connected through a familiar nautical palette and the character of Newport.
The Scarpetta patio draws from the craftsmanship of Italian Riva yachts through layered woods and Italian-influenced detailing. By contrast, the Regent outdoor cocktail bar takes cues from an elegant speakeasy, using maritime references, rope accents and restrained nautical details. Navy and white furnishings extend the waterfront theme across the resort without turning it into a costume party.
Bowden also discusses the realities of hospitality design, where beauty must coexist with operations, flexibility and durability. His approach treats form and function as inseparable—particularly at hotels and resorts, where spaces must adapt constantly while standing up to weather, heavy use and the demands of daily service.
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