Photos: Nada Khalaf-Jones
Project spotlight
Three Waters Resort and Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
Islamorada, FL
Tribute Portfolio hotels by Marriott are known for their unique personalities, captivating designs, and vibrant social scenes.
Photos: Nada Khalaf-Jones
Design: Sims Patrick Studio
Purchaser: Beyer Brown
Meet a team member
Diahann Foulks
What is your role at Bryan Ashley?
I’m a Project Administrative Assistant and have been with Bryan Ashley for 27 years.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I love the variety in my work—every day brings new challenges and opportunities, making it both engaging and rewarding to keep things running smoothly across different departments.
How do you enjoy your free time?
I cherish time with family, love giving back to the community, and dream of visiting Africa to experience its rich culture and make a difference.
Upscale resort with engaging experiences and captivating design
Three Waters Resort & Marina is more than just a place to stay—it’s an immersive escape into the beauty and charm of Islamorada. From the moment guests step into the modern lobby, they’re greeted by an open, airy space adorned with coral stone, lush greenery, and natural textures that reflect the surrounding mangroves. The atmosphere is both sophisticated and welcoming, seamlessly blending contemporary design with the laid-back essence of the Florida Keys.
Each of the 214 guestrooms reflects the resort’s connection to the ocean, featuring a palette of warm
sandy hues, vibrant blues, and coral-inspired accents that mirror the stunning waters and breathtaking sunsets of the Keys. The incorporation of whitewashed oak and woven resin accents adds warmth and texture, enhancing the elegance and comfort of the interiors. This thoughtful design balances modern luxury with island charm, creating a serene retreat after a day of exploration. For those seeking a more secluded escape, The Cove, an adult-centric resort within a resort, offers elevated accommodations with king rooms, suites, and exclusive access to a private beach lagoon and pool, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Creative we love
Colletta Conner RID, NCIDQ
Managing Principal ForrestPerkins
Colletta Conner discovered her passion for design at an early age, sketching layouts to improve the functionality of her family’s Navy housing. Growing up in San Diego, she was captivated by the grandeur of spaces like Copley Symphony Hall—an experience that sparked her deep appreciation for how architecture shapes human emotions and enhances the world around us.
Her career began in the U.S. Air Force as a medic and Health Promotion Director, giving her a distinctive perspective on the connection between well-being and the built environment. This foundation fuels her commitment to designing spaces that nurture the body, mind, and spirit—an approach that is embedded in her DNA.
With over 20 years of award-winning experience, Colletta is a recognized leader in hospitality design, specializing in hotel brands, large-scale properties, boutique hotels, spas and wellness spaces, restaurants, historic landmarks, resort destinations, and luxury multi-residential projects. As Managing Principal of ForrestPerkins, she combines her expertise in design with her background in organizational leadership, seamlessly balancing creative vision with strategic management. Her ability to blend meticulous design detail with firm leadership makes her a trusted partner to clients and a mentor to her team.
Passionate about lifelong learning and growth, Colletta finds fulfillment in guiding and empowering her team, fostering both professional success and personal well-being. She believes that great design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about creating meaningful experiences that enrich lives.
In her free time Colletta coaches groups and individuals in personal growth, positive intelligence, and her latest research into integrity selling.
What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?
My childhood was very influential in forming my interest in design. As a Navy brat, we traveled a lot and moved to many different homes as my dad’s career took us to many places. I found that I had an intuition about how to make spaces work better to improve functionality. I was impacted by volumes of space and can recall field trips to places where volume was used in design strategy in museums and the symphony hall, places we went to all the time. My mom was also a great decorator, even on a very restricted budget she made sure our homes were well-designed and personal.
Are there any current design trends you find particularly exciting or impactful?
The top-of-mind trend across all industries is AI. I am super intrigued about how it can expand capabilities and support the process. In my opinion, AI won’t replace architects or designers, but I think it is and will continue to reshape how we work—freeing up time for creative problem-solving while improving efficiency and sustainability. I’m optimistic that the future of architecture and design will likely be a collaboration between human intuition and AI-powered insights. In addition, other really exciting things are happening with us around Longevity and Wellness spaces. We are learning about designing spaces that cater to diverse neurological needs to ensure inclusivity. I am obsessed with making spaces more inclusive while incorporating elements that evoke joy and positivity to create healing environments.
How do you integrate functionality with aesthetics in your designs?
Since I travel frequently, I consider what I need as a hotel guest—someone who must balance work with downtime and rest. Spatial planning, ergonomics, and human-centric comforts like layered lighting and carefully chosen finishes create spaces that are both functional and beautiful. I also believe that specifying purposeful materials is a responsibility we have as designers; designing with acoustics in mind, lighting, biophilia, anti-microbial, and eco-conscious is non-negotiable.
How do you envision the future of hotel interior design evolving in the next 5-10 years?
The future of hotel interior design will be driven by a fusion of technology, sustainability, personalization, and immersive experiences. Hotels will become dynamic ecosystems that cater to individual guest needs while enhancing wellness, promoting sustainability, and offering unique, memorable stays. I believe ‘smart rooms’ will be on the rise utilizing AI for lighting controls, temperature, mood lighting, and digital artwork. I believe sustainability will extend beyond green certifications, incorporating more biophilic and regenerative design, circular design practices, and net-positive solutions. Neuro-aesthetics and wellnessdriven design are here, and I think we will see more and more designs in hotels using color psychology, wellness tech integration, and multi-sensory experiences. Plus, more inclusive options for people who require moderated sensory experiences, which is a huge number in our population.
Follow along
Three Waters Resort & Marina
Welcome to a unique destination brimming with possibilities. Nestled on fifteen waterfront acres, this Islamorada, Florida resort perfectly blends adventure and relaxation, featuring bright, islandinspired guestrooms and cottages where no detail is left untouched and the ocean views are endless. Adventure seekers heading to the sportfishing capital of the world will find their ideal retreat at the reimagined Three Waters Resort & Marina. Enjoy a full-service marina that provides daily
and backcountry charters, along with nine culinary destinations that cater to every craving, making this the ultimate Florida Keys destination.
