Applegate Estate

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Adobe-style estate exterior with traditional wooden balconies, rustic windows, and desert landscaping featuring tall grasses and terracotta pots – Applegate Estate design by French & French Interiors.
Southwestern courtyard at Applegate Estate with adobe walls, wooden doors, lantern lighting, and desert plantings, blending rustic architecture with natural landscaping.
Applegate Estate living room with exposed wooden ceiling beams, layered neutral seating, and Southwestern textiles, designed by French & French Interiors.
Cozy living space at Applegate Estate featuring striped armchairs, a wood coffee table, greenery accents, and traditional Southwestern wall weaving under exposed beams.
Adobe archway leads into Applegate Estate living room, showcasing exposed beams, black-and-white patterned tile flooring, and Southwestern decor.
Hand-carved wooden door at Applegate Estate entryway with exposed beam ceiling and adjacent sitting area decorated with Southwestern textiles and rustic furniture.
Rustic green hutch at Applegate Estate styled with ceramics, woven baskets, and pottery, highlighting handcrafted Southwestern details and traditional design.
Southwestern kitchen featuring exposed beams, white cabinetry, wood countertops, and a central island with gingham skirting.
Bright adobe kitchen with farmhouse sink, gingham island, and a cozy window seat under rustic wood beams.
Southwestern kitchen showcasing copper cookware, white cabinetry, blue seating nook, and a window seat with throw pillows.
White farmhouse sink framed by wood windows, potted herbs, and rustic cutting boards in a traditional adobe kitchen.
Bright kitchen space featuring white cabinets, rustic beams, and a pottery vase filled with fresh sunflowers.
Southwestern dining room with exposed wood beams, carved wood furniture, and a red lantern-style chandelier.
Adobe-style living room showcasing a patterned wall hanging, cream sofa, and tufted ottoman under wood beams.
A cozy bedroom featuring a hand-painted carved wooden headboard, patterned curtains, and rustic ceiling beams, with a small desk and guitar accenting the corner.
A warm Southwestern-style bedroom with a white kiva fireplace, exposed beams, and a wall decorated with cowboy hats, viewed toward an arched doorway.
A simple yet charming bedroom with a blue blanket, woven wall art, and exposed wood beams, styled with natural textures.
A Southwestern dining room with a wood dining table, green velvet chairs, and a corner kiva fireplace under rustic ceiling beams.
A close-up of the dining table styled with green velvet chairs, fresh flowers, and natural textures, capturing the warm New Mexican aesthetic.
A serene bedroom with a soft neutral palette, patterned headboard, and large pillows beneath rustic ceiling beams.
A close-up of a bedside table with stacked books, fresh flowers, and a hanging lantern-style fixture, complementing the warm, textured bedroom design.
A serene bedroom with exposed wooden ceiling beams, soft beige plaster walls, and a bed dressed in blush bedding with bronze accent pillows. A fluffy white rug lies on the wooden floor, and a woven textile hangs in a recessed niche beside a dark wood
A luxurious bathroom featuring a silver clawfoot soaking tub placed against a kiva-style fireplace alcove. French doors open to the garden, framed by patterned drapes, with a small side table holding flowers and bath essentials.
A bathroom with a double vanity of dark wood cabinets, topped with a white counter and two oval mirrors framed in silver. Patterned tile backsplash and wood-beamed ceilings complete the rustic yet refined look.
A light-filled bathroom with a white clawfoot tub set against a wall of cream patterned tile. A window ledge holds terracotta pots with plants, and a striped towel drapes casually over the tub.
A cozy bedroom with exposed beams, a bed dressed in a bold red quilt and patterned bolster pillow, and seating by a plaster fireplace. Layered textiles and potted plants bring warmth to the space.
A small sitting nook featuring a soft blue armchair with a turquoise pillow, paired with a rustic round table holding a green vase with blossoming branches and red taper candles. A carved wooden cabinet with spindle details anchors the background.
A spacious living room with wood-beamed ceilings, cream sofas, and pale lavender armchairs arranged around a central round table. A white plaster fireplace, rustic console, and large rug add to the Southwestern charm.
Round wooden dining table surrounded by blue upholstered chairs, with a large vase of sunflowers as the centerpiece beneath rustic wood ceiling beams.
Wooden console table with carved details, topped with a bright yellow vase of greenery and stacked books, set against a window with patterned drapery.
Bed styled with gold, black, and rust-colored bedding and pillows, with a dark wood headboard and a side table holding a vase of flowers.
A child sits in a small curtained nook with bookshelves, reading Curious George, surrounded by patterned fabric details.
Two children reading together in a cozy sitting area with a kiva fireplace, woven rugs, and a rustic armchair accented with playful décor.
White adobe fireplace with wood storage, a built-in raised bed nook styled with textiles, and shelves with books and pottery.
Richly hued lounge with navy walls, a deep blue sectional, and a red-and-blue woven textile hanging above, styled with layered pillows.
Traditional adobe-style courtyard with upper and lower balconies, wooden beams, and natural landscaping under a clear blue sky.

About the Project

Santa fe, new mexico

In the heart of Santa Fe, the historic De La Peña House—later the Applegate Estate—holds centuries of history. First recorded in 1845 and believed to date to the 1700s, the adobe became a cultural landmark in the 1920s when artist Frank Applegate hosted icons like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams within its walls.

When our clients discovered the estate, they were drawn to its storied past but longed to soften its dark, moody interiors. Our design embraced the character of the thick adobe walls and hand-hewn beams while introducing light, warmth, and comfort through airy fabrics, delicate patterns, and layered textures.

Working with local artisans, we incorporated custom-carved furnishings, hand-crafted tinwork, and antique Navajo weavings. Spaces like the upstairs den—where rustic folk details meet refined upholstery—capture the balance of Santa Fe’s earthy soul and timeless traditional elegance.

The result is a restoration that feels both historic and fresh, honoring the home’s legacy while reimagining it as a soulful retreat.

Press: architectural digest

Photographer: Jenna Peffley 

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