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Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie.

Gymnopédie No. 1Erik Satie

Robin Alciatore · Musopen
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Sandy Pines Nesting Place

Client website2 min read

Sandy Pines is a retreat still taking shape in Dobbins, California. The design challenge: make five proposed stays feel tangible while being clear that the business is not ready to take bookings.

My role
Website design and delivery for my boss’s retirement venture, with AI-assisted development and imagery.
Status
Live client website. The retreat is in planning; booking and signup are not yet available.
Sandy Pines’ live homepage, captured September 6, 2026. The property scene is concept imagery.
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Give each planned stay its own place

The five stays need to feel distinct without becoming five separate websites. The selector keeps them together: choosing a stay changes its description, planned stage, and occupancy. A visitor can compare the possibilities before booking is available.

These are actual website captures from September 6, 2026. The property scenes are concept imagery for accommodation still being planned, as labeled on the live site.

The five planned stays with Pine Tipi selected, followed by its description, opening phase, and planned occupancy.
The selection and the information it changes, shown together. Property scenes are concept imagery. Open full image

Make the unresolved details easy to find

Atmosphere can make a planned retreat feel more complete than it is. The FAQ gives the necessary context: opening and direct-booking arrangements are still being finalized. At the September capture, the opening section said signup was coming soon.

The site introduces the place and its proposed stays. Booking and a working signup system remain future work; the website’s delivery is the result demonstrated here.

The live FAQ with opening and direct-booking answers expanded, both describing plans still being finalized.
The opening and booking answers, captured September 6, 2026. Open full image

Carry the atmosphere through the practical details

The July revisions brought the site into one continuous page. Older stay and FAQ routes redirect to their relevant sections. Later revisions refined anchor navigation and removed extra hero effects.

The heavier nightfall sequence runs only on wider screens when the visitor has not requested reduced motion or data saving. On a phone, the stays remain easy to browse in a compact horizontal selector.

Pine Tipi’s selected-stay details on a phone, with the description, opening phase, planned occupancy, and opening-updates link.
The selected stay’s practical details at 390px phone width. The concept scene remains secondary to the information. Open full image
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