The picturesque and tropical-flavored Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa plans to launch a $1.1 million renovation project around its 18-acre site along Mission Bay beginning in December, said hotel officials. The focus of the renovation will be the function and event space, according to Gregg Fracassa, the resort’s general manager. Seattle-based Dawson Design Associates, Inc. helped conceptualize the project, which will include a complete refurbishment of the resort’s pre-function space and public foyers and its three main ballrooms and breakout rooms, said Hilton officials.  The renovation is expected to be completed by January 2012, in time for the resort’s prime conference and event season. Fracassa said the custom design of the carpet patterns, wall coverings, furnishings, lighting and accent pieces will be contemporized by the mix of shapes, finishes and colors to blend with the resort’s current contemporary design with a Mediterranean flair. As a result of the renovation, the resort’s 25,200 square feet of contiguous meeting space will sport all-new, plush, custom carpeting in the pre-function and ballroom areas, along with a mix of pronounced textured wall coverings and eye-catching designs throughout the pre-function venues and corridors. Hilton resort guests will also experience an upgrade in the hotel’s wireless Internet systems, its audio/visual technology and modernization for all the televisions in the resort’s conference center to high-definition flat-screens, said resort officials. Fracassa said the planned color palette features the contrast between the shades of rich indigo and classic ecru that echo the colors of the waves and sand running parallel to the property.  Custom fabrics and materials have been specifically chosen to complement new furnishings with notable sleek lines and rattan-like accents. New lounge chairs, benches, framed sofas and straight-lined consoles share Mission-style design influences incorporating solid oak and mahogany wood, he said.  Accent pieces include wrought-iron and glass-based table lamps, glass-top coffee tables, contemporary new floor lamps and a variety of sleek, shaded wall sconces. In addition to the meeting space, the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa features an extensive variety of outdoor banquet venues. The resort’s newest meeting venue is the 9,600-square-foot Garden Pavilion, which can accommodate groups up to 1,100.  For reservations or information, call (619) 275-8971, or visit www.sandiegohilton.com/meetings.