Too much of our false enjoyment comes from the ‘digital’ world, the quick fix, the short news cycle.
People are being cooked alive with the input of too many data points. A vicious cycle of unhappiness and non-meaningful lives. Slowing down, living the analog, enjoying the craft, the lost art of conversation - is something we think this society is craving more now than ever - consciously and subconsciously. We wanted to create that “place” where such an evening could not only take place, but flourish. An evening
that could nourish and celebrate that lost part of our brain that needs time, space, friendship, conflict, nature and meaning.
When designing the Lost Whiskey Lodge we neurotically thought about the art of gathering and all the necessary ingredients to make it special. In doing so, we put a heavy emphasis on the “analog.” We wanted the dinner to be cooked over open fires, that took time. Slowing down the process of drinking, talking and taking in the natural world. Things slowly marinated tend to taste better.
The bedrooms are small and minimalist, there is very little clutter or space to junk up. We want our guests to bring the least amount of “stuff.” Dedicated storage for a few change of clothes and a couple of good books, but not much more. Clutter clutters the mind. The common space is large with heavy emphasis on the preparation of a meal and or drink. We want folks to come together. We want things to take time. Fire is a critical element of the space. Soft leather sofas, warm soft Pendleton blankets, board games encourage to shut things down - to be analog. The giant cantilever porch has no structural post
to obscure the natural view. Analog means more rocking chairs, an Argentinian grill, fire, and
minimalist pool made out of an old sea container. You want time to slow down and the mind to relax and refresh. Wellness needs both time and space.
We salvaged old cherry and ash trees from the property and had them milled up on site so that we could build special furniture pieces. These textures and elements are raw and modern that help connect folks to the textures and beauty of the natural world. The art work is minimalist but large in scale. We have a map room of old local photos and aerial images of the property from 100 years ago. We want that connection to the old. In fact the mountain range we look down upon is Lost Mountain - which was purchased by George Washington in 1769. This 2,712 acre mountain was to be his place of retirement. Of all the well travelled places George Washington visited - he chose this place to retire. His election to Presidency put a hold on these plans -
but it lends credence to the specialness of this place and hence the name Lost Whiskey Club.