So, in a nutshell, I loved this project. It will be compared to my firstborn. I hope my firstborn will be as cute as this project.
When I think of a mountain getaway for a vacation, I pretty much imagine this resort. Colors from nature pulled into the interior, yet not overpowering nor competing with the natural landscape. Using local resources to create the interior and bring it to life, from local artisans to farms to gardens. Speaking of Mark Cline--I used a few of his beautiful landscape paintings. And, at the Taubman museum in Roanoke this past weekend, there was a very strange exhibit of monster slime sculpture creatures done by none other than Mark Cline. Artists have the full range.
What I imagine for this resort? A place where others can come, from near or far, and experience West Virginia. I, as a person who has grown up in northern Virginia, am aware that our neighbor to the west does not have the greatest reputation, at least among those my age. West Virginia is a place for [legal] gambling and strip clubs, horse races, and that crazy university that happens to be pretty good at football. Until being introduced to this project, I had not known of the natural local beauty and neighborliness (made up word?) that existed. Yes, it's in the mountains. Yes, it's in the boonies. Yes, it's a beautiful site.
I picture this resort as a place similar to what the Blacksburg locals would prefer. If all Virginia Tech students suddenly disappeared from this place, the locals would want this in their backyard. Living in Blacksburg is all about local. The town has a slogan, "Eat local. Buy local. Be local." It's all about being a community, and being sustainable/green. Sustainable and green are two different realms, but you see where I'm going with this.
One main feature of this resort: Lavender. Lavender is a pretty big deal in West Virginia. There are local farms and nurseries that grow and house the herb year round. Lavender is known for it's healing properties, which also goes along with the "resort" typography of the... resort. I would like guests to relax. Take a break. Snap OUT OF reality. Also, purple is my favorite color second to Tiffany Blue so... Lavender was my top choice. I find most colors go well with purple. Just a fact of life.
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The Lavish Cafe (Lav[ender]ish) uses produce/herbs/whatever they can grow in the backyard, in the menu for guests. I've seen this done on Food Network many times. When I say "seen this done," I mean there has been that crazy little woman Chef Estez from Next Iron Chef (season 2 - second best season next to All-Stars, of course. Go Nate!) that had a restaurant of her own where she raised the animals, killed the animals, ate the animals. Grew all of her own produce. Everything that was needed for the restaurant, she made herself. Also, there have been "nose-to-tail" (did I make that up?) and maybe even "snout-to-tail" chefs (Nate Appleman, I see you. You too, Chris Cosentino.) which use every single piece of the pig in their food, in some way or another. No waste. Now that is economical.
Can you tell I watch Food Network a lot? Yeah...
Reclaimed wood is a huge deal in this project as well. In fact, most of the products I use claim to be "reclaimed" or "reused." West Elm was a big help in this project. The company has a big green policy about their products, which aided in the choices of furniture and lighting and accessories. I expect there are a few (a lot) of old, abandoned buildings around the property of Sweet Springs with original wood panels. These will be re-purposed into the interior finishes and furniture, therefore cleaning up the land they were once occupying and allowing more realty to the area. Also better views of surroundings... Inside these old houses are glass bottles, which had been used at points in time where people actually used glass bottles. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes.
My parents made me go antique shopping with them often when I was a child. I saw a lot of glass bottles. I started buying glass medicine bottles (like Alice in Wonderland!) this past summer. Yeah...
All-in-all, this resort has an antique, yet modern, clean, lively feeling. You are free to do whatever you please. You are encouraged to stay on the property and enjoy yourself. Whether you're in the dining room, porch, library, bath house, or even guest room, you are part of the community. You are giving back to the community just by being present. The economy of West Virginia is stimulated while the area is still maintained by its original charm and beauty.
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