Hidden among the wooded foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains, The Chestnut is a welcome exhale from the everyday. A place for familiar faces, unexpected friendships, and the kind of moments that turn into stories worth retelling. Here, the days unfold a little slower, the evenings last a little longer, and everyone has a place by the fire.
-
When a former client approached me with a vision for a forgotten hotel in Upstate New York, the challenge went far beyond creating a brand identity. He imagined transforming the property into a modern mountain lodge that balanced the character of its past with the comforts of today. But before the renovation could begin, he needed his fellow investors to see what he saw.
My task was to make that vision tangible. Through brand identity, environmental design, and a fully realized guest experience, I set out to create a world that could speak for itself—turning an ambitious idea into something people could see, feel, and believe in.
Exterior Architecture and Environmental Design
Originally built in 1996 as Minnewaska Lodge, the property offered a strong architectural foundation with an opportunity to reimagine its identity. The goal wasn't to erase its history, but to bring its character forward in a way that felt both timeless and contemporary.
With the existing roof approaching an anticipated replacement cycle, I proposed a Hartford Green metal roof—a durable, lower-maintenance alternative that preserved a connection to the original color while complementing the surrounding woodland. The building's recognizable red exterior gave way to a soft, warm cream, contrasted with rich Cognac-stained woodwork that emphasized the lodge's exposed beams and Craftsman-inspired details.
The landscape received the same thoughtful consideration. Low-maintenance evergreens, including dwarf Alberta spruce, were introduced to create a more layered, naturalistic setting that felt connected
to the surrounding forest.
Together, these decisions established a cohesive architectural language—one that honored the property's past while introducing a more refined, welcoming vision for its future.
Interior + Guest Experience
Inside, the design centered on a simple idea: creating a place where guests could truly unwind. A consistent palette of warm neutrals, deep greens, and rich Cognac wood tones carries throughout the lodge, establishing a sense of familiarity from
one space to the next. Rather than competing for attention, the colors and materials work together to create a calm,
cohesive environment.
Stone-surrounded fireplaces with substantial wood beam mantels bring warmth and character to the guest rooms, while softly illuminated brass fixtures, natural wood furnishings, and layered textiles evoke the nostalgic sophistication envisioned for the property. Plush, stain-resistant carpeting adds comfort underfoot, with its dense construction offering additional insulation.
Every detail was considered not simply for how it looked, but for how it might make someone feel. The result is an interior experience that feels familiar without being predictable, refined without being precious, and inviting enough to make guests want to stay a little longer.
