Wandawega Blog Archive

Weve had to keep this a secret since summer – so were excited they are letting us announce it!We filmed a feature episode with @MagnoliaNetwork for their new show called BESPOKE INNSThe series premise is a creative inspiration:The owners and innkeepers behind America’s most enchanting boutique inns share the stories behind their properties’ creation, renovation and designThe trailer just went live yesterday >>scroll here>>The show will start streaming on @DiscoveryPlus. It airs this Friday, Dec 23rd, with new episodes of other properties airing every Friday through Feb 3rd. The amazing production crew : @jesseroesler @misterberndt@jonnrobinet @mrrubberburner @credononfiction Were by far the least fancy of the inns featured in this series. When we watched the trailer, the thing we couldnt shake was how we could have ever made the cut to be in the company of all of these fancy places..And also for including cameos of those who have played a roll here in different phases of our 18 year journey.We’re so grateful for all the different team members whove passed through here over the years,whose contributions will remain in the buildings, spaces & rooms theyve helped us bring to life during their stay with us. So were thrilled that this episode includes a few of those staffers from prior Camp seasons as well as many of our family, friends, neighbors (and of course Charlie & Frankie!)This feature episode marks many new beginnings for us. 2023 is a year of fresh starts. For the past 18 years, every few years we hit the reset button as we look for ways to continue our growth & ambitions. As part of our latest efforts, were excited to welcome new team members who bring an abundance of enthusiasm to be part of camps mission, purpose, vision, and future. The optimism and positive energy theyre already bringing to all of ournew creative projects have been contagious.Wereso looking forward to introducing the new amenities, products, spaces, partnerships & programming.More to come.Your Camp Directors,Tereasa & David#BespokeInns #MagnoliaNetwork

December 17, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We could use some help here.Were making this tiny new guest amenity called The Music Box.So heres what were piecing together : you walk into the old main lodge- past the pool room- the bar – hang a right into the gambling room – behind a door in the corner.This has been our little secret.(Because its been a hoarding spot for all the things we dont need or use) So we decided to convert it into a little Music corner. Weve gutted it, and are building out the floor to ceiling shelving. Were Gathering up all our instruments weve got all all over camp- What would you want to find in here?Heres some of our plans, sketches and scheming as were making our list of what to outfit it with: Rack of records & 8 tracks, cassettesLibrary of Songbooks Musical games (is this a thing?) 8 track player Karaoke machin Record player Guitar Amp Speakers

December 15, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

COPPER POSTCARDS were a popular tourist souvenir in the 50s -70s at roadside attractions- they were the type of affordable little memento that joints like the Wandawega Hotel would have offered guests back then. If youve ever met us, you know that we have a soft spot for the little things that were made in the U.S. by small businesses.So we tracked down the current generation still running the family shop that makes these.{ who are so charmingly old school that they still do business via phone, fax, and snail-mail }They sent us a Xerox copy of a clipart page from the 60s with designs to pick from.And presto! Our little copper postcard dreams just came true, stocked up in our campstore.We love supporting other small businesses.Especially during the holidays.And *most* especially these multi-generation families that still make the smallest things that time forgot.Heres to the little things that stand a chance of getting saved, to one day remind us of that one vacation we took, decades ago.

December 14, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The new Camp Supply Closet cometh!Is it weird to get excited about office supply organizational systems? Probably. Were in rethink/redesign of everything mode in our slow seasonevery : basement.Garage.Closet.Back-of-House.Office corner.Is getting a makeover.Were starting with our neglected little Supplies Closet printing station. Were doing it right this time. Out with the old.In with the new.(Except for old vintage shelves/ fixtures/cabinets and those amazing vintage canvas covered 1950s binderswe need more of those in our life).

December 13, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

This was pretty special to us. We have been fans of Chris Brown (of Refueled Magazine) for many years- so it was an honor to have him join us as our first artist in residence. Hes worked with so many American heritage outdoor brands that we love from @filson1897 to @stetsonusa and tapped by it seems every inspiration source from @tedx_official to @netflix To read more about what he created here and why- head over to his feed : @refueled.magazine but what we learned pretty quickly is that he not only is one of the most humble guys youll ever meet- hes also incredibly generous with his time. The residency was only a few days but the stamp he left will be here long after were gone (and we arent going anywhere anytime soon).Photos and film by his buddy (and also a super chill and talented guy) @stevenvisneauphotography

December 12, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

36 hours in NYC. A top 10 photo dumpWe are only ever here for work – so this time we tagged 36 hours on the tail end for some fam time. here are our a few of our go to spots for camp – and life – Inspiration.1 @russanddaughters – for the breakfast.2 @mcsorleysoldalehouse – for the best room in the oldest bar. 3 @doublerl – for the windows i want to move into.4 @whalebonemagazine (for the @accidentallywesanderson collab) 5 CENTRAL PARK- always.6 @balthazarny – for the gigantic latte mugs 7 SOHO @nike – for the @struggle_inc line8 @momadesignstore gift shop – for the inspiration9 @mcrowcompany at @bddw_etc for theeverything. (must follow)10 @economycandy – restocking the Canteen We hit up all the things Charlie (and we) wanted her to see again (times square. the Plaza.) Then dragged her to the Tenement museum so she could learn about her great great grandmother’s journey to America. To learn what perseverance, grit & gratitude looks like.Fast and short trip- got home late & tired – but worth it if you can carve out the time this holiday – I followed up with a quick trip to DC for a research – to the @smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. (Cant recommend the “Americans” exhibit enough- I visit every time Im in the area to keep learning)

December 10, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The first step is admitting it.HI.have an addiction to buying Christmas ornaments. Hit up a half dozen souvenir gift shops at the @smithsonian campus yesterday & took home a haul that may cause us to have to now put up another tree. That – um- may make four in our house. (Im being told thats overkill, but holiday spirit is a great post rationalizing device).Sharing a couple of this seasons growing forest here. And then digging through our past fav city / home tree files (yes, its a thing) these are some past loves. Charlie & Frankie hands down are the best tree accompaniments – her first Christmas . Then The time we decided it would a good idea to make a tree on the outside of the house with those little fake flicker candle things and nearly broke a hip trying to get them down.Last pic: TB to that time we hauled a small grove of holiday trees to @msichicago to co-host a camp themed takeover slumber party. For 700 kidsIm for sure heading towards being that crazy lady who leaves the holiday lights up all year.

December 9, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt