A Peek Behind the Design
Designed with Heart
Hi friends, As summer begins to slow down and the first hints of fall arrive, we’ve been reflecting on the details that make a stay feel truly special. When we designed each of our spaces, we wanted them to feel thoughtful, welcoming and a little unexpected. With Stillwater Den, some ideas were planned from the beginning, while others evolved as we searched local shops, reimagined existing spaces and found pieces we simply loved. In this issue, we’re sharing a few of our favourite design details at Stillwater Den—and the stories behind them. We hope they inspire you to add a little more personality, comfort and fun to your own spaces. Warmly, Alison & James
A Sauna Designed Around the View
When guests first arrive at Stillwater Den, we want them to feel excited and welcomed as they make their way toward the Nordic space. The sauna is one of the first things you see, so we knew we wanted the entrance to feel a little special.
Originally, the area around the sauna door was finished in the same black board-and-batten as the rest of the building. It looked nice, but it just didn’t have the warmth we were looking for.
We decided to replace it with cedar, and it made such a difference. The natural wood instantly softened the entrance, added warmth and gave the sauna that little bit of “wow” we had been hoping for.
It’s one of those small design changes that ended up making a big impact — and one of our favourite details at Stillwater Den.
After Photo
Before Photo
As we were designing the sauna, James and I kept thinking about what would make the experience feel easy and enjoyable for our guests. We added a Spa Ritual sign to offer a little guidance through the hot, cold and rest experience, along with thoughtful details inside the sauna like a thermometer and timer.
One of the biggest changes we made was the window. The original one just felt too small, and we kept coming back to how much we wanted guests to be able to enjoy the view while they were inside. So, we ordered a larger window that really opened the sauna up to the surrounding landscape. We love that you can sit in the warmth of the sauna and still feel completely connected to the outdoors.
We also wanted guests to be able to make the sauna ritual their own, so we provide a selection of scented essential oils from Saje. You can add a few drops to the bucket of water before pouring it over the hot sauna rocks. It’s such a simple little detail, but we love how the scent fills the sauna and adds to that feeling of slowing down, breathing deeply and just enjoying the moment.
A Vintage Twist
We wanted to bring something fun, colourful and unexpected into the design of Stillwater Den. Our vintage bar cart became the perfect way to do that.
Each piece—from the colourful glassware and crystal decanter to the citrus press and cocktail accessories—was discovered at local vintage shops. Together, they create an eclectic collection that adds personality, character and a little nostalgia to the space.
But the cart wasn’t designed simply to be admired. Guests are welcome to use the pieces, mix a favourite drink and have a little fun with them. We love the idea that these vintage finds can become part of a celebration, a playful photo or a memory made during their stay.
From Around Here: Vintage Shopping in Almonte
Speaking of vintage finds, some of our favourite Stillwater Den treasures came from shops right here in Lanark County. Almonte is one of our favourite places to browse for pieces with history, personality and a story to tell.
Colourful, eclectic and full of personality, Big Vintage is the kind of shop where you never know what might catch your eye. From glassware and ceramics to artwork, records, clothing and curious little treasures, there is always something fun to discover.
Tin Barn Market beautifully blends vintage character with new and thoughtfully repurposed home décor. It’s a wonderful source of design inspiration—and the perfect place to find something distinctive that makes a room feel collected rather than decorated.
Located in a two-level heritage building, Almonte Antiques & Collectibles brings together more than 50 vendor booths. With a wide variety of furniture, housewares, glassware, artwork and collectibles, it’s the kind of place where you can happily take your time and search for an unexpected treasure.
From the Host Files: The August Smoke Out
After years of hosting, we’ve collected more than a few “you can't make this sh*t up” moments—and we thought it might be fun to start sharing some of them with you.
One warm August day, we received a message from our guests saying the house was full of smoke... (I've never seen James move so fast). He immediately ran over, expecting to put out a fire.
It turns out the guests simply wanted a little extra ambience and had decided to light the wood stove—which, if you didn’t know, does not work particularly well when the air conditioning is running.
James turned off the AC, got the wood stove roaring properly and left the guests to continue enjoying their extra-hot summer vacation.
In Case You Missed It
A Slower Rhythm at Stillwater Den
Tina @travelwithtina recently stayed at Stillwater Den and beautifully captured what it feels like to step away from the noise, settle into a slower rhythm and let the quiet do its quiet work.
Until Next Time
Thank you for following along as we share a little more of the thought, personality and occasional adventure behind Closs Crossing.
Whether you’re planning a quiet fall escape or simply gathering inspiration for your own space, we hope this issue encouraged you to slow down, notice the details and leave room for a little fun.
Next month, we’ll take you behind the scenes of our fall photo shoot and share some of the stories captured along the way.
Until then, we hope to welcome you soon.
Warmly,
Alison & James
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