Margie’s Vestibule at Maker’s Mark
We were brought in to design the bottling room vestibule at Maker’s Mark Distillery. It was the vision of Managing Director Rob Samuels to honor his grandmother and Maker’s Mark co-founder, Margie Samuels, in this space. Every inch of this beautiful, thoughtful space honors her passion and legacy.
While the footprint of Margie’s Vestibule is small, the project has so many important details that tap into many of our favorite ways to transform a space; authentic, high-quality materials, incredible artistry and craftsmanship, and layers of thoughtful lighting. The interior of the vestibule is designed to highlight and celebrate the artwork displayed there. We worked with an enduring palate of natural material such as plaster, limestone, reclaimed wood, and hand-forged steel so the space would feel ageless, timeless, warm and welcoming. As the sun tracks through the sky, refracted light slowly moves across the floor, casting colorful patterns onto the walls and floor of the vestibule.
The display cabinets were built by Ed Milsted of Woodmark Studios, and Evan Morris of Against the Grain Custom Woodworking. The wood was milled from fallen walnut trees in the Northern Neck of Virginia, on land that has been in Ed's family for generations. The carvings were done by Alicia Dietz, a former US Army Helicopter Pilot turned furniture maker, and the side panels of each curio box were filled with stained glass by Neile Cooper. The process was incredibly collaborative. The portrait of Margie, done by local Lexington artist Honora Jacob, also incorporates the natural elements and patchwork pattern of Neile’s stained glass. In the center of the portrait, a young Margie beams, while holding one of her prized pewter pieces.
