The Wheel House Loft - Before & After Renovation. Part I.
Our premium accommodation for guests retreating at Mill on the Rock is the Wheel House Loft. It takes up the entire second story of the mill. When I say mill, I also mean the wheel house. They’re one and the same.
The loft sleeps two and has its own private entrance, an en-suite bathroom, a kitchenette with a breakfast bar/writing table, and a lounge area.
The Loft is fully insulated and super private and cozy - even in the winter. When we’re not doing retreats, the Loft is a great place for writers.
Views are north south east and west. All you can see is nature: the river, trees, and fields. And if all you want to do is sleep, then pull down the blackout blinds. Or watch movies. The room has Starlink Wi-Fi.
The original art deco bed and matching armoire were gifted to me by my friend Carole. They used to belong to her grandmother. I was so touched, I decided to decorate the loft around these two beauties, to honor the gesture.
The wallpaper is by Moooi. The chandelier I bought in the 90s at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena. The chair I got for $5 near Oxnard from my old friend Kris Sofley. I reupholstered it in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, before leaving in 2016.
That chair is a throwback to when I moved back to Los Angeles in 1992.
I was born in L.A.. People think I’m English but I’m not. I’m from lots of different places and nowhere in particular. I grew up in Europe - namely France, Ireland, and England. I’ve lived in Spain. I’ve lived in India. I went to school in Switzerland. My spirit is Californian. I’m a citizen of the world.
When I moved back to LA, Kris Sofley was my only contact. I’d only met her once - at the MIP TV market in Cannes in ‘91. Kris was kind enough to let me stay with her and her mother, Arlene, until I found a car, a job, and an apartment. It didn’t take me long but I’ll never forget their kindness.
I love the banquette in the Wheel House Loft. Beat, my husband, built it. It’s a great place for reading, journaling, and napping.
He also made the shelf above the breakfast bar and the leg that the bar stands on. He used materials found lying around the property.
We finished the Wheel House Loft during pandemic lockdown 2020. Creating the finishing touches kept Beat’s art director’s mind busy. Using found materials saved leaving the house to go shop.
At the foot of the table leg is an old wheel. Beat burnt it with a flame torch and then oiled it.
How much does it cost to stay in the Wheel House Loft? 140€ a night for single occupancy, and 245€ a night for double occupancy. Our retreats last 10 nights. Anything less isn’t long enough. When we’re not doing retreats, you can book by emailing me, or on Airbnb.
See you soon!
