“People are excited about going out into nature,” says Christopher Sotz, division home merchandise manager for Anthropologie. “People love the idea of experiencing something rustic and simple. But they still want to have all of those comforts. They want to have that sense of nostalgia. Even if they are not going away for a week or weekend, they can get away to a park, meadow or field.”
Sotz and his creative team were inspired in part by Wes Anderson’s 2012 film “Moonrise Kingdom” and the Port Eliot Festival, the luxe-hippie literary gathering held each year in the British countryside.
“I think people are embracing the idea of simplicity — fabulous simplicity,” he says. “I think that’s here to stay.”
In fact, Sotz says, future Anthropologie merchandise would include more luxurious outdoorsy items.
“I expect that we’ll have some fabulous tents next year,” he says. “We definitely think that will expand into next summer.”
Case and her husband will soon have additional options for luxury accommodations at Savage River Lodge. Management plans to add eight yurts to the 18 cabins now on the grounds.
“We have been so busy the past few years we decided we needed more units,” says Emily Newman-Edwards, marketing manager and operations director for Savage River Lodge.
The yurts, permanent tentlike structures, are 30 feet in diameter, can sleep two adults and are outfitted with a bathroom, deck, wet bar and fireplace.
