I came to Confluence to get “off the grid”. To spend a couple days with my phone off; no ties to life, no obligations, and a bit of optimism to... read more find a little peace with nature. I don’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I found a lot of it on this trip — due in no small part to this space and the people who run it.
First things first, Pope and Suzanne are phenomenal hosts. Quick to communicate, and wholeheartedly committed to ensuring you have a good time. They’re transplants to the area themselves, so they know the ropes, they know their way around, and importantly, they know your perspective as a visitor. They estimated that 51% of their guests are in town for Fallingwater, and they’re deeply knowledgable about this, offering some great tips about other Frank Lloyd Wright interests in the area, as well as tips about some other parts of town I came to thoroughly enjoy. There was a lot to be said about serendipity on this trip — “the artist going off the grid” finding a space where the hosts happened to be true, lifetime artists, off the grid? Absolutely wild. Also, Giovanni, their dog, is remarkably adorable. A very good boy indeed.
Second things second, the space itself! My lord! A 1940s car dealership converted to an arts space and a home. I might've paid admission to just take a tour, let alone to live there for a couple days. Pope and Suzanne encouraged me to play my acoustic guitar in the studio space — unbelievably, there’s no photo of this room on the listing (at the time of writing) — but it was a marvelous, open space that I’m grateful to have occupied. When the sun set over the river through the factory-style windows as I poorly played guitar lines unworthy of the space’s absolutely remarkable, natural acoustics… it was one of my favorite moments of my brief vacation. A note to musicians: maybe record a song here!
The living areas that are meant to be shared are also truly first-rate, and I am similarly surprised there are no photos on the listing of these. The art hung on the walls is striking, and the furniture and decor are tastefully hip (I heard it’s been described similar to "quaint farmhouse meets New York loft”, which I’d hold very accurate). The bathroom was stocked with any and everything you might need, including handmade soaps from Oakland. Oh, and the kitchen? It was stocked as if the essentials were handpicked by gourmands -- everything from various oils (craft e.v.o.o. to sunflower), down to some very exceptional artisan, himalayan salt. When I saw this, I think I let out an audible “hot damn.”
Not only is this an objectively perfect place to stay, you’re doing good by the community to stay here. Confluence (and the surrounding area) is bolstered by a significant amount of tourism income, and yet, there is very little arts space. By staying here, you’re helping fund a small business that seeks to inject the arts into Confluence, to provide residency programs, and also to establish an espresso shop and apothecary. But (most importantly, in my opinion), you’re helping to provide Confluence with a relevant gallery. When you stay at Tissue Farm, you’re helping the community — the local youth! — attain a local, relevant, and *accessible* arts space! It’s so important!
This is one of the longer reviews I’ve typed out for an AirBnB, but without question, my stay at Tissue Farm was the best experience I’ve had on this platform. Whether you’re in the area for an outdoors excursion, or a few Frank Lloyd Wright tours, or just to get off the grid — it’d almost be foolish to stay anywhere else.
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