Over the past two years, Michelin-starred chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra have transformed Hensonville, a tiny hamlet, into a Catskills gem. After opening Parcasa, a gourmet store, and Day June, a luncheonette, they’ve partnered with renowned renovators Danielle and Ely Franko to launch The Henson, a luxury hotel, and Matilda, its fine-dining counterpart. The pair turned to Saint Urbain to design the identity for this unique pairing.
Stone and von Hauske Valtierra were first introduced to Hensonville by the Frankos, who got to know the chefs as regulars at the pair’s Lower East Side eatery, Contra, and eventually became close friends. In 2021, when a 19th-century boarding house turned Airbnb hit the market, Danielle and Ely knew who they wanted as partners. The inn is newly renovated and thoughtfully designed by the Frankos to create an atmosphere to reconnect and recharge, featuring 16 ensuite guestrooms to indulge in slow mornings, lazy afternoons, and luxuriant candlelight evenings. Building off the hotel’s historical footprint, the Frankos designed a sprawling yet intimate, organic garden that is a microcosm of the Catskills and the various flowers and herbs that grow wild in the region. Aside from hosting guests in elegant comfort, The Henson is equipped to host private dinners, corporate events, and weddings of up to 140 guests.
This project was a big deal for me because Fabian and Jeremiah have been my favorite chefs for a long time. And on top of that, they both have great taste in design. Fabian is a talented graphic designer, having done Wildair and Contra himself, so the stakes were very high!
Alex Ostroff, creative director, Saint Urbain
The foursome enlisted the help of Saint-Urbain to create the visual identity for The Henson and Matilda. The Henson identity is rooted in classic elegance, blending heritage with modernity, while Matilda embraces simplicity and comfort. Drawing from the dynamic flora and fauna that define the Catskills region, the design for both identities is built on a system of hand-drawn illustrations and type that evoke a simpler age where time passed more slowly. The overall design makes for a contemporary yet timeless brand that represents the genuinely welcoming and hospitable nature of the region and the people behind the exceptional hotel and restaurant.
Photography by Alex Stein.