Make Huron Home - Lune 1860

Artistic director Lisa Mok chatted with Mandy Sinclair about her and her husband’s decision to “Make Huron Home” when they made the move to their historic home Lune 1860 in Huron County and why the property pays homage to the moon.

What inspired your move from Toronto to the county?  

With the pandemic and this new way of working and not having to be in an office, my husband and I decided, why not make this a full-time residence? I can commit 100 per cent to the business and just live here and get to know the surrounding area and the people and see where that goes.

Why Huron County? 

Honestly, we didn’t know anything about it. My husband and I had talked about buying a cottage or piece of land to create a weekend home. We were thinking Prince Edward County, the Muskokas and Algonquin Park – but then we just decided to look west and my husband found this little property. When we saw it, we thought it was just, wow! It is absolutely beautiful, but absolutely crazy.

Tell us a bit about Lune 1860 and what inspired you to pay homage to the moon.

My husband and I always love hosting dinners and we had a lot when we were in Toronto. At night when people come over for dinner, it’s a time when people seem to relax. The moonlight appears. It got me thinking about the moon and what it represents – transformation, the power it holds.  

How would you describe the interiors of Lune 1860? 

Textural. I love people coming back and seeing something new every time they’re here, which is strange because the space is empty. We want to give the canvas and the client fills it up.  

You’re an artistic director and have turned Lune 1860 into an event venue. Can you tell me about some of your favourite events hosted at Lune 1860? 

The Piena events that we have hosted have been our favourite. We’ve invited chefs from Ontario to cook for a group of people. The evening is not about snapping photos, but the food and the conversations people have when they’re at the kitchen table. 

What’s your favourite season at Lune 1860? And why? 

The entire year is amazing because we are so blessed to have 40 acres of land and forest. This past year watching the seasons change, you really appreciate everything that happens. In the summer it’s so majestic. We want to keep the gardens wild and free rather than a manicured aesthetic. Just let things happen as they do. 

Where in Huron County do you go to seek inspiration for your artistic projects? 

The lake. My husband drives me there at least once every couple of weeks to clear our heads and look to future plans. 

What advantages does basing yourself in Huron County have?

The seclusion. It’s a bit of a hidden secret and we don’t have a lot of commercial influences that other areas have because of their growth.  

Favourite Huron County:

Restaurant or bar: The Black Dog in Bayfield.

Takeaway: Part II and Cait’s Café. We love the owners at Chuck’s and were there regularly when we were doing the renovations and needed something to eat late at night. 

Hiking trail: The forest on our property where we can go down to the river. 

Country road: I love Orchard Line to Bayfield Road.

Find Lisa online at lune1860.ca and @lune1860 on Instagram.