KMARANAOMI

OBJECTIVE

When Legacy Ventures acquired the historic Dillard House in Rabun County, Georgia, they set out to reintroduce one of the region’s most beloved destinations to a new generation of guests.

For more than a century, the Dillard House has been known for authentic Southern Appalachian food, warm hospitality, and traditions that bring families back year after year.

As the property evolved into The Dillard House Farm Resort, the brand needed to expand beyond the iconic restaurant to reflect a broader destination experience—including lodging, outdoor activities, events, and seasonal programming. The challenge was to modernize the brand while preserving the history, character, and sense of place that have made the Dillard House a Southern institution.

We began by immersing in the property’s history, guest experience, and competitive hospitality landscape in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While nearby resorts often position themselves around luxury escape, the opportunity for Dillard House was to celebrate something more authentic—a return to tradition, connection, and the rhythms of farm life. From this insight, we developed the brand platform “Many Happy Returns,” capturing the spirit of guests returning season after season and the timeless traditions that define the Dillard House experience.

We translated the strategy into a cohesive brand identity system for The Dillard House Farm Resort, including logo development, visual identity with custom illustrations, and comprehensive brand guidelines to support future marketing, signage, and guest-facing materials. Inspired by the natural beauty and heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the visual language incorporates earthy color palettes, handcrafted illustrations, and storytelling elements that reflect the property’s deep connection to Southern Appalachian hospitality and farm traditions.

CREDITS
Creative Director: Kendra Lively
Art Director/Designer: Mara Klein
Strategy/Copywriting: Amanda O’Brien

SERVICES
Strategy
Branding
Identity Design