The Cabin
Offering magnificent views across the rugged hills of Wales, The Cabin is a cozy getaway along Offa’s Dyke Path. Eclectically decorated, it features a uniquely curved design and an indulgent bath.
What is the story behind the Black Cabin, what was your inspiration to create it?
I’d lived in the area for around 10 years when I met Rachel and we were on a bike ride up to a lovely, local pub. As we were sitting there taking in the view, we thought, wouldn’t it be amazing to have this as our local pub. We didn’t give it much more thought until we happened to look on a real estate site and saw this barn for sale.
I had just sold a house and had some money in the bank, so we bought the barn with the intention of converting it into our home. To fund the conversion, we built The Cabin in 2019 and it was completed just as lockdown started in March 2020. At the time, we were living on-site in a caravan, so we moved into the cabin during lockdown and opened it up to guests when restrictions were lifted.
Next, we created the Black Cabin, which is attached to the barn that we are converting. We have had that open to visitors for around a year now and it has been going well. We’ve had a lot of exposure from journalists and magazines - we even had Channel 4 here filming recently for a travel program.
How would you describe the atmosphere and interior design of the Black Cabin?
While I like white, minimalist buildings, I think they work better on a larger scale. When you have a smaller, more intimate space, white can make it feel cold and as though you are trying to make it larger than it is. I think darker colours and textures create more interest in a small space.
I tried to create a feeling of height because it is quite a small space. Even though it has an area with a low ceiling, it doesn’t feel oppressive because, just a few steps away, you can see the double height.
We also wanted to make the space feel like a “home”. Each and every thing that is in the Black Cabin has a story and means something to us. People can tell if things have been created organically and I think there’s something of the English eccentricity in what we have created. There are Persian silk tapestries, 1960s furnishings and disheveled taxidermies. It’s a collection, a curation. There is a theme in our minds and we know what works, even if we can’t pinpoint what the exact “style” is.
To you personally, what is so special about the Black Cabin?
The Black Cabin is really intimate. It feels extravagant and luxurious - the perfect place to relax after a long walk. When staying here, there’s a sense of not having to worry about anything.
