The Cove Valley cabins are a masterclass in designing small spaces
If you look for it, inspiration for your house can be found anywhere. It can be found in the palette used in a favourite painting, it can be found in the description of a house in a childhood story, or the cocktail bar in a smart new hotel–and occasionally, the interior design projects we can learn the most from aren't houses at all.
Take the Cove Valley cabins, for example: Hopi, Ukai and Chatan, three self sufficient, luxury lodgings buried in the Devon Hills, each packed full of space-saving design tricks. Dreamed up by the Cove Valley team, the cabins were built to provide a base from which guests could explore some of their 300-acre rewilding site, where beavers beaver away and deer roam freely. After a fortuitous meeting during a cold water retreat on an estate in the Scottish Highlands, Tom Cox of HÁM Interiors was called upon to bring the dream to life.
The brief was to create luxury accommodation in the heart of the site. Each of the cabins was to be different, but with a distinct design language tying them all together. In Hopi, a wooden cottage-style space, there is an ‘expansive wraparound porch’, and the ‘interiors set the tone for what we aimed to achieve on the site,' says Tom. In Ukai, a metal-clad cabin with breathtaking views, the ‘spatial planning and generous windows create an incredible sense of tranquility.’ Finally, there's Chatan, a treehouse that looks as though it has jumped off the pages of a storybook. It's charm, Tom explains, ‘lies in its reclaimed wood interiors. As the final cabin to be completed, its design turned out to be the crazy fun one at the end.'
Out of all the cabins, it's Ukai where Tom's space saving tricks come into their own. We break down each of the spaces below.
Layout
When dealing with compact spaces, layout is key–and Tom's main challenge was making each of the limited spaces feel restful and relaxed, whilst establishing ‘distinct, well-defined areas.’ In pursuit of a perfect layout, HÁM Interiors researched other cabins, considering what had worked and what had not. ‘We saw a common issue: cramped interiors with limited entrance space, kitchens uncomfortably close to sleeping areas, and a need for separate seating spaces,' says Tom.
Ukai's kitchen takes up just a few metres, lining the back wall of the cabin's entrance. By hanging pots and pan on the wall, HÁM Interiors have reserved cupboard space for more unsightly kitchen appliances. Open shelving also helps to establish the purpose of the space, with attractive glassware and crockery on display.
Just behind the kitchen, a table and set of chairs doubles up as a games board. With room enough for two, the table is light enough to be manoeuvred around to create more floor space when needed.
Function
In small spaces, accommodating function is integral to success, so before you begin you need to consider how the space will be used. For HÁM Interiors, ‘the cabins' unique locations and natural surroundings, dictated their practical necessities.'
‘It was essential to accommodate moments when guests might return from a woodland walk, wet and muddy,’ elucidates Tom. To prevent mud being tracked through the entirety of the cabins, they created dedicated areas for muddy boots and coats in each of the cabins. 'We were deliberate in our design approach to ensure that upon opening the door, you wouldn't immediately find yourself in the heart of the living space.'
However, unlike the other two cabins, Ukai has no entrance hall, which meant Tom was tasked with creating an area that is both functional and restful. To draw the eye and create the illusion of space, the bedroom door lies directly opposite the cabin's front entrance. Thanks to its glazing, even when the door is closed your attention is drawn to the furthest point of the cabin.
Furthermore, storage should be built in where possible to hide unsightly objects. By having ‘thoughtfully designed storage areas’, HÁM Interiors have ‘created an environment that fosters relaxation.’
Thanks to its considered layout, the bathroom manages to fit a sink, toilet and large walk in shower despite its limited floorplan. There is ample storage thanks to the tiered shelves under the sink. As Tom puts it, 'while the bathroom may not be expansive, it's an adequately defined space, and it certainly doesn't give off a camping vibe!'
Decoration
When it came to decorating the cabins, Tom's priority was ‘to anchor them in quality furnishings not typically found in such rustic surrounds.’ Instead of scrimping and saving on the decorative bits, they ‘carefully selected quality elements, to offer guests an experience reminiscent of a fine hotel.'
In the bedroom, they chose a supremely comfortable Hypnos beds and dressed it with luxe Ralph Lauren textiles. By drenching the whole space, both ceiling and walls, in monochromatic paint, the ceiling feels taller and offers the illusion of further space. Thanks to this, the small space feels cocooning, rather than oppressive. A curtainless four poster bed with smart wooden beams also draws the eye upwards.
In many ways, they approached the decoration of the cabins as you might the decoration of a dolls' house. They wove in the ‘same threads seen on larger projects, but scaled down. By applying the 'same disciplines used in larger residential projects, but in a space where you're so intimately close with the details, you get a potent dose of all the elements we typically enjoy in larger projects.'
The Cove Valley cabins are available from £500 for a two night stay. | covevalley.co.uk
Alexander James1/3A wood burning stove keeps the cabin warm.
Alexander James2/3A wood fired hot tub awaits outside.
Alexander James3/3
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