“Praktyka means ‘practice’ in Polish,” explains Henry Trew.
The Heartwood at Praktyka, North Devon. Over the course of their journey—which took them through Poland, France, Spain, France, and Portugal—Ania took notes on the places they’d stayed, making a list of what worked in each location.
The Heartwood, Praktyka. In 2019, their journey brought them to the edge of Exmoor, where they found a 19th-century farmhouse with enough land to realize their vision.
The geodome: “Great for dancing in.”
Ania has furnished the geodome with a range of natural materials, pre-loved pieces, and design classics. The couple enlisted the help of Niall Maxwell, the founder of the award-winning architectural practice Rural Office.
“When we reached out to Niall, we gave him a very loose brief for a simple kitchen,” Ania recalls. This is surrounded by a flat-roofed “canopy” under which guests gather—to talk, to eat, to read, or simply to stare at the view.
A detail of the roof structure.
A hot shower is tucked behind the enclosed kitchen; the compost loo is a in another part of the garden, underneath an apple tree.
Inside, the kitchen contains a fridge, a two-ring induction hob, and a custom-made stainless steel sink, work surface, and backsplash.
A view through the Heartwood. Outside on the decking area, the table and chairs were custom made to a design by the Italian designer Enzo Mari.