The State-of-the-Art Rental Cabin, Devon Edition - Gardenista
Photography via Out of the Valley. After decamping from London for the country, designer-maker Rupert McKelvie established Out of the Valley, his Devon, England, workshop devoted to building sustainable, off-the-grid, “efficient yet aesthetic” cabins. McKelvie’s little cabin in the woods is solar-powered and perfectly sized for two. Trained as a classical wood boat builder, 31-year-old McKelvie went on to study 3D design and sustainability at Falmouth University and then worked in London as a product and furniture designer. The oak deck is furnished with Net Chairs by Mark Product of Cornwall and a McKelvie burned-wood table inspired by a Kaspar Hamacher design: “After seeing them, I wanted to have a go at making one.” The deck has a canvas shade stitched by a sailmaker. A king-sized bed is tucked into an alcove off the open living space. “For the next cabin, I’d like to incorporate gray water recycling and not use any gas,” says McKelvie. All of the furniture and built-ins are McKelvie’s own designs in ash and oak, which he and his small crew fabricate. The wood print over the banquette is made from an ash tree on the property felled in a storm. A sliding door off the kitchen opens to the compact bathroom. The bathroom is detailed with Carrara marble tiles and has a brass monsoon shower head (plus a compost toilet). The sink is kitted out with reconditioned old brass taps. McKelvie is about to launch Out of the Valley’s first furniture collection, which will include cabin-inspired sinks with surface-mounted copper pipes and vintage taps. The cabin overlooks a former farm field that slopes down to the river, where guest are can fly fish and take skinny dips. The field is surrounded by National Trust woodland. Star gazing from the deck is the main night-time activity. Explore more cabins in the woods in our Outbuildings of the Week posts, including a Tree Cocoon.