A tree house is one of those special things that most kids would have experienced whether in their backyard or local park. Endless imaginary worlds would have been created within them. Which is what I feel what makes re-living it as an adult so desirable to most of us.
In this post I am looking at what makes a tree house retreat a great one.
HIGH UP
If you can't actually build your tree house within a tree, make sure it is at least really high up. You can do what these guys did below which is perch it up high on a hill so it is level with the top of the trees.
WOOD INSIDE AND OUT
Being surrounded by wood is proven to reduce stress, wood provides a feeling of comfort and closeness with nature. Biophillic design is proving more and more popular amongst modern architects involved with evidence-led design - design that focuses on creating living spaces that benefit us as humans.
So if you're going to build a tree house, yes indeed it is a good idea to embrace the challenge of having every single surface made of wood. Play with the different tones and textures of wood grains.
Note here this bespoke textured wall created by the owners out of old beer barrels providing a fantastic feature.
The tongue & groove panels in the dome ceiling have been given a white wax giving the room a bright and airy feel.
ADD QUIRKY TOUCHES EVERYWHERE
To enhance that feeling of childhood memories in tree houses where things were built in that "perfect imperfect" way, add quirky touches everywhere that will make your guests feel like kids again. See this gorgeous feature wall below made of misaligned planks, or again the bannister made out of natural branches, so tactile.
Here we have an old copper kettle turned into a tap and this old bucket used as a sink! How playful and ingenious is that!
Again here, a vintage kitchen dresser has turned into kitchen sink counter.
ALL COMFORTS
Put the chic in Eco-chic, guests who come to sleep in a tree house, may not necessarily be wanting to be dangling down from a hammock at bed time, there is something to be said about staying in a tree house BUT with all little comforts preserved. A large bed with luxurious bedding is a welcome addition and provides a wonderful contrast with the raw materials around it.
Bathing whilst staring out at the forest views, not a bad way to start the day?
Getty ready may be redundant as you may not want to go anywhere (lol), but good to have the option.
UNPLUG
Set things out so that your guests are encouraged to actively relax.
Stay away from TV and internet, and "reroute" (pun intended) your guests towards interacting with one another instead with things like board games and chats around the fire. #unplug
Have a selection of books on standby. With topics that reflect the surroundings, encourage foraging, cooking from the wild, architecture of wooden houses around the world and so on.
OUTDOOR SPACE
Created various spaces outside for your guests to relax in; having dinner under the stars in the evening or have coffee in the outdoor lounge in the mornings.
WELLBEING
Lay out a kit for guests to practice yoga and meditation. The perfect place to clear their mind and making the most of that pure clean forest air to do their breathing exercises.
REMIND YOUR GUESTS TO LOOK UP!
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CREDITS
Well done to the team at RAVENDERE RETREATS for creating such a heavenly space.
To book a stay at the wonderful tree house, click here
All furniture featured were provided by Wayfair UK
All photography credits to David Cotsworth
Watch the video tour of the tree house by Panoptic here
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