Oak Cabin

Location

Dartmoor, Devon

Size

28m²

Materials

Oak, Ash, Copper, Wood fibre

off grid wooden cabin with black cladding and canvas covered veranda, bi-fold doors overlooking landscape

The cabin that started the Out of the Valley story. An elegant off-grid bolthole in which to escape the stresses of modern life and immerse in nature. Crafted masterfully from oak; nestled among trees by the valley of the river Teign.

Clad in shou sugi ban – charred cedar – the dwelling’s darkened exterior settles it discreetly into the shadows of the surrounding forest. But through its doors, a light and airy interior awaits.

off grid wooden oak framed cabin interior with built on kitchen and marble bathroom

Woodwork treated with whitening oils evokes a lime washed, Scandinavian feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame picturesque views of the valley, while hidden storage makes careful use of every inch of space and provides a home for all of life’s essentials. Doors fold open from the living area onto a broad oak veranda on which to read and watch wildlife.

Considered detailing elevates the aesthetic and invites luxurious enjoyment – a finely-finished kitchen hewn from solid ash and oak with custom brass handles; a shower in sleek carrara marble.

off grid wooden oak framed cabin interior with built on kitchen, bedroom and marble bathroom with oak floor and walls

off grid wooden cabin with black cladding with dog sitting on veranda beside stack of logs

off grid wooden oak framed cabin interior with built on kitchen and living area with wood burning stove

off grid wooden cabin with black shou sugi ban cladding and canvas covered veranda, bi-fold doors overlooking landscape

bathroom vanity unit with belfast sink and copper taps, black shou sugi can cladding on oak decking

off grid wooden cabin with black shou sugi ban cladding and canvas covered veranda, wood burning stove and oak interior

off grid wooden cabin with black shou sugi ban cladding and canvas covered veranda overlooking landscape

Self-contained and solar powered, Oak Cabin is fully equipped for comfortable off-grid living. Water is drawn from a nearby well; a wood-burner at the heart of the space provides heat, while south-facing windows pull warmth from the sun through the winter months. In summer, a cooling awning offers a secluded, shaded spot in which to relax among the wild surrounds.

Rupert McKelvie likes to do things differently. Fusing traditional techniques with future-proof thinking, the Devon-raised designer specialises in making handcrafted products for sustainable living through his company Out of the Valley.

Tessa Pearson

Elle Decoration Country

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