Escapism Trend in the Home
Is my house like many houses across the country where everyone is attached to their smartphones? Where you all have to throw your phones on the side in the kitchen and say no technology is allowed for a few hours to unwind from all these gadgets. I don’t think my house is the only house, I think most houses are the same these days.
Photo via Organic Authority
So what are we doing to switch off from technology? and what are we doing to really escape from it for a while? Well if you read my blog regularly you will know I own an 87-year-old cabin by the sea in Norfolk. It’s not a big grand affair, no sweeping drives to get there, it’s a very humble cabin, made of wood and is relatively small. It sits on grass surrounded by a few other cabins all built at the same time. Over the years everyone has had ideas on their own cabins/chalets on how they should look, so every cabin is completely different. Some have had big extensions and some stayed very small. Ours has had an extension double its original size. This gives us a reasonable living space and open kitchen and 2 small bedrooms. There is only one site similar to ours based in Cornwall that has cabins/chalets that look the same and same kind of era. There are only a small number of owners on the site and it has been run by the same family for years, so it’s a lovely atmosphere.
We bought it because we had been on holiday there a few times and we found my hubby completely switched off from work. There was no phone signal, no internet, no getting any social media and so we found it ultra relaxing. You had to go outside and enjoy the sea, the weather, nature and play old-fashioned games with your children. It felt like going on holiday in the 1950’s and it had an amazing appeal.
Photo via Scandinavian Retreat
So in 2013 we bought our little cabin not far from Cromer and in a quiet location. 100 metres from the beach, which is an extraordinary quiet beach and also has the benefit of being a 25-minute drive to Wroxham, which means you can be at the broads and at the seaside while your away. It needed an incredibe amount of work, last updated in the 70’s, but this appealed to my hubby and me and we love working on this little retreat with TLC.
When we bought our cabin, I insisted on no live TV, no Sky, no TV channels only DVD’s. That probably sounds so 90’s but it works. We love picking what film we are going to watch and sometimes play cards. Sometimes sit out and look at the stars, as where we are there is no street lighting so the stars look amazing at night. Very often we catch up with our friends that also have cabins and quite often sit out with a fire and a glass of wine, and chat about life, news and funny stories.
To me, it feels like what it felt like when I would go back to Ireland as a young girl and see my family there. All the fun we had as kids growing up, playing out until it got dark, playing in fields, riding bikes and enjoying nature. I love my children being there and everyone feels a lot more relaxed.
Photo via Painter1.com
So what happens if you don’t have an escape to venture off to? how do you get that getting away from it all feeling at home? Well first of all if you have an open plan home it does make it harder to find a little corner to chill. More and more I am seeing the end of hallways, under the stairs turning into small reading nooks, and outdoor rooms used to create that perfect escape feeling.
Even though I do have my little cabin, I can’t be there all the time, so it is important to create an area that’s very peaceful in your home. Lot’s of us have seen the Shed of the Year by George Clarke and know what little retreats can be created in your back yard, patio or garden space. Outdoor rooms are becoming more affordable than ever before. Here is a fabulous page full of inspiring reading nooks .
The space you create doesn’t have to be huge, sometimes the smallest creations are the best. Wherever you can find in your home will be great just for you. To get the ultra hygge feeling, texture, cosiness and calm play a big part, so think of those elements when planning your little sanctuary.
Hopefully, the pictures I have shared will inspire you x
Gallery pictures
Picture 1 – Picture that Dress.com
Picture 2 – Stylist magazine
picture 3 – Painter1.com
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Comments are closed.
Ana De- Jesus
April 4, 2017 at 10:10 pmThe cabin sounds perfect and to be honest I think we could all benefit from a bit of escapism. Especially if we disconnect from social media x
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:55 pmSo true hun x
Sarah Bailey
April 5, 2017 at 1:01 amI think it is so important to have a place to escape whether that be a rural cabin or just a little nook in your home. Somewhere that you disconnect and just be….time to center yourself and relax. Your cabin sounds wonderful.
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:55 pmThanks Sarah I do love it 🙂 needs so much work doing but I love that, as I love projects and its good to have something to focus on 🙂 But just having a small area is also a great thing too.
Rhian Westbury
April 5, 2017 at 9:43 amI love the idea of disconnecting and not just switching on the TV for the sake of it x
Anosa
April 5, 2017 at 12:48 pmOh, such awesome designs. I might stay all day inside the room if I have that room design.
Anna nuttall
April 5, 2017 at 2:05 pmThe top photo is how i would love to dress up my balcony. But I have pigeon problem so that put my plan on halt. xx
Stephanie Merry
April 5, 2017 at 2:59 pmI love the idea of creating a space like this in my home, love your idea of the cabin x
nicol
April 5, 2017 at 3:14 pmi would love something like this in my home. i love the scandinavian retreat one.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
April 5, 2017 at 7:21 pmYour cabin sounds like the perfect place to escape from it all, I love the idea of reading corners at home too.
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:53 pmThank you x
Sarah
April 5, 2017 at 10:49 pmAww this sounds amazing. I love the sound of your cabin. Definitely something I would love to experience xxx
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:53 pmYeah I am really lucky, but it’s taken a lot of hard work to achieve this little space, we just need to invest in the refurbishment now 🙂 x
Olivia Thristan
April 6, 2017 at 12:05 amI love the idea of having a place to escape to, these look like seriously gorgeous places espeically the cabin 😀 x
Whatlauraloves
April 6, 2017 at 4:45 amThese pictures and your post definitely inspire me to create a little reading nook. I love my Kindle but only tent to use it on holiday! xxx
candice nikeia
April 6, 2017 at 7:07 amOutdoor reading spaces are so beautiful! I really want to create one when I move again!
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:51 pmSounds so nice x
StressedMum
April 6, 2017 at 1:39 pmI have often dreamt of creating something like this in my home, I have it all pictured of how I want it x
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:51 pmSounds really lovely x
Helen
April 6, 2017 at 2:53 pmYour cabin sounds like my dream holiday! I love going away and having a week away from Social Media etc. I would love a nook in my house but unfortunately it’s very open plan and there just isn’t anywhere to have one.
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:51 pmSometimes it’s about finding a little nook, like the corner of your bedroom, or hallway, or a box bedroom always works well 🙂
melissa major
April 6, 2017 at 3:22 pmThese look like amazing places to read, I need one in my home
Jenni
April 6, 2017 at 3:40 pmI love this idea, we do need to switch of more
danasia fantastic
April 6, 2017 at 10:52 pmI love that you guys own a little cabin- that’s a goal of mine!
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:49 pmThank you although lots of work needed 🙂 x
Fashion and Style Police
April 6, 2017 at 11:58 pmI would love to have a cabin by the sea. Sounds magical.
Ayesha Farhad
April 7, 2017 at 10:01 amI really really want a corner of a house to myself if not a cabin! But my house looks like an open plan one and there is no escape from the hustle that goes on all day!
Lisa (mumdadplus4)
April 7, 2017 at 11:25 amYour cabin sounds amazing , I wish I could have a little retreat like that.
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:47 pmIt needs lots of work 🙂
Leah Lander-Shafik
April 9, 2017 at 11:18 amThis is my idea of heaven! I love little hideaways or ‘cubby holes’ as I like to call them x
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:47 pmYes someone else that calls a hideaway a cubby hole 🙂
Chanette Kennedy
April 9, 2017 at 11:48 amI absolutely adore the balcony set up in the first picture. I love cosy little snugs where you can spend a chilly evening, if I ever had a house with a balcony I would definitely style it like the first picture!
northerninteriorgirl
April 10, 2017 at 9:46 pmit is lovely isn’t it?