Peaceful Retreat

Nordic in North Carolina

This 650-square foot, Nordic-inspired retreat in the trees, Cabin #44 at Shope Creek, is one of a community of cabins tucked in the woods near Asheville, NC. It comes with a cozy, contemporary wood stove, faces the creek and communal firepits, and has a deck for starry nights, and wildlife watching, plus a private hot tub right out the king bedroom door.

The community was created by Maria Rusafova of Rusafova Markulis Architects, with interiors by Nicole Belue of Dwellings Inspired Furnishings. Vaulted ceilings create a spacious ambiance inside the stylish shelters. Abundant windows let in natural light. And the cabin’s kitchen comes fully stocked with appliances and condiments, with dining tables indoors and out, and an outdoor grill space, as well.

Each of the cabins is nestled in the woods with access to the community’s shared, designer pavilion with an outdoor fireplace and comfy furnishings, a generous dining table as well as fire pits, raised bed gardens open for picking, and a chicken coop from which to gather farm eggs. Private hiking trails depart from the door and lead through the woods on site, and clearings along Shope Creek make great picnic and wading spots.

Around

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the cabins are close to the Blue Ridge Parkway Pisgah National Forest, where hiking and biking trails are plentiful. Downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Warren Wilson College are all about 20 minutes away. With artsy, food and beverage-focused Asheville so close by, the cabins offer the best of both world—immersion in the great outdoors and access to cultural, historical and culinary destinations. Asheville’s dining scene is a creative mecca, with favorite restaurants ranging from a much-celebrated Spanish tapas bar to classic Southern cafes, to Indian, Italian and white-table Mexican spots. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries keep spirits high, along with a number of mixology-level cocktail bars.

The Biltmore Estate has long drawn folks to the area for its traditional, neatly manicured, luxe club vibe and generous gardens that host an annual bloom festival. The North Carolina Arboreteum is a great place to explore the wealth of regional flora. The mountain city is full of outdoor recreation options, from hiking and biking to mountain spring hopping and river rafting, fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, golf and tennis. The area’s artistic heritage runs deep, with Black Mountain College an institution of avant-garde thought and expression since its founding, mountain makers, crafters and folk artists carrying on longstanding artisanal traditions, dozens of contemporary art galleries and performance art venues. The River Arts District is lined with studios, exhibition spaces and shops.

Location

Nearest airports: Asheville (20 miles); Greenville/Spartanburg (55 miles)

Best time to visit

March to October