It’s no secret my love for black exterior homes and so when I came across this beautifully toasted woodland retreat holiday home dubbed, Blackwood on Instagram, I had to take a closer look.
Taking its name from the heavily charred Accoya in which it is wrapped, Blackwood, is a three bedroom modern getaway perfectly tucked away amongst woodland on the edge of the North Norfolk coast village of West Runton in the UK.
North Norfolk has 45 miles of unspoilt coastline to explore. It is a unique area of remarkable diversity and scientific importance and is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will find pinewood backed white sandy beaches and dunes at Wells and Holkham, creeks and saltmarshes at Morston, Cley and Blakeney, a pebble beach at Weybourne and sandstone cliffs at West Runton amongst many more. There really is something for everyone.
Surrounded by a collection of beautiful mature tree species like oak and chestnut, I was immediately drawn in to it’s quaint setting and beautifully-edited interior.
Alongside the Scandinavian-inspired exterior, the inside is equally stunning with its calming earthy tones and textures throughout, which include tasteful beech wood kitchen cabinetry, white walls, natural textiles and wicker accents. There’s a serene continuity inside that simultaneously compliments the outdoors.
Owners, Sarah and Daniel designed the layout themselves which was based around an existing structure (which was a large detached garage with office space above within the grounds of their own home). They added on a bootroom extension and entrance at the front of the property which is approaching 2000 square feet in total. It’s one of my favourite hotel-style features yet —there’s so much to be inspired by.
I spoke with Sarah recently and asked her a few questions about the build. Here’s a bit of our conversation. Check it out below!
I love the fireplace, how was it made?
The wood burning stove is actually sitting on a bench which as been covered in the same microcement as the floor.
The banquette is gorgeous, is the seating also concrete?
It’s k-rend. Exterior masonry render. (Note: You can see a video on their Instagram page on how they made it, using a timber support frame, clad in plasterboard then covered with white k-rend. Click here to see).
The kitchen cabinetry —are those panels on the doors, did you have them custom made?
The kitchen was designed and made for us by Devol kitchens. It is the Sebastian Cox range and is made of beech wood.
What’s your favourite space in the cabin?
My favourite space is probably the lounge —it’s dual aspect and all you can see from both sides are trees…it’s lovely to walk through the sliding doors out on to the deck in the morning and take coffee or in the winter to sit by a roaring fire!
I love the outdoor fire pit. Can you tell us a little bit about how you created it?
This was created in a day on a total whim…we already had the landscapers in so we measured and dug out a large circular pit. We drove and collected the corten steel from our local supplier and then put down a weed proof membrane, followed by the same stone we have on our pathways. Our landscaper then added a little step. We brought festoon lights and a fire pit together with some IKEA lounge chairs and it was all finished really quickly.
I love the palette throughout the entire space and bedrooms —from the white beadboard, the off-white linen treatments, the terracotta-coloured pillows and sheets, the grey throw blankets, mixed with the light oak hardwood flooring, woven rugs and black accents. Some of the accessories we spotted are from Pampa, one of my favourite shops out of Australia. Let’s take a look at the rest of the space.
The beautiful burnt wood cladding was handcrafted by artisans in rural Ireland. A Japanese technique dating back hundreds of years ago and known for it’s durability and sustainability.
For more information on the rental property visit blackwoodnorfolk.com
Blackwood
Roman Camp
West Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9ND
