Once upon a time, there was a spark of an idea.
To build a unique Cabin for guests as sustainably as possible, by reusing, recycling and upcycling items found on a family farm.
This is the journey and the story of how the Cabin was created.
“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.”
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
When we found a second-hand trailer on wheels, the story of the Book Nook’s “Chapter 1” began. Realising that we could build something really unique in order to support our plan to regenerate / support the farm, we soon got to work. We extended and reinforced the trailer, beginning the build in the barn. This reinforcement gave us the opportunity to build directly onto the trailer. Along with the wheels this also meant it could be moved. At this point we had no way of knowing the “moving process” out of the barn would be so stressful! The main structure was built in Autumn 2023 and slowly took shape. It was a lengthy process and one that probably broke us a little bit!
“The frame was built by timber from a local supplier, along with salvaged wood from the farm & used traditional building practices”
Nick
Sarah’s original design board for the project is shown above. It reflected being inspired by existing items which could be upcycled, salvaged finds from old stores and barns and celebrated ways of decorating that were sustainable.
Made with Memories
Almost every fixing used to build The Book Nook came from my late dad’s old toolbox.
He was fastidious about his fixings, the sort of care that comes from a post-war generation where materials were respected, mended, reused, and quietly treasured rather than replaced.
As we built the cabin, we kept reaching for his tools without really thinking about it at first. The screws, hinges, brackets and nails. Years and years of carefully curated collecting became our go to treasure box. Miraculously, when needing the final bracket for the bedroom shelving, a pair of brackets turned up at the very bottom of the toolbox. We had enough to complete the build. There’s something very comforting about that. That a place built around storytelling, memory, and found objects also carries pieces of our family history within its walls.
The Book Nook was never meant to feel perfect or polished. We wanted it to feel layered, lived-in, and full of soul, and knowing that tiny parts of dad’s workshop now hold this little cabin together feels very special. I think the people we miss still find quiet ways to be alongside us…
“From the very beginning of the project, we knew we wanted the cabin to be different, to align our passion of up-cycling, repurposing and doing so with creative design at the heart of what we do”
Sarah
The Book Nook was developed to provide a regenerative, literature-inspired escape that encourages slower travel, deeper engagement with Dartmoor and positive impact on the landscape. By combining creative tourism, nature recovery and locally rooted experiences, we offer visitors a reason to connect with Devon in a more meaningful way.
