Dammy Ponnuthurai talks with the founder of Tiny Homes Holiday cabins situated on the edge of an ancient woodland on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
1) Helen, you and your husband have a long history with the essence of providing holiday spaces that capture slow living. What made you so interested in this type of hospitality?
I founded Vintage Vacations with my late husband Frazer – one of the first Glamping Businesses in the UK. We loved the model and it was a success but we were on the look out for a way to take the Glamping ethos a bit further and also be open all year round to be a truly sustainable business. We’d been a fan of the eco mindset of Tiny Homes – live more simply, use only what you need and live sustainably. We opened for business in 2017.
2) How important are the materials you use within your cabins to help holiday makers with their intentions to slow down?
Aesthetically, the internal use of natural materials such as wood does give a sense of calm and blends in with our surroundings. Soft colours are used and also some recycled materials and vintage accessories that imbibe a cosy, almost nostalgic feel of calmness.
3) Why do you think the philosophy of ‘tiny home’ living is so good for well being?
One of the things that our guests notice, especially families, is that living more simply and closer together revives the art of conversation.
In a smaller space you have to be mindful of clutter and be quite organised and you really only can have limited ‘stuff’ – the William Morris “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” is a golden rule. It is very liberating to downsize. Most Tiny Homes, including ours, embrace eco living – solar power, compost toilets, reed beds, waste recycling etc.
4) Why is the stove such an important focal point to the Tiny Home holiday experience?
Our stoves are the only source of heating in the cabins so they really earn their keep. Some guests have never used a wood burning stove before and enjoy getting to understand how they work. It’s so cosy watching the fire gently blaze and creates a sense of well being. It’s a welcome change from screen watching.
5) Do you have any tips for us at home on how to make our lives slower?
Most of us are guilty of too much screen time and I for one certainly notice the benefit of switching off for even a few hours. Cooking even a simple meal from scratch is calming and beneficial and communal eating is surely one of life’s most rewarding pleasures. All our Tiny Homes have full kitchens, and they certainly get used!
For more information about Tiny Homes Holidays you can visit their website here or follow on their socials.