What’s up, friends?

Today’s home is more than just a singular home… it’s a compound that was once voted “The Best Place to Stay in the South” by Southern Living, and the “#1 Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky” according to Trip Advisor. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, six cabins are full of history and serenity. Yeah, some of the cabins are a bit dated, but that’s where its charm comes from. 

Welcome to Kentucky, y’all!

Built in 1999, this behemoth of a property can fit 50 people in its 13 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, over 9,700 sqft, and 290 acre lot. Having appeared in National Geographic Traveler and Southern Living, it’s no shock that this place had a price tag of over $3.9 million.

If I was out trekking/camping through Appalachia, like the characters in Jojo Moyes’ The Giver of Stars (she allegedly wrote the book in one of these cabins), I’d want a map to get around this place. Luckily, we’ve got two: one for the entire acreage, and one for the common trails.

THE GAME PLAN: As there’s a lot of individual homes to comb through, I’ve decided to lump their assets together so we can admire each category. Does that make sense? No? Oh… well, you’ll catch on!

These exteriors really vary. There’s a new-construction cabin with sleek-aged dark wood, connected blue roofs, a multi-floor dwelling, and many more!

Let’s get a better idea of what they have to offer. How about we start in the living rooms?

Living rooms are better in the mountains! Some are simple with wood, some have modern drywall and wood beams, and some still have the very 90s-looking green paint.

Since they tend to be a larger, and typically communal, part of a home, we can spend more time in the living rooms. Checkout a few more below -that even have little libraries!

Kitchens, for some, are the most important place in a home. If you’re a 20-something in college, all you need is a microwave and a food delivery app. If you’re in one of these cabins, Uber Eats ain’t delivering all the way out here. You’d need a good kitchen. And these are definitely substantial. 

Again, there’s great variation between these spaces. But if your kitchen doesn’t have enough counter space, just wander over to your neighbor’s house and ask to cook there. Everyone on the property can be like a small community! 

Speaking of community, these homes have dining tables for families of all sizes.

Sizes are also seen in the bedrooms. There are more standard bedrooms that look like your typical “primary suite” or “apartment bedroom”…

…but there’s also rooms reminiscent of summer camps, overnight retreats, or a family of 10 children. Each one packs its own purpose! 

In a similar vein, the bathrooms can also be grouped into “slightly modern” and “a little old”. I’ll admit the differences aren’t stark, but they are noticeable.

Between the clean lines against the green paint, the bathtub awning, and the white shower curtain, they make for a sleeker look. But when wood paneling, wall tiling, antique mirrors, and a telephone bench are seen in the other bathrooms… you really feel the bygone time period. 

That was a lot to take in. Step outside to the deck for some fresh air. 

And, while we’re out here, let’s stay outside and check out the “backyards” (aka the literal forest)! The listing goes into depth about how this property has “a spring-fed pond, onsite water systems, a handcrafted walking labyrinth, and an abundance of native flora and pollinators — including over 80 species of birds”.

This forest doesn’t feel like your average forest. It feels curated for the best experience. You get some natural water, natural lumber, and the artistic human ritual of cutting circles in patches of grass.

From all of these photos, one thing is clear…

…no matter the time of day or time of year, this place is gorgeous!

After all of that, it’s making me rethink where I want to travel on my next holiday weekend 🌳 Maybe a cute, forestry trip is exactly what I’ve always needed…

Sarah @Hometastrophes