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Home / TIPS + PLANNING / Hotels + Resorts / A glass-box retreat with views of the English coast is my favorite Airbnb.

A glass-box retreat with views of the English coast is my favorite Airbnb.

2023-04-05  Diana Solomon

This cantilevered glass wonder was designed by the husband-and-wife architectural team of Sarah-Jane and Giles Miller, and it exemplifies both contemporary design and an appreciation for its natural surroundings.

It is not easy to plan a vacation that will be enjoyable for people of varying ages who have varying conceptions of what constitutes an "idyllic" setting. Enter Woven, a glass box house with four bedrooms located in Broadstairs, Kent, and a location that I was overjoyed to find. Just over an hour's drive from London, isolated despite being a hop, skip, and leap from the seaside, and surrounded by verdant forests, I was persuaded it would create the kind of home away from home that you'd be hard-pressed not to adore.

Giles Miller Studio
Living area at Woven, located in Broadstairs

The structure is up to date, supported by steel supports, and decorated with components derived from nature. Sarah-Jane and Giles Miller, the creative brains behind Giles Miller Studio, made their first foray into the world of residential property with this project, but it won't be the last — expansion plans are already in conversation, and I'm thinking of bookmarking their Instagram as one to watch. Their expertise in their field and awareness of space is immediately obvious the moment you pass through the guarded entryway. It is evidenced by the property's angular architecture and the particulars inside that contribute to the feeling of coziness.

Giles Miller Studio a
Woven Broadstairs

When viewed from the outside, the building's pointed, angular lines are contrasted by floor-to-ceiling windows that have steel frames and reflect the vegetation of the surrounding landscape to create a camouflage effect. The same combination creates diffused natural light on the concrete floor inside, and it gives the dark palette of the furnishings a chameleon-like quality, giving the appearance that it changes throughout the day.

Giles Miller Studio b
At Woven on Broadstairs, there is a living area.

When you enter the front door, the first thing that will greet you is the sleek, all-black kitchen. It is justified by the open-plan layout of the downstairs, which adds to the bright and spacious nature of the space. An added perk is that it has everything you could require for self-catering for a couple of nights, so you won't have to worry about buying food. The presence of Grind coffee beans, a nutribullet, baking trays, and an assortment of oh-so-stylish cookware and chopping boards may inspire you to launch your culinary program right there and then. Ideal for us, as the plan for this staycation, was straightforward: home cooking, late-night board games (located in the entryway's storage cabinet), comfortable sweats, and the pursuit of the regularly required mental reboot.

Giles Miller Studio c
Bedroom in Woven Broadstairs

Regarding the final point, something is soothing about the environment at Woven, and letting out a long, contented sigh as you settle into one of the reading recliners in the sitting area is almost automatic once you've established yourself there. The eating table, which is in the manner of a bench, the stairwell, and the walls in the guestrooms are all made of wood, which brings elements of the outdoors inside. The decor is simple and uncluttered, with no unnecessary flourishes or details. With a little bit of creative thinking, you could find yourself in the middle of a dense woodland in Scandinavia. After taking a refreshing plunge in the water at Joss Bay, which is only a ten-minute walk away, relax in the sauna or take a soak in the enclosed roll-top Jacuzzi that is located outside.

Giles Miller Studio d
Living quarters available at Woven Broadstairs

One feature that stands out to me the most is the illumination in every area. Above the dining table, distorted orb-shaped pendants with warm bulbs create a simple yet dramatic focal point. A similar scenario plays out in the living area, the kitchen, and at the top of the staircase.

Giles Miller Studio e
Woven Broadstairs

Every chamber is the same size, and they all have mattresses that are equally plush and dressed in linen, as well as dim illumination. There will be no fights in the household or guessing games here. Two of the four have a combined roll-top toilet and shower inside the bedroom, and the other two have distinct bathrooms with waterfall showers. We'd be happy with any of the options listed above.

Giles Miller Studio f
Terrace at the Woven Broadstairs

In case it wasn't already obvious, abandoning this contradiction to city living feels pretty low on the schedule. However, it's just a short walk from Broadstairs, and it's worth braving the elements to get a taste of the local coastal life. The shoreline is dotted with quaint beach huts in every color of the spectrum, and the winding, cobblestone streets of the town are lined with independent shops and restaurants. Therefore, whether it's fish, chips, and ice cream that tickles your taste or a traditional cream tea that you're after, this is the place to be. Additionally, if you want to get the complete "British seaside" experience, pass by the arcade on your way home.

Read about; There are different kinds of hotels in the rain forest, ranging from tree houses to glamping retreats.
 


2023-04-05  Diana Solomon