The Den - The ultimate escape

For me personally the dream of the prefect ‘Garden shed’ started at a very young age, and has never left me. I use to love making den’s in the lounge, using two chairs and a bed sheet, as I grew up the den in the lounge, became the tent in the garden. In the summer I would camp in the garden for days. One of my favourite books as a child was Forever Friends “Come Rain or Shine”.  A tale of friend’s trying to find the prefect den, and finally stumbling across a disused blue gypsy style caravan.

I’ve grown up since; there is no longer a bed sheet in the lounge or tent in the garden. I now rent a flat in North West London, I’m without a caravan at the bottom of the garden, in fact I don’t have a garden at all.

Yet I’m sure I’m not the only person still seeking their very own den, there own place of escapism. It seems a growing number of people are factoring in a personal refuge into their own homes and lives.

I want to share some of my favourite images and designs that I have been lucky enough to stumble across. A source of inspiration to anybody still fantasizing,  anybody creating, or simply for anybody to admire.

Taken from Elle Decoration August 2012, Page 66.
This summer house was designed by Linda Bergroth a product designer based in Helsinki and Paris. This mesmerizing adaptation of a greenhouse is situated on an island in Finland. This is not only a stunning setting and sleek design but it is also practical with the rear of the greenhouse, becoming a shed with space for storage. There is no running water supply so they use the lake to bathe in, and also as a food supply, often catching crayfish and cooking them on the water’s edge.  This romantic retreat from modern day life is where the term back to basics becomes simply beautiful!
 

 A getaway shed By Gilles and Dansmonarbre. From the architects ““The experience can be spiritual contemplation and prayer. The experience can be therapeutic for couples in search of communication. The experience can be hard work for students who need concentration.”
 

If you don't have lots of space to spare or no outdoor room then why not create a den within a already functioning room.

 

Alternatively if you can’t fit in your own private den, then why not borrow one for a weekend, here are a few of examples of some truely unique 'dens' to rent.

La Maison Ronde – Dordogne, France. £55 a night.

 The Chapel – Shropshire, England. £65 a night.

Both of these can be find on www.canopyandstars.co.uk prices starting from £50 a night!