When it comes to holiday accommodation, more people are looking to explore the beauty of the UK, with an increasing interest in sustainable travel options that minimise environmental impact.
In 2023, Ruth and Guy Wimpory, owners of Skoolie Stays, wanted to continue their mission to show that holidays can be enjoyable and eco-friendly at the same time.
Following the success of their converted American school bus in West Sussex, recognised in the national press as a top glamping break, the couple knew the key to encouraging people to swap a European city break for an off-grid staycation, was to carefully balance style and comfort with their eco aims.
It had to feel special and luxurious – a design-led space that could surprise and inspire guests.
Ruth and Guy secured funding from LoCASE (Low Carbon Across the South East) towards the development of The Vacationist Eco Cabin - a cabin on wheels that could be built efficiently, function solely with off-grid energy and produce minimal CO2 emissions.
They balanced the use of eco-technology with repurposed materials and chose to work with companies that were leading the way in sustainable design; the aim being to showcase products and influence guests’ own interior choices.
It was whilst researching bathrooms they found Showerwall.
“Having a beautiful bathroom is key to luxury accommodation but using tiles in a vehicle that moves can be problematic – both because of weight and flex. Showerwall, a company with strong eco-credentials, provided us with an eye-catching alternative: an acrylic wall panel that was easy to install, required no grout, was easy to clean and offered a more modern style of luxury. The end result makes it feel as if you are walking into the bathroom of a boutique hotel.” Ruth Wimpory
Ruth and Guy chose the Deco Tile White / Mustard, from Showerwall’s Acrylic Collection, because it reflected the angled motifs found throughout the cabin.
Inspired by American a-frame cabins, a huge triangular picture window draws light inside and a chevron wooden floor literally blends into a stunning triangular feature bar area.
Alongside the aesthetics of beautiful design sits the eco-tech. Fully insulated with sheep’s wool and with double glazed windows, skylight and a bifold door, the cabin incorporates water-saving technology and runs off solar panels. Heating comes from the bio-ethanol burner and infrared underfloor heating, and you can comfortably stay at any time of year.
Of course, to be truly eco-friendly, it is important to repurpose and reuse where you can. The cabin has been lovingly hand-built using a mixture of plywood, an environmentally friendly material, and recovered wood such as oak and larch.
But it is also full of surprising initiatives that you may not have seen before.
A ‘coloured pencil’ epoxy kitchen counter, made from 2014 repurposed pencils; a bookcase door, leading to a secret room created from abandoned books; and even the offcuts from the sofa, made itself from plastic bottles, have been turned into a beautiful, distinctive headboard for the master bed.
The Vacationist Eco Cabin launched in 2023. Set in its own private field in East Sussex, it sleeps 4 and has a bathroom, full kitchen and dining area, private deck, outdoor firepit and a cosy lounge. It is a unique, special and carbon-neutral destination.
To find out more about The Vacationist Eco Cabin, check out their website, Facebook or Instagram.
Discover Showerwall’s sustainability credentials, here: https://showerwall.co.uk/environment/