Rural chic at Five Acre Farms
Take a look into the modern design of ‘The Cabin’. A new architecturally designed and purpose-built destination in Christchurch taking the number one spot on our local tourism hit-list.
In a world where international travel has come to a complete halt, exploring our own backyard has become the new way we Kiwi’s holiday. From seaside shacks and traditional kiwi baches to architectural masterpieces in a rural setting, New Zealand has it all.
Photography Sarah Rowlands
The stunning brand new (and extremely Instagrammable) destination is ‘The Cabin’ located on Five Acre Farms - a boutique farm-stay - in Heathcote Valley, Christchurch. The meticulously designed and purpose-built cabin was completed in July 2020. Five Acre Farms owners Brie Thomas is an architectural designer, so she knows a thing or two about how to design the perfect space to relax in. And complete perfect architecture and a heated outdoor bath and fireplace – Brie seems to know the secret recipe to success!
“This has been my first design that we have built purely for our purposes and not to sell on etc. So it’s definitely been a passion project, my brother William Thomas built it and he has an incredible (sometimes frustrating) eye for detail.”
The Cabin is a unique design of two pods. One makes up the open-plan living and kitchen area and the other consists of the bathroom and bedrooms. Seamlessly linking both pods is a covered deck area which brings the outdoors inside and maximises the rural surrounding and views of the Heathcote park and waterways.
“Clad in natural cedar timber with a high vaulted ceiling lined with locally milled beech timber you will instantly feel relaxed. For the winter months, there is a log burner, and for relaxing in the summer there is an outdoor bath for night time sky gazing.”
Brie runs her Architecture practice (BAT Architecture) alongside her husband Ben and his engineering business on-site in a converted shed on the Five Arce Farms property. And why wouldn’t you when you could have the beautiful view of rolling hills out of your office window all day?
Brie has also carefully curated all of the interior elements herself while focusing on supporting New Zealand businesses where possible - with bedside tables from yours truly.
“I love the simplicity of the MOT bedsides, and that they are so easily installed and look like a built-in feature rather than a piece of furniture. I didn’t want to detract from the cedar feature wall behind the bed.” – Brie Thomas
Other favourite picks and brands of Brie’s are…
Beautiful reeded glass and bronze light fittings from Nightworks Studio – they are a local Christchurch business who imports their lights from Melbourne. Featured in the bedroom above.
Citta and Foxtrot Home bed linen. Luxury bed linen is what makes a stay special and relaxing! New Zealand has several amazing companies that specialise in linen – shop local!
Shining a light on our local tourism has made us locals appreciate the gems created by talented Kiwis, all just a stone's throw away.
To book your next back-yard adventure in the Five Acre Farms Cabin, head to fiveacrefarm.co.nz
or follow them on Instagram