The Nook - Obsessively Handmade Hyperlocal AVL

Tiny home in Swannanoa, North Carolina, United States

  1. 2 guests
  2. 1 bed
  3. 1 bathroom
Hosted by Michael
  1. Superhost
  2. 11 years hosting

Listing highlights

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.

Peace and quiet

Guests say this home is in a quiet area.

Michael is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated Hosts.
This house is a collection of stories. Stories of cultural and personal history, ecology, and craft. To celebrate this area's incredible legacy of craft, we’ve collaborated with some of the most talented makers in the region. Staying at the Nook you’ll have an experience unheard of in the modern era -- almost everything you touch or interact with was woven, shaped or whittled by hand.

*Please note that outdoor bathhouse may not be available during winter months due to low temperatures.

The space
Traditional craft requires a relationship with local materials -- not just as supplies but as plants, trees, and ecosystems. The design is meant to highlight all of the interconnected facets of Western North Carolina that are worth celebrating from the artists to the land itself. It is also designed to foster a lifestyle of intentionality and awareness. We invite you to come in, slow down, and have your own experience with the nature and craft of this area.

The Nook was named the Most Unique Airbnb in NC by Travel and Leisure Magazine. A whole episode about the philosophy and building of The Nook can be seen in the TV series, Cabin Chronicles on Magnolia Network and HBO. The Nook has also been featured in Dwell Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Monocle, the book Parklife Hideaways, The Financial Times, Town Carolina and others.

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville and 8 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nook is a perfect artist retreat or romantic getaway. Through the designs made for us by good friends and power couple, Rob and Karie of Shelter Collective, the Nook theme plays out in many ways, but starts with how tightly nestled the house is among the trees. The nooks inside include a breakfast alcove, a tea loft, an entertainment loft, and a cozy sleeping area. Aside from the nooks is an airy living space with an 18 foot ceiling, expansive windows, and a swing to enjoy the outdoor (or indoor) views. There is an outdoor bathhouse which is available most of the year, but is cut off for much of the Winter. A fire pit and wood to burn is available all year.

We provide local products such as spices, beer, liqueur, tea and coffee.

Every piece of art in the home, along with the materials used are part of an evolving story. As a single example to illustrate the point, there is a felted wool diorama made by local artist, Haley Nocik installed inside the wall next to the bed. The scene depicts a bird gathering materials to make a nest and a mother bunny in a burrow with its babies. The story is derived from two experiences while building the cabin. One was when we found a bird nest in the wall while building in the very spot where the diorama now resides. The nest was made of of our wood shavings and materials that we had been using to build the cabin. I gave the nest to Haley to use in the diorama in her recreation of the scene. The rabbits came from a time when we were building and heard a squeaking noice which ended up being a black snake trying to eat a baby bunny. The bunny was still alive and I rescued it from the snakes jaws. Later I came back and collected the fir that was used to create the den where the babies were born and gave that to Haley to include in the scene as well. This is just one of many examples of the depth of story in each art piece, each of which was commissioned as a one of a kind collaboration.

Guest access
The entire property accessible by your dedicated driveway is available and private to you.

Other things to note
There is a refrigerator, stovetop, and a toaster oven, but no freezer or full size oven. So be aware of that when planning meals. Some folks bring a cooler and leave it on the porch with ice.

Also, the water is from a well and is tasty and safe. We provide a carafe in the fridge that you can keep full of water from the faucet.

Where you'll sleep

What this place offers

Kitchen
Wifi
Free parking on premises
Private hot tub – available seasonally, open 24 hours
TV

Accessibility features

This info was provided by the Host and reviewed by Airbnb.

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Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 368 reviews.

Guest favourite
This home is a guest favourite based on ratings, reviews and reliability
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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 96% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 3% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 1% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Swannanoa, North Carolina, United States
This listing’s location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighbourhood highlights

Our neighborhood is quiet and wooded. The Nook is secluded, and has a private parking area. There are neighbors whose houses can be seen from the Nook, but the windows have shades for nighttime privacy.

Meet your host

Superhost
852 reviews
4.95 out of 5 average rating
11 years of hosting
Lives in Asheville, North Carolina
My wife Kristen and I had some amazing experiences staying at people's guesthouses around the world, and are so excited to have the opportunity to be hosts ourselves.

Michael is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-Hosts

  • Barbara

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

House rules

Check-in after 3:00 pm
Checkout before 11:00 am
2 guests maximum

Safety & property

Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
Heights without rails or protection
Carbon monoxide alarm

Cancellation policy