Something about autumn always reminds me of the Shire, with its well-tended fields and woods and quiet allure. So what more fitting time of year to share these two real life hobbit holes, charming homes that sparked some creative inspiration on my part. I hope they do the same for you.
In Wales, the Dale family constructed this woodlands hobbit-like home for only 3000 pounds. In a manner reminiscent of Middle Earth, they built their home into the hillside, but they constructed it to fit the needs of their human family, thus there’s no round door. Though this home looks like something out of a fairy story, it was built for practicality and to promote a simple, sustainable lifestyle.
Image credits: www.simondale.net
In contrast to the simple, fairy-story appearance of the Dale home, this second hobbit hole feels a great deal more formal, but enchanting nevertheless. This Pennsylvania home doesn’t house a family, but rather a collection of Tolkien artifacts–I think Tolkien would have approved.
Image credits: www.archerbuchanan.com
Can you imagine living in one of these homes? If you did, which style would you prefer?
Kim
October 29, 2011 - 11:24 pm ·That is really cool!! I would love to have one of those.
Sarah Sawyer
October 31, 2011 - 3:20 pm ·I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kim! I agree, I would enjoy either one of these. They’d make for great writing retreats. 🙂
Emily
October 31, 2011 - 10:18 pm ·How quaint! Personally, I gravitate naturally more towards the first one–the Dale’s simple abode. What creativity you could glean from such a quiet, little cottage-like home! It’s almost takes you right back to another world and time. I can barely even imagine what it would be like to live in such a place… the enchantments seem never-ending! Though the first one especially caught my eye, the second also certainly attracted my attentions. The round doors hold true to the hobbit nature. I also quite liked the gable shown on the second picture of the second home. Lovely post, by the way! 🙂
Sarah Sawyer
November 2, 2011 - 2:31 pm ·Though I quite liked them both, I agree the first was my favorite. It looks like something straight from a fairy tale. The family designed and built it themselves, which adds to the charm, I think.
Yet I do like the round doors and windows on the second one, as well as the stone work. You can tell it was designed more as a museum of sorts than a home, so its charm is of a different nature. 🙂
C.J.
November 1, 2011 - 9:06 am ·Like Emily, the first one really caught my attention. I don’t know if I could truly be willing to live in either one, but I would certainly want to stay in them, especially the first one. After looking at the pictures for the second time, I realized one reason I think I like the first one more is the pictures they took were really enhancing of what they created. It certainly wants me to want to go there and ask if I can rent out there home. 🙂
Sarah Sawyer
November 2, 2011 - 2:34 pm ·Well, the Dale home seems to be the universal favorite! You brought up a good point about living in such an unusual home versus visiting. Though I think both houses are lovely, I’d enjoy them more as a place to vacation or as a writing cottage than a dwelling place.
The photography on the first home was well done (again by the Dale family, I believe) and best showed off the enchantment of their property. A good picture can accomplish a lot. 🙂