Earth and Sky Dwellings - Asheville North Carolina
Nestled in the mountains surrounding Asheville, North Carolina is a vacation destination truly unlike any other! We recently had the chance to chat with Caroline, owner and design extraordinaire from Earth and Sky Dwellings (formerly Treehouses of Serenity), about all of the incredible rental options on property. We also went in depth about what goes into creating the region’s most unique Sleeps! Read our interview and explore each of the incredible listings that Earth and Sky Dwellings have to offer below!
What is the “Earth and Sky Dwellings” property?
Founded in 2016 as Treehouses of Serenity, Earth and Sky Dwellings is a vacation accommodation destination that features 7 unique vacation rentals that capture the imagination. From a glorious treehouse supported by towering Oak trees, to an underground Hobbit Hole with attention to detail that would please even the most passionate Lord of the Rings fan, Earth and Sky Dwellings truly have something to offer anyone. Though the vacation rentals are a destination in and of themselves, they are only a short drive to endless outdoor opportunities like hiking, biking, wildlife and waterfalls, all while being minutes from all that Asheville has to offer, including the world famous Biltmore house. These are definitely better than a typical hotel rental, so if you are looking for a unique accommodation for your next vacation to Asheville, look no further than Earth and Sky Dwellings!
Sanctuary, Earth and Sky Dwellings
Take in the rustic, fairy tale vibe of this custom-made treehouse in the midst of towering white oaks. Recline in a rocking chair and watch the sunset over the mountains, or try your hand at some stargazing from the comfort of the deluxe double bed. This treehouse is absolutely beautiful!
Wizard’s Hollow, Earth and Sky Dwellings
This treehouse is a Harry Potter fan’s dream! Wizards Hollow is Earth and Sky’s version of Hogwarts in the mountains of Asheville. The castle is close to 600 sq ft of wizardry! Fly your house flag, and if you are not sure to which house you belong, consult their sorting hat! After mixing your potions, relax in one of two queen beds. This home has 1 bedroom and a spiral staircase that leads to a loft with an additional bed. The bathroom has traditional plumbing, a tiled shower. sink and toilet.
The Farmhouse, Earth and Sky Dwellings
Love the modern farmhouse style? Then you will fall in love with Earth and Sky Dwelling’s Farmhouse. This treehouse is adorned with modern farmhouse décor alongside many antiques. In addition to a clawfoot tub, you can soak up the view from the rocking chairs on the deck. This home has one bedroom with a queen bed and a large 3 piece bathroom with a tiled shower, sink, and traditional toilet.
Hobbit Knoll, Earth and Sky Dwellings
This home was inspired by the famous JRR Tolkien series and built for all his fans and hobbit lovers. This home was also featured on CNN, ABC News and many local Asheville news affiliates. You have to see the pictures of this Hobbit House themed Airbnb to see all the attention to detail and luxury. Look at that view!
The Aerie - Earth and Sky Dwellings
Feel like a soaring eagle as you take in the views from The Aerie. This 3 level "birdhouse" is equipped with a queen bed in the loft, kitchen, and bath on the middle/main level and living room on the lower level. This birdhouse is trimmed with modern piped lighting, a 6-foot round window to take in the view and a jeweled stained glass window which is representative of the mountains around Asheville.
The Perch, Earth and Sky Dwellings
Located at the top of Earth and Sky Dwellings, the Perch treehouse will make it easy to take a deep breath and relax. Take in the rustic vibe of this custom-made home while catching an afternoon nap in the hanging bed or enjoy the view from the rocking chairs. This home has one bedroom with a queen bed and access to the covered porch. The large 3 piece bathroom has a tiled shower, a traditional toilet and is wheelchair accessible.
Alchemy, Earth and Sky Dwellings
We know walking up to this “treehouse” you will be thinking, “I Love Magic.” From the outside, this looks like any other glamping tent you might see on the mountains of North Carolina, but inside there is so much fun, including a slide and a stunning view. Modeled after the tent from the Quidditch world cup, boy wizard fans will love all the detail! You will definitely enjoy discovering all the secrets here! Click this link to see more photos and availability of this magical tent!
The Phoenix, Earth and Sky Dwellings
The newest themed option gracing the mountainsides of North Carolina at Earth and Sky Dwellings is the Phoenix! This “treehouse” looks like a spaceship jut landed right on the side of the mountain. With a touch of Star Wars and a heaping helping of amazing Sci Fi details, the Phoenix is sure to delight! Check out this link the find more photos and availability of the Phoenix!
The Lotus, Earth and Sky Dwellings
Perfect for a girl’s weekend, the Lotus treehouse is a blast full of pink! It seriously is so darn cute. There are 2 queen beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, a coffee maker, a 2-burner electric cooktop, and an electric indoor grill for your culinary adventures. Enjoy entertainment on the Roku TV and the convenience of a well-equipped kitchenette. Plus, a conventional bathroom ensures all the comforts of home in one exciting package! Check out this link for more photos and availability of the Lotus!
Max - The Steampunk Treehouse, Earth and Sky Dwellings
This house is anything but ordinary! Filled inside and out with steampunk flair, it offers a unique experience. The bedroom overlooking the mountains truly redefines "a room with a view." The kitchen is stocked with caffeinated coffee, creamers, sugar, salt and pepper, olive oil, light snacks, cookware, flatware, utensils, cutting boards, wine and beer openers, coffee cups, wine glasses, and more. When are not admiring the fun touches inside, we just know your favorite spot will be on the porch overlooking the views outside! Check out this link to find more photos and availability of the Max!
Moonshadow, Earth and Sky Dwellings
This beautiful A Frame cabin has glorious wall of windows that showcase the majesty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Tucked away in solitude near Asheville, Moonshadow is the perfect romantic escape. There is one queen bed in Moonshadow and one queen sleeper sofa, plus a kitchette so if you bring groceries you never have to leave and you just disconnect. Check out this link to find more photos and availability of Moonshadow!
Mystic Castle, Earth and Sky Dwellings
Overlooking the gorgeous Mystic Village, the Mystic Castle is one of the newest dwellings at Earth and Sky. Boasting two queen beds and everything you need to have a comfortable vacation, the Mystic Castle will have you feeling like the King or Queen of your own Kingdom. Don’t miss your chance to stay at this gorgeous castle in Asheville! Check out this link to find more photos and availability of Mystic Castle!
and coming soon…. MYSTIC VILLAGE! A full Village of Dwellings that will include the following: Post Office, Magic Shop, Apothocary, Book Store, Tavern and General Mercantile. Check out this link to learn more about the Mystic Village!
What does it take to put together a vacation rental destination as beautiful as this? We spoke with Caroline - who gave all the details about their process!
These tree houses are a destination in themselves - much better than the typical "white linen" hotel room or Airbnb. Tell us how you got started. Where did the idea for these incredible Treehouses come from? Why Treehouses?
Caroline: We want each of our guests to have a truly unique experience when they visit Earth and Sky Dwellings. We started out on this journey on what seems like a lifetime ago. Mike and I both were working in corporate America and we owned the land where the treehouses sit today. When Mike retired about 10 years ago it really was just deciding on what we wanted to do with the next chapter of our lives. Asheville is a destination all on its own but we were working on what could we add to the experience. At that time, Asheville did not have any other treehouse rentals that we were aware of. So we wanted something different.
What inspires you?
Caroline: I don't know if it is as much inspiration or drive, but it's the reaction that we get from our guests. Many parents bring their children on an adventure without telling them where they are going or couples come to celebrate a special occasion, but it's the first reactions that are the best. Photos of the property are out there everywhere, but each time we hear "the pictures don't do it justice" that pushes us a little harder!
How do you combine these awesome ideas with practical functionality?
Caroline: It is truly a balancing act! We have to keep in mind that we always want a space for at least 1 bed, a small kitchenette and a 3 piece bathroom. After that, we can design the "fun" stuff. Of the two of us, I am the practical one and Mike is the big idea man. Between the 2 of us, we find common ground.
When planning a new treehouse or formulating a new idea - what goes into that process?
Caroline: Unfortunately, everything starts and ends with money! Honestly, we have gotten through the hardest part of the process, which is infrastructure! We then start looking for a builder that shares in the vision and is excited about the creative process. Although our homes are only 500 sq. ft., the build process is never going to be "standard." We want whimsey, creativity, and artistry and we want our partners to share in that.
Speaking of new treehouses - do you have any exciting plans for the future we can share?
Caroline: Of course, we always have something cooking! As you know, Wizards Hollow, our Harry Potter-themed castle has been WILDLY popular. Our next build is another Harry Potter theme house that will be based on the tent that Harry and the gang stayed in at the quidditch tournament.
Do you have a favorite treehouse that you have designed so far?
Caroline: I get asked this question a lot and I really do not have a favorite. Each of our homes are intentionally so very different it is really hard to compare. We love having guests come back multiple times and want them to have a new and different experience each time they stay with us.
What is the most frustrating aspect of working on these designs, and the most rewarding?
Caroline: With any project, there are always going to be delays. As much as I continue to tell myself that, it is hard not getting frustrated because of the excitement of seeing the house come to life. There is also the element of making our, sometimes extreme, designs fit into building code, yes, residential building code. From time to time the finished product is not exactly what we started off with, but we are always very proud of what is presented to our guests.
Is there a particular design element that you are most proud of?
Caroline: I don't think it is just a single element, but the portfolio that we have put together so far. We are 6 houses into what could be a 20 house community and so far not one thing is really the same.
What has been the biggest struggle or challenge so far in bringing these designs to life?
Caroline: The biggest struggle was the initial steps of having to put in roads, water, power, sewer, etc. We had a very big idea and a very small nest egg. There is nothing fun or exciting about infrastructure, and it is super expensive, but it is a very necessary first step. We had gone through all of our money and borrowed from friends and family to get a dream to come to life. We hoped it is going to grow wings and fly, but the struggle was real in the beginning!
Let's say you had an unlimited budget, and no one could say no to your design - what would be a dream project?
Caroline: Wow, where to begin... We would love to have lighted walkways up in the trees going through the property, tunnels to run through the mountain, houses suspended by a few cables, having a house in the belly of a mystical dragon, I could go on and on...
Are there plans to place anymore designed tree houses outside of the Asheville area?
Caroline: We have no plans of building outside of Asheville. One of the things that has helped us so much so far is being here on the property and knowing what is going on day in and day out. This is not only with the design and build process, but with our guests. We are extremely hands-on and we believe this is one of the things that has made us successful.
We especially love the Harry Potter and Hobbit-themed designs, are you guys a big fan of these series? The attention to detail is incredible! Are there plans to expand to any other pop culture themes?
Caroline: Mike grew up a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan and always wanted to build an underground hobbit home. Once we started publicly talking about the hobbit build, people kept telling us we needed to build a Harry Potter-themed house. To be completely honest, I was not really on board at first of themed houses! However, when we would talk to people I could see the excitement on their faces when they would talk about Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I then convinced myself to hopped on board. I watched every movie, read articles and blogs from super fans, poured through hundreds of images all from a complete design research standpoint. If we were going to go this route, I wanted these houses to be something special. Details to me are super important to me and thank you for noticing!
We for one cannot wait to see what Treehouses of Serenity has in store next! Thanks so much for reading our interview with Caroline. Interested in booking one of these amazing spaces? All of Earth and Sky Dwelling’s listings are available on Airbnb. Read more about why we love to use Airbnb when we travel, or check out some of our other favorite unique stays below. If you think you would love other themed vacation rentals like the Harry Potter and Lord of Rings options above, check out this list of incredible themed Airbnb rentals.
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