With the complexities and stress of the modern world in the 21st century, the dream of taking off into a cabin in nature grows ever more appealing. Many of us crave a deeper connection to the outdoors, to be forced to unwind and to escape the mundane in pursuit of a serenity we struggle to find in the everyday.
The pressure of growing to-do lists and constant notifications can be the catalyst to booking a much-needed off-grid recharge, with the added bonus of little luxuries. For this, there is nowhere more appropriate than The Pepper Shack, tucked away between the coast and the country near Lymington. Once a ramshackle timber shed of a genius shipwright, it’s now a luxurious cabin, oozing personality and charm.
The owners are husband and wife, Juliette and Tom Chamberlin; a couple who are no strangers to renovation, having transformed a number of properties into stunning boltholes over the years with their business, Lymore New Forest.
Juliette says: ‘It was originally a timber boat store, owned by our neighbour before we purchased the house as well as the land it sits on about 15 years ago. The existing building was shouting out its potential to us for a long time before we had a natural break in work and a window of opportunity in family time to fit the project in and give it our full attention.
‘Tom and I are always talking through our ideas and grabbing creative opportunities and this evolution was no exception. We have other holiday let properties and this development was always bubbling away in the background.’
The property has a fairytale quality - looking every bit the humble abode for poets and pioneers to find solace and inspiration. Those who stay can expect to see rabbits hopping by and pheasants ambling through its rural setting.
‘Tom and I went about renovating and improving the structure; commencing the project early in 2022 and changing the landscape and land which it sits upon from a messy yard to a tranquil garden. Once we got going on a project, luckily the ideas just seemed to flow. There is a welcoming area of synchronicity between how we work; we always seem to be on the same page with our renovations. We’ve worked together frequently for almost 30 years.’
Juliette describes the process with planning permission as ‘straightforward’ and was ‘achieved long before we started on the project. The land that Pepper Shack sits on is level, so was an encouraging logistical start, but as everything down our little lane, the accessibility is limited by both width and a watersplash, so no big deliveries!’
The Pepper Shack boasts an interesting history, with the original building having housed a state-of-the-art design revolutionary boat. Juliette explains: ‘It was designed by our neighbour Leslie, who was a highly intellectual creative genius inventor. The boat was before its time in its design and yet surrounded by a tumbling-down timber shed.’
The dominant palette features liquorice hues and charcoal greys, creating a moody, grounding feel to the property; a place where rustic and refinement converge. Rugged elements with touches of undeniable luxury such as a deep copper bath by William Holland, a Jacuzzi hot-tub and a welcome hamper with Prosecco to name a few.
Juliette shares: ‘We wanted dark and cosy and luxury. Tom has made the kitchen and crafted much of the furniture. A friend of ours made the stunning four-poster bed. The style is based on what we love and how we have our own home. It needed to have an honest feel and be simple in its rusticity.’
The kitchen makes a strong statement, with exposed beams above and a Herringbone-style wooden feature on the walls. Unique statement pieces are dotted around, which Juliette says are ‘mostly from antique fairs and reclamation yards.
‘As with all our projects, we renovate with a local head and heart. The reclaimed bricks are old bricks originally from the local Lymore Brick Company down the lane and the floorboards were removed from a Victorian mansion in the village which had fallen into disrepair.’
Bold brass pendant lights in the living room make a statement, with a rusty velvet chaise sofa offering a comforting embrace.
The bathroom is far from average, with Bert & May tiles, a handmade copper towel rail (by Tom himself) and Chadder & Co double shower.
With Keyhaven, Lymington and The New Forest nearby, there are no shortage of things do within the area.
Juliette says: ‘Our favourite walk is along the sea wall from Keyhaven to Lymington, via of course The Haven for a glass of summer Rose, or The Gun Inn for a fireside pint. The views of Hurst Castle and the Needles beyond takes a lot to beat.’
If walking is not your thing, guests can use the Cruiser bikes and cycle to the bustling gastro hub of Milfoon Sea. Juliette adds: ‘Coastal Bakery and No 64 Lifestyle store are two of our favourite places. To be honest, you'll always be warmly welcomed wherever you land around here’.
2024 has been a busy year so far for the couple, who have three children; Sonny (21), Maisie (19) and Sol (17).
Juliette says: ‘Having three older teenagers/younger adults means life is always on the go. Sonny is completing his sea time and University to qualify as an Officer of the Watch soon. Maisie starts her Interior Design degree in Cardiff in the autumn after a year of travel and volunteering. Sol has been selected by British Rowing to be part of the GB Beach Sprints Team and is competing at both the European and World Championships in the next few months. Throw in our dogs and donkeys and sometimes it feels like a big ask to try and spend a day together playing on The Solent!’
She laughs: ‘Maybe Tom and I should just go stay at Pepper Shack and chill!’
uniquehomestays.com/self-catering/uk/hampshire/new-forest/pepper-shack
