In our recent search of new and exciting vacation rentals, one place stood out above the rest.
The Box Hop in the woods of Rockbridge, Ohio, offers everything you could want in a getaway cabin – seclusion, an expansive state park to explore close by, and a super stylish space to unwind after a day of outdoor activities.
Ohio couple Seth and Emily built the cabin themselves (with help from family and friends). Created from three shipping containers, on the outside The Box Hop offers the rustic, masculine look you expect from a cabin in the woods. Inside, it’s a thoughtfully designed space with touches of mid-century modern flair that makes it ideal for relaxing, cooking up a tasty meal, and enjoying the natural beauty all around you.
Outside, the shipping containers were laid out to create a unique shape. Two side-by-side containers form the first floor while the third container sits perpendicularly on top to become the second floor. This clever layout allowed for the creation of a private deck, accessed via a garage door that turns the second-floor indoor sitting area into an open-air space.
When Seth and Emily were building The Box Hop, they had their own passions for the outdoors in mind and, as a result, the cabin is outfitted with a huge deck. The sprawling space features a living room positioned around a fire table and an area for grilling. The second story shipping container cantilevers out over the sitting area, creating partial shading for the space. In one corner, the deck juts out into the trees and plays home to a hot tub. Take a soak in the evening to enjoy the quiet sounds of nature and the soft glow from the string lights hanging in the surrounding trees.
Stepping inside, the cabin is a bright and airy contrast to the dark exterior. The cabin includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen (check out the seriously sleek bright orange SMEG fridge), and an open-plan living area. The dining table is a raw-edge wood slab with matching benches and is capped off by two Eames-inspired black molded armchairs. Continuing the mid-century modern touches, there is a classic leather sofa facing a gas fireplace. Going up the spiral staircase to the second floor, the two ends of the shipping container were removed and replaced with walls of glass, framing stunning views out into the woods. The bathrooms have spa-inspired finishes like marble-tiled walls in the shower (one even has a massive soaking tub).
While the interior of The Box Hop adheres to a clean, contemporary look, Emily and Seth made sure to leave a few gritty touches to remind you this is a home built from shipping containers. There is an oxidized steel ceiling beam in the family area and the corrugated metal of the shipping container was left exposed, but painted, for the ceilings throughout the home.
If you love to see how a project comes together, Emily and Seth documented all of the fun of building the cabin in a gallery on their website. Check out how The Box Hop came together to become the best Airbnb in Ohio.
For more shipping container homes, check out the Flophouze Hotel.
