Vacations.

They are a thing we could all use right about now. The past few years have been wild and turbulent, and more than anything, we want to return to normal. Or at least that’s what we keep telling each other. But do we want to go back to normal? It might sound odd, but this is a question that has been creeping into our minds here at Teacup. So what has made us question this desire for normalcy? Well, to be honest, our clients.

Time and time again, our clients come to us with one desire in particular: they are looking for a deeper experience of the world; they want to feel more connected to themselves and each other.

Here at Teacup, we pride ourselves on our ability to listen, and what we’re hearing is that you aren’t looking for ‘normal’; you’re looking for an elevated life. That’s why our team at Teacup has felt called to go back to the drawing board.  We believe in that vision, and we want to do our best to turn this difficult time into an opportunity for growth. Rebuilding the world will require that we re-examine how we do everything, and that includes re-examining how we vacation!

Why the focus on vacations? Well, because experiencing connection and having a deeper experience of the world requires that we take the time to recharge. We can’t take in our lives if we don’t slow down enough to pay attention.  Slowing down is a goal that can be accomplished in many different ways, but before we jump ahead into what vacations could look like, let’s first take a moment to think back to our vacations of the past.

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Reservations, lines, and crowds. Tickets, hotels, and noise. Over the past several decades, we’ve watched our vacation days shrink, and as a result, our vacations have gotten faster and faster to make up for the lost time.. So today, or at least pre-pandemic, we found ourselves in a vacation culture of hurry-up-and-relax. Historically, this strategy has left us with little more than haphazard tan lines, entrance stamps on our hands, sometimes a hangover, and always a bill.

Whew! Fortunately, there is another way, and your team at Teacup is dedicated to being your resource for simpler and more meaningful vacation options. So now, picture this.

There are no airports to contend with. You do not have to rent a car, make reservations, or sleep in a strange hotel bed. Instead, you drive a short distance away and arrive at a place that is, well, a home away from home. It’s familiar, it’s comforting, and it’s quiet. Everything inside has been explicitly designed to foster emotional connection and wellbeing. This is not a hotel; this is a place that you own.

Do you know that phrase, deafening silence? That’s one that comes to mind when we think of a tiny cottage. After a lifetime of speeding through life in fast-forward, it can be strange or even emotional to experience stillness. But guess what? Emotions are a good thing.  Their presence is a sign you are connecting with yourself. It’s an important step toward that experience of life you desire.

So how can our team at Teacup help you in your quest to slow down and reconnect? Well, in many ways! In fact, let us take you on a tour of our Piper model, and we’ll show you!

The Piper fosters connection in many ways, beginning with its size. At 309 square feet, it’s one of our mid-sized models. As it is still a small space, however, it encourages closeness. If you think about a resort or even a traditionally sized home, there is plenty of room for family members to scatter off in different directions. The Piper has double lofts to provide some separation, but at 309 square feet, the opportunity to “scatter” is more limited- and that’s on purpose. We wanted to build a house that would bring your family together.

You might have noticed that our Piper model features a wood stove option! This is 100% one of our favourite tiny cottage features and one that serves an important function! Let us explain. 

Once the family has gathered, we wanted to help you create a visceral experience of a primordial need: heat. Sure, you could flip a switch and turn on the electric heat, but we also wanted to give you the experience of feeling the wood in your hands and hearing the crackling of the logs. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from warming your loved ones with a fire built by your own two hands, and more than anything, we want you to experience it for yourself. It’s an opportunity to return to the elements in a way that we know will help you on your quest to slow down.