London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 27, 2026

Summer Retreat Preserves Its Vintage Charm After Four Decades

Summer Retreat Preserves Its Vintage Charm After Four Decades

This beautiful prefab getaway is Jens Rison’s summer home. The mid-century modern designer created this A-frame house to serve as a family retreat here on the northern portion of Block Island. The house is bordered by a low stone wall which wraps around it.

He conceived the building with two floors. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, an open kitchen, the living and the dining areas share the first level and above there’s a loft space which includes a bedroom quarter.




The cabin was built back in 1967. The designer completed the whole project under $25,000. Now, over four decades later, it is still a gorgeous retreat that the whole family enjoys year after year. The large glass facade lets in the mesmerizing views as well as tons of natural light which brighten up the space. The wooden walls and roof plus all the vintage furniture create a warm ambiance.



The cabin was considered refreshing and revolutionary at the time although the designer declared the inspiration came from a rustic, nature-oriented lifestyle. The house has cathedral ceilings and a large glass wall that lets the outdoors in.



The interior features a strong vintage vibe. A Risom Rocker stands near a wood-burning stove and the wooden wall to its right is decorated with vintage accessories and artwork. The color palette and the materials and textures all support the style chosen for the interior in a very natural way that suits this cabin like a glove.



The living and dining areas share the same space. They’re mostly decorated with Risom furnishings as well as a few new pieces for contrast. The huge glass wall lets natural light invade the room and welcomed the views inside.



The kitchen still occupies its original spot. It has open shelves and an island with wooden countertop. The pitched roof forms a void and the exposed beams serve as design elements. Notice that vintage turquoise shade which is repeated throughout the cabin. It adds a chic and nostalgic vibe to the space.



The sofa is a prototype that never went into production. It adds to the cabin’s uniqueness and vintage charm. It’s accessorized with brightly-colored accent pillows that cheer up the décor. The wooden frame of the sofa has an almost orange hue that complements the backrest.



The upstairs includes a small workspace place in front of a window/skylight. It’s merely a simple wooden deck with two chairs. A little bit of orange and some red accents combined with all the wood and the crisp white details result in a perfect balance.



The low stone wall that surrounds the cabin is bordered by trees that create a buffer between the house and the surrounding landscape.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Thames Water and Energy Operators Warn of Peak Demand Risks During UK Heatwave
Government Conference Highlights Push for Evidence-Led Policy Across UK Public Sector
Insolvency Service Reports Improved Confidence in UK Insolvency System
Security Industry Authority Finds Widespread Safety Failures in UK Night-Time Economy
Nigel Farage Expands Anti-WHO Campaign Into United States With New Lobbying Structure
Home Secretary Seema Mahmood Unveils New Safe Routes Plan for Asylum Seekers
UK Government Warns of Peak Electricity and Water Pressure Amid Ongoing Heatwave
New Nuclear Plant in Wales Named Gwyndod Power Station as Energy Strategy Advances
UK Announces First Major Hydropower Projects in Four Decades to Expand Renewable Capacity
Thirteen Men Charged in Major UK Sexual Abuse Case as Investigation Continues
UK Launches Cross-Sector Climate Security Taskforce Linking Environment and National Security
UN Secretary-General António Guterres Calls for Urgent Global Methane Emissions Cuts in London
World Bank Approves $1 Billion UK-Backed Financing Package for Ukraine Recovery
UK Pledges Emergency Aid and Rescue Team Deployment to Earthquake-Hit Venezuela
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent for Fourth Straight Meeting
Record-Breaking Heatwave Puts Strain on UK Health Services and Energy Networks
London Ambulance Service Sees Record Emergency Demand as Heatwave Intensifies
British Chambers of Commerce Warns of Prolonged Weak Investment Climate Through 2027
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Inflation Risks Persist
UK Construction Sector Faces One Percent Contraction Amid Cost and Investment Pressures
Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Convicted of Sexual Offences
Church of England Appoints Dr Linsay Cunningham to Lead Faith and Public Life Division
UK Armed Forces Day Marked Nationwide With Events From Aberdeen to the Scilly Isles
Rising Tensions in Edinburgh Prompt Joint Warning From Scottish Local Government Leaders
UK Construction Sector Forecast to Contract One Percent in 2026 on Cost Pressures
UK Parliament Backs 87 Percent Emissions Cut as Government Deepens Electrification Drive
British Chambers of Commerce Forecast Weak UK Growth as Investment and Demand Slow
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent Amid Energy and Inflation Uncertainty
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Surge in Life-Threatening Emergency Calls During Heatwave
UK Parliament Approves Legally Binding 87 Percent Emissions Cut Target by 2040
United Kingdom Records Third Consecutive Day of Record June Heat as Europe Faces Worsening Heatwave
Robert Jenrick Defends £5 Million Donation to Nigel Farage Amid Political Scrutiny
Plymouth Museum The Box Wins 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award
UK Government Faces Backlash Over Plans to Use Former Military Sites for Asylum Accommodation
Labour Party Faces Pressure Over Cabinet Stability as Senior Figures Clash on Policy Direction
Heathrow Airport Forecasts Passenger Decline in 2026 as Costs and Climate Disruption Mount
UK Energy Regulator Approves Expansion of Long-Duration Storage to Boost Power System Resilience
Crown Estate Reports Third Consecutive Year of £1 Billion Profit as Debate Over Royal Finances Intensifies
Teenager Charged With Murder in Wales Following Death of 14-Year-Old Boy
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Failures Trigger Calls for Public Inquiry Into Patient Safety
EasyJet Rejects £4.9 Billion Takeover Offer From Castlelake but Keeps Door Open for Further Talks
Record Heatwave Triggers UK Transport and Infrastructure Strain as Heathrow Revises Passenger Forecast Downward
Ofgem Approves Sixteen Long-Duration Energy Storage Projects to Strengthen UK Grid Stability
Labour Government Faces Internal Tensions Over Cabinet Decisions and Net Zero Policy Direction
British Food and Drink Exports Fall to Decade Low Amid Trade Friction and US Tariffs
Great Britain Grid Operator Spends £10 Million to Stabilize Electricity Supply During Heatwave Demand Surge
UK Parliament Committee Calls for Urgent National Adaptation Strategy as Extreme Heat Strains Public Infrastructure
Record-Breaking Heatwave Pushes England’s National Health Service to Critical Incident Status as Hospitals Struggle With Surge in Emergencies
UK Government Launches Review of Voluntary National Insurance Contributions System
UK Planning Inspectorate Reports Key Infrastructure and Planning Milestones in Annual Review
×