London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jun 21, 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
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Environment Agency Fines Yorkshire Firms Nearly £470,000 for Environmental Permit Breaches
British Chambers of Commerce Says Post-Brexit Trade Deals Have Limited Economic Impact
Resident Doctors to Vote on Government Pay Offer in Ongoing NHS Dispute
UK Public Borrowing Reaches £46.3 Billion in Early Fiscal Year, Driven by Debt Interest Costs
UK Government Unveils £100 Million Package to Strengthen Fire and Rescue Response Capacity
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent Despite Easing Inflation
Met Office Extends Amber Heat Warning as Temperatures Forecast to Reach 38C Across Southern England
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected to Resign Amid Mounting Labour Party Pressure
UK Government Tightens Procurement Rules to Prioritise National Security and Supply Chain Resilience
National Drought Group Reviews Water Supply Risks After Dry Spring and Ongoing Heatwave
Andy Burnham Faces Leadership Speculation After Weak Local Election Results for Labour
Charity Commission Appoints Interim Managers to Barnabas Aid Amid Financial Investigation
Government Awards £27 Million Leonardo UK Contract to Maintain Military Aircraft Fleet
Environment Agency Suspends Chichester Waste Site Permit Over Fire and Pollution Risks
Border Force Seizes Record Cannabis Shipment in Major UK Criminal Network Disruption
Lloyds Banking Group to Hire 300 Artificial Intelligence Specialists in Digital Expansion Push
UK Government Introduces Alcohol Monitoring Tags for 7,000 Offenders Ahead of Summer Sporting Season
Resident Doctors in England Prepare Vote on Government Pay and Working Conditions Offer
Police Scotland Investigates Suspected Anti-Muslim Attacks in Edinburgh Following Arrest
Met Office Issues Rare Amber Extreme Heat Warning Across Southern and Eastern England
UK Government Unveils Digital Homebuying Reforms to Cut Costs and Speed Up Property Transactions
Train Driver Dies and 89 Injured in Rail Collision Near Bedford as Safety Investigation Begins
Long-Term Economic and Political Effects of Brexit Continue to Shape UK Policymaking
Digital Disinformation Emerges as a Growing National Security Challenge in the United Kingdom
Britain's Dependence on Global Energy Routes Drives Push for More Resilient Supply Chains
Rising Energy Costs Continue to Threaten Britain's Cost-of-Living Recovery
Concerns Grow Over Far-Right Organizing and AI-Driven Online Radicalization in Britain
UK-Led Global Partnerships Conference Calls for Reform of International Development Finance
Middle East Tensions Continue to Weigh on UK Business Confidence
Reports of Middle East Peace Deal Ease Pressure on UK Energy Prices
UK Warns Middle East Conflict Could Worsen Global Food Insecurity
UK Economy Loses Momentum After Strong Start to 2026
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75% Despite Easing Inflation
Brexit's Legacy Remains Deeply Divisive Ten Years After the UK Voted to Leave the European Union
International Anti-War Conference Opens in London as Debate Over European Rearmament Intensifies
UK Health Authorities Introduce Drug Price Concessions Amid Record NHS Medicine Shortages
Sir David Attenborough Supports Sherwood Forest Conservation Efforts After Loss of Major Oak
Aardman Animations Marks 50 Years With Major Exhibition in Bristol
Drax Cleared After Investigation Into Wood Pellet Sourcing Practices
Jaguar Land Rover Shifts Toward Hybrid Vehicle Production for US Export Strategy
UK Police Arrest Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas on Suspicion of Assault
Health Concerns Grow Over Elevated Kidney Cancer Rates Near Lancashire PFAS Factory
Royal Navy F-35 Jets Conduct First NATO Air Warfare Exercise from Finnish Airspace
UK NHS Issues Price Concessions for Medicines Amid Severe Drug Shortages
Heathrow Third Runway Project Faces Sharp Downward Revision in Expected Economic Benefits
Amber Heat Warning Issued Across Parts of England and Wales as Temperatures Rise
×