We have three “small single” beds at Big Ridge Mountain Club, each tucked in little nooks. Small single mattresses are 30″ by 75″, as opposed to the standard twin which is the same length but 8″ wider. In America, this is the mattress size generally used for bunk beds. They are much more commonly used in European bedrooms in lieu of standard singles and in Europe’s hotel rooms where two small singles can be moved together to create a standard queen.
At Big Ridge, we have one in the Writer’s Hut (the only bed in this tiny building), one in the main bedroom of the Spring House’s garden level (along with a queen), and one in the upper level master of the Spring House (along with a king). I love these little beds and the nooks in which we placed them—they are perfectly cozy for all children as well as efficiently sized adults (I have slept in the Writer’s Hut many dozens of nights).
We wanted to make the experience of sleeping in them a little magical, so when you or your children lay back and look up, you’ll see the night sky. In the Writer’s Hut, it’s a map of the constellations as you would see them from that exact spot at about this time of year. From the Spring House, the views are the sort of starry sky you’d see from your sleeping bag when camping nearby.
Architectural designer Tom Podhrazsky designed the constellation mural in the Writer’s Hut and local artist Tracy Melton designed both the murals in the Spring House; Tracy produced and installed all three of them.
When I began writing this post, I had planned to post pictures of the murals, but as I prepared to upload them, it seemed more appropriate that you see them for the first time at Big Ridge—when you lay back and look up.
You can find Tracy’s gallery in Marquee Asheville, and you can engage Tom to design your new home or historic renovation.
P.S. Here’s an action photo of a bed nook in use.
Posted on June 17, 2022 by Geoff Graham