The Studio Helens Bay
A few months ago I was invited to a beautiful new Airbnb in the quaint little town of Helen’s Bay. This unique holiday rental is located just a short walk from the delightful coastal path and sits beside the owner, Sara’s house. What once was the annex of their family home has now been converted into a delightful Airbnb, perfect for a solo trip or for a new family. Sara has a great eye for detail with her design background. Her house is full of character and charisma which has followed through into the Airbnb. Read more below about how Sara and her family began their Airbnb journey.
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and the story behind The Studio Helen’s Bay
My husband and I recently returned to live in Northern Ireland after almost twenty years working in London. With careers in fashion design and marketing, we would often joke that one day we would leave it all behind to run a bed and breakfast in Ireland.
And then one day it happened!
What inspired you to start an Airbnb?
Just prior to Covid hitting, and following the birth of our second child, we decided to swap West London for Helen’s Bay and the slower pace of life it offers our young family.
Enthusiastic about rediscovering the North Down coast, we are keen to share the place we love with visitors to our fledgling Airbnb.
The Studio is set in the grounds of our own home and takes its name from its use as a functioning design studio. When not occupied as an Airbnb, the large limed wood table in the living area is a perfect work space for to work from. Airy and peaceful, it really encourages relaxed, creative thinking.
I love the minimal style of your Airbnb, was there any interior inspiration behind the styling of it?
We have used a lot of salvaged and upcycled furniture, heavily influenced by interior stylists Mark and Sally Bailey and their ability to mix old with new.
Above all, sustainability was a key consideration from the repurposed furniture, to the solar powered skylight fittings, even carrying through to the zero waste toiletries sourced locally at Without Waste, Holywood.
The Studio is a space to champion local design and we have used its walls to showcase local art with pieces by Ruth Osborne, bespoke paintings and hand crafted wreaths from locally gathered willow.
Do you have a favourite detail in your Airbnb?
Our favourite feature in the Studio has to be the double height white washed vaulted ceiling in the open plan living space. With multiple sky lights and double doors opening on the leafy private garden, the light bright space feels like a little oasis of calm.
Have you any advice for those wanting to start their own small Airbnb?
What we hadn’t appreciated when we started out our plan is that all Airbnbs in Northern Ireland must be Tourist board accredited. We found the people at Discover NI hugely supportive and informative when starting out for the first time.
For guests coming to stay at The Studio, where would you recommend as good places to visit nearby?
The Studio is perfectly located just by The North Down coastal path and Crawfordsburn Country Park.
Helens Bay Organic Farm Shop is a beautiful spot to drop into and pick up a few local ingredients during your stay. Restaurants like Frae and Lynchpin in Holywood are on our recommendation list for visitors. Slightly Further afield, a day trip along the banks of Strangford Lough with a stop off In the village of Greyabbey with its pretty antiques shops and a visit to National Trust property Mount Stewart makes for a perfect day.
Thank you to Sara for taking the time to answer some questions about her Airbnb and for inviting me to capture it.
You can keep up to date with all that is happening at The Studio via their Instagram.
Click here to book your stay.