Our quaint cottage is a four-storey semi-detached house from 1932. After a complete renovation of the interior, we have created two separate spaces that function as a whole but can easily operate as two separate apartments.
For bookings up to 4 people, the upper part of the house is at your disposal. Above 4 people, we also provide access to the lower part. Don't worry, during your stay in the house, there won't be anyone else around!
Externally, the house is practically preserved in its original state as it is under the care of a heritage conservator. Throughout the house, we have incorporated many original elements and items from second-hand sources. During the renovation, our priority was to preserve as many original elements of the house as possible, including old floors, bay windows in the bedroom, and some doors. We repurposed a found dresser inside as a bathroom cabinet, refurbished a cast-iron sink, and used bricks from demolitions to build new walls.
There are plenty of stairs in the house. While from our experience they're easily navigable, they may pose a challenge for small children and individuals with injuries.
The lower level is a separate apartment. It features a cozy bedroom with an eco-bed made of cardboard (140 cm), where sleeping with closed windows feels like being in a deprivation chamber. There's a kitchen with a living room and a sofa bed, a bathroom with a shower, and plenty of artwork. You can be independent from the upper part as there is a separate entrance. It's a great idea for a vacation for two families.
Upstairs, the space begins with a large common area, featuring a perfectly equipped kitchen, a small toilet, a dining area, and a fireplace, along with our incredibly comfortable thirty-year-old sofa. You can step out onto the terrace from the kitchen.
Further up are the bedroom floors, a library, a master bedroom (160 cm) with its own bathroom where the morning sun peeks in, a wardrobe, and plenty of creaky floors.
For bookings up to 4 people, the upper part of the house is at your disposal. Above 4 people, we also provide access to the lower part. Don't worry, during your stay in the house, there won't be anyone else around!
We love peace, quiet, good food, art, and good design - these are exactly the values we wanted to have in our cottage, where we can escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital in moments of exhaustion.
We needed a change of environment and settled on Lower Silesia. We live in Warsaw, where it's crowded and dense. Jagna deals with zero waste issues on a daily basis, cooks, performs, educates, and falls in love with greasy tiles. I (Tomek) deal with new technologies, wine, food, and renovations of old pre-war houses.
Our Gingerbread House is a total dream project, everything we've done there is what makes us feel great - eclectic interiors, nature, and a perfectly equipped kitchen.
We strive to have everything prepared for you before your arrival. Usually, we're not on-site, but if you need anything very urgently, let us know, and we'll try to meet your needs personally or with the help of our local collaborators.
There are two perfectly equipped kitchens at your disposal. Since we are passionate about cooking ourselves, we have prepared everything so that you can cook without limitations. The kitchens are equipped with top-notch cooking appliances, and you can even cook sous vide on the induction hob :)
If you run out of ideas, there are plenty of cookbooks and cooking magazines in the house. If you don't feel like messing around in the kitchen, there are several excellent restaurants in the area. You can also order food online for delivery to your door.
Szczawno-Zdrój is a town with a long pre-war tradition as a health resort. 600 meters away from us is a mineral water drinking hall with 4 springs, each of which treats different ailments. The water itself is delicious, and we regularly take it back to Warsaw.
As we are in the Central Sudetes, there are plenty of hiking and trekking trails around. The closest is Chełmiec (about 800 m above sea level), which can be reached in 2-3 hours without excessive effort, basically starting from our living room. In winter, you can enjoy activities on the slopes. The nearest is Rzeczka, a bit further away is Karpacz, and 25 km from the house, you'll find the Czech Republic and many Czech slopes, which in summer turn into biking and hiking trails.
Additionally, Szczawno offers everything to keep you entertained: indoor tennis courts, horse riding stables, swimming pool, gym, parks, and cafes - all within walking distance from our house. If you feel like wandering a bit further, we recommend visiting Książ Castle, the Palm House in Wałbrzych, and the Sanatorium in Sokołowsko, mentioned by Olga Tokarczuk in one of her books. Also worth seeing are the Krzeszów Abbey with its amazing art and architecture, and the baroque Wooden Church of Peace in Świdnica.
The nearest shops are 400 meters from the house, and for larger shopping trips, you can go to Biedronka, Lidl, and other supermarkets. However, we especially recommend our beloved Eco-store, where you can buy amazing cheeses and dairy products from Wańczykówka or the local spring water, Anka.
Next to the Health Resort, there is the Bohema café, serving lavender and carrot-flavored ice cream, created by a vice-European champion in dessert production. Another charming place is the Czarna Owca café - smaller than Bohema but run with a lot of heart and taste.
Other excursion ideas include:
Dzikowiec observation tower (10 km),
Daisy Lake nature reserve (11 km),
Jedlinka palace (15 km),
and more
Languages spoken: English,Polish