Artist's Sanctuary - Durham, NC

A unique alpine-like villa, this woodland home is surrounded by 3.6 acres of forest and field. Stroll through the trees on the hiking trail with your family and friends, or play a round of frisbee golf on the 18-hole course. Next, fire up the outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and enjoy a delicious fresh pie (wood, tools, and instructions included). Plus, there's a badminton court, basketball hoop, bean bag toss, and a 60-foot deck overlooking a gurgling creek. Beside the creek, there's a firepit (with wood provided), a flagstone patio, and a screened porch with seating.

The home is constructed with grandly vaulted ceilings throughout and offers plush furnishings and lovely natural lighting. The half-sunken living room is perfect for family gatherings. The adjacent chef's kitchen gleams with stainless steel appliances, plentiful prep space, and a granite bar across from a breakfast alcove with a massive maple table. In the great room, lighted by a vast skylight and clerestory windows, you'll even find a gorgeous selection of handmade porcelain jewelry created by the owners (see bluebusstudiostore.com), as well as a selection of handcrafted coffee mugs, all for sale at a discount. The hosts are also both authors, and you'll find a selection of their books there too, both fiction and nonfiction: A Grandmother's Sourcebook, a North Carolina mystery, a book of Alaskan adventures, literary fiction, even the soon-to-be-released (publication date: July 1) Everything Makes Sense by your host, Tim Garvin.

The home is freshly painted, inside and out, and the newly installed red oak floor (built of 200-year-old barn wood) gleams with beauty. The main bedroom is lofty and spacious, with a new California king bed. The library in the loft is stocked with fiction and nonfiction and accessible via the sturdy oak ladder. Two other bookshelves in the home contain poetry and illuminating nonfiction. Other key features include two walk-in showers with rain heads, a well-equipped home office, and a new washer/dryer set.

Nearby, enjoy outdoor trails along the Eno River and take a short drive to the famous Duke Gardens. The hosts have provided a laminated guest book full of restaurant and activity suggestions, but the home is a destination in itself.

Things to Know

This Vacasa Guestworks vacation rental is operated and managed locally by an independent host.
Prior to your arrival, you will receive local host contact information, who will manage your guest reservation. Your local host will provide in-stay support, secure entry, and arrange pre- and post-stay housekeeping services.
If you need anything during your stay, the home's independent local host is ready to help 24/7! Guestworks is a service offering of Vacasa that allows homeowners to smoothly and efficiently manage their own properties.

• No pets are allowed at this vacation rental.
• Parking notes: There is free parking available for 5 vehicles.
• Guest entry instructions: This rental utilizes an E-lock, a digital lock that requires a unique code to enter. This code is reset after each guest's stay.

You must be 25 years or older to rent this property.