In a quiet forest in Tennessee, a dome-shaped vacation home is hidden away, offering a perfect blend of tranquility and luxury, making it an ideal retreat for travelers seeking solace in nature.
“We wanted a place where people could find solace and reconnect with nature,” homeowner Samuel Spencer Teat told Epoch Times. “Everyone goes through tough times, everyone has pain in their lives. This is a place where you can escape all your worries.”
Inspired by real estate investment and home renovation shows, Georgia native Samuel dreamed of being his own boss. Five years ago, he and his wife, April Dawn Teat, began searching for land to build multiple Airbnb properties. When they finally found a piece of land overlooking a lake near Pate’s Ford Marina Bar and Grill in Smithville, they knew they had found what they were looking for.
To provide an extraordinary experience, they came up with the creative concept of Solace Sphere, a dome-shaped accommodation facility perched on a slightly elevated terrace.
The dome is made of galvanized steel pipes with a large heavy-duty vinyl waterproof cover from Harmony Domes. The interior is built like any conventionally constructed home, with ample use of wood throughout, including pine walls, oak cabinets, and birch countertops.
Apart from a kitchen, living room, enclosed master bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room, there is a separate loft area with a second bedroom.
With a 16-foot-high ceiling, the dome boasts modern interiors that feel light, airy, and spacious.
Originally budgeted at $120,000, the construction of Solace Sphere faced setbacks when the contractor failed to meet commitments. Eventually, Samuel and his wife took over the construction themselves, with Samuel juggling responsibilities as a firefighter and his wife working as a massage therapist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“To complete it, I had to become a plumber, carpenter, and electrician,” said the father of two. “Fortunately, I had a side business making furniture and barn doors before, so carpentry came easy to me.”
“I also worked as a plumber’s apprentice for a summer in high school, so that wasn’t too bad. Electrical work was definitely not my strong suit, but many friends pitched in to help.”
“The terrace is constructed on a concrete base with 6×6 pressure-treated columns,” Samuel explained. “Underneath the dome is a layer of insulation to withstand the cold.”
The interior design reflects many “compromises” between the couple, who originally met in California when Samuel was working at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
“Sometimes it’s easy since we usually have similar styles, but in the end, I mostly let her make decisions because she’s better at it than I am,” Samuel said.
Opting for a modern and chic interior style, the walls are painted in light green, and the place is decorated with elegant furniture.
To ensure absolute comfort for guests, the couple ordered multiple sofas and chairs for testing, returning furniture that didn’t meet their standards.
“Due to back issues from work, I’m a good test subject to see if the sofa is comfortable,” Samuel said.
Sticking to the original budget proved impossible, leading the couple to dip into their 401(k) retirement accounts.
At many points, the couple felt they had made a huge mistake, using up all their savings.
Additionally, due to busy work schedules and lack of rest days, Samuel often struggled to find time for the project, missing out on many opportunities to spend time with family and friends.
“We were under immense pressure, not knowing if we had enough money to build something that would eventually pay off,” Samuel said.
But with faith as the foundation, Samuel pressed forward with unwavering support from his wife.
“April has always been very supportive of my dreams; she knows I have a plan for our future,” he said, adding, “If you see it as an opportunity, all the tough times can make you stronger. Overcoming challenges and adversity ultimately defines who you are. We’ve learned a lot, so in the end, it’s all worth it.”
When asked by Epoch Times what he loved most about the dome home, Samuel mentioned the outdoor fire pit, sauna, and living room as his favorites.
“When it’s not rented out, this has become my favorite spot to watch football games on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.
So far, the unique Airbnb cabin (priced between $275 and $325, depending on the day of the week) has been a huge success due to its 3.5 acres of additional land, the Teats are deciding what their next construction project will be.
Meanwhile, when guests aren’t booked, the family also takes full advantage of their cool new house.