Tucked away in the serene woods of Tennessee, this dome-shaped vacation home with an otherworldly vibe and touch of rustic luxury provides an ideal escape.
“We wanted a place where people can go to find their solace and get back to nature,” owner Samuel Spencer Teat told the Epoch Times. “Everybody goes through hard times, and everybody has pain in their lives. This is a place to go to get away from it all.”
Inspired by property investment and renovation shows, Samuel, a Georgia native, always dreamed of being his own boss. Five years ago, he and his wife, April Dawn Teat, began searching for land to build multiple Airbnbs. When the couple finally found a large plot overlooking a lake close to Pate’s Ford Marina Bar and Grill in Smithville, they knew right away that they had found what they were looking for.
With the intention of providing people with an extraordinary experience, they came up with Solace Sphere, a dome-shaped stay that stands on a deck elevated slightly above the surrounding area.
The dome is made from galvanized steel tubing topped with a large heavy-duty vinyl tarp by Harmony Domes. Its interiors are like any regular house that is built to code.
Wood has been liberally used throughout including pine walls, oak cabinets, and poplar countertops.
In addition to 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 ceiling, the modern interior feels light, airy and spacious.
Initially, Solace Sphere was supposed to be constructed with a budget of $120,000. However, when the contractor failed to fulfill his commitment within the allocated time, the couple and the contractor mutually agreed to part ways; with Samuel and his wife taking on the build themselves after two years. For the following six months, the firefighter and his wife, a massage therapist, made endless trips to work on the land from the family’s Murfreesboro, Tennessee, home.
“I had to become a plumber, carpenter, and electrician myself in order to get it done,” the father of two said, “Luckily, I used to build furniture and barn doors as a side hustle, so the woodworking came easy.
“I was also a plumber’s apprentice for one summer in high school, so that wasn’t too bad. Electrical work is definitely not my thing, but lots of friends helped out.”
“The deck was built with six by six pressure-treated posts on concrete footers,” Samuel said. “Underneath the dome is ... insulated to help keep out the cold.”
The interior design came together with lots of “compromise” between the couple, who originally met in California when Samuel was at the Vanderburg Air Force Base.
“It was easy some days because we generally have the same style, but toward the end, I kind of let her take over the decision-making because she is better at it than I am,” Samuel said.
Settling on an interior style that was both modern and chic, the couple painted the walls in lighter green and filled the place with elegant furniture.
In an effort to provide absolute comfort to their guests, the pair ordered multiple couches and chairs to try out, sending back some that didn’t make the grade.
“I have a bad back because of my job, so I am a great test subject to see if something is comfortable,” Samuel said.
Sticking to the original budget proved impossible, thus the Teats had to dip into their 401(k) retirement account.
Many times, the couple thought they’d made a huge mistake and wasted all of their savings.
Apart from that, Samuel often had difficulty finding time to work on the project due to his busy work schedule with few days off, causing him to miss occasions with family and friends.
“It was incredibly stressful, not knowing if you would have enough money to ever build something that would eventually pay you back,” Samuel said.
But motivated to complete the project, Samuel forged ahead with faith as his anchor and unwavering support from his wife.
“April has always been very supportive of my dreams and knows I have a plan for our future,“ he said, adding, ”All hard times can make you stronger if you look at it as an opportunity. Overcoming difficult tasks and adversity define who you are in the end. We learned a lot, so in the end, it was worth it.”
When the Epoch Times asked Samuel for his favorite spot in the dome home, he admitted it had to be the outdoor fire pit, sauna, and living room.
“It’s become my favorite place to watch football games on Saturdays and Sundays,“ he said, adding ”when it is available, and nobody has rented it out.”
With more land left on their 3.5-acre property, the Teats are busy deciding what their next build will be.
In the meantime, when guest bookings allow, the family is making the most of their cool new property.
