At the former Seilerhansenhof

To recharge our batteries, we need two things above all: Plenty of peace and quiet and nature. Both can be found around the wonderful place that Barbara and Christian Kuberczyk, a communication designer and an architect from Constance respectively, have created on the site of the former Seilerhansenhof farm in the Black Forest. The idea was to create a modern vacation home as an antithesis to their busy city life so that they could switch off with their two children and enjoy being outdoors. The name is derived from Hans Werlin, who was a ropemaker in the village and ran the farm from 1694. However, the estate burned down at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, in a huge garden with a wild flower meadow and old fruit trees, there’s a coherent ensemble consisting of three buildings. The larger ones are connected to each other; the first houses the two bedrooms, bathroom and gallery; the second houses the open-plan living area with kitchen. A garden cottage completes the trio. Although only built in 2016, the architecture blends naturally into the surroundings. And the floor-to-ceiling windows make you feel close to nature inside, too, especially when you sit down in a rocking chair with a cup of tea and let your gaze wander over meadows, woods and fields. The chance of spotting hopping hares or curious deer is pretty high. You can also float boats on the gurgling stream, stroll endlessly through the forest, sit by the fireplace with a good book and warm yourself up, go hiking, skiing, tobogganing or mountain biking. But above all—unwind, daydream and forget about time.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The house is based on an interesting architectural concept, with many attractive sightlines, views and vistas. From all rooms (including the checkroom) you have a view of the great outdoors and even on cozy sofa days you feel as if you’ve been outside all day.
• The lodging is in a secluded location surrounded by beautiful nature. From here, you can set off directly on various hikes in the surrounding area, as it’s nestled between three valleys and densely wooded mountains.
• The house has its own spring with crystal-clear water that rises in the forest.
• In front of the building, the Schützenbach stream provides a relaxing babbling sound. The sections of the stream here are a designated nature reserve—a biotope that’s home to many plants and some endangered animal species.
• Nature conservation is very important to the hosts, for example, the wild garden meadow is only mowed two to three times a year to support biodiversity. This means you can observe butterflies, insects and birds at different times of the year and enjoy the various flowers and grasses.
• Wood, wood, wood: interiors and facades are consistently lined with a spruce boarding, which gives the house lightness
• Only natural materials were used for the open, ecological timber construction.
• Almost all the furniture is made to measure according to the owner’s designs so that everything really does look like it was cast from a single mold. The designs were realized with a local carpenter.
• Depending on the season, you can pick currants or plums in the garden—or go foraging for blueberries and mushrooms in the woods.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Peace and quiet at last! There is WIFI, but no cell phone reception and no TV.
• The house is located on the edge of the small town of Furtwangen in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park, around 30 kilometers from Villingen-Schwenningen and around 45 kilometers from Freiburg.
• All rooms are equipped with underfloor heating, which ensures warm feet and a cozy home feeling on cold days.
• The kitchen is equipped with an induction hob, fridge, oven, dishwasher, coffee machine and Bialetti espresso maker, among other things.
• Books and games are available for some quality family time and those days when the weather is terrible.
• A baby bed and high chair are provided on request, as are bed linen and towels, which can be booked for 20 euro per person.
• Furtwangen is located in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park, around 30 kilometers west of Villingen-Schwenningen and around 45 kilometers from Freiburg.
• At 1149 meters, the Brend is the highest mountain in Furtwangen. The small town enjoys a scenic location at the crossroads of three valleys and is surrounded by densely wooded hills.
• There are many great excursion destinations in the surrounding area, e.g. the Teichschlucht gorge, the Blindensee lake, the Günterfelsen rock or the Rohrhardsberg nature reserve. You can swim in various natural lidos or at the Windgfällweihe.
• In winter, you have all the winter sports options here (for example, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and snowshoeing).
• The Donaueschingen Music Days at the end of October is the oldest and most traditional festival for new music in the world.
• Other worthwhile destinations: The listed Linachtalsperre dam in Linach, St Märgen, Feldberg, Freiburg, Alsace, Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, and the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen.