By Kate Bartlett
Emily Ponti has always felt connected to the great outdoors. When her mother passed away from cancer, she poured herself into renovating the shed in their backyard in Geauga County, Ohio, into a tiny home. She felt drawn to the creek and the energy at the forest here, and found it therapeutic fixing up the space. She transformed her backyard shed into a rustic-chic tiny home and listed as her first Air B&B as “The Nest Egg” in 2020.
and their two children,
Preston & Paige. Emily
grows and propagates
plants, some of which
can be purchased at Lake
Life Cafe in Bemus Point.
Since then, she has opened 3 more Air B&B experiences, and is planning her 4th. Emily found her niche building these tiny homes where the space is the attraction. “I design spaces to be experiences. It’s more than just a room or a bed for the night, it’s a space for families and friends to make memories and have life experiences they’ll probably never forget. Life is about making memories and having new experiences. I strive to create spaces to provide these experience stays, while connecting with nature and one another.”
Emily lives in Geauga County, Ohio, with her husband, and two children, Preston (9) and Paige (6). She loves connecting with her family in nature, and frequently holds ‘brainstorming sessions’ with her children to get ideas on what other tiny homes they could build. The original Air B&B, The Nest Egg, is located on their property and offers a unique farm stay experience. Guests are welcome to walk an alpaca, collect eggs from chickens, feed the goats, and listen to the creek which runs alongside the property. “This property is near and dear to my heart. Not only does it embody how I love connecting in nature, but it was incredibly therapeutic for me after my mother’s passing. I love being able to share this special space with our guests.”
Her second property is “The Greenhouse,” located in Westfield, NY. This glamping experience offers guests an agritourism experience as their stay is permitted by the New York Department of Agriculture & Markets where Emily grows and propagates plants, some of which can be purchased at Lake Life Cafe in Bemus Point. Emily was inspired to create this tiny home by her mother’s love for plants and gardening. Guests are invited to participate in a planting experience to bring home, and tour the Greenhouse during their stay, which is filled with 100+ plants.
Her third property, “Midnight Stargazer,” is located in Clymer. “My kids actually came up with the idea for this space while looking at the stars at the Greenhouse property.” This glamping experience offers guests an off-the-grid opportunity to discover the night sky in a celestial themed tiny home. The site runs on solar power and is equipped with telescope, fun celestial games and astronomy books. “We absolutely love this location. Not only are guests close to amazing local hiking trails like Panama Rocks and Hill Higher State Forest, but Clymer has been so incredibly welcoming.”
The last property, “Scandinavian Escape,” which is located in Portland, NY, she recently built for a client and manages. Emily described the property as one of her favorite concepts to date. Guests rent the entire wooded property which is comprised of a larger modern communal cabin, hot tub, and 3 smaller colorful sleeping cabins which mimic colored cabins in Scandinavian countries, offers a private space for guests. “My client was thrilled with the end result. We added all the bells and whistles onto this project for him and he has been getting a lot of bookings!”
Emily has found her true passion hosting guests in experiential stays. “I absolutely love creating these spaces for guests to make lasting memories and have life experiences. I love reading guest reviews and hearing their back stories. I try to connect with every guest and make their stay as personal as possible. It’s so incredible to make a difference in peoples’ lives, and loving what I do.”
Emily plans to keep creating spaces for guests to enjoy, and is already working on her next concept. To learn more about Emily’s story and explore her Air B&B properties, visit www.hyggehomeandgarden.com and follow on social media IG @hygge_home_and_garden; @midnight.stargazer.ny @greenhousegetawayny @the.nest.egg @scandiescape