Dream House | Maggotty Marvel – Sherece Cowan’s unique riverfront retreat revealed

This series, over the years, has permitted an appreciation of memorable Jamaican residential architecture, with us luxuriating within interiors of incredulity and acclamation.

Surprise of surprises! This house is quite unlike the previously published ones. You are living on the outside rather than on the inside of the building. Here, the unsurpassed beauty of the natural world is breathtakingly in sync with the human-made environment.

An unorthodox, timber-concrete cabin, where, despite all its amenities and comfort, you might just find yourself outdoors intoxicatedly sleeping under celestial bodies, showering beneath the open sky, gloriously dining and entertaining in nature’s wonderland, and even cooking out in the open

What’s so compellingly unique about this simple, tiny home in its nurturing locale is that it’s on an epic riverfront, abutting private, gushing waterfalls (there are seven in number), with four blissful, natural swimming pools for frolicking; and hiking trails. All this and more on 79 acres, tucked away in a valley in Maggotty, St Elizabeth. Most of us never knew of its existence – until now! A family property, purchased in the 1970s and originally a cattle entity.

The angular-shaped structure entails a (queen-size bedded) one bedroom, a bathroom, living space and kitchenette. An open, outdoor timber deck is for recreation and relaxation. An outside shower and a firepit complements the romance of the great outdoors.

A warm welcome to the home of Sherece Cowan. Her father built it for her 30th birthday present. She is now 34 years old and has since added to it. This is her private space, away from the chaos of this planet, enriching her mind, body and soul.

Cowan went to Hampton School for Girls, then on to The University of West Indies, receiving her degree in general management. A deep, spiritual personality, she does not like ‘typical’ things. A former Miss Universe Jamaica runner-up and Pulse model, she inspires and mentors young girls with character-building programmes. She practises yoga, has travelled to and lived in distant lands, is a certified chef, a permaculture designer, organic farmer, and wellness practitioner.

What a place! What a sight for sore eyes!

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.