How we builtA House:two family stories,one home

How we built A House comes down to what we hoped you would feel on arrival: that you could put down your bag, look out through the glass and relax. On land inherited from our family in Donja Sabanta, around ten kilometres from the centre of Kragujevac, we built an entirely new house. We wanted it to be beautiful, but how it felt to spend time here mattered just as much — how well the doors closed, how cosy it would be in winter, and whether the view would stay with you even once you stepped inside.

How we built A House on our family land

This place meant something to us long before it took its present shape. The land belonged to our family, with all the memories and sense of belonging that an inheritance like this carries. The old building was demolished, and on that same family ground we began building a new house, made for rest and for the people who would come to stay.

From the start, we thought about the simple moments of a stay: morning coffee, dinner around the table, a peaceful night's sleep and time on the terrace. These things can seem small while a house is being built, but later they are what make it comfortable. So it was never enough for something simply to look good once the work was finished.

We built it together, wanting to keep the warmth of a home while giving you the comfort you expect when you set aside time for yourself. Stone, wood and glass each found their place in that vision. Behind every choice was the same question: how would a guest feel here?

Sunce Marinković: nearly a century of family craftsmanship

We entrusted the doors and windows to Sunce Marinković, a company based in Kragujevac. We trusted the quality of their work, and the family story behind it mattered to us too. When you are building on your ancestors' land, there is a natural connection with people who have their own traditions and take pride in their craft.

Their story began on 23 August 1929, when metalworker Aleksandar Marinković established a small family metalworking workshop in Kragujevac. His iron railings still grace the Lepenica river today. This year, the company marked 97 years in business — almost a century of work passed down through the family.

The name “Sunce”, meaning “sun”, also has a connection to the city. It came from a sun symbol forged in their workshop and installed on the stone bridge in the centre of Kragujevac. After Aleksandar, his son Ljubiša ran the business. Today it is led by his grandsons Dušan and Vladimir, the family's third generation.

Today they make PVC and aluminium windows, doors and sliding systems. For us, though, what mattered most was how they would approach our house. Their family tradition took on real meaning as we worked together: in the care they brought to the job and their willingness to give every detail the time it needed.

The large triangular pane, centimetre by centimetre

Installing the large panes of glass was one of the more demanding jobs during the build. In July 2024, the glass arrived on a lorry fitted with a crane, and placing the large triangular pane at the top of the façade took a whole team. The crane and a vacuum lifter allowed the glass to be raised carefully and guided into position.

The work moved slowly and precisely, centimetre by centimetre. Every movement required the installation team to work in step. What stayed with us was their approach: care that never slipped, even when there were still small adjustments to make, patiently, one after another.

The large triangular pane at the top of the façade and the wide sliding glass doors leading to the terrace were important parts of our vision. We wanted an open view, but also doors that closed snugly. For us, the beauty of that design only made sense if it was backed by precise craftsmanship and careful installation.

Working together never felt like a job to be ticked off before everyone went their separate ways. They worked as though it were their own home, paying attention to every detail. That was where our two family stories met: in wanting to make something well, and to stand behind it with confidence.

Quality you feel once you settle in

When you come away for a break, you probably do not think about how the glass was lifted or how many people helped install it. Nor should you have to. The result of that work should be simple: you are indoors, you feel comfortable, and the hills of Šumadija are still there before you, framed by the glass.

Quality is not always obvious at first glance, but you feel it once you settle in. In the quiet at night, the warmth in winter, and the doors and windows that close properly. These things rarely become the main topic of conversation, yet they mean a great deal when you want to truly rest.

Quality is not always obvious at first glance, but you feel it once you settle in.

All that care during the build left us with a few very tangible things that mattered to us for your stay:

• Large panes of glass that frame the hills of Šumadija.
• Sliding glass doors connecting the living room and terrace.
• Doors and windows that close snugly, keeping the house warm and peaceful.
• The feeling that the details were thought through before you arrived.

We wanted a natural connection between time indoors and time outside. You can sit in the living room and still have the view as part of your break. When you feel like stepping out, the terrace and private hot tub are just a few steps away.

From building work to your peaceful weekend

Today, your stay is at the heart of this story, rather than the work that came before it. The whole house, terrace and hot tub are yours alone throughout your stay. You can spend the day at your own pace, with coffee and a view, or head out to discover another part of Šumadija.

If you feel like a walk or exploring the area, our Things to do page can help you choose places to suit your interests. Coming back to the house then has its own simple pleasure: close the door, settle in and ease into the evening without a rush. That is how we imagined this space while it was still being built.

Take a look at our offers and prices and choose the stay that suits your weekend. Our wish is still the same as it was when we began building: for you to feel comfortable, warm and relaxed here, as though everything had been made just for you. Come and feel that care for yourself.