The Swing House is exactly what it says it is.
When you walk into the home rental and living art space in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Camp Washington, you immediately see three things: the kitchen, a bed and a swing.
The Italianate, three-story home built in 1880 has been converted into one wide-open room.
Although the interior feels modern, with updated appliances, fixtures, lighting and heating, the house still gives the sense that it’s old.
And that’s intentional. Everything in the Swing House is intentional.
The inspiration for the house was a longtime goal of artist and owner Mark de Jong, who had dreamed for years of designing a house with a giant swing. He purchased the property in 2015 and began renovations the same year, completing the house in 2018.
He grew up in Cincinnati and went to school at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. He also owns a number of other art-centric homes around Cincinnati, including the Circle House in Camp Washington and the Square House in Northside.
“What art is to Nashville, art and architecture is to Cincinnati," de Jong said.
People have come from all over to stay at the Swing House, including Switzerland, Morocco and Japan. de Jong said he’s had couples and singles travel to see the house, some to Cincinnati just to stay there.
The day before I visited, a couple drove nine hours from New Jersey to stay overnight in the Swing House.
The house itself has gone viral a few times – check out #TheSwingHouse on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms – and Airbnb has featured it.
At the time of my stay in early December, the house only had a few openings through the rest of the month and January. Now, I understand why.
House designed to give a floating experience
During renovations, de Jong removed the upper floors of the home to make space for the 30-foot swing.
Like other parts of the house, the swing seat was created with found materials, as were the pieces in the small basement art gallery. Original plaster, brick and paint layered from over the years and previous owners peek through the walls.
The furniture – armoires, cabinets, counters, the bed – are all either attached to the wall or made to look like they’re not touching the ground, all floating to mimic the swing and its movement.
After the Swing House debuted at the Contemporary Arts Center during the spring and summer of 2018, de Jong began renting it via Airbnb.
Since, then, it’s been a hit. Currently listed on Airbnb for $204 a night, the one-bed, one-bath home is meant for short-term rentals, typically one to three nights.
I was blessed with good weather during my stay, which highlighted how many windows there are in the space.
Including the two doors, there are 10 windows on three sides of the first floor of the house, with another eight on the open second story and seven on the third. During the day, light flows through the place, bringing it to life.
At night, it feels more vulnerable. A little like sitting in a fishbowl.
Good thing there are shades to pull down.
Since I wake before sunrise, the following morning I opened the shades a few minutes before and watched the light slowly pour in.
The headboard of the only bed in the house serves a dual purpose, also serving as the side of the spiral staircase that leads down to the basement. There is where you find the only bathroom and an art gallery de Jong created from found materials – including the Kermit the Frog toy that fell on him during renovations.
And of course, there's the swing.
It gives you all the joy you remember from the playground, but in a much more interesting setting. I resisted the urge to swing as high as possible and fly off like I would as a fearless child.
But swinging made this stay such a unique experience.
Overall, the Swing House was a very pleasant experience, and de Jong was an excellent host – I can see why Airbnb has him listed as a "superhost."
If you're looking for an overnight stay for one or two in a unique and art-filled home a short drive from many things to do around Cincinnati, the Swing House is your place.
It's also great for photos and bragging rights.
Swing House, 1371 Avon Place. For more information, visit www.swing-house.com. To book a stay, visit the Swing House on Airbnb.
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