Welcome to another episode of Hypedome Stories! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Helene and Michael Sula, the dynamic duo behind the popular blog and Instagram account, Helene in Between. With over 600k followers, their journey from Texas to Germany and now England has been nothing short of incredible. But amidst all their travels, there’s a special place that holds their hearts – the Misty Blue cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Join us as we explore their story, the inspiration behind the Misty Blue cabin, and how their Hypedome addition has made this getaway truly unique.
Q: Saying you're well-known on Instagram is an understatement. With over 600k followers, it's very impressive. Can you tell us how it all started?
Helene Sula: It all began after I had a rock climbing accident and broke my ankle. While recovering, I started a blog and Instagram called Helene in Between to share my journey. It was just a side project at first, while I worked in the corporate world. I never imagined it would turn into a full-time job, but my passion for writing and sharing our adventures really resonated with people. As I posted about our travels, life, and even our dogs, my audience grew, and I connected deeply with them.
Michael Sula: One year later I joined Helene and we’ve been doing this together for nine years now. Along the way, we’ve moved from Texas to Germany, back to Texas, and now we’re in England. It’s been an incredible journey, working side by side on something we both love.
Q: You've moved around a lot, but it sounds like Oklahoma holds a special place in your hearts, doesn’t it?
Helene: Absolutely! We’re originally from Dallas, Texas, just a couple of hours from the Oklahoma border. Dallas is a great city, but it lacks natural beauty. Southeastern Oklahoma, especially Broken Bow and Hochatown, is stunning with its rivers, canyons, mountains, and forests. We’ve been visiting for about 15-20 years, starting with tent camping. Over time, many people got RVs, and eventually, cabins started being built there about ten years ago. We always dreamed of having our own cabin, so we started saving up.
Michael: In 2022, we finally bought a couple of acres and a cabin, which we named Misty Blue. We’ve made a lot of changes, including a custom 10 by 12-foot mural with the cabin’s name hand-painted on it. To make our place stand out, we decided to add an Airbnb geodome, and more precisely a Clear Hypedome M. The rental market in the area is quite competitive, so we wanted something unique. We’re proud to be the first in the area to have a Hypedome, making the Misty Blue cabin a truly special offering.
Q: So the Misty Blue cabin project wasn't a spontaneous decision; it was something you planned for a long time.
Helene: Yes, exactly. When I started the blog and Instagram, one of the main focuses was making the most of your time and seeking out unique travel experiences. Living in Dallas, Broken Bow was our escape. It’s just a three-hour drive, which is nothing in Texas, and it felt like an oasis so close by. We wanted to highlight that you don’t have to travel far to experience something amazing.
Q: Your Misty Blue mural definitely draws attention. Can you tell us more about it?
Helene: Actually, it’s on a custom canvas created by a talented artist. Michael had a really great idea for it. At the time, we were traveling across America in our RV after moving back to Texas from Germany. One of our favorite parts of the trip was visiting national parks, and each park had these amazing vintage-style posters. We thought it would be cool to incorporate that style into our cabin as a way to stand out. Michael actually hand-drew the concept of what he wanted the mural to look like. It turned out really cool and unique.
Q: It was a fantastic idea, as it truly stands out in photos. Your cabin is so inviting, especially with its unique amenities. Can you share some details?
Michael: Absolutely! We call it the “holy trinity” of cabin amenities: a hot tub, a fire pit, and a big back deck. Many cabins have these, so we wanted to stand out even more, which is why we added the dome. Our two-story cabin sleeps up to 22 people with four master suites and a bunk room for the kids. Since the whole place is family-friendly, we wanted the dome to be great for both adults and kids as well.
Our Hypedome is located on a wooded part of our two-acre property, perfect for watching sunsets, sipping wine, or having coffee in the morning. We built it on a deck, slightly separated from the Misty Blue, with extra seating outside, and inside it has luxurious living room furniture and games. For the kids, we added sleeping bags and pads so they can sleep under the stars. We cleared a few trees, so you get a stunning view of the night sky.
Helene: We’ve been going to Broken Bow for the past 15 years and have seen many different cabins and their features. We always thought about how we could make ours unique and enjoyable for us as well. The dome is perfect because it blends with nature and doesn’t obstruct the view. Even though it’s new, we’ve already received great reviews about it being the favorite hangout spot. In such a competitive Airbnb market like Broken Bow, the dome really helps us stand out and create a memorable experience.
Q: The dome's location among the trees sounds perfect, providing shade and beautiful scenery year-round. Do you find the time to enjoy it yourselves?
Helene: Yes, definitely. I was initially skeptical about seeing the stars clearly, but the view turned out to be absolutely perfect. It’s so relaxing to sit with a glass of wine, listen to music, and gaze up at the stars. The combination of the tree canopy and the stars above feels almost like a scene from a movie. It’s a truly beautiful experience.
Q: How has the Hypedome been performing so far?
Michael: It’s actually much better than we expected. I thought assembly might be difficult for the contractors, but they found it pretty intuitive and straightforward. I was relieved because there’s a lot of competition for contractors, and sometimes it can be hard to get things done smoothly. But they had no issues, which was great.
Helene: The dome being extremely structurally sound is essential, especially with kids, strong winds, dogs, and people going in and out. It’s also very clean and modern but still beautiful, reflecting the surroundings perfectly. It adapts to its environment, fitting seamlessly into the space, which is exactly what we wanted.
Q: After posting the video of the dome, the reactions from your followers were very positive.
Helene: Very positive, yes! What’s been really interesting is how many people have reached out to us. We have a lot of followers who are Airbnb owners or are thinking about starting one. I can always tell when someone genuinely likes a product because they message me directly. I had a lot of people asking if they could add something similar to their coffee shop or Airbnb. The excitement has been overwhelming, and I absolutely encourage them to add a dome. It’s pretty low maintenance from an owner’s perspective while adding so much value to your business.
Q: I noticed you opted for the solid Port Door for your dome. How has that choice worked out for you?
Michael: I think that was definitely a smart choice. With all the wildlife around, like deer, raccoons, and even bears, the solid door is perfect for keeping the cabin safe. Plus, we get some strong thunderstorms, so while a membrane door would also work for weather, we felt the solid door was the best choice for overall protection and convenience. We invested quite a bit in the furniture and everything inside to make it really enjoyable for our guests, so keeping everything secure was important. The Port Door has worked out really well for us.
Q: Do you have any future plans for both your personal travels and expanding your Airbnb business?
Michael: Yes, we do! This summer, we have a busy travel schedule around Europe. After a particularly rainy winter in the UK, we’re excited to explore more of England, Scotland, and Wales in the summertime. Looking ahead to 2025, we might move back to the States and spend time in different parts of the country, maybe three months at a time, and enjoy our cabin more.
Helene: Regarding our Airbnb business, we’re thinking about expanding. If we do, we definitely want to include another dome. It’s been such an incredible and unique addition to the Misty Blue cabin, and we’d love to replicate that in future projects.
Q: Anything you'd like to add about your experience with the Hypedome?
Helene: Doing anything for our rental business in Broken Bow can be challenging because it’s tough to find good contractors and get things done. We were worried that getting a dome might become another frustration, but it wasn’t at all. That really speaks to the quality of your product and service. The website is user-friendly, the customer service has been great, and overall, it’s been a phenomenal experience.
Helene and Michael’s journey with the Misty Blue cabin is a testament to their passion for unique travel experiences and creating memorable spaces. From their stunning mural to the innovative Hypedome, they’ve crafted an oasis that stands out in the competitive Broken Bow market. Whether you’re an avid follower of Helene in Between or an Airbnb enthusiast, their story offers inspiration and insights into making the most of your adventures. If you’re looking for a unique escape, the Misty Blue cabin awaits with its blend of natural beauty and modern comfort.