Thursday, August 31, 2017

The appeal of 'man caves'


New research from Halifax Insurance reveals some interesting statistics including what people are looking for in a dream home - topping the list was a new kitchen, but the interviewers also asked about 'man caves' which was most popular in the Yorkshire and the Humber region with 10% adding it to their list.

The figures also show:
- loft conversions have grown 43% since 2012
- basements have soared in popularity, especially in London, with a 183% increase in planning applications over five years
- conservatories have seen a 3% drop in popularity
- in general, planning applications have risen by 27% over the last five years ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional buildings.

How to goblin proof your shed

The latest cartoon from metal shed provider Trimetals and comic book artist Steve Beckett featuring the ongoing adventures of Sir Tristan Trimetals...
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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional buildings.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

U-Build garden room


An intriguing build by Studio Bark for Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre in Newham, London. Here's what they say about it:
Studio Bark worked on the project due to the team’s strong belief in the importance of community, diversity and education. Studio Bark have delivered a community garden space in RDLAC’s courtyard following a snappy two week live-build, in association with The University of East London. The structure itself was very simple, but incorporates a long pop-up hatch window (powered by reclaimed car-boot pistons), a modular (locally sourced) Douglas Fir skin and a modular green roof.
The project is part of Studio Bark's goal of helping young architectural students get experience of actual building sites with real clients. Well worth reading more about this impressive project on their site here.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Garden office toilets


Most shedworkers simply nip back to the mother ship when they need to powder their nose (and some I know simply nip behind the bushes), but if you want a lavatory without going through all the rigmarole of applying for planning permission to hook up to mains water, then consider a waterless version.

We've mentioned Ecotoilets before on Shedworking but the fine folk at Rotunda have also pointed us in the direction of WooWoo who specialise in waterless and composting toilets - an example is pictured above, birch plywood around a stainless steel structure with a pine roof.

You can sort one out yourself, or you can get your garden office supplier to source it. Here's a nice example of an Ecotoilets model inside a 2m internal diameter Rotunda with a 100mm wall cavity, single skinned polycarbonate dome and surface mounted lights.


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Monday, August 28, 2017

10 entertaining uses for your garden room


This is a guest post by OECO Garden Rooms

The she shed and the man cave have become popular in recent years, as many people begin using their garden structures to create their own private space or sanctuary away from crowded family homes. A step up from a dusty spider filled shed where you would store garden tools you’d hardly ever use. These dens of peace and tranquillity, pods to indulge in your favourite hobby or pastime have a multitude of uses as well as adding value to your property.

Do you have the space for a garden room? Contemplating on getting one, but are not sure what you would use it for? Here are some useful tips and slightly some unusual ideas:

1: Work – Whether you want to be more creative with work or produce more efficient results, then escaping away from distractions of the main house will be a huge head start. If you want to skip the commute or run your own business from home, a garden room offers you the space and peace you require. This would also be a good idea for your kids school work, bringing them out away from their distractions and into a peaceful office/library based garden room, allowing them to focus, achieve and improve overall results.

2: Airbnb/guestroom – Garden rooms are perfect for adding an extra room to your home for family and friends to stay in whilst they visit. Another idea is you could set up your own Airbnb, perfect for making some extra money on the side or gain your initial investment of the garden room back.

3: Home spa – Want to get that same spa experience at home, use a garden room to create your own. Fit a home sauna or steam room, or both, as well as a rainfall shower and somewhere to relax. You can add your own spa touches with oil burners or incense and you could even extend the spa experience outside with a hot tub.

4: Your own Yoga Ashram – It’s important to focus on health and wellness, and a garden room is the perfect space to create your own Yoga Ashram. Add some ambience with mood lighting, cushions and pillows and of course a yoga mat. You will have your own little space to escape to, to keep calm, clear and collected.

5: Helping hand – It could be a very productive idea to set up the summer house for your son, daughter or a close friend to stay in whilst their on the hunt to save money. Introduce the facilities they need, set up any extra necessities they require and charge them an affordable negotiated rent. This would be a great way for youngsters to save money, whether they’re currently studying or only working part time.

6: Your own local - As UK pub numbers dwindle, why not turn your garden room into your own little bar. If you brew your own beer, make your own wine and enjoy making your own flavoured spirits, expand your hobby into your own bar. Get together with family and friends without having to leave your garden.

7: Vintage game arcade – Long gone are the game arcades of the 80’s and 90’s, but if you’re feeling nostalgic and enjoy retro games, why not use a garden room to make your own vintage video game arcade. Set up old and new consoles, dance and music games and even arcade machines for a blast to the past.

8: Gym – Have your very own gym, add different work out equipment to the garden room, leaving an area for floor work... Add in mirrors down one side, so you can watch your form and build in a music system to keep you motivated. Garden rooms also have enough space to add in a shower and changing room too.

9: Hobby room – If you and your family all share a number of hobbies, why not turn your garden room into a hobby space. Whether sewing or crafting, to beer making or furniture restoration, garden rooms make great areas to enjoy your favourite pastime. Keep the equipment, smells and dust out of your home.

10: Memorabilia room – Ever wanted to collect and horde your own memorabilia collection? With the space from your garden room you’ll be able to finally build up your dream collection. They’re literally anything you can collect and display, being either showing your passion to your favourite TV show or video game. For an example, if you have a passion for Game of Thrones, fill your garden room up with collectibles. Hang up pictures/posters or any signed autographs, get your hands on the clothing and replica weapons from the show, build shelving for your character figurines, or display maps on the walls like ‘Weteros’. --------------------------------------------------------------------
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Friday, August 25, 2017

Terrestrial Shrub Rover


There's been a lot in the news recently about the world's fastest shed, but here's an option for those who want something less speedy and yet still (just about) large enough to count as a garden office. The Terrestrial Shrub Rover is the brainchild of artist Justin Shull - with an artificial evergreen branch exterior on a custom chasis, it measures 76 in x 66 in x 44 in. Here it is in action:


And here's what Justin says about it:
In the spirit of NASA and its forthcoming 2020 lunar expeditions in preparation for colonizing the moon, the Terrestrial Shrub Rover presents the opportunity to explore terrestrial and social environments back on Earth from within a manned, foliage bedecked, solar electric powered rover. (also in development is an unmanned, remotely controlled, webcam version)
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Thursday, August 24, 2017

Garden office with artificial green roof


Green sedum roofs have been one of the most popular add-on features over the last decade of the garden office's history, but here's a twist on the idea from eDEN Garden Rooms, a 5m by 3m shedworking space in Richmond, London, with an artificial grass roof.

"A living roof is not new to us and we have finished many garden rooms with effective sedum or wildflower meadow roofs in the past," says eDEN spokeswoman Mia Gambrill, "but due to its low maintenance and year-round luscious finish, artificial grass roofs are gaining in popularity."

She added that the client, Kathy, went for the artificial option because of its evergreen look and extremely low maintenance requirements - another factor was that it needed no planning permission, compared to sedum/wildflower versions which do because of the additional roofing work necessary.

The garden office also has a hidden side door opening onto a storage area, as well as a second set of aluminium doors at the back providing another way of getting in from a back path.
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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional buildings.

Friday, August 04, 2017

A room of one's own: Why everybody needs a garden office


 An excellent piece in the Guardian by Heidi Scrimegeour asks "many small business owners run their operations from a corner of the kitchen table, but could the lack of a dedicated work space hold a business back?" And basically, with various examples, the answer is 'Yes'. Here's a snippet:
Carl Reader, author of The Startup Coach, is unsurprised by my delight at having a room of my own in which to work. He’s firmly of the view that you need a dedicated room free of distractions to run a successful business from home. “It takes an inordinate amount of time to regain your focus once you’ve been distracted at work, and the distractions at home can be even more invasive than those in an open-plan office,” he says. “A separate work space also makes it easier to take your mind off business when you’re not working, which in turn boosts productivity.”
And for fans of the 'shoffice' useage, it also contains what I suspect is the first ever use of the term 'ploffice' - children’s playroom + office.

Image: The Stable Company --------------------------------------------------------
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Garden office wi-fi


I've had various conversations this week on Twitter again about garden office wifi so click the link to see how Phil Thane has sorted out his shedworking electonics (and in diagram form above). I normally include snippets for these kinds of links, but you really need to read the whole thing. Well worth a look. --------------------------------------------------------
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Garden office tweet of the week

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information.

Thursday, August 03, 2017

Dragon Proof Your Shed – The Adventures of Sir Tristan Trimetals

Modern-day metal shed provider Trimetals was founded in 1967, but it has teamed up with comic book artist Steve Beckett (a regular contributor for publications such as the Beano and The Dandy) to tell the tales of Sir Tristan Trimetals – a legendary ancestor and knight who battled evil through the use of honour, chivalry, and metal sheds. Look out for a new one every month...

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional buildings.

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

The loggiest log cabin in the world


Lovely short video of this marvellous design for musician and comedian Hans Liberg from The Netherlands by Piet Hein Eek. -----------------------------------------------------------
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Tuesday, August 01, 2017

A shedworking day

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