The Book Nook

Entries for this year's Shed of the Year close at the end of the month so get your skates on if you're planning to take part. Pictured above is not only one of the newest entries for the annual competition but already one of the Shedworking staff's favourite builds in the whole field. 

Located in London, it's called The Book Nook and is owned by Yannick Read who describes it as like a mini shepherd's hut. Features include being on wheels, barn-style doors, a hanging fire pit, and a bird feeder, as well as lots of books and comfy seating. Enjoy the video of it below.

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Home office garage conversion

Here's another interesting build which is shortlisted for this year's Architects' Journal Small Projects prize, a garage at the bottom of at 1970s terraced house in London's Crystal Palace area converted into a his 'n hers home office space (there is a work space and desk at the front, a reading area at the back). Commissioned by a couple (a neurosurgeon and an IT engineer) from architecture, interior and landscape design studio Vatraa, it comes in at 30 sqm and features polished plaster walls and a clever lighting setup which works with the lack of natural light in the space. Lots more excellent photos of the interior at the Vatraa link above.

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Home and garden shows in latest Idler magazine column

The latest issue of the Idler magazine is winging its way to subscribers now so look out for it soon on the magazine shelves. It features as always my regular column on shedlife, this time looking at the best home and garden shows to visit and some of the suppliers to look out for (plus my other regular column on famous idlers, this time round, Andy Capp). Happy reading!

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Malvern Garden Buildings offer a premium collection of garden buildings, displayed at 11 UK showsites.

Plankbridge looking to hire a hutmaker and hutmaker apprentice

Shepherd's hut specialists Plankbridge are looking to recruit a hutmaker. This will be a multi-tasking role ranging from carpentry and timber framing, as well as first fix plumbing and electrics, through to final finishing. It would suit a practical and friendly individual, perhaps a self-builder with a can-do attitude and a keen eye for quality. To apply please email Plankbridge direct on hello@plankbridge.com and tell them a bit about yourself and your experience.

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Friday Finery: self-built hempcrete architecture studio

This week's entry in the Friday Finery slot is this remarkable garden office build by Commonbond Architects to be used by their own staff. With an internal floor area of 28m², it consists of two interconnecting rooms with a long table for working, and a snug. There's also a lavatory and storage area.

What makes it particularly interesting is that it's made from hempcrete as a test for using this environmentally-friendly breathable building material which also has splendid insulation properties. Moreover, as regular readers know, the Shedworking staff really love an underground build and this one is sunk one metre into the ground in order to make the flowerbeds align with the desktop which makes for a fine view. 

It's been shortlisted for the Architects Journal Small Projects 2024 award so you can vote for it here.

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Malvern Garden Buildings' Houseplant Studios at 2024 Chelsea Flower Show

Another garden office supplier to look out for at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show in late May is Malvern Garden Buildings who are bringing seven indoor gardens to the Houseplant Studios area in the Plateau area (pictured above is part of the company's stand at last year's event). Among the indoor plant stylists and botanical designers showing off their skills in MVG's various studios including their Victorian Greenhouse, Studio Pavilion, Studio Retreat, Astwood, and Studio Flat, will be 

* The Glasshouse: a social enterprise offering horticultural training to women based in UK prisons

*  Plants by There: a multisensory retro 1970s bedroom

* The Plant Parlour x GrowTropicals: exploring the potential of indoor spaces with biophilic design and naturalistic planting. 

* The Plant Warehouse: looking at turning homes of any size into indoor jungles with a focus on upcycling e.g. a living coffee table

* The Little Botanical: an immersive sanctuary showcasing sustainability through British grown and 100% peat free houseplants

* In the Garden: a maximalist layered indoor landscape in an eclectic city apartment, championing the importance of plant placement 

* Botanic York: an immersive, educational experience within a suburban home

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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.

Blue Forest treehouse at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

One of the trade stands at RHS Chelsea worth a look every year is Blue Forest's. Back again on the Main Avenue, the company will be presenting a two-storey garden treehouse (which they're calling an "entertainment tower"), co-created with landscape architecture experts Randle Siddeley Limited.

For 2024, they will be featuring in particular edible plants and fragrant botanicals which will complement the treehouse bar and entertainment deck which will offer smashing views over the show. There's also going to be a ground floor children's section with swinging seats.

“We are thrilled to unveil the Botanical Treehouse at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show,” said Andy Payne, Founder and MD of Blue Forest. “This project represents a true collaboration between nature and design, and we are delighted to once again be working with the prestigious Randle Siddeley to create something truly spectacular.”
 
This year, as ever, RHS is at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London May 21-25.

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios