Off the Grid by Dominic Bradbury

A new addition for your shedworking bookshelf, Off the Grid: Houses for Escape Across North America by Dominic Bradbury is the latest beautifully produced book about building small from Thames & Hudson [disclaimer: they have published several of my books, Bookshelf, Improbable Libraries, and Art Day by Day]. It follows his earlier global look at the same subject, covered on Shedworking. This one showcases more than 40 intriguing off-grid homes in North America, in pretty wild and remote spots. Here's what the publishers say about it:

Living off the grid has become increasingly desirable in recent years. Escaping the city to be immersed in nature is ever more appealing as the pressures of everyday life increase. The need to reduce our carbon footprints as the effects of climate change become a reality has brought sustainable living, particularly in off-grid and net-zero houses, to the forefront.

In Off the Grid: Houses for Escape Across North America, Dominic Bradbury turns to North America to showcase how architects are making living in the wilderness a more affordable and attainable dream. From cabins deep in the forest to desert homes and stunning coastal retreats, this collection of the most innovative off-grid homes reveals how clever design is redefining the possibilities for living in some of the most extraordinary natural environments on Earth.

Friday Finery: I Love Sheds merchandise

Uncle Wilco of readersheds.co.uk fame has a fine range of shed-based merchandise at Redbubble including t-shirts, mugs, aprons, and postcards. And at the moment all clothing is 20% off. 

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

 

Sally Lindsay: shedworker

The current issue of prima magazine includes an interview with actor and author of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Sally Lindsay in which she talks about her garden office and shedworking lifestyle (indeed, it's trailed as the main coverline 'I love writing about murder in my garden shed'). Here's what she says:

I have a shed at the bottom of the garden, which I love. It's massive – like a gentlemen's club, with cushions and rugs and a fire. It's all mine and no one else is allowed in – I've even got an alarm. I'll go in there and stare out of the window while I'm plotting in my head and all of a sudden it comes out, like a stream of consciousness.

In an interview with Chris Evans on his Virgin Radio breakfast show she revealed that it’s painted in teal and has thick velvet curtains as well as a sofa. Here she is talking about it from around the 5.10 mark:

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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.

Secondhand garden annexe for sale

Secondhand garden annexes/offices are not as rare as hens teeth but nor do they pop up every day. Here's one available from a Booths Garden Studios customer near Ipswich, an 18-month-old, 24' x 8' with a 12' x 8' add-on to make an L shape. Price is around £26,950 plus relocation services of around £15,000, but everything is up for discussion. Click the link if you're interested for more details and how to get in touch with the current owner.

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

 

How do garden office suppliers get their names?

Well, here's one answer, from Richard Lee of shepherd's hut specialists Plankbridge, explaining why Plankbridge is called Plankbridge and talking us through the inspiration and decision-making process behind it.

Friday finery: Valentine's garden office door knocker

How about treating yourself to an early Valentine's Day present? Here's something that caught the eye of the Shedworking interns from Dreamair who have this to say about it: "Our heart door knockers are available in six finishes and would grace a garden office, a shed or even your front door. And, they can be fixed onto composite as well as wooden doors."

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

 

Rural Suffolk bothy

A marvellous case study from Bothy Stores focuses on a couple's new shelter in rural Suffolk, replacing a derelict shed in their own managed woodland. Features include Corten steel cladding, and ground-screw foundations to reduce environmental impact. Although it has cabling and plumbing, at the moment it's entirely off-grid.

According to the new owners: "We positioned the windows very carefully to exploit the different outlooks, adding a really large opening in one elevation that frames a view through the nearby chestnut trees. Some of the windows have views where the trees give a real sense of enclosure and intimacy, while others look out towards the open countryside. It feels like an honest fit for this rugged, outdoor working environment."

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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.