How to buy Virginia Woolf's writing shed

If you were at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, hopefully you managed to get a look at Malvern Garden Buildings' latest design, their Woolf Writing Shed. We'd wondered if it was a one-off but happily they have just confirmed that it will soon be part of their permanent collection soon (Scotts of Thrapston used to offer a similar kind of design several years ago but that is no longer available). The shed is painted in dove grey like Woolf's writing lodge at her home at Monk’s House, and features double French doors, and a decked are.

British designer and Virginia Woolf’s great niece, Cressida Bell (pictured below) described the design as a "nurturing and relaxing environment" and a fitting tribute to Virginia. "In her essay ‘A Room of One’s Own’ my great aunt Virginia Woolf writes that in order for a woman to write fiction she must have two things, a room of her own and enough money to support herself.  I am in complete agreement with her on both counts, but the having the first is a very important step on the path to gaining the latter.

"I am lucky enough to have a large studio away from my house in which to create, but I need the extra space as I am a printer – as well as a designer. It is where I run my business, but also a place of great creativity. Though it is in urban East London it is surrounded by a leafy courtyard, so I have the calm of a garden to retreat to at lunchtime and after work."

Garden office art studio

Two examples of garden offices used as art studios by Garden Affairs. They're both custom designed, traditional style, log cabins in 70mm timber, featuring factory-painted doors and windows, factory-stained walls, pitch roof with bitumen red felt shingles to residential standard, roof and floor insulation, double-glazing and full electrics throughout. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday posts are sponsored by Garden Spaces, suppliers of contemporary garden buildings, offices, gyms and studios, many of which do not require planning

ShedFest 2019

The UK Men's Sheds Association is working hard on putting together its annual ShedFest celebrations which this year will be held on September 3 at the University of Worcester Arena. The programme will include sessions on leadership and sustainability plus the popular - and growing each year - exhibition to attract more Shedders, as well as practical demonstrations from leading companies and organisations. New for 2019 are two competitions, Best Bird Box and Best Turned Item. Entries need to be brought to ShedFest with details from the link above.

Two more related events for your diary - tomorrow is the first Isle of Wight Shed Fest at Sandown Airport which will celebrate Mens' Sheds and provide the chance to meet Shedders from the island and south coast network. It's free entry and runs from noon until 6pm, with live music, displays, and will a beer ‘horse box’ bar

The UK association is also highlightin Silver Sunday on October 3, a national celebration of older people which the association has supported for many years. More details at the link.
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Monday posts are sponsored by garden2office, the Swedish garden office specialists. Click here for more details.

Back soon

The Shedworking staff are out of the office at a relative's 80th birthday celebrations in Spain. Normal service will be resumed on Monday.

Philosphers' sheds in the Idler magazine

The new issue of the Idler magazine is now out, featuring my regular columns on sheds and snooker. This time round it's a look at philosophers' garden offices. Here's a snippet:

It’s easy to see why some of our finest philosophers have a penchant for sheds. Where else can you get some proper thinking done, away from the hurly burly of the modern life and the appalling demands of other people? That was certainly Ludwig Wittgenstein’s approach, spending huge amounts of time in his cabin at the top of the Sognefjord fjord in Norway, pondering and scribbling.

For those of you interested in snooker, there's also my thoughts on the genius that is Mr Ronnie O'Sullivan (even if you don't like snooker I think you will enjoy it). You can get copies of the Idler at various outlets around the country (lots of WH Smiths stock it) or a subscription online (which is better and cheaper in the long run).

George Clarke: shedworker

It's no surprise that George Clarke, the presenter of many house/home programmes on the television and perhaps best known for his Amazing Spaces series and work with Shed of the Year, also has a garden office at his home in London. In an interview with the Daily Mail (in which he explains why he keeps certain objects in his shedworking atmosphere) he says that it "is where I escape to read and write. It’s so peaceful except for the rumble of the Tube going past, but I love that."

George also does some work with window coverings specialist Hillarys who have this to say about his garden office, pictured above in what must be the tidiest setup we've ever seen:

George’s style is sleek, mid-century modern, and Tetbury Charcoal curtains perfectly complement this cool design aesthetic. A simple wave curtain header allows the curtains to drape in soft, rippling folds, creating a relaxed and informal feel. 

And here he is giving a tour of his garden office, with a special focus on his curtains, plus a bonus look at another garden building used as a spare bedroom.


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Tuesday posts are sponsored by Garden Spaces, suppliers of contemporary garden buildings, offices, gyms and studios, many of which do not require planning

Writing shed door knocker

Every garden office should have a door knocker. Here's a fine one owned by writer Chris Elphick in Wales.
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Monday posts are sponsored by garden2office, the Swedish garden office specialists. Click here for more details.