My Beach Hut Inspiration
I always seem to want to write and style books that are a stylish look at individual design. A look at the small things in life that on first thought are not very significant. Caravans, campervans and now sheds. And I like design that says something about the owner… that has some context.
Last week I received an advance copy of my new book ‘my cool shed’.. . Publication seemed an age away at the time of submission, last Christmas, but now, review copies are being sent out to the press, and the release date is only weeks away. It is available to pre-order on Amazon, the publication date is May 16th.
It was such a fabulous project to work on, the summer flew by… I was totally absorbed. It took Tina Hillier and I on a trail up and down the land, to Scandinavia and mainland Europe, and we sourced US based photographers for the shoots there. The balance of sheds, hideaways and workspaces that we shot are amazing. From two identical ‘his n hers’ tiny superstore bought sheds that now are used to repair & renovate stylish vintage items to an amazing architectural mini masterpiece on the beach, to an LA garage now converted to a very stylish artist’s studio.
Deadlines are great in that it truly means that you get on with it and have a focus. And it’s great when a project is put to bed… you can look afresh at your inspiration. Looking back at my reference files I came across some very early images of mine that had caught my eye. They conveyed a sense of what was behind the unassuming structure of a shed. These simple pictures served as a source of inspiration and understanding to what ‘sheds’ was to be all about..
This row of structurally identical Southwold beach huts was charming but the huts were classic wooden identical huts. A closer look and you see the touch of the individual. The idiosyncratic paint colours, the candy coloured striped banding on some, and most especially poignant to me was the choice of names that spelt out a very clear message. Have fun, escape from life, have a rest, feel carefree.