In the first of our monthly journals, our Co-Founder and Creative Director Sam Baker gives his insight into life in the workshop during lockdown…
The last few months have certainly been a rollercoaster ride, but thankfully our quiet corner of Wiltshire is emerging from lockdown relatively unscathed. And while life in the workshop isn’t totally back to normal, it’s certainly getting there. Our team is safe, we’re busy doing what we love best and we’re fortunate to have had steady orders throughout. And when it comes to workspaces, you won’t find a much better place to escape the stresses of the world at large. Fresh country air constantly streams through our vast, open-sided barns, and the only crowds are the herds of cattle grazing in the fields outside.
Back in March, when the country went into lockdown, we were incredibly fortunate that we’d just completed and installed our biggest project to date. Just two weeks previously, our cavernous storage rooms had been stacked to the ceilings with hundreds of pieces of furniture, but now we had time and space to play with.
As a result, we could transform all our storage barns into vast, open plan workspaces, where our craftsmen could operate in small groups. We quickly created zones, so the team could work without coming into contact, and we supplied everyone with their own sets of kit too. So, as soon as guidelines allowed, we were back up and running, fulfilling our rapidly-growing order list.
Of course, with millions of people suddenly working from home, desks, dining tables and storage have been at the top of that list. And because we are a bespoke business, we can flex to fit every demand. From sculpted, solid oak desks to wall-fixed desks that slot neatly into awkward spaces, we’ve been helping our clients create peaceful and productive home offices, where they can seek refuge from a world in turmoil. We’re now designing stunning garden furniture too, and have crafted two beautiful tables for The Crown Estate, using oak trees felled in Windsor Great Park.
Lockdown has also given us the chance to focus on our passion for sustainability, and we can now proudly say we’re well on track to being Grown in Britain certified. So many businesses tell their customers they follow sustainable processes and, when push comes to shove, it’s vital that we can all back up our claims. Our new certification is just one step we’ve taken to prove that our processes are every bit as eco-conscious as we say they are. We support Britain’s forests by buying locally-sourced timber, and we actively invest in the sustainable management of our precious woodland.
Above all, the last few months have made us appreciate our bucolic environment even more. Of course, lockdown has been a worrying time for everyone, but it’s enabled us to further our eco-credentials, brainstorm new ideas and put into practice everything we preach around wellness.
Ultimately, it’s brought our talented team closer together too, as we’ve united to navigate our way through unprecedented times. And with less intense deadlines, we’ve had a welcome opportunity to explore our creativity. We now have some stunning new designs in the pipeline, so watch this space!
