Unique Circular Garden Rooms, modular school buildings and lodges - Handcrafted in the UK
Above & Beyond: Eco Furnishings
Today we were tasked with a slightly unusual request; – To source a high quality, ethically made, circular rug to feature in the centre of a client’s 4.5m Rotunda, “Roundel”. We enthusiastically obliged, excited at the opportunity to further our research into Eco furnishings to suit our Eco garden buildings.
It’s not uncommon for us to receive enquiries for bespoke furnishings for Rotundas, and it is one of the most exciting aspects of offering such an innovative garden room as it opens up so many opportunities to source creative alternatives to the bog standard fixture and fittings. What is even more fantastic is that because the Rotunda is such a beautiful and ethical piece of craftsmanship, it inspires our clients to rethink their usual furniture options and instead seek out pieces that reflect the quality of their garden building, often opting for natural and Eco alternatives.
After a bit of research into environmentally friendly rugs we came across ‘rag rugs’ which are usually made from cloth scraps, old sheets, and up-cycled t-shirts. Due to the nature of the materials, the finished result is colourful and intricate, and looks both beautifully simple and yet strangely complex; not unlike a Rotunda. It was immediately clear that this fantastic example of Eco furnishings was the perfect addition to a circular Eco-building.
Once we had confirmed that the ‘rag rug’ concept was one to be pursued it wasn’t long before we not only found a wonderful craftswoman who makes beautiful, large rugs from organic cotton, but also the perfect design to suit Roundel’s spirit. The circular Eco rug, is crafted from a long braid of fabric that spirals outwards to create a mesmerising pattern of colour and texture. The particular creation which caught our eye transitioned from warm yellow to light teal creating an image of a golden sun radiating out into a clear sky which we thought mirrored the ideal view through the central dome of the Rotunda’s cathedral roof beautifully.
As a modular buildings manufacturer we could easily refuse to offer any kind of soft furnishing advice and many companies in our industry believe firmly that their obligations extend no further than providing the base building; even a paint finish is considered an optional extra. We believe that Rotunda is more than just an Eco building and that we are actually creating a full space that enriches the lives of those who use it; if this calls for us to go above and beyond then we are happy to accept that challenge.
If you are interested in developing your own Rotunda space with us then please don’t hesitate to get in contact and begin your journey to creating your own creative solutions in the round.
Sacred Spaces – Garden Living
Garden Living – Wish You Were Here?
How many times have you made a purchase directly from the heart? Driven by a love of a unique concept, a desire to support a cause or give you something that money can’t usually buy? Happiness, relaxation… a unique experience?
That moment… was it a holiday? Car? A puppy or kitten for your child…?! (That is almost certainly a purchase from the heart!)
I am a believer that money holds a certain amount of energy and you exchange that energy for something of a greater or equal perceived value. Some special things which are of a high value and great importance to you are indeed worth more than the value of money. Some things are absolutely worth investing in.
I’m not for one moment however suggesting that you must cast all doubts into the wind here and ignore any wildly ringing alarm bells! Indeed, logic will always have it’s part to play in any financial transaction, if you want to avoid the rouge traders (and downright stupid purchases which will almost inevitably end in regret); but have you ever felt that it’s just ‘right’ to give in to this desire and that you’re improving your life by taking that step and investing in whatever it is your heart is guiding you towards?
Similarly, how many manufacturers out there are led by their hearts? We are all charmed by romantic television commercials, you know the ones: Master bakers and artisan chocolatiers for example. Lovingly crafting their products amidst a nostalgic, sepia-effect backdrop of a rustic kitchen or basement bakery… the exposed brickwork, the glow of the oven… soft ambient music… yes. ‘Those’ adverts. Regrettably, I can say with absolute certainty that this heart-tugging spiel is about as real as Santa Claus ever will be and is squarely down the the brilliance of a top-end marketing company with some powerful film editing software. The reality is more like a 30,000 sq ft industrial unit in Bracknell, spitting out tens of thousands of immaculately formed chocolate lumps, wrapped and pressed by whirring mechanical instruments and all the romance of mass production of steel widgets in a Skoda factory. Charming!
So can we really identify which products in the marketplace are genuinely created with passion and from the heart?
I’ve been thinking about this subject all week. It was brought about on Tuesday when Samantha and I were sitting in the newly installed 4.5m Rotunda Garden Living Room with our clients in Cambridge who told us sincerely that they bought their Rotunda “Shalom” (all Rotundas have names) from the heart. That alone was wonderful, but the conversation led to an honest account of how their lives had been affected, how tears of joy have been shed and to what extent their little garden living Round house had made their dreams come true. Inspiring stuff.
The most wonderful part of this is that it’s genuinely reciprocated by us, the manufacturer! The joy I feel when a new Rotunda starts it’s journey of creation; from the moment the client and I discuss what they feel they’d like to name it and the process of manufacture begins, to the dispatch and the loading of panels on the back of the vehicle. As crazy as some might think it, I do actually say a little goodbye to each one as they leave; and I feel immensely happy to see another one, packed up and heading off into the world, like they are children leaving the nest and heading to their new home. It’s just the most amazing feeling to ‘create’ these wonderful little garden living buildings which are built, (and purchased) from the heart. Call me sentimental but that’s how we are with our Rotundas, and I can honestly say, hand on heart, that there IS such a thing as a product made with love. We build it.
I cannot possibly forget to mention our wonderful woodcarver Andy Levy who carves each and every name-plate for our clients. He’s a third generation woodcarver up in the Lake District and creates the little plaques with English oak from his farm. If any of you are passionate about the British woodlands, wood carving and the magic to be found in woodland crafts and arts please do have a look at this ten minute film of Andy carving a ‘Wizard in the Wood‘.
Blogpost written by Gemma Roe.
Copyright © Rotunda Eco Build Ltd.