Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Laurence raises a glass to his home-made gin bar
INTERIOR designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has created an at-home gin bar - made out of a humble garden shed.
The Changing Rooms star has turned his attention to one of the most unloved parts of our homes as we approach the Bank Holiday - traditionally a time for BBQs, drinks, and a bit of DIY.
He is encouraging the nation to fight off the cobwebs, find a new place for the lawnmower, and install sleek lights, bespoke glass holders, and ice buckets for the perfect night in at home.
Laurence, who lives near Cirencester in the Cotswolds, was given a timber shed to transform into an exquisitely elegant bar, which now features a fully stocked gin bar, LED lighting and sumptuous seating.
The design has been released with the original blueprints so others can bring the designer’s vision to life in their own gardens.
He said: “There are a dozen and one uses for an old shed - a pottery studio, a dance space, painting studio or perhaps a spectral portal through to Narnia.
“When you are making yourself a gin-otorium as I like to call it, it’s all about the decadence - a slightly sexy, slightly nightclubby sensation that you and I recognise as that first sip of gin and tonic.
“It’s about indulgence and joy and somewhere where you can drink gin. My gin bar is a celebration of all that is luxe and indulgent.”
Inside, the 6ft x 4ft shed comes to life with pops of blues and yellow mosaic tiling, Laurence’s bespoke wallpaper, a large banana plant, astroturf floor and eye-catching optics holding a range of craft gins from independent distillers across the globe.
Outside, four yellow hanging Chinese lanterns, decking with two green velvet bar stools and plump patterned cushions finish the look for guests to relax and enjoy.
When asked which celebrity punter Laurence would most enjoy sitting down for a drink with, he revealed: “The only celebrity I’d like to have a drink with in my gin shed would be
Mrs Llewelyn-Bowen.
“My favourite tipple is basically gin in a vase, no tonic.
“A typical ‘out out’ night for me would be going to an incredibly glamorous dinner party for the A-List celebrities and minor royalty, and then to be desperate to get home to my gin bar.”
Jon Hulme, co-founder of Craft Gin Club, which commissioned the bar, said: “Laurence’s design has taken the humble shed and made it something altogether much more wonderful.
“I hope my invite is in the post for a gin at Chez Bowen.”
The design blueprints to recreate the gin bar in your own garden can be downloaded at