An office with a view
Garden studios offer the ultimate in work from home convenience
Working from home, whether it be as a continuation of an existing arrangement or a necessary response to more recent events, is now a permanent feature for a growing number of people.
Consequently, many people are now looking to replace ad hoc home ‘offices’ (often a euphemism for a laptop on the kitchen table!) with something more conducive to creating a comfortable and productive working environment.
Businesswoman Elaine Ball was in just such a situation when she approached Yorkshire Oak Frames to design and build a garden studio in the grounds of Keeper’s Cottage, her home a short distance from Brimham Rocks on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
An existing concrete base in the garden determined the floor space, on top of which YOF erected an oak-framed structure with a reclaimed blue slate roof, one end wall and one long side clad in waney edge larch, the other two part-clad and part full-height glazing.
The part-glazed end elevation also has a glazed gable, while the roof overhangs at this end to provide a dry space in which to store logs.
Entry to the studio is through fullyglazed double doors into a light and airy space defined by YOF’s trademark exposed structural frame, with oak floorboards and, as implied by the earlier reference to log storage space, a woodburning stove in one corner.
Given the building’s setting, the fullheight glazing offers tremendous views of the garden and the rural scenery beyond.
Elaine was delighted with her new workspace and told YOF director Adam Walker: “What can I say? Amazing!
Just look at the quality of the work. This building is a dream come true. My clients, who are based all over the world, are even jealous of it!
“The team have done a superb job and we will be getting them back for our next project. A very detailed and focused company, I can’t recommend Yorkshire Oak Frames enough. Thank you!”
Based at Sicklinghall, in the lower Wharfe valley near Wetherby, Yorkshire Oak Frames is the region’s leading oak frame and structural carpentry business, using quality timber from sustainablymanaged sources.
It can build in traditional or highly contemporary style and, because each installation is bespoke, can be tailored to match the setting or adjoining building.
This has been so since Adam Walker established the business in 2008, building on his prior experience working in forestry and timber management which gave him an instinctive understanding of the qualities and potential of wood – notably the English oak in which the company specialises.
All oak used by the company is sourced from FSC or PEFC-certified woodlands.
Entry to the studio is through fully-glazed double doors into a light and airy space…
■ Carlshead Farms, Paddock House Lane, Sicklinghall, Wetherby LS22 4BJ.
■ Telephone: 01423 209035.
■ Web: www.yorkshireoakframes. co.uk