Luxury Lifestyle Magazine takes a look at a new luxury business that is taking full advantange of the growing demand for high quality shepherd huts.
The garden retreat has come a long way since the potting shed and draughty barn. People looking for outside living space face a bewildering array of options nowadays from Eco chalets and summer houses to tepees and yurts. One which is gaining rapid approval from the country’s discerning home improvers is the shepherd hut. Based on the 16th century mobile huts used by shepherds and farm workers in remote rural locations, these little houses on wheels are ticking all the boxes. Not only are they quintessentially charming, they are both highly functional and, best of all, do not normally require planning permission.
Red Sky Shepherds Huts, based in Frilford, Oxfordshire started making shepherd huts last year. A small, family run business, they pride themselves on producing handmade, bespoke designs for customers who want top quality craftsmanship at competitive prices. They emphasise attention to detail in the aesthetics of their huts to create an overall impact which they describe as “shepherd chic”.
They achieve this by making sure that the proportions and detailing of the huts are in perfect scale to create the authentic look and feel of the classic shepherd dwelling. Things like handcrafted steel wheels, horizontal timber exteriors, wood framed windows, stable doors and curved roof all combine to protect and project the iconic shepherd hut design. Inside, they build downsized furniture and shelving to suit the compact space – a clever detail which creates a pleasing sense of “roominess” and proportion.
The interiors use a restricted palette of Farrow and Ball colours – muted greys, greens creams – to produce gloriously fresh and stylish interiors. This year, customers will also be able to specify new exterior paintwork including complementary colours for the timber walls and red or black wheels.
Functionally, these huts are built as “homes on wheels”. The walls are insulated with sheep’s wool, the windows are double glazed, they have a solid oak floor and they are wired with a full 240 volt electric hook up pack which provides plug sockets, LED lights, dimmers and outside lights. They can have a wood burning stove (again available in a range of colours to fit the interior scheme), solar power, kitchenette, shower and toilet if required.
Prices start at around £10,000.
Red Sky Shepherds Huts are on display at Millets Farm Centre, Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB.
