Evoking the rustic charm of the traditional shepherd’s hut is a big part of what we do at Plankbridge. From the corrugated iron cladding and the cast-iron wheels to the curved roof, many elements of the build have scarcely changed since Victorian times. It’s the reason we have used beautifully thick striped cotton ticking for the seating in our Standard huts and cabins for many years – fabrics that dates back to the medieval period, derived from the Greek word theka or ‘covering’. Tightly woven to stop straw or hay poking through, ticking would have been used to line the mattress of the lone shepherd out tending his flock, providing a touch of comfort as he rested his head at the end of a long, hard day.
While that fabric would have been sourced from a local textile mill or merchant, the ticking we use in our huts today comes from the inspiring family-run company, Livingstone Textiles, in Bridport, not far from our Dorset workshop. In partnership with Livingstone, we are now able to offer Custom and Exceptional soft furnishings for all our huts, everything from curtains and Roman blinds with thermal and blackout lining to seating and cushions with piping, even matching dog bed cushions if so required, and all with removeable covers.
‘Whether you are looking to customise the soft furnishings in your hut with a natural linen or are considering something more romantic like a botanical print or floral, we can offer a wide range of classic and contemporary designs to make your hut a home,’ explains our Project Lead, Kate. ‘As part of our Exceptional offering, we can also offer a tailor-made service where we will look to fulfil the brief and present options on soft furnishings from made-to-measure Roman blinds in luxury linens and decorative cushions with tassels to upholstered headboards. In fact, the sky’s the limit!’
If you would like to talk about customising your hut with our new range of fabrics, or would like to see samples, please get in touch by dropping us a line at enquiries@plankbridge.com
