Throughout history,
some sheds have changed the world.
They’ve launched businesses, inspired inventions and boosted creativity. They’ve granted freedom, given the joy of solitude and brought us closer to nature. Now Malvern Garden Buildings brings you – ‘the Bloomsbury’.
This exclusive garden room is inspired by the original ‘she shed’ – Virginia Woolf’s writing lodge at Monk’s House.
Ninety years ago, Virginia famously wrote “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write”.
Created for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019, the Bloomsbury celebrates the anniversary of the publication of her essay on female creativity,
‘A Room of One’s Own’.
Virginia believed a private bolthole was crucial to creativity, at Malvern Garden Buildings we have to agree.
Writing retreat
The role of the garden
Virginia wrote most of her major novels at Monk’s House at first in a converted tool shed and then a writing lodge at the far end of the orchard.
The garden was a constant source of pleasure and inspiration for Virginia.
“[Tomorrow I] shall smell a rose; shall gently surge across the lawn… light a cigarette, take my writing board on my knee; and let myself down, like a diver, very cautiously into the last sentence I wrote yesterday.”
When deciding whether to move her writing room to the orchard she debated whether the expense was worth the view. Once the building was underway, she wrote:
“There will be open doors in front; and a view right over to Caburn. I think I shall sleep there on summer nights.”
A brick terrace was later added where Virginia entertained friends, took tea and watched games of bowls.
Peaceful corner
A room of your own
The Bloomsbury has all the rustic charm of Virginia’s writing lodge with the added benefit of full insulation and optional double glazing to withstand the rigours of the British winter.
Originally developed as a 14ft wide x 8ft deep garden room, this retreat can be customised to your specifications to create a purpose made space dedicated to your chosen passion.
Supplied in Virginia’s writing lodge ‘Dove Grey’ but available in any colour that takes your fancy.
The generous pitch of the roof, the casement windows and double doors ensures light floods the room.
All that’s left to do is choose a peaceful corner to site your new garden room away from domestic drudgery, where no one will trouble you and allow your creativity to bloom.
