The Finishing Touches
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Customising your hut is one of our favourite parts of the design phase. Once your layout is confirmed and your production slot approaches, we can discuss the exciting elements of what makes a hut a home. But what is there to consider? We’ve enclosed all you need to know…
Paint and Colour
Consider your scheme as a whole, and what style (if any) of interior design you would like to emulate. Country classic? Try warm whites and shades of green. Modernist? Think monochrome with pops of colour. Calm and neutral? Combine earthy browns and creams. Coastal notes? Opt for blues and chalky whites. Rustic cabin? Choose wood textures with translucent finishes.
If you’re unsure where to start, there’s an easy way to achieve a cohesive scheme in your hut: it’s called the 60-30-10 rule. It states that 60% of the space (think walls, ceilings, structure) should be in a dominant colour, 30% (think furniture, floor, curtains, rugs, upholstery) should be a secondary colour or texture, and the final 10% (art, decoration, cushions) should be in an accent colour.
There are, of course, exceptions to these rules throughout beautiful interiors, but a general following of this direction can help achieve a balanced scheme.
Natural Textures
As well as colour, consider the natural textures that will run throughout the space. Not everything has to be painted, and on the contrary, natural finishes can celebrate the character of wood: the very structure of your shepherd’s hut. We love a solid oak floor for grounding, and accessories such as shelves can be changed to oak or stained pine from painted.
Interior vs Exterior
The interior and exterior of your shepherd's hut are, arguably, two different zones for which to splash your creativity.
We’ve seen, over the years, shepherd’s huts that theme their interior and exterior with great cohesion and success; we’ve also seen exteriors which go against the grain of the interior’s design with wonderful results.
There is no right or wrong way to do this, but we recommend treating your exterior in isolation from the interior. Consider how it will integrate into its setting. Would you like it to stand out, in bold white, against its surroundings? Or do you want it to blend in with the golden stone and towering trees of your home?
Fixtures and Fabric
Inside, there’s more to a scheme than just paint.
Plumbing fixtures come in a range of colours, each with their own character. Unlacquered brass ages with authenticity, bringing a vintage, warm touch to the interior, whereas chrome considers itself serious and modern, with the added charm of staying bright and shiny without the need for maintenance.
Light fixtures are the perfect way to add further architectural interest. Our offerings come in a range of colours, including Bronze, Antique Brass, Polished Nickel, or painted.
And no interior is finished without soft furnishings. With a wide range of fabric samples at our workshop, you can touch and imagine these textiles as blinds, curtains and cushions in your finished hut. Have a specific fabric in mind? The sky’s the limit, so let us know your desired design, and we’ll make it happen.
Finishing Thoughts
Part of the charm of a shepherd’s hut is its self-contained nature, surrounded by the great outdoors. For this reason, we encourage you to have fun with its design. This is a blank canvas for you to explore your creativity and break the self-imposed rules of a more traditional room in a house.
Whether you’ve a clear idea of your design, have enlisted the help of a professional, or would like some guidance from our in-house team, we’re here to support with whatever you require. This process can be as collaborative as you’d like it to be. We can’t wait to see what we create.
Real-Life Examples
To see more examples of our shepherd’s hut, please see our gallery.
