Our garden getaway to watch the sunset

View all 2 photos

By day, Fin and Loz’s new contemporary garden building acts as a convenient home garden office for human genetics scientist Loz. As dusk falls, and at the weekend, the stunning solid log building transforms into a relaxing garden room where the couple can chill out, curl up on the sofa and enjoy the gorgeous country views from their Oxfordshire home.

“We come down here, switch on the music system, watch the wildlife in the field and then the sunset,” explained her partner Fin. Clever positioning at the end of the garden means when the building’s glass doors are folded back completely, the room benefits fully from the path of the sun. “When you’re in the house, it also draws the eye down the garden and has actually made it appear bigger.”

The solid log 5m x 3m room boasts a sloping contemporary roof and walls finished in a silver graphite stain. At one end sits Loz’s desk and computer whilst the other boasts an eye-catching sofa, coffee table and colour-coordinated floor cushions.

It is similar to the Norwegian Log building they viewed at Grand Designs at the Excel Arena when they were on the hunt for a garden room. “We looked at others but they just weren’t a patch on this one,” said Fin. The building was constructed in just five days on the site of an old shed. “The team were so helpful and if there were any minor niggles they bent over backwards to help.”

“Everybody who comes round says “wow”. It’s really been worth the investment and we are hugely impressed with the build quality. It’s also so light and so easy to heat. Comfort-wise it’s fantastic,” he added.