Case Studies
Custom-made Garden Bench
Client Mr & Mrs Whittington
Location Ledbury, Herefordshire
When Mr and Mrs Whittington were seeking a new bench for their cottage garden, they wanted something extraordinary.
It needed to be durable and low maintenance, without the need to be repainted every season,” comments, Mrs Whittington, “But most of all, we wanted the bench to be striking.
Nothing on the high street fitted the bill.
Everything was either black or grey, and while we found plenty of metal benches online, they were often too ornate. We realised we needed a bespoke solution.
Customised to our requirements
Turning to Instagram for inspiration, Mrs Whittington spotted a purple garden bench produced by custom steel fabricator, Winthill Engineering.
We couldn’t believe our luck. The style was exactly what we were looking for and the purple finish proved they weren’t scared of colour!
Mrs Whittington spoke with Engineering Director, Tom Blakeman to discuss her requirements.
Tom was incredibly helpful. He explained that being a bespoke manufacturer they could make the bench to suit the proportions of the patio at the front of the cottage.
Fabricated by-hand
Following design approval, the bench was made at the Winthill Engineering workshop in Suckley, near Malvern in Worcestershire, using powder coated mild steel. This material is a practical solution for bespoke garden furniture. It’s strength, durability, and ease of fabrication allow for intricate designs and sturdy construction that withstands heavy use.
The Whittington’s bench features subtle, scrolled bench ends. To create these the steel is hot forged – a process where the metal is heated to a high temperature, making it malleable and easier to shape, before forming with a scroll jig, by hand.
Durable and eye-catching
To achieve a durable, maintenance-free surface Winthill recommended a powder coated finish. With hundreds of colours to choose from this solution helped to achieve the couple’s brief for a ‘striking’ coloured bench.
We wanted a colour that would ‘pop’ against the plants and shrubs in the raised border leading up to the garden and orchard beyond. I envisaged a yellow tone, however choosing the right shade proved difficult! Winthill were so patient, Sean (Engineering Manager) shared numerous colour swatches until we finally settled on RAL 1023.
Traffic Yellow
RAL 1023, more commonly referred to as Traffic Yellow is a bright, highly visible yellow within the RAL Classic collection. This bold shade is typically used for vehicles and machinery but without any significant green, brown, or red undertones, it contrasts beautifully with the garden setting.
We’re thrilled with our new bench,” concludes, Mrs Whittington. “It’s exactly what we had in mind. We’ve already spoken to Winthill about replacing other items of garden furniture and adding a couple of handy, portable side tables. We’re thinking purple for those! We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Winthill Engineering, in fact, we’ve already shared their details with a neighbour.
Discover more outdoor furniture
Have you been inspired by Mr & Mrs Whittington’s eye-catching garden bench? Then explore our Indoor/Outdoors Furniture page or Portfolio for more ideas.
Perhaps, you’re wanting to capture that al-fresco experience all-year around – check out our BBQs and Fire Pits. Remember, we take bespoke commissions so if you’re hankering after an outdoor kitchen or a bespoke garden retreat, then get in touch!
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