CREATIVE UPCYCLING: March 2013

Tuesday 19 March 2013

YEO VALLEY AMAZING SPACES

They say that sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose. I felt this to be true when I discovered that Yeo Valley had recently launched some redesigned venue spaces for hire. The Yeo Valley HQ is based in the village of Blagdon, a 10 minute drive from my studio in Clifton, Bristol.

We all know the name Yeo Valley from the yoghurts we have eaten over the years, or perhaps more recently, from the Yeo Valley television advert. But it seems that Yeo Valley has more to offer than just organic yoghurt. Aside from its wonderful eco-friendly principles and organic range of 100% British products, Yeo Valley offers venue spaces to hire in the company HQ. The HQ itself is in an outstanding setting, nestled in the valley of Blagdon, Somerset. The rural views from the rooms are breathtaking and yet it is so close to Bristol. Yeo Valley's six 'Amazing Spaces' (as they call them), are really worth seeing. Each space has its own unique character and all are designed and styled by Sarah Mead, wife of Tim Mead, Managing Director of the family business. What I love is that Sarah has styled each room using second-hand items that she collected off Ebay. The result is stunningly unique. I couldn't think of a more inspiring place to hold a meeting, conference or workshop than here.

Yeo Valley has six rooms to hire which are: The Beatles Room, The Old Trout Room, The Lecture Room, Fisherman's Friends, The Cow Rooms 1 and 2 (which also convert into a single large Cow Room). Once hired, Yeo Valley can serve breakfast on arrival (with lots of their delicious yoghurt of course!). You can also snack on homemade biscuits in the morning and cakes in the afternoon. Lunch is prepared by their talented chefs using locally sourced ingredients and served in their fully licensed restaurant. They also offer free wifi, state of the art audiovisual equipment, and parking is free and ample!

There are so many lovely things to see when you enter Yeo Valley HQ that I am going to struggle to fit them all into this post (and sadly will have leave quite a few out). The styling throughout has been put together using items found from here, there and everywhere. Yet Sarah manages to make it all work so elegantly and beautifully.

'AMAZING SPACES'

THE BEATLES ROOMS

Inspired by the iconic and famous fab four, the Beatles Room is ideal for smaller groups.

FISHERMAN'S FRIEND ROOM

A polished dining table, ceiling rose, and intriguing, illuminating centrepiece all add to the salubrious feeling in this traditionally decorated room.

OLD TROUT ROOM

Creative, comfortable and inspired by its stunning view overlooking Blagdon Lake.

THE LECTURE THEATRE

Yeo Valley's biggest room with state of the art multimedia equipment. The Lecture Theatre is perfect for presentations, with its 12 ft screen and capacity for up to 120 guests.

THE COW ROOM 1 and 2

Slide back the large chalkboard doors between Cow Rooms 1 and 2 to create a larger space with unrivalled views of the valley.

As you walk around the Yeo Valley HQ you will see touches of Sarah's styling. Here are a few that caught my eye.

The Telephone corner

THE LADIES

THE GENTS

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A piece of artwork hanging in the hallway made out of postage stamps

I must say though, that the Amazing Spaces are just a very small part of Yeo Valley Company. Apart from the family run dairy that we know, which the Meads have run for the past 50 years, the other spaces equally deserve their own blog post as they are just as impressive:

Yeo Valley Organic Garden Tea Room which is open to the public to enjoy. The Tea Room is a lovely, light open space, with a wonderful view up the valley over the organic garden.

Yeo Valley Wills Barn: Set apart from our other Amazing Spaces, with fabulous views over Blagdon Lake, this makes a truly inspiring venue for gatherings of all kinds. Whether meeting or meditating, bonding or brainstorming, privacy and seclusion are always guaranteed. Wills Barn is also fully carbon-neutral, powered by solar panels and heated by a biomass boiler. It’s an 18th-century “bank barn”, but fully refurbished to ensure it provides a warm welcome at any time of year.

Having spent the morning at Yeo Valley I can not recommend it enough as a venue hire. I have only captured a small part of what I saw as I walked around. It represents everything that is Bristish, recycled and organic and yet at the same time manages to this with the upmost style.

For the Yeo Valley Spaces website, please click HERE.

For the Yeo Valley Family Farm website, please click HERE.

Yeo Valley Social Network Sites:

Twitter Facebook YouTube Pinterest

For a location map of Yeo Valley HQ, please click here.

Telephone Yeo Valley on 01761 463366, or email spaces@yeovalley.co.uk

You can also write to, Yeo Valley HQ, Rhodyate, Blagdon BS40 7YE

I am going to leave you with one of the Yeo Valley television adverts. I think this is very clever marketing. It is informative, giving you the information you need to know about their product. It is also cool, therefore targeting a wider age range, but at the same time, it is different. This advert stands out and you remember it. That is what being in a creative space will do.

Sunday 3 March 2013

HUNTED AND STUFFED

I love these upcycled vintage cushions made by Hunted and Stuffed. Ellie Laycock, owner of Hunted an stuffed, hunts for vintage textiles, tea towels and silk scarves and upcycles them to make into beautiful, high quality, luxury vintage cushions. Each unique vintage piece is carefully prepared before being given a new identity and new lease of life. Ellie only uses the best materials and original vintage metal uniform buttons to finish each piece. All cushions are Handmade in Britain with love and care.