Joinery project in Silk Mill Studios in Frome

Our workshop recently completed a bespoke joinery project at Silk Mill Studios in Frome, commissioned by Studio Saar, a local architecture office known for its focus on sustainability and design quality. The project involved creating five large sliding doors, each 2.7 metres tall, designed to divide a shared studio into a flexible meeting room space when needed.

Because the building is Grade-listed, every detail needed to respect its original character while introducing something functional and modern. The brief called for natural materials sourced entirely from within England, so we selected British ash, supplied by Heartwood UK.

Ash is a beautiful and resilient hardwood, with a pale grain that works well in both contemporary and heritage interiors. Sadly, ash dieback disease has made this timber increasingly scarce, so finding quality native stock is now rare. Using it here felt fitting—celebrating a material that has long been part of English craftsmanship.

Each sliding door was handmade in our Frome joinery workshop, finished to highlight the natural figure of the ash, and fitted with precision hardware for smooth operation. The result is a set of doors that complement the listed building’s architecture while providing modern flexibility for a working studio.

This project captures what we value most: locally sourced materials, honest craftsmanship, and thoughtful design that connects heritage and modern use.

All five position doors neatly stacked together in their fully closed position.

Final Thoughts

Projects like this reflect the value of local craftsmanship and sustainable design. Working with British-grown timber in a listed building setting shows how traditional materials can still meet modern architectural needs. It’s a reminder that quality joinery isn’t just about function—it’s about creating something enduring, responsible, and rooted in place.

Doors in full open position

Doors being fixed to the rail.