Wednesday 20 July 2016

A Local & Sustainable Collaboration with R.House by Skyeskyns

At the beginning of 2016 we were approached by well-known local architecture and building firm R.HouseR.House have grown in success by creating sustainable, affordable housing in the Highlands and Islands from ecologically friendly materials, and processes, for a number of years.  Initially R.House were interested in a selection of sheepskin to be placed into a new residential development show house in Montrose Woods, Aldern.  This was to be the first show house offering and largest project thus far for R.House so we felt very honoured to be included, being assembled alongside fellow Skye based luxury manufacturers Skye Weavers.






Many deliberations occurred before the design team chose the correct tones, colours, and sizes of sheepskin for the spaces.  This aspect of the collaboration meant that the final outcome on design has not been compromised, and we think the finish is really something to be proud of.  

Since our skins have been taking pride of place at Montrose Woods we have worked with R.House once more.  The team very thoughtfully offered us the use of their new self-catering R.Escape Eyrie to carry out our latest photo shoot.  
We packed a full trailer of products and made our way to the dramatic North end of Skye in some rather freezing conditions.  Met by spectacular spring snow scenes over the Old Man of Storr on-route our photographer could not resist a few landscape shots.  
Eyrie sits in an old byre (highland stone shed) overlooking Torridon and Garloch.  It is an example of R.House design to allow couples or families to holiday together, yet still gain much needed privacy with an exterior double en-suite bedroom pod.  We made use of both buildings to show our products in a modernistic, yet functional setting.  A warming wood burning stove set the scene whilst looking over an ever changing panoramic view.  A view the team admired during their lunch break eating local pies from the brilliant Skye Pie CafĂ© down the road!  
The outside of Eyrie has an abundance of natural materials allowing our photographer to achieve authentic shots of our accessories such as; cushions on the stone wall, hats, scarves and ties on fence posts and clothing against the exterior wood cladding.  The outcome; unusual shots that make the viewer think more about the origin of the product.
Our experience with R.House has been extremely positive.  Our new photography collection has allowed us keep our look fresh, and exciting.  The Skyeskyns team wish R.House the best of luck during their first R.Escape season, and hope the Montrose Woods development brings success.