With over 25 years carpentry experience, building a timber house had long been a dream of our managing director Bill Bradley. Determined to show that a wooden home could be stylish, sustainable and also a sound investment he just needed to find the right spot..

With his successful bespoke joinery business based in South London and wife Sarah, an aspiring actress, both wanting to stay in the capital, relocating the expanding company and demolishing his old workshop provided the solution. And regenerating the 5,000 sqft awkward-shaped plot, which is within close proximity to the City, also made good commercial sense.

Our build priorities were threefold

• to fuse modern architecture with a quality bespoke design
• to build responsibly
• to combine traditional methods of construction and craftsmanship with modern sustainable materials.

Bill said:

"We have built the most beautiful green sanctuary and it is a joy to live there. The experience we have gained on the way has been immense and we are already planning to build more eco houses. Hopefully we have shown some of the larger developers that it is possible to build houses without causing damage to the planet and which are also cool places to live. I would love to help more people to create their own oasis and drag the construction industry into a sustainable future."

A traditional family-run business, Talisman Manufacturing is a bespoke joinery business serving domestic and commercial clients. Commissions include specialist projects for clients such as the Historic Royal Palaces, one-off architect/design contracts and top-end furniture for some of the most beautiful private homes in the South East. It was a real privilege for us to be involved with Gardiner & Theobald LLP in the recent restoration of Kew Palace….. but we are no less committed to working on smaller properties for ordinary homeowners who are seeking something a little different.

"Historic Royal Palaces would like to thank you for your firm's contribution to the successful delivery and completion of the project to repair, conserve and re-present Kew Palace. The Garden Party on the 5th of May when HRH The Prince of Wales officially opened the venue to the visiting public was a happy occasion where we were pleased to be able to thank you for your effort and dedication".

Jo Thwaites, Kew Project Sponsor, Conservation Department. May 2006.

If you would like Talisman to help you build your own eco home – the whole thing or you just need practical consultancy or you would like to commission us for a domestic or commercial refurbishment- do please call us for an informal chat.