Wealden Times | WT208 | June 2019 | Kitchen & Bathroom supplement inside

Luxurious Canvas
John Preston from LPM Bohemia explains how they’ve now made their
beautiful canvas and wood tents available to buy as well as hire
Can you tell us a bit about your new venture?
“Bohemia Canvas is the manufacture arm of our Tent Hire
business LPM Bohemia. We were increasingly asked to create
and sell high-quality marquees and temporary structures
for a whole range of discerning clients that had seen our
experimental designs on hire. Whether for venues or hotels
that need covered space for events or private individuals
that want to make the most of their outdoor space‚ the
aim is to create something beautiful as well as practical.”
How did it come about? “Through our hire company, we
became inspired to experiment with our designs and the
materials we used, translating architectural aesthetics into
temporary structures. As well as contemporary materials we
started using more traditional materials, such as hard woods
and natural fabrics, as well as recreating antique wall paper
designs and arts and crafts printed fabrics for the linings.
The possibilities are endless but the tents themselves are
a great blank canvases to create a mood or tell a story.”
Where can the tents be sited? “The beauty of tents are
that they are mobile and I would have to say that, with
the right provision, they can be erected anywhere. They
are mobile architecture and arguably the oldest form of
architecture (Archi – Greek for ‘one who directs’ and
Tectos ‘Weaving’). They allow us to enjoy the outdoors
and get together, often in dramatic and stunning locations
which would otherwise be impractical. We love it when
clients are ambitious in respect of the location.”
Are all the tents individually designed? “Many of our
manufacture projects are completely unique, bespoke designs,
but whatever the project there will always be an element of
originality that takes into account the client’s requirements,
their tastes and location. Inside and out, it’s important
that a tent should be sympathetic to the environment
in which it sits, whether this is within the grounds of a
stately home or nestled in an English cottage garden.
How are they made and from what materials? Our tents
are fabricated at our workshop in Horsmonden in Kent.
We have a fabulous team with many skills in-house that
allow us to do most things, from the creative design and
fabricating of wood, metal and canvas to lighting and
set design. It’s always inspiring to see different skilled
crafts collaborate to create an entirely new product.”
Do homeowners need planning permission?
Are there any size limitations?
“Home owners don’t need planning permission
to have a temporary structure up in their garden
and there aren’t really any size limitations.”
Are the structures and canvas easy to care for once
installed? “The erecting and dismantling of some structures
range from the simple to the highly complex, but often we
will do this for our clients as well as store and maintain them,
should they wish. The process is, however, always rewarding!
Different materials have different qualities and require various
methods to look after them. A natural cotton canvas or
polycotton should never be packed away wet, otherwise the
natural fibres will suffer. Recently, I had the good fortune
to inspect some of the earliest surviving examples of canvas
tents in Europe and they were still going after 400 years!”
Find out more about the range at lpmbohemia.com
113 wealdentimes.co.uk