Behind the Project: Bringing The Reeds at South Lodge to Life
With more than 30 years of experience, RHA Furniture is one of the UK’s leading contract furniture specialists, delivering bespoke furniture and joinery for hospitality, leisure and commercial interiors across the UK and Europe. Working closely with designers, operators and project teams, the company specialises in translating design concepts into beautifully crafted furniture that enhances both the aesthetic and performance of a space.
For The Reeds at South Lodge in West Sussex, that meant working alongside Sparcstudio to develop a bespoke furniture package that feels intrinsically connected to its surroundings. In this behind-the-project feature, RHA Furniture shares how collaboration, craftsmanship and thoughtful specification helped bring the luxury eco lodges to life.
When a hospitality project is designed around its surroundings, furniture has an important role to play. It shouldn’t dominate the space or compete with the architecture. Instead, it should feel as though it has always belonged there. That was the challenge at The Reeds at South Lodge in West Sussex. Set around a wild swimming lake and surrounded by woodland, the luxury eco lodges were designed by Sparcstudio to create a peaceful retreat where guests could switch off and reconnect with nature.
Every part of the interior was carefully considered to reflect that vision, creating spaces that feel warm, relaxed and understated. For RHA Furniture, it was an opportunity to help bring that vision to life through bespoke furniture and joinery designed specifically for the project.
More Than a Furniture Package
From the beginning, it was clear that this wasn’t a project where standard furniture would provide the right solution. The layout of the lodges, the interior concept and the level of detail throughout the scheme all called for furniture that could be developed specifically for the space. Every bespoke piece needed to complement the architecture while delivering the quality, comfort and durability expected within a luxury hospitality environment. Working closely with Sparcstudio throughout the project, RHA Furniture developed a collection of bespoke pieces that felt completely integrated within the lodges rather than simply furnished within them.
Turning Design Into Reality
One of the most rewarding aspects of projects like South Lodge is translating a designer’s vision into furniture that works both aesthetically and practically. The bespoke curved sofas became one of the defining features of the lodges, introducing softer forms that reflect the calm character of the interiors. Upholstered in carefully selected Romo fabrics, they were designed to feel luxurious while standing up to the everyday demands of hotel use.
Alongside the seating, RHA Furniture manufactured bespoke armchairs, coffee tables, dining tables, bedside tables and joinery, each developed specifically for the project. Hand-gauged oak, walnut veneers, marble, quartz and Silestone surfaces were carefully chosen to create a natural palette of materials that sits comfortably within the wider interior scheme. Although every item was individually crafted, the aim was never for one piece to stand out. The success of the project came from creating a collection of furniture that works together as a cohesive whole, allowing the interiors to flow naturally from one lodge to the next.
The Details That Make the Difference
Guests may never notice every material choice or every construction detail, but they will notice how the space makes them feel. That’s often where bespoke furniture has the greatest impact. At The Reeds, soft curves, natural timbers and tactile upholstery help create interiors that immediately feel welcoming and comfortable. Every finish was selected not only for its appearance but also for its ability to perform in a busy hospitality environment, ensuring the lodges continue to look and feel as intended long after opening. It’s this balance between craftsmanship, durability and thoughtful specification that allows bespoke furniture to become part of the overall guest experience rather than simply another element within the room.
Working Together
Projects like South Lodge are built on collaboration. Throughout the design and development process, drawings were refined, materials reviewed and bespoke pieces carefully developed to remain true to the original design intent while also being practical to manufacture and install. That collaborative approach continued throughout the project, helping ensure every detail worked not only on paper but also within the finished space. Like many hospitality projects, much of the work happened long before the first guest arrived. Yet it’s often these conversations, refinements and decisions behind the scenes that have the greatest influence on the finished result.
A Project to Be Proud Of
The completed eco lodges at South Lodge demonstrate what can be achieved when a clear design vision is supported by close collaboration and thoughtful craftsmanship. For RHA Furniture, South Lodge demonstrates the value of involving furniture specialists from the earliest stages of a project. By combining bespoke craftsmanship with thoughtful specification and attention to detail, the team helped create interiors where every piece feels considered, purposeful and completely at home within the space.
Liese Brandt Managing Director, RHA Furniture commented:
“South Lodge is a project we’re incredibly proud to have been involved with. Having previously supplied furniture for the South Lodge Spa, it was a privilege to continue our relationship with Exclusive Hotels through The Reeds. Working alongside Sparcstudio to bring such a carefully considered design to life made this a particularly rewarding project for the whole team.”
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