Sitting Spiritually, the British garden furniture maker and sole swing seat and bench manufacturer licensed by the Royal Horticultural Society, is pleased to announce the return of The Floating Bench to its permanent collection. Designed in collaboration with fellow Dorset-based maker Simon Thomas Pirie, the bench is now available to order as a 2 or 3 seater in three distinctive timber finishes.
First introduced as part of the Simon Thomas Pirie Contemporary Range, The Floating Bench quickly established itself as one of the most celebrated pieces in the collection. It was shortlisted for RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year, featured in two RHS Gold Medal-winning show gardens, appeared in BBC coverage of Chelsea, and was selected for Liberty’s Outdoor Living Collection. In 2019, it received the Design Guild Mark from The Furniture Makers’ Company – one of the most respected accolades in British furniture design, recognising excellence in both aesthetics and craftsmanship.
Its return to the range follows sustained interest from designers, garden owners and those who encountered the original and have been waiting for the opportunity to commission one.
A Quieter Kind of Garden Seating
The Floating Bench brings a more architectural, sculptural presence to the garden. Its defining feature is a gently curved back rail, shaped through steam bending in native oak, which appears to float unsupported while remaining robust and deeply comfortable to sit against. The open back frames the garden beyond rather than interrupting it – light in appearance, considered in its comfort, and quietly confident in its line.
Material contrast sits at the heart of the design. The bench pairs natural oak with scorched oak, using the Japanese technique sometimes referred to as Yaki-Sugi, to create a finish that is richer and more layered than paint or stain. A low-solvent oil and wax treatment provides natural weather protection, allowing the bench to live outdoors year-round and stand up beautifully to the British climate.
Three Finishes, Two Generous Sizes
The Floating Bench is available in three timber variations: Standard (natural and scorched oak), Noir, and Blond ,each offering a distinct character while retaining the bench’s signature form. It is made to order as a 2 or 3 seater, handcrafted by Simon Thomas Pirie in his Dorset workshop.
Pricing
2 Seater Floating Bench: from £3,900 + VAT (£4,680 inc. VAT)
3 Seater Floating Bench: from £4,000 + VAT (£4,800 inc. VAT)
Noir finish variants are also available at a modest premium. Made to order with a typical lead time of 4–6 weeks. Delivery and assembly included on mainland UK.
W: sittingspiritually.co.uk/shop/details/the-floating-oak-bench
T: 01297 443084