Slumbering Hound: 5 Years of Canine Comfort at Stable Yard
February marked the fifth anniversary of Stable Yard’s Slumbering Hound. What started as a small home-based business has blossomed into a thriving, much-loved shop that continues to delight dogs and their owners with its range of handcrafted and bespoke dog accessories such as beds, cushions and blankets.
The journey of Slumbering Hound started even earlier, five years before setting up shop in Stable Yard. Dee, the owner, found herself in need of a comfortable place for her greyhound, Aston, to lay down. “I was sick of throwing my coat on the floor, and everything I’d found was either too expensive or just not working for me”. With a background in making things, she decided to create her own solution.
After making a start at home and finding her products were in demand, Dee found that her business had started to take over her life. With her dining room table always covered in fabric, Dee decided she needed a workspace where she could have all her materials and sewing machines in one place, as well as be face-to-face with customers.
Dee initially shared a space in Stable Yard with her friend Linda, who runs ‘Hair of The Dog’ a dog grooming salon. She displayed her products on a large shelving unit in the groomers before moving into her own space. “Linda encouraged me to lease the shop when I was apprehensive. She said, you should go for it, and I did.”
The shop’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Opening in February 2020, Slumbering Hound faced the sudden obstacle of a global pandemic just five weeks after opening. Despite the uncertainty, Dee remained committed to her craft, using the time she gained in lockdown to embrace a new creative outlet-illustration. Years on, Dee’s hand-drawn illustrations are now featured on a variety of Slumbering Hound products.
Talking about her experience at Stable Yard, Dee described it as a nice place full of local people walking their dogs “What I love is that all the local dogs know me. They know where the treat jar is. I feel really embraced by the community”.
Sustainability is also at the heart of Slumbering Hound. Dee sources fabrics from UK suppliers, prioritising those that offer sustainable products, which benefit both dogs and the environment. Additionally, she ensures that no material goes to waste by creating appliques and cards from leftover fabric and incorporating scraps into various home projects.
Looking ahead, Dee plans to continue her custom and bespoke work. She also aims to focus on producing more drawings and illustrations to feature on various products. Above all, Dee plans to continue crafting accessories that dogs—and their owners—will cherish for years to come.
