Live in Your Garden (Ukázka, strana 99)

A structure of stacked logs and the pattern of tree rings looks good in any garden.

WOODSHEDS I often hear the phrase “We’ll just put it somewhere later”.

However, consider its positioning from a logistics point of view when designing the garden as a whole. You will need enough space not only for the firewood itself, but also for handling it.

You will also need to set aside a place for a chopping block and an axe. It is good to have two woodsheds in the garden and only use firewood for heating that has had a chance to dry out for at least two years. If you often have a fire burning in the hearth during the winter, it’s good to position the woodshed near the house, as, on cold days, you will appreciate every step you don’t have to take through the cold, damp garden.

You can also think of the woodshed as a versatile screen— when it’s full in the summer, it creates shade, then you empty it in winter and make space for another load of firewood.

Wherever possible, do not locate the woodshed on the west side. The wind blows from this direction and with it comes the rain, which means your firewood will take longer to dry out.

Also, don’t underestimate the aesthetic aspect. Show off your woodshed! It’s enough to build a lightweight construction with a tin roof, there’s no need for any complicated little houses. � This statue of a seated man by my friend, the sculptor Jakub Flejšar, offers the possibility of borrowing a log or two for the fire when needed.

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WASHING LINES Here, we have another feature in the category of “we’ll just put it somewhere later”. Remember that a badly positioned clothes line can ruin the design of the whole garden. It needs to be practical, but it’s good if it’s out of sight of the outdoor living areas of the garden. You can opt for either an extendable or folding form. And don’t forget that even this activity in your garden can be made more enjoyable, for example, by placing an attractive and comfortable bench close by.

� This dandy woodshed is a simple design with a lightweight metal roof without bracing.

THE NEW GARDEN—PRACTICAL FEATURES AND DREAM EXPERIENCES

The woodshed is primarily a practical feature of the garden, but it also has a great expressive potential.

<-- Store at least some of the firewood for the fireplace near the door.

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GAZEBOS A gazebo is a sheltered place in the garden intended for resting.

It’s a magical, private place, where you can go to read a book, write a letter, or just be alone with your thoughts.

It has the power to disconnect you from the house and draw you into another world, into a tranquil, private dimension. Locate it out of sight, so it can’t be seen from the outdoor living area of the garden. Consciously cut yourself off from the everyday life of the garden.

A gazebo doesn’t always have to look like a building with beautiful windows from the interwar period. It can be a simple, modern garden lounge or summer sleep-over facility.

You’re not allowed to put it right up to the fence without your neighbour’s agreement. That’s why it doesn’t often sit right in a small garden, as it’s hard to find the right place for it. On the other hand, in a larger garden it serves as another reason to go out into the garden and as a place to go.

HIDING PLACES Hiding place is the name I give to any intimate place in the garden. In contrast to a gazebo, a hiding place is open to the sky.

They are assorted private little nooks where one can escape from the world and hide from the everyday life of the garden.

You don’t build such places—they just emerge out of some well-arranged greenery, a couple of chairs and a table, or a comfortable bench. What’s more, they often only appear after several years have gone by and that’s a really good thing. So, treat yourself to the luxury of waiting for one of these places to come and find you.

Stay in bed all day and all night.

� An ideal place for reading this book, don’t you think?

It’s not written anywhere that to encounter new experiences you have to become a seasoned scout. You can create unique adventures for you and your children in the comfort of your own garden. Get an outdoor bed for your garden— it’s called a daybed.

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