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Alfresco Living
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Alfresco Living
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Brits nowadays are using their gardens for a surprising array of continental-style outdoor activities, including dining, entertaining guests and sunbathing.
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s nation of sun starved human beings, it is no wonder that we like to make the most of each and every drop of sunlight we are fortunate enough to be given. When the days seem to stretch well into the evenings, there is no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to relax and dine out in it. With so many wonderful products on the market, from weatherproof furniture and exterior fabrics to folding doors which blur any divide between inside and the outdoors, we are finding it easier and easier to lead a
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continental way of living during the summer months. If you are lucky enough to have an outside area in which to lead out from your home then the opportunities are endless. If you are looking to develop this area on a budget, a simple decking area or terrace would most probably be your first point of call. Reclaimed bricks, sleepers or quarry tiles from your local reclamation yard are a fabulously unique way of creating a rustic looking area. Alternatively Mandarin Stone offer some beautiful exterior products, such as cobble or flagstone tiles.
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Devonshire
Oka’s classy Chinoiserie Planter £110.00 magazine
directory Y HOME & INTERIORSZ Terraced areas can easily be transformed from a rather awkward looking space to a wealth of herbs and planted pots. Potted gardens are so easily maintained and can be moved around to create different stories each year. Oka have a truly beautiful selection of planters available, such as the Chinoiserie Planter seen here which is available for £110.00. Furniture also plays an integral part in how a living space is used. This is usually dependent on where the outdoor area is being led from. If it is adjoining a kitchen, then it would make sense to create a dining area, however if leading off from a sitting room then you may decide to extend that function to outside. There is no reason as to why there should be any difference in designing your outdoor living arrangement as
Left: The Lloyd Loom Deauville Range is a perfect choice for relaxing on your outside terrace.
and paints present an atmosphere of tranquil and calmness. There are many exterior fabrics on the market which have a high resistance to outside weather and can be easily wiped down. They have also been treated differently in the dying process therefore have a higher tolerance to sun bleaching. De Le Cuona have a beautiful range of outdoor linens in neutral shades and can be used for upholstery or soft furnishings.
Above: Why not fix a weatherproof clock to an outside wall such as this Crackled Glass Garden Clock from The Clock Shed for only £38.99
Exterior Lighting is also key to getting the balance right. Nobody wishes to relax outside on a comfortable sofa whilst being blinded by a bright white search light. Amos Lighting supply some very interesting pieces, ranging from traditional wall lights to modern outdoor bollard lights. Soft lighting is essential to relaxing, so to mimic the gentle glow of diminishing
how you would do inside. Starting off with a central piece, whether is be a dining or coffee table, lead outwards with seating, soft furnishings and even side tables. I also like the idea of using decorative items which you would usually have inside, such as clocks and rugs. Idyll Home have just launched some fantastic polymats which are made from plastic therefore easy to clean and perfect for outdoor use. This bridges the divide between the home and the garden further still, and by the time the sun comes down you`ll be wishing you had your television out there with you also!
Zephyr Hurricane Lamp by Oka
Aside from Farrow and Ball, another fantastic colour range which is widely overlooked is the Little Greene Paint Company. With their subtle shades and good eco values, the water based Masonry range is available in almost every colour from their charts. With anti-fungal and anti aging properties, there`s no need to re-paint for up to 15 years, and you can use it on brick, stone or rendered walling.
It may sometimes be tempting to sway towards a country and nautical theme when planning exterior design, however I feel it important that we try to move on from there. Although I agree that gingham and polka dots or ditsy floral patterns shall always play a part in tea parties and individual events, I do not see why the elegance of indoor design cannot be transferred outwards. Understated neutral fabrics
Practical outdoor Ikat Polymats from Idyll Home, only £29.00
barbeque crackles I suggest you take a look at some good old fashioned lanterns to gently brighten up your evening. Oka stock a wide selection of candle holders and hurricane lamps, ranging from some wonderfully elegant driftwood pieces through to opulent stoneware, wood or metal hurricane lamps and candelabras, all at very reasonable prices. Amanda, mandyjane.co.uk
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