Want to add shade in the garden? As the climate warms up, shade becomes even more important. If you’ve ever sat outdoors in the full sun, baking hot and sweaty, you’ll know how lovely it is to escape the heat for a while. Kids and pets often prefer to steer clear of the sunshine when […]
We like to see what happens when we deliver a chiminea to its final destination. So we persuaded one of our customers to take some photos of their new Colima XL Mexican chimenea being ‘unboxed’ and set up in the place it’ll be living, then write a post about it. Here goes. The Colima XL […]
OMG, it’s HOT! Before climate change started to bite we had plenty of wonderfully hot, steamy summer days. Thanks to climate change we’re also seeing super-hot summers where shade becomes much more than something nice to have. It’s essential. In times like this, every outdoor space needs shade. You need a place to chill, where […]
If you’re rolling in it, you’re fine. You can afford to splash out hundreds, even thousands, on beautiful purpose built garden planters for your alfresco entertainment space. Just one large and dramatic glazed ceramic planter can costs a fortune. Something as simple as an over-sized terracotta plant pot is expensive. Plastic versions can look fabulous, […]
Your own sense of smell might not be as good as your dog’s or cat’s. But you’ll still get a great deal of pleasure out of lovely niffs, especially gorgeous scents like newly-mown grass and heavily-scented flowers. Smells are incredibly evocative. Imagine creating an alfresco entertainment space in your garden surrounded by scented plants, some […]
People use all sorts of furniture outdoors for gatherings. They drag the kitchen table outdoors, collect random chairs together from around the house, even bring settees and foot stools outside. It works, after a fashion. But the real deal, designed for the job, is always the best garden furniture. If you’re fed up of your […]
Our friends down in Devon have been waiting for dry weather to fire up their new Mexican clay chiminea for the first time. While it isn’t sunny, at least it’s dry enough to give it a go. Here’s how to season a clay chiminea, complete with photos. As you can see it’s pretty easy and […]
Small spaces require a small or medium chiminea. You could add a large or XL model to a small patio area but you’ll feel the heat… maybe far too much heat! It’s hard to imagine until you give it a go for yourself, but the amount of heat a clay chiminea, steel chiminea or cast […]
Some people drag their indoor furniture outside on sunny days, giving their settee and armchairs an unexpected sunbathing session. While it’s a comfy choice, it’s far from ideal! Some make their own creative garden furniture out of ‘found objects’. Skilled people craft garden furniture out of wood or metal. Anything goes, really. But let’s face […]
It’s party time. You’re holding an alfresco event, where everyone will be out in the garden enjoying good company, food and drinks. Obviously you want it all to go smoothly, a party to remember, something the people you love will remember and talk about with a smile for years to come. How do you achieve […]
