My Urban Garden Deco Guide

I was shopping around yesterday when I came across a huge BBQ section in a London store.
I  thought how reluctant I always am to explore that category. I think it is because I find it very unhealthy cooking and the food rather predictable!
So here is very cool alternative to entertain outdoors: the EVO plancha. It allows to do your standard chicken, and T bones but you can explore really cool alternatives : I have found the You tube demo of an Asian fusion cuisine preparation on it ...In the video you can discover a large EVO but they offer a whole range you can see at http://evoamerica.blogspot.com/

The list of usages/cooking techniques you can use with it  is quite astonishing and far too long for me to type out on a saturday morning so may I refer you to their page (here) !.I also find the round shape and design is great as many family members  or guests can get involved. I always pity the poor Dad holding the fort alone in front of a smoking BBQ.

www.evoamerica.com

Duravit have  come up with what can only be called a stunning new gadget / idea: a bathtub  that  not only works indoors and out but also works as a’ Sundeck’ , a relaxing lounger -  once you close the deck.The design and idea are great and so is the high spec real wood used for the casing . LINK here

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It is great to love decorating/redesigning a garden ... but sometimes in the process it seems certain members of the family get the short end of the bargain. Kids for example see their playing space  wiped out because it would damage the overall design. Other times sacrifices are made for lack of space: one has space for a decked area or a pool...Fortunately, I am seeing more and more designs that use concealing strategies to allow for the outdoor space to be or mean different things at different times of the day. I saw a beautiful deck with a trap hiding a sandpit. Pools can be hidden under decking or even stone.

A brand to check out is Aqualift : http://www.aqualift.fr .

Or view the video :http://www.aqualift.fr/video.php

I confess even I get bored typing the full name so : option a you bookmark or option b you can now reach the blog at www.MyUgDg.com. Option 3 : help find a new name!
Anne

Ahhhhh. I have wanted a source of heat for outdoors but patio heaters with  their bulky looks are a total turn off to me.
So share my joy today having discovered this quite attractive slim one. And it has a remote control function! Made my day  !
More here ...

Urban escapism is on the rise. No point waiting  for a mini break to enjoy a splash. New showers, pools, ponds and more ideas in the photo album:

LINK here

Having a lawn and flower beds may soon be a major faux-pas, sign of selfish vulgarity.

Yep. So make sure your garden designer is an early adopter of the tidal wave about to arrive in every magazine, in every IT place: the garden must be edible or you are a has been !

Well , yes this is kind of heavy news ...and I apologise to those who hop over to read a lifestyle blog with cool ideas...
But I also have readers about to design a garden and even garden designers ... And I often ramble on about edible gardens and this piece of news sort of says I am right!
"If as predicted we look to use biofuels to satisfy 20 percent of the growing demand for oil products, there will be nothing left to eat," chairman and chief executive Peter Brabeck-Letmathe said.

Part 2 : Links to 'Contemporary Chic' style brands

If you are searching for 'contemporary chic style' furniture, you may want to check out some of the following brands... a short cut to shop the best. Enjoy the search !

My pick: this low table and chairs by Royal Botania :

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My category A- list

• Dedon                           www.dedon.fr
• Domani                        www.domani.be
• Gloster                         www.gloster.com
• Hugonet                       www.kettalgroup.com/consumer/hugonet
• Kettal                           www.kettal.com
• Val-eur                         www.val-eur.com
• Royal Botania              www.royalbotania.com
• Tectona                        www.tectona.fr
• Some                           www.some.be
• and more soon

In addition there are specialists of certain materials such as loom:

• www.vincentsheppard.com  who has grown into a leading and trend-setting Lloyd Loom rattan and wicker chairs, sofas

Read on for sample images and more...

• Val-eur 

The brand is a serious category player with a solid offer of teak, aluminum , all weather woven furniture.  Kink to site for a very complete collection ( teak, all weather woven., aluminium..) : click here

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• Dedon.fr

Link to Uk distributor: click here

The editorial team from Architectural Digest (AD) has named the YIN YANG signature collection by DEDON as one of Europe’s 100 Style Highlights. Top international achievements in architecture, art and design are presented under the title, “Best of Europe – the 100 Style Highlights.”

Pieces include armchairs, two- and three-seater sofas, sidechairs, lounge chairs, beach chairs, recliners, footstools in 12 different lines and styles.

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• Some

Some is a relatively hidden gem - talented for revisiting seatings, pool - lounging solutions. To be discovered. 

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• Domani.be 

The belgian brand to visit for sleek lined shapes and colors Truly great variety of colors and options ( two seaters, benches...) Link.They also make planters and sails ....you have seen in the best places without knowing it...

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• Gloster

In the same league as val -eur and equally classic chic. A must see for formal sets. Link here

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• Viteo

Viteo have an eye for design  that is classical but clearly forward driven with a twist and a good use of technology.
And fast becoming a A list member .

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• Ego

  Leisure Plan is the UK distributor of Ego, a French manufacturer of contemporary outdoor furniture. - Designed by Thomas Sauvage, the Ego range includes stackable dining chairs, with and without armrests, folding sidechairs, multiposition armchairs, low armchair, chaise longues and sun loungers. Complementary round, rectangular and oval dining tables, as well as coffee tables, balcony tables and pedestal tables.

 

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• Kettal

Kettal -  Hugonet - Evolutif and Triconfort

Established in 1964. Work with design stars such as Urquiola, Pillet. Massaud etc...
Hugonet is  their Haute couture line
http://www.kettalgroup.com/commercial/hugonet

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• Tectona

Classic and famous. You surely know them

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• Roda
• Link here soon

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• Fermob

Number 1 in metal furniture in France. Good selection for  balconies/ terraces and colored metals furniture... variations .26 colors.

A french touch.

Direct access to online catalogue: link

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Green roofs were in vogue a few centuries ago. The practice has recently resurfaced but grown in a limited way as only those able to hire talent could afford it because installation was so tricky.

Now London based http://www.urbanroofgardens.com is making it as easy as a mail order click & tick exercise .

One can order a box that will cover 12 square meters for just under 600 hundred pounds. 

Urbanroofgardens is proud to present a complete "Green Roof in a Box" - all you need for an instant green roof delivered direct to your door! Easy to install and low maintenance, your environmentally friendly green roof will provide recreational space for you and a habitat for wildlife.  Your pack comes complete with a 4 component system ready for you to lay down: a RoofMat (comprising a root barrier and waterproof membrane), a GreenMat (for insulation, water retention and feeding), a GroLayer (special growth medium) and finally the SedumSpread (fasting rooting macerated sedum plants). We can supply in any quantity, and we're also happy to come and fit it - email us for a quote. Available NOW!

Dimensions: One pack sufficient for 12 square metres

Delivery: 5-10days

It has been a well publicised promise: outdoors are becoming a true 'new room'.

However, if you carefully consider product developments over the past couple of years you would have to admit that the furniture follows the convention that the outdoor space is a space for lounging and relaxing. Zaum delivers on that famous claim as proven by their  desks in its Corian version.

 

I also liked their low table -bench-magazine holder: