My Urban Garden Deco Guide

This post offers a glimpse into how modern garden designs take form.

 I love this project by Katrina Kieffer-Wells  ( www.earthdesigns.co.uk design).

 It deals with real life issues of many urban garden owners:

> gardens & privacy

> garden lighting

> gardens &  storage

> urban dining and ENJOYING an outdoor space in a variety of way.

 
The client desired a stylish and sophisticated outdoor room, with enough space for entertaining, dining and relaxing and for playing. The long garden was south facing yet still heavily shaded by neighbouring buildings at its base and by mature trees.

Privacy was a major issue, not only from properties on either side, but also from the flats above.

SOLUTION:

The garden is on two levels with the main area adjoining the house containing two separate areas for dining and for entertaining and relaxation. Flooring throughout is large rectangular cream travertine paving.

The main focal point of the garden is a large timber structure with integrated shelving and cream travertine topped fixed bench seating around the base. This structure has two open doorways to allow entry from different points in the space, and is ornamented on all sides with a selection of decorative fillers placed within individual alcoves. A dining area to the right of the space features a raised bed rendered block bed on which a long railway sleeper bench seat has been fixed. Three tall tapering slate planters on the opposite side to the dining area give a sense of balance to the space.

The back section of the space is on a higher level and is accessed by wide steps to the right of the cube structure. The upper garden features an artificial lawn surrounded by a travertine tiled pathway. The focal point of the upper garden is a large garden office in the bottom right hand corner.

Planting in the space is simple, low maintenance and elegant, featuring box balls and box hedging in the lower garden and tall willowy bamboo in the upper garden.

The garden is elegantly lit throughout. A set of low voltage downlighters illuminate individual alcoves in the timber cube, while stainless steel spotlights on the side wall and on each of the four corners of the cube provide ample light to the seating and dining areas. In-ground uplighters serve to highlight the planters to the left hand side and a series of low voltage lights give a calming glow to the upper garden.

I thought I 'd share a few names of great garden designers for a change.

I will kick off with the BBC's list of Garden designers and landscape architects

and will add www.VladimirDjurovic.com and www.CharlotteRowe.com.

...Take a few minutes to visit the sites!

James Alexander-Sinclair

Marcus Barnett

Jinny Blom

Christopher Bradley-Hole

Kathryn Gustafson

Arabella Lennox-Boyd

Nicola Lesbirel

Arne Maynard

Philip Nixon

Dan Pearson

Sarah Price

Brita von Schoenaich

Tom Stuart-Smith

Andy Sturgeon

Julie Toll

Xa Tollemache

Cleve West

With 30 980 backlinks ... my little blog has moved up in the world to be considered a CONTENDER

Thank you!!!

With 30 980 backlinks ... my little blog has moved up in the world to be considered a CONTENDER

Thank you!!!

As well as launching my firm with a marketing and communications consultancy, I also contribute to a number of international magazines such as such as GARDEN DESIGN USA.

You can see my Maison et Objet review for the US market at http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?o=int&pub=113272806&prev=sub&offer=114410433 pages 29 and 30.

So, dear designer friends: keep me posted!

Anne

Many buyers of outdoor designs are  surprised to see how different tings look in real life versus ib photo. It is very important when buying   to realise the finishes and materials ARE NOT those we are used to when buying indoor designs. So as purchasing season kicks off:

> read terms and conditions

Deborah Sommers and Beth Boutry run www.Outdoorzgallery.com and have amazing clauses such they do not guarantee the designs for any purpose.

Ie a chair is not guaranteed to be used as a seat !. It is absurd and really border line. I can hardly see that to be suitable when selling high ticket outdoor designs. I can only encourage them to amend these Terms ! The site is not secured either.

> check out the design via sites offering great product zooms

> do not buy on unsecured sites

Why settle for functionality? ... seems to say Italian brand 21ST LIVINGART via its collection of light/planters.

Why not ensure pots and lights become stunning sculptures for your modern outdoor space?

The brand was at Maison et Objet and it drew my attention because the booth was buzzing with admirative visitors discovering this new kid on the block.
 
http://www.italian-furniture-design.com/vmchk/lighting/floor/caprice.html

 
'Kadabra' and Caprice are two of their designs (available is white, orange and green).

I will admit I felt remarkably (embarassingly ???)  out of touch with things when I discovered 53 % of young parisians have tried Narguiles and that in US campus they are hot and not even for pot!

Then, worse I discovered how many trendy people have now bought one to share ....at home.

It is about aromas 

Why do people buy and love their Narguiles?  Honey, apple, cinnamon and a zillion others It is not about smoking pot !....Got that wrong too!

Now I am taking this seriously (personally???) and will explore designs !!!!

If you are like me and think OK, I will give this new trend ... maybe... but help!!! they are too cheap and ugly..Join me in my discovery of this new deco item ...for outdoor spaces.

First a few of the classic designs...by www.AIRDIEM.Com

I am off to Maison et Objet 2010  where I know Airdiem have a stunning edgy new designs...

Yes yes yes... the garden is the new outdoor room...OK OK OK it is the new lounge and cooking space...
Now that is kind of old news.

THE NEWS now is the revival of the Narguile,the Hookah. The news is that they will be the hot item on terraces and outdoor spaces. Some designers will even dedicate special corners to this 'pleasure'.

A French company, Airdiem , will be presenting a completly new approach to this 5 century old product at the forthcoming Maison et Objet show.

The site is www.AIRDIEM.com .

International designers

Airdiem has teamed up with a whole range of elite designers including Hilton Mc Connico .. they have a range of designs that make this not only a sublime deco object in its own right but it is set to be the hot item any decent terrace will have very soon.

Hot Hotels are ordering, the press is tapping them... because they are great entertainment pieces for guest.

'Top Gun' high tech meets design

Narguilés designed by Airdiem have an extra secret added oumpff because the components are top notch.

Mr Gormand, the co founder was a helicopter pilot in the elite french school of Saint Cyr... That says a lot about him and his demanding nature.

When he and his wife fell in love with the Narguile they decided to up the game in line with France's tradition of producing the most exceptional pieces.

They researched and researched and went so far as to use aeronautic's most adavnced materials....

Honey, apple, cinnamon...

They offer a range of flavors and aromas in beautful bijou/ perfume like 'pots'

I 'll post a few images when they come in... Here is the newest of the range a very cool design for the younger party animals!

If I had a talent to organise such a thing I'd love to organise a Holiday For Haitiens..thing.

Each person offering a week's relief later in the year when the dust has settled...and the cameras are off.

Maybe if each blog posts the idea: a talent will find a way?

A