My Urban Garden Deco Guide

Smarin, the French brand, creators of faux stone indoor or outdoor poufs you have probably seen , have a new winner: a new faux rain drop seat called Liquid that I really love.

Made from M1 standard translucent bio-resin, with a low-energy consumption lamp inside, the seats can be used switched on or off.

A complete set of seating with table is also available.

At Maison et Objet 2010 I met Stéphane Ducatteau, who is charming and whose work is top notch. I really liked the look of these pieces ( affordable) and was totally surprised at how confortable they are.

These are pieces I would buy.

www.stephane-ducatteau.com

 

Love this fake over sized Apple by Bull and Stein.

Makes a fun statement, easily.

http://www.bullstein.com/

 

UV resistant 'art' at ancadres.com:

Simple example of a creative option that is far from being a bank breaker!
Seen at French Courson show.

The chicest London boutique Hotels have chosen planters by http://www.bronzino.co.uk/
to sit outside their front door and greet guests.
Yes, planters are more than a functional item ...they set the tone.

I love Bronzino for the quality of their work. Chic and not crying it out loud.
http://www.bronzino.co.uk/

 Just discovered Fueradentro : ' a young design furniture label based on the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam. A city where progressive attitudes go hand in hand with its rich cultural traditions.' They have 3 lines of outdoor furniture plus an interesting-if not revolutionary- line of outdoor 'art'.

Bloom by Hugo Post are outdoor paintings, handpainted acrylic on waterproof mdf.A three dimensional bouquet of roses, each individually hand painted . The BLOOM collection paintings are equally suitable for exterior or interior use. Painted using acrylic paste, which is resistant to any kind of European weather.

Available in different shades, the paintings are a limited edition and are individually numbered.

I love Richard Dhennin's Green BarCode , proof a new gardening community is 'talking' to the Blackberry generation, raised on ad concepts,  and techno lovers- very alien to a spade!

 Richard Dhennin  creates very unique almost art pieces using structures to grow plants on. I love this very consumerist Barcode!

This hopefully can inspire private homes in urban centers where we have similar challenges :

The Sun ( yes I confess I sometimes look at it online ehmmm) today they have a fabulous slideshow that can provide inspiration...

An American artist has come up with a novel solution to camouflage those unsightly grey public utility boxes that litter our streets

'By painting impressions of what should be behind and to the sides of each box, artist Joshua Callaghan has brought a touch of humour and fun to the lifeless telephone and electrical storage units.'