My Urban Garden Deco Guide

The functional sculpture

2010-02-06T19:26:17Z

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).

Smarin : celebrating nature's designs

2010-02-03T22:35:01Z

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.

Maison et Objet 2010: outdoor furniture by Stéphane Ducatteau

2010-02-02T15:39:51Z

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

Faux Nature

2010-01-31T23:48:34Z

Love this fake over sized Apple by Bull and Stein.

Makes a fun statement, easily.

http://www.bullstein.com/

Practicality : Designers get real

2010-01-31T14:50:49Z

In the 90 's and early naughties, glam outdoor pots were brought to the market and wowed us all.

Now the decade opens with a new trend.Slowly but surely, designers' attention has shifted to practical issues that people have with planters: portability and lack of space.Here is one design by www.Flora-online.de.Coasters allow you to move them around and easily bring them indoors.

Clever.

Research your outdoor grill/BBQ via TestFreak

2010-01-23T12:14:03Z

I just had to buy a new computer and naturally went to various test and compare sites before making a choice ...

I never realised that such ' search and compare' services exist for high ticket 'tech' items we use outdoors.

One such site is http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/ who test BBQ grills etc ( the products listed here http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/grills/ ).

Turns out to also be a quick way to know many the products available in the market as their research is quite extensive.

Narguiles by Airdiem: hot and not even for pot !

2010-01-22T22:47:52Z

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...

Maison et Objet 2010: Airdiem Narguilés set to be the new hot terrace must have

2010-01-20T22:00:21Z

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!

Blog talent for joy chain

2010-01-18T15:28:31Z

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?

Are sleek straight angles fading out of fashion?

2010-01-16T19:17:22Z

If you look closely at new outdoor furniture, it seems that sleek straight lines are really losing their appeal or at least their supremacy.I love this organic pebble shape table set by french brand Matière Grise.

http://www.sabz.fr/e-boutique/mobilier/table-basse-galet-3-matiere-grise-p-20110.html

Lovely colors too.

Outdoor rugs : Freek up your life!

2010-01-14T21:09:17Z

If you are daring then a clear winner for you is a stripey colorful design by Freek.

These carpets work well indoors too and are available in a variety of sizes.

Freek up your life! is the brand's motto and they have a fun quirky site worth a visit...

J'ADORE : AK47 space

2010-01-13T00:37:55Z

I received a mail this week by www.ak47space.com... and fell head over heels for this super simple extra chic outdoor firepit. I love the feet of the design - they add the unexpected oumpf.

Outdoor rugs will be your next buy

2010-01-10T12:58:08Z

If you really want to go full monty with the outdoor room concept ..then your next buy will be a rug / a carpet.

I will showcase a few brands to explore in the coming weeks.

An affordable brand to check out is www.Chilewich.com

They work in a variety of rather neutral colors, shapes and sizes AND most often the brand will have assorted tableware such as placemats, etc..

Divide and Grow

2010-01-09T18:13:36Z

Following up on dividers A lovely alternative is to go for a divider that doubles up as a planter. This year Viteo brought the Gardenwall to the market and created quite a buzz. Designed by Gordon Tait, the stackable units can contain a selection of plants in a variety of colors or work just as a simple green wall

Dividers rule in 2010

2010-01-03T19:47:04Z

Dividers offer more than just a way of structuring a space. They can provide privacy or protect from the wind.

Flora[ www.Flora-online.de] - who are really upping their game and taking on the non furniture part of outdoor décor, have developed Wing with the help of designer, Michael Koenig who was inspired by Moroccan moucharabieh
As with many designs by Flora, it is a modular design available in 3 heights.