My Urban Garden Deco Guide

Building outdoor design practices for the future

2013-05-23T23:42:25Z

Do you c a link between /spectacular rise in online shopping & garden design? Prototype homes prove there is.-source: Our innovation report
-- The Outdoor Stylist(@OutdoorStylist) May 23, 2013

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Over at The Outdoor Stylist, the team are experts on innovation and trends.

This includes promoting ideas on how to grow business and add services for 'design practices'.

Many ideas will be shared at the seminar mentioned below on the 24 of September.

@http://theoutdoorstylist.com/featured-designs/the-innovations-and-trends-seminar-2013-sept-24th-1pm-landscape-show-uk/

Bold use of outdoor light or just unwise?

2013-05-22T22:08:00Z

This image begs a question: does outdoor lighting follow the same safety rules indoor lighting does ?

In any event, let us just imagine summer has arrived and we can enjoy a little outdoor time.

Note:

The MINIPOOL is the first overflowing rim mini-pool in a free-standing version: an internal tank guarantees constant filling and automatic return of the water. Perfectly round in shape it also comes in a built-in version.

The gym 'seat'

2013-05-22T16:08:04Z

Many home owners have now adopted these gym balls as regular seats.

They are very stable and when you sit on them, your core muscles work.

It is a great solution to tone up and keep fit naturally.

They would also be greata round an outdoor lounge space or table.

They are on sale at: Yoox or Amazon. Prices go very low- be sure you get a non-exploding one!

Design Courses online

2013-05-21T22:01:11Z

In a few days, one of the most celebrated shows will open for the 100th year.

The show is the Chelsea Flower show and it is to England what fashion shows are to Milan.

It must be said this particular show has a well known side effect, well worth mentioning.

The show is known to create a certain level of 'talent envy' and relaxed amateur outdoor designers can be tempted to take things to a next level.

Online courses are a great option to jump in the deeper end.

Two prestigious schools offer interesting options including very short courses.

Inchbald @ http://www.inchbald.co.uk/garden-design-courses/

KLC @ http://www.klc.co.uk/GardenDesign/Courses/Short/TownGarden/?m=8

Reading up about modern outdoor fires

2013-05-20T14:06:16Z

The great thing about bad weather is that you can do that homework you never got around to doing.

A great place to start is getting more familiar with modern outdoor fires.

They seem quite tricky and can put some off for the wrong reasons.

We love the tech sheets and look books on

http://www.ecosmartfire.com/portfolio/Case-Studies/Portsea-Private-Pool-Pavillion

Happy reading!

SAVE THE DATE: Trend and innovation Seminar Sept.24 th.

2013-05-14T10:04:09Z

Dear Deco lovers,

If you are in London, this can event can be for you.

Our friends over at The Outdoor Stylist are running an Innovations and Trends seminar at The Landscape Show:

Register at:

http://www.landscapeshow.co.uk

Create the Perfect Pond Paradise in Your Garden

2013-04-26T10:57:44Z

Ponds are no longer the suspiciously murky back garden holes that they once were. Modern ponds have more than a touch of class about them, often incorporating innovative design elements into an overall creative aesthetic.

Traditional ponds are also still very much in vogue, from those stocked with brightly coloured fish to those decorated with beautiful plants, sometimes in the hopes of attracting other forms of wildlife. Frogs, birds, insects and animals are all attracted to ponds, so if you're a nature lover you'll definitely enjoy the benefits of having a pond in your garden.

Designing Your Perfect Pond

Before you start thinking about how you will make your pond look beautiful, you will need to take some basic requirements into consideration:

How much space you have in your garden
The size and depth of your proposed pond
How much light your garden gets

The best kind of pond is one which fits naturally into the existing layout of your garden (unless, of course, you are planning a complete remodel). It shouldn't dominate your garden, nor should it be easily overlooked.

If you are planning on having fish in your pond, the deeper your pond is the better. Even goldfish like to have room to swim around, and if you're planning on having fish like Koi carp your pond should be at least a metre deep.

The look of your pond should also fit in with the overall design of your garden. If you have an Eastern theme going on, you may wish to consider creating a traditional Japanese water garden. But if your garden is an homage to all things wild and wonderful, you may wish to make your pond more natural looking.

Maintaining Your Pond

In order to keep your pond looking beautiful, you will need to perform regular maintenance. This involves ensuring that you have installed pond filters, and that these filters are checked and cleaned out on a regular basis. And, as well as filters, it's advisable that you also install a pump and a UV.

If you have fish, it's also advisable that you regularly check the pH levels of your pond. This will make sure that your fish don't become sick due to toxins in the water. Pond plants can help to keep your pond clean by acting as natural filters, and they will also give your pond a nice look.

A log and paint...

2012-11-06T23:24:43Z

Make a log look cool:
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Judith Seng's Trift series, made from found logs; photo from judithseng.de

Garden designers Versus Landscape Architects. Fun for Xmas

2012-11-05T20:58:39Z

Yes, soon it will back to finding great gift ideas. We spotted some fun T SHIRTS on Landscape Architecture.

At 20 USD they make a fun gift.

http://landarchs.com/shop/?product=i-am-a-landscape-architect

Finding outdoor designs: 8 questions to help brands and publishers help you

2012-08-09T11:35:28Z

Dear Friends and Readers,

The Outdoor Stylist is conducting a survey to help find out how easy you feel it has become to source designs, to know how they will work out in real life and more...

The results will be shared.

There are only 8 questions --- rest assured!

Click here to take the survey

Please take a few minutes for this VERY short survey! Thank you!

Upcycling.

2012-08-08T15:37:48Z

We love the trend to up cycle. At the DWELL fair bath tubs found a smart new lease of life.

With the right outdoor textiles, this is an idea we could see head out!

Art made from nature

2012-08-06T11:40:06Z

Contemporist shared this great example of art made from nature.

Sculptor Patrick Dougherty talks about his work creating sculptures from sticks.

You can see the video @ http://vimeo.com/31920133

How to get the best view on the garden

2012-08-03T09:01:25Z

We love the way this owner has been thinking outside the box and used these fabulous doors!

For inspiration: Dwell magazine special

2012-08-02T09:14:56Z

Dwell teamed up with Western Window Systems to select 4 homes from the Dwell archives that blurred the boundary between indoor and outdoor best.

We enjoyed the read. Read it here: http://bit.ly/RZBgD2!

Union Outdoor Bench

2012-08-01T08:24:06Z

Found this 2009 design...still loving it in all variations: 2 pods, 3 pods...

The outdoor Union Bench heralds a revolution in traditional street furniture, combining comfortable, reﬁned design with robust construction. Its designer strived to create a versatile solution that offers the utmost freedom: freedom of movement, choice and use, without any limitations. The simple, stylish design ﬁts well in any setting, lending a futuristic yet at the same time classic, harmonious touch.
Ecological: this product lasts and is made from environnementaly friendly materials, such as the Accoya Wood. Accoya® is the world's leading high technology wood. Created from sustainably sourced softwood, Accoya® matches or exceeds the durability, stability and beauty of the very best tropical hardwoods.
Materials: concrete, Accoya® Wood
Size: 1 module - 4 seats, 2 modules - 8 seats, 3 modules - 12 seats
Flower pot
Made in Sweden