My Urban Garden Deco Guide

I am re-editing this post because I saw that this week's Evening Standard had chosen Azria's work for a front page...And that reminded me how much I like her work!LINK here

I have just come back from meeting elite garden designer - Charlotte Rowe. She has kindly helped me find the excellent Cathy Azria. This artist/sculptor is re-inventing the bonfire for the urban garden. Built to special commission, her fires form the heart of an 'outdoor room'. Running on mains gas, they can be designed into a chimney or built into fireproof/frost proof vessels.LINK here

The size, positioning and sculptural forms are designed in conjunction with the client and the steel elements of each piece are left untreated, to develop a beautiful fire-tempered rusty patina. As flames lick through them, they also begin to glow red hot, creating spectacular effects which will be different every time the fire is lit.

I have been trying to find design outdoor fireplaces and finally found the hidden gem at Maison et Objet.

LINK: www.safretti.com

Mathieu Julien, a cool french architect/ fellow blogger, has spotted this uber cool outdoor cinema set up.
I think the CoolHunter blog hits the nail on the head with their description:'We have found a candidate for the winner in the Coolest Home Theater category. Just short of being a drive-in, this outdoor home theatre surpasses the stinky basement family “media room” by close to a light year.'

This is the kind of set up people don't even consider for their home but if you hop over to your specialist store you may find it is far cheaper than you think.

I am getting one as soon as my home has the space for it!
Merci Mathieu !

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The incredibly talented landscape designer Vladimir Djurovic opens his site saying that some of  the most significant moments in our life happen outdoors.
Well let me add pleasurable ones too.
It may seem early in the year , but I am looking forward to outdoor/garden lunches
And to make the experience as entertaining as possible I think a change of plate ware is called for.
I love these new designs by the french designer JC de Castelbajac presented at Maison et Objet 2008.
Available at www.deshoulieres.com / Collection Monsieur

http://vladimirdjurovic.com/

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 show how many new options we can enjoy .

LINK here

I love the extravagant and entertaining dutchtub:

Fill with simple water hose. Add wood in the swiggly part. Heat. Et voila. The dutchtub in now officially here in the UK and it can be ordered on 0800 0121795 or www.dutchtub.com

A fun, versatile solution. No need to have it out on a permanent basis

I am an absolute fan of indoor perfumed candles.It is a daily must. I was wandering around London today and saw outdoor incense at Selfridges...I fell in love instantly !

And a lovely idea when you party outside in the garden or on a roof top. Terre d'oc was the culprit maybe in your country you can find them. I could not find it online so I guess this one is an alternative( here)

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Just as we were getting all hyped up about new BBQ designs that look great in modern gardens, they become so ...well ...petty looking! The trend is fast growing for complete gourmet type outdoor open-air kitchen setups.

UK based Barbecue Island Company are an example of a company tapping into the trend and developing bespoke solutions like this Black bar.LINK here

Another confirmation can be gained by a quick look at Viking's web options.You can choose : will it be outdoor fridges and refrigeration solutions, refreshment centers, cooking and-or ventilation? (Design wise I am not sure we are quite there yet. However bespoke is always a good way forward.)

Link here

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A beginner's version I guess  is the outdoor kitchen by Wolfgang Pichler available for example at Sabz

This is news i-pod addicts who love fresh air will love.To be in the i-pod minimalistic style, all I will say is link here !

BBQ's are still quite surprising ugly...give or take a few innovative designs. I found this model  quite refreshing. I am sure a bit of clever planning can spare you the site of the gaz tank!
Link here

I received a mail from Food Map design to tell me about themselves. They are an emerging multi-disciplinary design firm committed to reconnecting residential space and food cultivation.I really liked their new container...
LINK here
I am a firm believer that edible gardens are the only thing that really will make sense in the coming years..and for different reasons.
For some it will be about gaining gourmet chic creds from home grown food, others will come to it by desire to reconnect to a natural instinct... whilst many will do it to sustain themselves.
Whatever the reason, and however limited the space.
 

"Grow your own fruit, vegetables and herbs in the modern and green Food Map container. We created a product that enables people with limited outdoor space to grow food at home without having to compromise on design. The container is made from nontoxic High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which contains post-industrial reused material. The frame is 40-100% recycled steel. The product is manufactured in Los Angeles County and is 100% recyclable. Home-grown foods reduce the need to buy heavily-traveled produce from Supermarkets. The container comes in two sizes: the larger raised container allows for gardening while standing; while the smaller one is great for kids and smaller scale settings. The container has rubber casters for mobility as weather and sunlight conditions change. Food Map design is an emerging multi-disciplinary design firm committed to reconnecting residential space and food cultivation