My Urban Garden Deco Guide

Seen on www.theoutdoorstylist.com

'London based sculptor Cathy Azria has created a niche collection of sculptural outdoor fires (bonfires and pits). Her talent as a sculptor is doubled by a solid expertise in the real life challenges of safely and effectively running outdoor fires. She kindly shares her story, insights and names for your source book.

• How did you come to your current activity?

Pure frustration! When some years ago I wanted a fire for my own home and looked for what choices the market had to offer, there was only a choice of fake logs and fake coals. This market has now improved hugely but at the time the logs and coals were miserably sad and not in harmony even then with contemporary living.As a sculptor I could not choose these options for my own home so set out to create something I could live with, enjoy and never tire of. The surprise came when others loved my fire creation so much that I had no choice but to start making them for others...

Kicking off in California...

My sister-in-law in California was my first customer, then a friend of hers and so on.
I have been creating my fire sculptures ever since and sell them worldwide.

• For readers interested in installing an outdoor fire/ heating such as yours can you help them by explaining the actual issues they will need to consider?

I am happy to answer their questions by email, but basically different countries have different rules to be respected. As far as the gas installation and safety are concerned, my sculpture sits freely above the gas burner. The local builder usually knows what to do best. As well as the UK , other countries where I have outdoor sculptures include America, Italy, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong.

• Can you share a few images, gardens and terraces you have worked on?

Only a few. Many of my fires are for private clients who don't want any publicity and I have to sign strict confidentiality agreements.

(The Outdoor Stylist's note: Cathy modestly does not mention she actually works with the A list of London garden designers.)

• What are your future projects and do they integrate new technologies?

My sculptures compliment projects which themselves can include new technologies. I am an artist to start with and have the upmost respect for all the world technicians who make it possible and improve the designs and performances of outdoors burners. Up to 15 months ago the outdoor fire market was almost a monopoly. I am very grateful to the manufacturers who believed and trusted in me and heard me when I asked them to develop safe outdoor burners. They created a rectangular outdoor gas burner which can stay outside all winter and resist snow and rain.. So far all you could find of truly good quality was a round burner ( you might see it on some of my outdoor pics on my website) , now you can have different set ups  and forget the circle.. unless using a beautiful pot as base of fire.

Because of this new technology, I now have a chance to make really large outdoor fire sculptures - up to 1800 mm in diameter !!! ). At present, both gas and bio ethanol are options for outdoor fireplaces. I'm not sure what the future will bring!

• Can you share the names of the suppliers that helped you innovate in this way?

Yes.

Robert Smith at Prestigious fires : http://www.prestigiousfires.co.uk/

Tony Young at Urban fires: http://www.urbangasfires.co.uk

• Are you sold internationally?

Yes.

CATHY's site: www.bd-designs.co.uk

Innovative design by www.focus-creation.com!

New York based Elena Colombo is a sculptor and architectural designer specializing in custom, site specific fire features.

Her designs often work combinations of elements: earth+fire, water+fire etc.

View the full range on her site: http://www.firefeatures.com/

Outdoor fires are always a great experience... if you can put up with the hassle.

For those eager for easy, plug and plug options the market is full now of bio ethanol designs, often working as concealed fires to make the designs flexible.

Kettal ZIG ZAG is one such design: this coffee table conceals a fire pit!

Outdoor spaces will be far more in use now. Indeed the rise of switch on and swith off designs saves urban dwellers the effort of finding logs and cleaing up. The new ethanol designs help us be spontaneous and nip out for an evening drink even when it is chully.

Love them. You can check out www.conmoto.com for example. Or www.ecosmart.com.

Happy winter all!

Infrared heaters warm bodies before heating the air. That explains why they are so successfull. I guess that makes them a great option if you have a plug outdoors and want an easy 'plug in/ switch on ' heat source.

Love the creative shapes offered by I RADIUM ...Seen at the Milan Furniture Fair 2010

NOTES FROM Wikipedia

An infrared heater is a body with a higher temperature which transfers energy to a body with a lower temperature through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitting body, the wavelength of the infrared radiation ranges from 780 nm to 1 mm. The relationship between temperature and wavelength is expressed by the Wien's displacement law. No contact or medium between the two bodies is needed for the energy transfer. A rough classification of infrared heaters is connected to wavelength bands of major emission of the energy: short wave or near infrared for the range from 780 nm to 1400 nm, these emitters are also named bright because still some visible light with glare is emitted; medium infrared for the range between 1400 nm and 3000 nm; far infrared or dark emitters for everything above 3000 nm.

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.

'The revolutionary patio heater: this top model includes atmospheric LED lighting, a concealed speaker system and an MP3 connection. The gas heating is installed in the black pipe section and the electrical components are all equipped with a rechargeable power supply, so that the heater can be transported easily

Gas bottle is stored in the lower compartment, music and light are battery operated.

• Size (W x H x D): 54 x 184 x 37/62 cm
• Colour: black/stainless steel
• Material: powder-coated steel/stainless steel

Urban terrace design specialist Rephorm have this new outdoor firepit/ bonfire ...

 Stainless steel, Borosilicateglass (Diameter 30cm); works with Bio-Ethanol

At every Maison et Objet trade fair, Viteo, the now famous the Austrian brand of outdoor furniture/designs , comes up with a new design rather than 20.

That design is very often my preferred novelty of the show and  is always  super sleek . So here it is: last week Viteo presented Cementum line. The  range includes  with a low bench, low table . What I loved  is the slot inserted at the end of the low table allowing for a grill or a fire pit.  www.Viteo.at