Our Facebook group is active and growing.

Hope to meet you there!

http://www.facebook.com/THEOUTDOORSTYLIST

They have a fab selection of outdoor designs in their design village.

http://www.jardinsjardin.com/le-programme-2012/le-village-du-design

So maybe when evaluating how to become an expert in outdoor design, one can take a broader look and go for an architectural degree with modules dedicated on the space?

Many Architecture degree new schools of architecture  offer interesting options online or off.

Food for thought!

'Hook and In-Out: a dream team. With Hook, Eric
Degenhardt has designed a matching folding
table for his 2010 In-Out outdoor armchair. Hook
is a small, round side table offering a multitude of
uses: you can put your feet up on it or use it to
rest your book or glass, depending on your
needs at the moment.

Hook comes with... a hook: the table is made of
powder-coated sheet steel and steel tubes and
can be folded and hooked onto a wall for storage.
The little hook represents a useful design detail,
enabling storage of this piece of garden furniture
in a space-saving way. And, in no time, you can
take Hook off the wall, unfold it and enjoy
some quality time in your garden.

Matching the frame colours of the In-Out chair,
little Hook comes in white, grey, yellow and blue

SIZE:

35cm high 45cm in diameter.

A CHARMING LITTLE DISC WITH A HOOK.'

Love it!

New in 2012.

For those who follow trends...it is a new version of Maison et Objet ...a competitor in some ways.

The fair is held in September in Cologne and has this super bonus: it is part of the massive SPOGA GAFA event.

This means you can see the high-end and the nice but more accessible designs: pots, planters, hoses, clippers, more BBQ's and outdoor kitchens than you will ever see, ....

Garden Unique have a new site. It is great because of all the videos and location visits.

You completly get a sense of the fair and what to expect.

Congratulations to them!

www.GardenUnique.de

Outdoor spaces are changing so rapidly it is sometimes hard to get the big picture.

With the recession, this is important.

We all need to maximise property value as well as enjoy what we have to the max.

So to recap what is new and what to watch out for, join The Outdoor Stylist at the Landscape Show, London Olympia at 11.45 on March 16th.

Design Trends and How They Impact Garden Designers

1. Why 'The Outdoor Room' is now entering a new phase of its development and how this will impact client expectations.

2. How can you stay on top of trends? Which fairs should you attend? What are the best online resources for blue sky thinking as well as sourcing designs for clients?

Follow the link: http://www.landscapeshow.co.uk/seminars-friday.php

Brilliant examples of new ways they invade kitchens can be seen at http://www.ppcmsarl.fr/marque.php/marque/ELMAR%20CUCINE

Outdoor designers will be next to catch on the trend!

'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

Their collection is unsual and worth checking out at www.solisombra.net

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