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

 

 

Garden designers portrayed in magazines are increasingly those dealing with the most edgy hospitality projects whilst in fact requests from private clients are quite different and designers hard to find.

We are starting a series on 'real life' garden designs.

 

Caroline Garland offers a comprehensive range of garden design and project management expertise for London and the South and each of her services can be used individually or as an integral part of the complete design process.

Caroline is a fully accredited garden designer, clever with her ideas and efficient at carrying them out. She has an essential sense of beauty and style and will want to create something stunning, immaculate and original to suit you and your surroundings.

Caroline is a real gardener, she loves her flowers and will not only design a garden specifically for you but will also produce a beautiful planting scheme chosen from a wide palette of plants which will interpret your vision completely. And you will find it reassuring to know that Caroline believes in sourcing the best quality materials. She will listen to you and help you achieve the garden that you want.

• Belgravia's top landscape contracting businesses

Caroline also has the advantage that her husband, Peter Garland, has 30 years' experience running one of Belgravia's top landscape contracting businesses, operating under the name "Townscapes". He is one of the most experienced landscape contractors in London today and if you wish he will build your garden for you.

• "Caroline designed a cracking garden for us - we're delighted"
  Nick Herrtage, Chester Row Property Development

• "Caroline's design was on budget, on time and beyond our expectation"
  John Collard, Director, Robert Holmes Estate Agents, Wimbledon

SEE HER WORK at : http://www.carolinegarland.co.uk

 

I thought I 'd share a few names of great garden designers for a change.

I will kick off with the BBC's list of Garden designers and landscape architects

and will add www.VladimirDjurovic.com and www.CharlotteRowe.com.

...Take a few minutes to visit the sites!

 

James Alexander-Sinclair

Marcus Barnett

Jinny Blom

Christopher Bradley-Hole

 

Kathryn Gustafson Arabella Lennox-Boyd Nicola Lesbirel Arne Maynard Philip Nixon Dan Pearson Sarah Price Brita von Schoenaich Tom Stuart-Smith Andy Sturgeon Julie Toll Xa Tollemache Cleve West

I am a firm believer that outdoor space is  not just an extension to the home but a space to add new experiences to daily urban life.

This probably explains why I find this Finnish design fabulous. Koe is a concept kitchen  with various elements , designed with a single goal : create a 'kitchen ' that increases social involvement in homes

One element is a low table with integrated fire that allows one to sit, prepare and share food in a rather unique and most certainly inspiring way.

The concept includes a fan and umbrella to manage the wind and leverage the experience through the feel and smell. Finally his vertical garden on a movable U-shaped wall that also serves as a room divider or a screen. The plants grow in earth-filled pots attached to the screen. Bringing the garden inside the apartment gives us a chance to grow our own vegetables.

More here

I received a comment yesterday encouraging me to check out http://www.yourbackyardfarmer.com/
Hiring your own private farmer is for the most urban types - ie those with no time no experience but the will...   a  great solution.
Again you can use designer raised bed, ultra chic over sized planters to keep your design style intact.
It is only conventional thinking that wants us to think in either or
PS:Thx for the lead! 

The swiss miss blog spotted this rather amusing alternative to having pet food bowls (and their general ugliness ) spoiling your outdoor deco ...

OK this is not about urban gardens ...but 'stylish living'.
I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to Little Fashion Gallery - a unique online store for designer clothes and furniture for babies and kids up to 12 years old....
One year already and a great success : and Marie is a great friend : bon anniversaire !!!
LINK www.LittleFashionGallery.com

Great for your presents for babies... for that niece who lives abroad etc...
AND THE SALE STOPS VERY VERY SOON!

 

Here is a post on a broader subject for those who want to up date their designer A-list.

The french magazine 'L'Express' has compiled a list of names  of the women who are at the forefront of innovative designs.

Many of them are architects turned decorators turned designers... a bit like what is going on in the garden design arena!

Zaha Hadid , Matali Crasset , Patricia Urquiola , Andrée Putman , Hella Jongerius , India Mahdavi , Kiki van Eijk , Front design

© Gautier Deblonde pour L'Express Styles

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Typography is very successfully used in interior design - poems on walls, letter shaped objects, etc...Unsurprisingly it is heading outside:
I love this typographic garden spotted by a very unusual blog: http://paradisexpress.blogspot.com/search/label/jardins.

Yoga decks, lane pools etc ... the smallest of outdoor spaces are now gaining an appeal for the sport addict and the urban escapist.

I found this variation of the traditional rock climbing wall on Inventorspot.
But you don't need to opt for such an  'out there' design, I have seen traditional ones in Notting Hill ...loved them.

Quoting the site: 'Rock climbing is a wonderful form of exercise. It increases your strength, endurance, power, flexibility and balance as well as increases your level of confidence and mental discipline. No wonder a gym in Japan wants to do what it can to encourage the continuance of this form of exercise and has taken the idiom "climbing the walls" to the extreme.

How? Illoiha a designer gym in Japan by Nendo has altered the common indoor rock wall image with picture frames, birdcages, flower vases, mirrors and even deer head. So instead of an indoor wall of fake rocks it is a wall of hard to climb interior design.

What's the purpose? With a less outdoorsy look and a more interior design the creative minds behind this picture frame wall hope to inspire newcomers to the sport of climbing. Call it an old sport with a modern idea. They call it "rock-climbing on Omotesando ". 

Would you climb Omotesando?