A few weeks ago, a friend asked me where he can find reasonably affordable outdoor furniture with great style. He did not want the stuff we see in garden centers in North America.
It is true that the style choices are quite repetitive when it comes to outdoor furniture. I decided to check what is happen elsewhere. UK sounds like a hip design place to start my dig.
The Urban Garden
My first stop is The Urban Garden, an on-line store that sells all you need to transform your garden into somewhere that you can relax, eat and entertain. Based in London, the store carries pieces that would fit into a condo terrace and small backyards.
Modern Garden Furniture Sets
My favorites are the teak contemporary Jocelyn furniture set and the Tomas terrazzo set. Both sets feature unusual benches. The 90-degree teak bench is an attention-grabbing space saver.
The curved benches followed the curve of the oval terrazzo table. The furniture is frost and weather resistant and can be used indoors or out throughout the year.
I read that terrazzo is immune to extreme cold. If you live in a place with harsh winter, the savvy consumer should inquire further before purchase. Since a stone set is heavy, you do not wish to put it on storage every fall.
Recycled and Eco-friendly Garden Pots
The paper potter is an essential for the avid gardeners. Quickly transform your old newspapers on your own seedling pots. You simply have to wrap the newspapers around the solid wooden pot shaper.
Who would have thought that old tires can look so stylish? Since they are made from recycled materials, every rubber planter has a unique look. These planters almost look like vintage leather pots. Their elegance emerges from the contrasting stitches and the decorative metal button that secure the rubber sheet. Available in several sizes and shapes.
Take into account that rubber does not let the water out when you do your planting.
Stay tuned all summer long. I will bring you more sources to design a modish outdoor space fit to entertain, to play and to relax.
>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Jocelyn furniture set – price: £999
Buy online: Tomas terrazzo set at The Urban Garden – starts at £2,199
Buy online: paper potter at The Urban Garden – on sale at £8.40
Buy online: recycled tyre planter at The Urban Garden – starts at £17
Buy online: rubber stitched planter – starts at £14
Buy online: rubber weeding bucket – price: £30
Fanfan
July 10, 2008 at 22:13The paper potter, what a great idea!