yardz

ONE OF THE BEST SMALL GARDENS AT CHELSEA 2009

Yardz favourite small gardens at Chelsea this year bring real style to small spaces.

 

The Witan Wisdom Garden designed by Nicholas Dexter

Nicholas Dexter's design encourages the visitor to escape from an often harsh and stressful urban environment and reconnect with nature. Modern and minimalistic materials create a calm and ordered effect.

"The theme of this garden is wisdom – the application of experience, knowledge, judgement and understanding. It is a garden designed as a space to escape to, away from the turbulence of modern life and to allow for clarity of thought.

Within the garden you are supported above a fast flowing stream by glass, which allows you the simple pleasure of observing moving water. Let it wash away your worries while an elegant curved wall shelters and protects you from the outside world."

www.ndg.de.com

SLIMLINE BBQ

 

BBQ storage can be a problem in most gardens but in yards it can be critical. www.plumproducts.com have the answer in their Adelaide Slimline BBQ that folds up to just 6cm thick. It's stylish simple design allows for spacious multi-level cooking.

www.plumproducts.com  £149.99

GROWING CHAIRS

 

Saw this in this weeks Saturday Telegraph.

'Can you plant a chair? You can. In 19th century North America young trees were shaped over the course of several years until they adopted the contours of a chair. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec were so fascinated by this traditional technique that they came up with the idea of designing a “grown chair.” What has to grow needs time and as such Vegetal was created in an unusually long design process. Now, four years after the first idea emerged, the chair of fibre-reinforced polyamide is about to be presented. Flat branches extend and interweave into an asymmetrical, irregular circle-shaped seating shell. The woven strips are stabilized by ribs which grow downwards and merge with the legs. Viewed from the rear Vegetal looks like a leaf with several stalks and numerous veins branching off.'

Shapes from the world of vegetation serve as inspiration for Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s new Vegetal chair, as they did for Algues. Its plant-like structure made of polyamide dyed throughout goes to the limits of the technically feasible, and the six colours (unusual for plastic chairs) emphasise the link to nature. Vegetal is stacking and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

http://www.vitra.com/en-gb/home/products/vegetal/

BLACK IS BLACK

 

Finding plants that are a true black is always dificult. Ophiopogon Black Beard is very close to a true black. It is a new introduction that is faster growing with foliage up to 55cm long. Perfect for containers as it is evergreen and is a great contrast against lighter coloured flowers.

THE GNOMES OF DOCKLAND

Are gnomes the new fashion statement for high rise apartment balconies? This one was spotted loitering in a container in sunny Limehouse perhaps getting over the disappointment of not getting into the Chelsea Flower Show next week.

STUNNING SCULPTURE SPHERE

Good contemporary sculpture for gardens is hard to find. David Harber produces amazing stuff. Visit his website www.davidharber.comto see a great rang of sculpture, sundials and water features.

The above shows Matrix which is composed of random bronze hoops forming a sphere of 1.7m. The petals between the hoops are mirrored on the outside to reflect the suroundings.

David Harber sculptures have been found in the past in many award winning Chelsea Flower Show display gardens so its worth keeping an eye out at next weeks show.

RELAXING THE SMOOTH WAY

 

Are you ready for the scorching summer the 'weather men' promise?

'A laid-back cushion, so you can enjoy life the easy way. You can lounge at the beach, in your garden, on the boat or on your balcony. With your friends and family or just easy on your own. Smooff® is super soft so you won't feel those nasty rocks and bumps. With Smooff® you can lie down and relax where, and whenever you want. It can be used on its own and also as a cushion on a sun lounger. And ... it's also a chair'

 

Available in three colours - Lusty lime, Funky Orange and Stylish Black

www.4garden.co.uk   £79.99

http://www.4garden.co.uk/acatalog/all_dept_cushions_smooff.html

SALAD DAYS

 

If you can't be bothered to grow your own lettuce or salad leaves from seed but still want to pick you own fresh, you can now buy ready grown salad tubs.

At only £3.99 a tub, it is an economical way to give you 6-8 weeks of salad leaves. Perfect for on a balcony or patio or even as a help yourself on the patio table for bbq's.

Look out for them in garden centres this spring.

SIMMERED TO PERFECTION

 

How to while away the summer evenings with the perfect accessory for your deck or yard.

The Thermowood Bath Barrel with inside sub stove from www.kirami.fi

CONTEMPORARY GOTHIC GARDEN HEAT

 

Inspired by gothic arches, the Colorado chimenea from www.lahacienda.co.uk , has a good good hearth size and a contemporary feel.

It's made from heavy guage steel finished with a stainless steel top. It is painted in a matt black to complete the modern look. Available in three heights - 105cm, 125cm and 160cm from £79.99.

This is a great stylish alternative to the traditional pot bellied cast iron chimeneas that have been around for many years and have now become more expensive due the the price rises in Chinese made goods.