yardz

CONES OF COLOURS UPDATES

 

My hanging cones of Impatiens Accent Salmonhave amazingly survived the recent gale force winds and torrential rain and are really looking magnificent. I have been feeding them every ten days with a general soluble feed and watering well even on rainy days, as the foliage canopy now is so complete that little rain water gets through to the compost.

This is the first year I have planted the cones with a single colour instead of a mixture so am really pleased with the result. They really are 'cones of colour'.

SUMMER FOAM FOR 2010 GARDEN FURNITURE

 

Last week I spent a couple of days at SOLEX the Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition at Telford. It is the trade show where all the main leisure furniture suppliers launch their ranges for 2010.

The main trend sees suppliers moving away from hardwood furniture and more towards metal, granite and polyweave. There was some really stylish furniture but the most eye catching was from www.westminsterfurniture.eu. Their Q&M foam range was produced in conjunction with the world famous designers Quinze and Milan. At the core of these products is a revolutionary coated Q&M foam which is completely weather and water resistant, UV colour stable and flame retardant. The range is stylish and amazingly comfortable, perfect for a garden room or outdoors.

Available in black, sand and white from stock but also with a further 22 colour choices via a premium special order. The range includes armchairs, relaxers, loungers and a modular seating system. It is not cheap, an armchair retailing around the £1000 mark, but what a statement as a focal point in a minimalist yard.

 

 

DARTMOOR BENCHES

 

Read this saturday in Kate Weinberg's Small Spaces column in the Saturday Telegraph gardening supplement about Dartmoor Benches.

These benches made by www.dartmoorbenchcompany.co.uk using sustainable materials - English Oak and reclaimed granite.

'In keeping with the ethos of our company we have designed our benches to blend seamlessly with the environment in which they are placed, whether it be urban, garden or moorland. The idea is that they are something that you stumble upon rather than being a focal point in themselves. Made to order these benches can be made to any length'

The benches  cost about £100 per foot run.

http://www.dartmoorbenchcompany.co.uk/handmade-benches.php

SALADERCIZE!

 

Hoping to loose weight? Planning to diet and exercise? Why not combine the two. The Eva Solo Salad Spinner washes the salad in the kitchen in cold water and then out into the garden to whirl the spinner round your head to dry the salad and burn calories at the same time - you may also amuse the neighbours and frighten the local dogs!

Available in Steel Grey, Spring Green and Creamy Sand.

http://www.evasolo.com/products-saladspinner.html

(It'll make a nice planter when you fed up with all that faffing about!)

FLOWERPOT LIGHTS

 

A lot of garden lighting, especially solar lighting tends to be very functional. The Flowerpot Garden Lamp by Verner Panton is more than just stylish, its to die for! It is available in a range of colour finishes including white, matt black, orange, turquoise, and red.

'At the end of the sixties, Verner Panton created a series of lamps for his exhibition and restaurants. Each was based on simple lines. The most famous lamp turned out to be the small Flowerpot table lamp, named after the era of Flower Power.

FlowerPot Garden
The name says it all. FlowerPot is menat for garden living. Between grass, bushes and trees it will create a beautiful and warm ambience. FlowerPot Garden will illuminate your surroundings and become a poetic part of nature.

It is tested ond approved for outdoor use. At the bottom of the tube is a "stopper" which makes the height of the tube exactly 120cm above ground. Above the "stopper" is a box which you connect to your cable. All the electricity needed is in the box.'

 

www.danskedesign.nu    £383.74

http://www.danskdesign.nu/verner-panton-flowerpot-garden-lamp-turqouise-p-2899.html

OVERFLOWING CONES OF COLOUR

 

The Impatiens Accent salmon have been enjoying the good weather. They are now overflowing the hanging cones and starting to produce loads of flowers.

 Impatiens Accent Salmon

TEALIGHT WITH STYLE

 

Style is sometimes just about simplicity and being totally fit for purpose.

This 'Shine Ball' tealight holder designed by Marie Olofson is all about style.

www.purves.co.uk   On offer at £17.50

http://www.purves.co.uk/product/28046/Tealight_Holder_Shine_Ball_Large

THE FUTURE OF BARBEQUES?

 

I'm not so sure about the design and styling of the BarbeSkew but the idea is great. It was featured on Dragons Den where the Dragons thought it was a good idea but didn't invest!

'The days of apprehension and black sausages are now over thanks to the launch of a new barbecue (BBQ) which cooks food to perfection. The BarbeSkew - which takes it's name from BARBEcue and SKEWer - combines the traditional BBQ with a spit roast. Instead of a BBQ grill above the flames, the BarbeSkew BBQ automatically slowly rotates the food on skewers ensuring it is cooked thoroughly but making sure it doesn't burn. Larger produce such as fish and burgers can be cooked too on the BarbeSkew BBQ by placing them in a rotating cage.'

www.barbeskew.co.uk    Barbeskew 11   £179.95  

http://www.barbeskew.com/products/barbeskew_II.html

THE SPECIAL APPEAL OF TRUSLATE PAVING

 

www.stonemarket.co.uk have an impressive collection of exciting and innovative range of paving. Their products reflect current design trends. Truslate paving is one of my favourites, showing all the diversity of natural stone.

'Truslate is a high-quality, hand selected slate with proven durability for exterior use in the UK. It has sawn edges, a mainly smooth surface and the flaky texture typical of real slate. New for 2009 is the exciting Truslate Circle, available with or without corner infills in all three Truslate colours.'

http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/truslate

MORE CUBES

 

BBQ's have now become more of a design statement than an outdoor cooking device. www.indian-ocean.co.uk have a range of interesting and stylish bbqs including this 53cm Cube.

'Who says a kettle BBQ has to be round? A square BBQ has more functionality as one area can be purely for cooking and another for warming. A novel and stylish approach to BBQ and an attractive addition to any outdoor entertainment area.'

www.indian-ocean.co.uk  £290.00

 http://www.indian-ocean.co.uk/shop/bbqs/1034_cube-53cm-bbq