house&home


Garden Room


by Beth Laitt of Smith and Stephenson


Feel at home with an al fresco space fit for summer


KICK off your flip flops, grab the newspaper and put your feet up in front of an open fire.


I’m referring to getting comfy in the garden rather than the sitting room. There’s no need to retreat indoors on those balmy summer evenings. Mind you, we’ve not had too many this year so far.


With our warmest months yet to come it’s the perfect time to extend our living space on to the patio or lawn. With the summer sales in full force grab some synthetic wicker armchairs, outdoor beanbags, and a freestanding garden firebowl to linger round as dusk falls.


You can even add woven plastic rugs and exterior solar lighting to complete the outdoor living experience.


Sitting around the garden table for lunch can also be a more homely experience when you add comfy seat cushions, vintage tablecloths and pretty fairy lights.


Mixing natural timbers with vibrant colours makes it all feel a little more exotic. But I suggest you stop short of the Hawaiian Lei flowers.


Al fresco living is not limited to living rooms either. I’ve worked on projects with kitchens that continue outside to the pool, projects with opening rooftop sundecks and projects with outdoor showers. However, I have yet to design a Bali-style outdoor bathroom.


There are times when the Island feels almost tropical, but there is a limit


10A Scarrots Lane • NEWPORT • PO30 1JD Tel: 01983 533289


80 www.styleofwight.co.uk Advertising: Call (01983) 861 007


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