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LANDSCAPING


LANDSCAPING QUIRKY


Elizabeth Jordan says that sometimes all it takes to make a space


awe-inspiring, is a touch of imagination... O


nce upon a time, old railway sleepers were the ultimate “new- thinking” accessory used in domestic landscaping. However, our Blue-sky thinking horizons have since expanded. These ideas and products may not be something found in the every-day builder’s merchants yard, but they are sure to spark customers’ imaginations.


The Great Reveal


What at first seems like a perfectly respectable, albeit a little boring, decked area can become the gateway to paradise and a whole new social space simply by allowing it to “slide”...Looking at the movement in videos of such decks online, it is more likely that they roll, using an easily concealed motor operated by remote control. The possibilities are almost limitless with this ingenious invention. From sunken seating areas and cosy fire pits to a hidden Jacuzzi or pool (https://urbanpool. co.uk/rolling-decks/), sliding decking provides a brilliant dual-use space that is both space efficient and great for surprising friends. Another use for the Shipping Container- Modpools is an American company set up by a husband and wife team who thought outside the box (if you’ll excuse the pun). In Britain, the idea of having a swimming pool in the garden is still fairly luxurious. Modpools’ idea makes that luxury a practical reality because customers won’t have to dig up their entire garden to install one. Far from being an eye-sore, the shipping containers are designed to be a feature of the garden, with windows inserted in the metal so that swimmers can still enjoy the garden from underwater.


A whole new level of crazy paving- Using blocks of stone, paving etc in a different way, changing the heights and shapes of a walkway, making it more of an experience. The same can be done with decking... straight lines are so old- hat. This has been seen more and more at the Chelsea flower show and adopted for public spaces to be both interesting to look at and encourage interaction. Using blocks, paving and decking to change the structure of a landscape can seem to change its dimensions, making


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smaller spaces seem bigger and large flat spaces seem more interesting.


Living roof and wall Sheds- why should the plants just grown inside the shed? Merchants who stock green roofs and living walls have the ability to inspire customers in so many ways, especially with the growing trend in domestic green spaces. With the right waterproofing materials, green spaces can be integrated into most areas, especially in the garden, with herb walls being a functional favourite. A green roof and wall shed is a beautiful habitat for wildlife and a great way to hide the shed, without the hassle of watering.


Chameleon Drain Cover- Already stocked in a few forward-thinking merchants’, Chameleon Drain covers allow end users to have an alternative to a boring standard black or metal drain/ manhole cover by providing a space to plant flowers or cover with grass, shingle etc. to blend into its environment. This is also an excellent add-on for builders to suggest to their clients who are having a new driveway or garden developed. With recent trends in succulents and ever-green plants, the Chameleon Drain Cover can become a year-round feature rather than just a camouflage technique.


Pretty pallet


Wooden pallet garden furniture- in recent years, the humble wooden pallet has been put to use in almost every environment. Merchants could cash-in on some designs, especially for hardy outdoor furniture which folds away effortlessly, without having to stock the end products themselves. Simply putting up images or making DIY handbooks could inspire customers, leading to further sales and recycling otherwise unwanted pallets.


Sky Planter- sceptical folk may think the idea of the upside-down flower pot is a bit of a strange one. As with most quirky things, it’s becoming a big trend in indoor planting but they can be used anywhere they can be hung up. Looking a bit like minimalist lampshades, these planters bring a modern twist to a space at a reasonable price. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2018


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