Get my Garden Style
It’s been over 5 years now since I designed and began work on our 250ft long (but barely 14ft wide) garden here in beautiful leafy Bournville, a suburb of Birmingham. I still get asked every day where things are from and I see countless gardens online that have been inspired by our garden (and a few exact replicas down to all the details!)
I still love it and wouldn’t change a thing. Ok maybe a few feet wider would be nice and a pergola so we didn’t have to do the endless in and out with the cushions!
So here’s my annual shopping edit on how to get the look. Lots of items are still available (the George at Home bistro set that sold out online after I featured it on my Instagram are still being sold so grab them whilst they are in stock, they regularly sell out due to not only being a brilliant design but an incredible price too)
Some things we’ve made ourselves such as the sofa and coffee table (there’s a blog article here on how we made the sofa) So I’ve linked items that are similar in look and found an Etsy site where you can commission a similar scaffold board sofa from. Alternatively a good carpenter could make one of these if you haven’t got the necessary diy skills.
I hope you find this useful to create your own outdoor oasis!
And my top tip for creating yours? Check your weather app regularly so you know when to bring the cushions in…
Every garden needs a parasol! For practical reasons obviously they shade you from the sun (this one has a clever tilt mechanism to enable you to stay out of the sun easier, it also can be folded up into its handy carry bag and be used at the beach) But more importantly they just look gorgeous and provide a focal point in your garden. I love this vintage style fringed parasol as an alternative to the Balinese style ones I also have. Staycation Vintage Parasols £235
Scaffold board sofa. We made ours from reclaimed boards, you could get a carpenter to make you one if your DIY skills aren’t up to this or alternatively I found this option on Etsy - chunky garden sofa £575
Bistro set, this George at Home Arizona seating set is amazing quality (it still looks as good as new 4 years after we first got it) £299
Outdoor mirrors look fabulous in your garden. They’ll bounce more light around and reflect pretty foliage and garden views. Placed in certain positions they with create the illusion of a bigger and lighter space. Rockwood arched garden mirror Dunelm £139
5. To create the comfiest seating you need lots of cushions and seat mattresses. Custom made ones can be super expensive so I love these Madam Stolz mattresses from Trouva. I have 5. They come in various patterns and sizes so are perfect for your outdoor sofa and you can layer them up for comfort. I use mine indoors when rain ruins my outdoor fun! Printed cotton mattress £85
6. Garden planters, we have a selection of these modern black and grey planters in various sizes from Get Potted - Contemporary lite concrete planter from £30
7. Vintage style Buddha head placed amongst foliage or as a focal point ornaments make an individual statement in any garden Not On The High Street £89
8. Outdoor log burner - With our temperamental (often cool) British summers you’ll need an outdoor fire pit or chimenea. I love the weathered effect of this oxidised metal log burner from Graham & Green £275
9. Outdoor cushions, a lot of my cushions that I use outdoors are ones I use indoors too (I swap them around constantly for different looks) If however you can’t be bothered with bringing them in every time it rains weatherproof cushions are a sensible idea. I love the natural tones and texture of these from Anthroplogie Farren Indoor/outdoor cushion £54
10. Outdoor rugs, these days there are so many outdoor rug styles to choose from. My black and white runner was from Ikea and is no longer available, this one from Dunelm is a great alternative - Moretti indoor/outdoor runner £45
11. Decorative tray - A nod to our Aztec coffee table, this Amazon geometric tray from Graham and Green will look perfect on your outdoor table. £17.40 (in the sale!)
12. Lantern, no garden is complete without beautiful lanterns. This Portofino black wire work lantern from Dunelm £48 -£60 (2 sizes available) will cast an atmospheric glow.
13. Every outdoor living area needs a decent sized coffee table, I made ours so it’s completely unique and I’m afraid I couldn’t find anything similar. This acacia table from Sklum- has a lovely handmade quality though and will look fabulous styled up with lanterns and plants. £329.95
14. Garden seating, this beautiful Scandi style rocking chair can stay out all year round and provides alternative seating on our deck - Lyndhurst rocking chair Gardenesque £199.99
15. Festoon lighting, the best I’ve found from lights for fun, some solar lights can be quite dim and don’t really light up your outdoor space, these are bright and being solar no need for outdoor electrics. - Warm white solar festoon lights £79
16. The parasol base. A really good sturdy base for your parasol is a must. Not only to stop your parasol blowing away into your neighbours’ garden (yes this happened to me!) but this one provides a handy little side table for your candle or glass of something. Obviously I also adore the Balinese style and the beautiful carving. It looks just as good without a parasol and can be styled up as a table with a tray on top when not in use as a base. Wooden parasol base Sklum £144.95