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Courtyard garden Accessorise your garden with pots and planters Date: This courtyard garden is compact but a cleverly positioned mirror makes it look much larger that it is. The garden has then been packed full of pots, planters and lanterns to make it an ideal spot to sit outside in.
Style idea: An ornate bird cage with a plant stood inside makes a great feature.
Shop for the look: Homebase

Comfortable seating Create the perfect outdoor entertaining space Date: Build permanent seating around the edge of the garden and use cushions to add comfort. A small table creates a laid-back, while lanterns and planters add a welcoming atmosphere.
Shop for the look: IKEA, Heal's, Homebase.
May 2009

Outdoor kitchen-diner Keep everything you need close to hand Date: Create a fabulous outdoor kitchen-diner by organising your space and having your kitchen kit to hand, with plenty of space for preparation and serving. Go for easy-clean surfaces that spills or greasy fingers won't mark.
Shop for the look: Homebase, Tesco Direct, Garden Trading .
May 2009

All-year-round garden room Bring the garden indoors with floral fabrics and wallpaper Date: Think of your conservatory as a summer living room. Bring the outdoors in with floral fabrics and wallpaper, and choose substantial furniture, like chunky rattan pieces. Keep the scheme fresh with shades of green, soft teal, and duck egg and mix with natural textures that blend with the garden outside.
Shop for the look: Holloways, Sanderson, Laura Ashley.
May 2009

Gardener's den Mix rustic tools and old furniture to create a cosy garden retreat Date/Time: $x $X Use an old chest of drawers to act as a perfect potting table, while a battered leather armchair is the ideal for a spot of reading.
Shop for the look:
Raft Ltd, After Noah.

Seaside terrace Create a comfy corner with a seaside-inspired scheme Date: Create your own seaside-inspired scheme, whether it's on the verandah, patio or at the bottom of the garden. Team blue, white and red, add hanging lanterns and retro-style signs, then relax - you can almost hear the waves!
Shop for the look: Garden Trading, Re Found Objects, The White Company
August 2008

Urban chic Give your decking area a sleek, ultra-modern look Date: Create a comfy, alfresco seating area with a modern rattan sofa and armchair and go for a dining set in black and chrome for a contemporary look. Brighten the look with silky red and lime cushions and add an Oriental twist with a patterned table runner. Include plenty of striking foliage in co-ordinating planters.
Shop for the look: B&Q, Homebase, Leisuregrow.
June 2008

Tropical feel Use exotic plants and leafy designs as inspiration Date: Fill your conservatory with a variety of exotic plants. Go for ones with a structural shape and brighten any empty corners with tall plants. Choose a fabric with a bold leafy design and use it to make cushion covers, blinds and a table runner.
Shop for the look: Casamance, CPW Furniture, Homebase.
June 2008

Summer retreat Reclaim your shed and create your own summer escape Date: Paint your shed mint green and sky blue, then add some classic wicker furniture for the ultimate retreat at the end of your garden. Give it a homely feel with cushions in retro floral prints and a pretty painting. Add a rug for extra comfort, and hang a voile curtain across the door so you can shelter from the sun but still enjoy the breeze.
Shop for the look: Focus, Cath Kidston, Lloyd Loom.
June 2008

Rustic shed Create the perfect place for potting with a second-hand wooden table Date: Create a beautiful garden shed with traditional tools and implements hung on the wall and vintage gardening accessories.
Shop for the look:
RK Alliston, Cath Kidston, Plant Stuff
May 2008

Tropical dining Bring alfresco dining to life with zingy, tropical colours Date: Mix bright contrasting colours with bold prints and dark wood for an outdoor look that's really tropical, and hanging paper lanterns will add a sense of fun.
Shop for the look:
Cox and Cox, Homebase, The Pier.

Colourful doorway Ribbons hung from a doorway will float in the breeze Date: Use colourful strips of sheer ribbon hung in a doorway to act as a visual barrier to the garden, while also adding texture and colour to a space.
Shop for the look:
VV Rouleaux, John Lewis, Garden Trading .

Outdoor playroom Create an outdoor playroom by converting a garden shed Date/Time: $x $X Choose child-size table and chairs for tea parties or craft activities, and place a rug on the floor to prevent splinters. Keep colours bright but simple, and decorate the walls with artwork.
Shop for the look: Focus, Letterbox, JoJo Maman Bebe.
July 2006

Wide doorway Create a wide back door so the inside and outside can flow seamlessly Date/Time: $x $X Let the outdoor space become an extension of the inside by creating a wide doorway and hook the door right back so it's easy to walk in and out.
Shop for the look: B&Q, Homebase, Wickes.

Colourful candles Make an alfresco dining table extra special with candles Date: Add some Hawaiian ambiance to your evening with flickering, brightly hued tapers set into a bucket of sand. Place the candles on a tray so they can be moved above easily.
Shop for the look:
IKEA, Debenhams, Cargo Homeshop.

Flower decoration Prevent the tablecloth flying away with a peg and pretty flower Date/Time: $x $X Use a clothes peg to hold the tablecloth in place, and decorate it by inserting a single flower head.
Shop for the look:
Cath Kidston, Sainsburys, Marks & Spencers.

Children's party Give the kids a garden party of their own with balloons and bunting Date: Bring colour to the garden and create a party atmosphere with bunting, balloons and brightly patterned cushions and tableware.
Shop for the look:
Cox and Cox, Cath Kidston, Confetti.

Outdoor lights When the sun goes down add sparkle to plants with fairy lights Date/Time: $x $X Give a small outdoor space a touch of glamour by adding outdoor lights to bushes or plants. These dragonfly fairy lights will bring a sense of fun to any space.
Shop for the look: The Glow Company, Homebase, Greenfingers.

Food cover Choose pretty and practical tableware when outside Date: Continue the hot theme of bright, vibrant colours with a colourful food cover, and keep flies away from your delicious lunch.
Shop for the look: Debenhams, The Pier, Homebase.

Pretty pots Smarten up your front door with a cluster of potted plants Date/Time: $x $X Group together pretty containers and pots and plant with colourful flowers or herbs for an aromatic display.
Shop for the look: Focus, Crocus, Plantstuff.

Outdoor seating Add interest to garden furniture with loud floral prints Date/Time: $x $X Scatter large print and floral cushions on a garden bench for an interesting focal point, and choose washable fabrics that can be cleaned when necessary.
Shop for the look:
John Lewis, Marimekko, Harlequin.

Patio heater Don't retreat inside when the sun goes down - turn a heater on! Date/Time: $x $X A stainless-steel patio heater is ideal for alfresco dining on those cooler summer evenings - this one looks ultra-modern, too.
Shop for the look: gardenfurniture4u.co.uk, Garden Lines, Patio Heaters 4U.

Tropical lunch Choose vibrant flowers and dinnerware in high summer Date: Bring your summer dining to life with dinnerware in hot, tropical colours and vibrant flowers scattered about the table.
Shop for the look:
ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Paperchase.

Alfresco breakfast Make the most of the summer and take breakfast outside Date: Place all your breakfast things on a galvanised folding table. Don't forget a pretty posy in a jug and enjoy the cool morning air.
Shop for the look: Garden Trading, Denby, Debenhams.

Laid-back dining Mix and match patterns and colours for a cheerful setting Date/Time: $x $X Team stripes with spots, coloured and clear glass, and brights with soft colours, then fling open the conservatory doors for a relaxed meal.
Shop for the look: Urchin, Bhs, Homebase.

French country For a timeless look, go for sophisticated French style Date/Time: $x $X Bring a laid-back French-style to your outdoor space with coloured glassware, hurricane lamps and pale blue wrought iron chairs - et voila!
Shop for the look: Marston & Langinger, Osborne & Little, The White Company.

Pretty candles Add a touch of romance to your alfresco evening meal Date/Time: $x $X Alfresco evening dining can be truly romantic - add an extra touch by sprinkling pretty petals around the base of the candle.
Shop for the look: Cox & Cox, Confetti, The Yankee Candle Company.

Natural colours Team fresh greens with crisp whites for the perfect summer setting Date/Time: $x $X Create a relaxed outdoor dining table with refreshing green linen and smart white tableware. Add bunting and finish off with a jug full of flowers for a celebratory feel.
Shop for the look: The White Company, Garden Trading, The Natural Fabric Company.

Hobby den Set up a craft corner in an outdoor shed or garden room Date/Time: $x $X A shed is a great place for kids to do craft in the summer. Choose child-size furniture and cover with a wipe-clean oilcloth. A wall organiser is great for brushes and paints.
Shop for the look:
Laura Ashley,Urchin,
JULY 06Great Little Trading Co..

Home-grown fruit Collect fallen apples in a wire basket to prevent been eating by insects Date/Time: $x $X A wire basket filled with fruit is an unusual and fun way of storing home-grown fruit - hang it high in a tree and keep those creepy crawlies at bay.
Shop for the look:
Dibor, Wares of Knutsford, Willow & Stone.

Rustic bench Create a dreamy garden retreat with distressed furniture Date/Time: $x $X Pile an old garden bench with cushions in vintage fabrics and floral designs, drag the coffee table outside and enjoy a mid-morning break, alfresco style.
Shop for the look: Barlow Tyrie, Cabbages and Roses, Caroline Zoob.

Summer lounging Lounge in comfort with spicy coloured cushions and throws Date: Make relaxing in the garden a thing of beauty as well as comfort by throwing loads of beautiful, tropical cushions on your lounger.
Shop for the look:
John Lewis, Cargo Homeshop, Dunelm Mill.
June 2006

Insect deterrent Keep the insects away from your home-made lemonade Date/Time: $x $X Cover jugs of lemonade and iced water and keep them bug free with small pieces of muslin weighed down with pegs.
Shop for the look: Sainsburys, IKEA, Tesco.

Linen canopy Create shade in the garden with a linen canopy above the table Date/Time: $x $X Give your outdoor dining space a rustic feel with a linen canopy fixed with bamboo poles and string.
Shop for the look: Habitat, Wickes, Scotts of Stow.

Garden croquet Celebrate summer living with nostalgic garden games Date/Time: $x $X Old-fashioned outdoor games are great fun to play in the garden, and you don't need a huge amount of space either, a small will do.
Shop for the look: The Garden Game Company, Garden Games, Outdoor Toys Direct.

Camping fun Turn a garden shed into a fun playhouse for the children Date/Time: $x $X Let the kids play at camping (even if it's only during the daytime), and create a den in a garden shed, and make it comfortable with cushions and a rug.
Shop for the look: Urchin,
Blacks, Decathlon.
July 2006

Sophisticated style Escape the heat and use cool blues and greys for light relief Date/Time: $x $X Be inspired by colonial style and create a smart dining area on your porch or verandah. Cool tones will counter the heat of the day, while hurricane lamps and lattice chairs complete the look.
Shop for the look: The White Company, Monogrammed Linen Shop, Greenfingers.

Relaxed dining Team a versatile table and chairs with hot colours Date/Time: $x $X Mix candy stripes with hot pinks and oranges for a zingy look, then temper this with simple wooden furniture and clear glass.
Shop for the look:
IKEA, The Pier, Habitat.

Floating candles Float candles in a glass bowl for a pretty centrepiece Date/Time: $x $X Make a pretty feature on an outdoor table with scented floating candles in a glass bowl and they'll send a gentle fragrance into the air.
Shop for the look: Marks & Spencer,
The Covent Garden Candle Company , Woolworths.

Pebble decoration Prevent your tablecloth from blowing away with a pebble weight Date/Time: $x $X Not only is a pebble weight a practical device, it adds a simple and stylish touch to your outdoor table.
Shop for the look:
RK Alliston, La Maison Bleue, Appley Hoare.

Picnic hamper Create a nostalgic feel with a traditional picnic hamper Date/Time: $x $X Pack up your picnic hamper, lay out your towel and get down to a fun game of croquet in your back garden before the feast begins.
Shop for the look:
John Lewis, Cath Kidston, Eccentrically English.

Formal dining Choose classic wooden furniture that will stand the test of time Date/Time: $x $X Add classic style to your outdoor space with a wooden table and chairs, with a simple canopy – they won't go out of fashion.
Shop for the look: Homebase, Focus .

Clutter control Dedicate a corner of the shed for storing outdoor games and toys Date/Time: $x $X Decide what will live in the shed and provide tubs, boxes and shelving to store it all neatly.
Shop for the look: Urchin, Great Little Trading Company,
IKEA.
July 2006

Country-style decking Create a multi-functional space for gardening and relaxing Date/Time: $x $X Turn a small outdoor space into a beautiful country-style sundeck by paitng walls and woodwork in a pale blue shade. Add a bistro-style table and folding chairs for seating that can be folded away. A parasol makes a pretty alternative to an umbrella - decorate it with bunting and hanging tealights.
Shop for the look: Garden Trading, The Little Greene Paint Company, Sanderson
AUGUST 2009

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