Out with it |
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It’s time to tidy your room – your outdoor room, that is. Dig out the market umbrella, set up the sun loungers and rub a coat of oil on the wooden patio furniture as you prepare for the long-awaited return of alfresco life. Gin and tonics by the pool, a ploughman’s lunch served under a shady tree, a fun-filled barbecue with friends as dusk falls and flames flicker… If there’s somewhere to sit, serve and socialise, your backyard, courtyard, deck or verandah has unlimited potential for summer entertaining. Unhindered by the four walls of your living area, you can let your creative eye roam as far as the back fence, inspired by our ideas on how to set up a practical, vibrant outdoor living space.
Coastal picnic
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Whether you’re minutes from the beach or landlocked in the city, it’s easy to go nautical at home. Use sunny picnic rugs, striped beach umbrellas and towels, bright resin dishware in tropical colours and marine-themed accessories such as blue and white striped pillows and sea shells. Nothing says coastal living like the ever-expanding range of all-weather sofas. From stylish two-seaters to sophisticated suites, the new outdoor furniture designs are comfortable and hard-wearing, in natural fibres and fabrics that can withstand the elements. Light the brazier or chiminea at night and toast marshmallows with the kids. If your home is in a coastal area, Ian Milne from Real Fires says stainless-steel outdoor fires are a great product. Made from marine-grade stainless, they’re guaranteed never to rust. |
Poolside
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A chaise longue for the lifeguard and a generously shady umbrella are the basic requirements for happy poolside lounging. Pitchers of home-made lemonade will go down a treat – with a gin twist for the grown-ups – as will thick, dry towels and a stack of good books. A spacious table for an alfresco lunch or dinner is a must. Danske Møbler’s marketing manager Lyn Poirier says that, following on from the last two seasons, the trend this year is for blonder wood and darker fabrics in tones of black, grey and blue. If you prefer aluminium, there’s an increasing range of stylish products out there. And for those who regularly seat a crowd, Lyn says bench seats are growing in popularity – they’re economical, easy to clean and make for less clutter. |
Cook out
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These days there are outdoor cooking options to suit every space and budget. Whether your outdoor area is limited to a courtyard or offers plenty of room to move, Rinnai’s innovative barbecues blend the latest technology with cutting-edge style in a size to suit. Anyone for pizza? There’s no way more authentic to produce Mediterranean-style food than in a wood-burning pizza oven. Broady’s range of character ovens can be extended to outdoor use – their Garden Oven can be installed on a brick or block foundation and cooks just like their indoor wood-fired models. The Outdoor Fireplace Company also makes outdoor ovens and frames them to create a true work of art. |
Wet & wild
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Water play is an essential part of a great summer and, even if you don’t have a tiled, in-ground pool, there are numerous options for blow-up and lightweight above-ground pools. Kids love lounging about after all that splashing and a selection of small folding chairs popped in a shady area will provide a nice place to cool off and eat lunch. Set up an outdoor rack or hanger for towels to dry off and keep drinks on ice in a chilly bin. Supply plenty of colourful beach balls and, if you have the space, a horizontal waterslide on the lawn. An old dinghy filled with sand makes for hours of fun for little ones. |
Tropical paradise
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Balinese or Pacific-inspired tropicana is a quick and easy look to achieve for the whole summer or just a party. A well-selected group of plants in pots – or dotted through your garden borders to add height and texture – some comfortable outdoor furniture and a few accessories (try a stone Buddha and some tealights or a tapa cloth on the table) will spell paradise in your patch. NZ Gardener magazine editor Lynda Hallinan says palms, bromeliads, canna lilies and taro and banana plants are just the thing to steam up a summer garden. Aristo NZ’s range of European-designed garden torches will add an authentic touch as dusk falls. Some brushwood fencing or bamboo screens, fairy lights around a tree and a tray of chilled mai tais will complete your island-holiday garden. |
English garden
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If pink gins and wide-brimmed sunhats on the terrace resonate with you, chances are your perfect garden room is pretty, floral and serene. Romance is alive and well at Domo Collections with their Le Jardin range of wrought-iron furniture. These pieces will stand the test of time, practically and aesthetically. Pop a small table and chairs in a shady corner and, voilà, tea for two never tasted better. Now, what about a few genteel summer activities? A pétanque terrain is easier to set up than you’d think and makes a fantastic social event for all ages, says Grant Hackett of Auckland’s West End Pétanque. The gentle click of a croquet mallet and ball is the soundtrack to another popular summer pastime – sets are available at good sports stores. |
Please see the photo gallery for more photos from this story.
Story: Deb Bartlett
Photographs: Kelley Eady Loveridge
Stylist: Claudia Kozub
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