10 minute read
GARDENING
Summer sanctuary
If we can’t go away on holiday, we can, at least, look to our gardens to bring us pleasure. But if yours is more Bognor than Bahamas, it could be time to think about ways to make your garden work for a staycation, says Elly West
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Staying at home this summer? You’re certainly not alone, and many of us have been looking to our gardens to provide that holiday vibe. The landscaping industry is one of the more fortunate ones that saw a boom as the pandemic went on. Materials and plant shortages aside, many landscapers and designers have never been so busy. I saw enquiries for garden design services rocket at the start of the year and levels stayed high, as everyone spent more time at home and in the garden, and we faced another staycation summer with limited travel.
My clients’ wish lists have mostly been very similar – somewhere to entertain, socialise, relax, cook and eat – an outdoor room that can be enjoyed as an extension of the home, while still providing the visual attraction of year-round colour and soothing greenery. Hot tubs, outdoor kitchens and garden buildings are in demand, along with furniture, barbecues, garden bars and many other outdoor-living products.
If we can’t go away on holiday, then at least we can look to our gardens to bring us pleasure, and stepping out of the back door into our own summer sanctuary can be the next best thing. But if your garden is currently more Bognor than Bahamas, it could be time to think about ways to add some zing.
A good starting point is the seating area. All gardens need somewhere to sit and relax, so take a look at where the sun rises and sets, and consider what time of day you’re most likely to be outside. Do you prefer to sit in the sun or shade? Are you looking for a spot for a morning coffee, evening sundowner, or do you have room for more than one seating area? South-facing will get the most direct sunshine during the day, or west-facing for the evening, and you can always add a sail shade, screening or large parasol for days when the sun is strong.
Summer houses often turn into glorified sheds in my experience, but a simple pergola with a covered roof or sail strung between the posts is an effective way to define a seating area, provide shelter and a sense of enclosure, and also provides the opportunity to grow climbers such as clematis or roses. A pergola makes a good focal point and gives instant structure and height.
Somewhere sunny for loungers and comfy sofas, combined with a shadier spot for outdoor dining, is a good idea if you have the space. Surround your seating with fragrant plants such as herbs, jasmine, lilies and lavender, and hang some bunting, and you'll soon feel in holiday mood. If you’re lucky enough to have well-positioned trees, string up a hammock for the ultimate in holiday relaxation!
Alfresco dining is also synonymous with summer holidays, so a
place to cook outside could be a good investment, whether it’s a small barbecue or full-on kitchen with worktops, a sink and places to grill, bake and fry. Pizza ovens and Japanese-style ceramic kamado grills have soared in popularity and make stylish garden features that create a focal point in your cooking space. A brick-built barbecue is another option if you want to keep things simple. Again, think carefully about where you want the kitchen area to be. Unless it’s deluxe enough to have everything you need, then a spot close to the house (and the actual kitchen) makes sense, as well as not too far away from where you’ll be eating the food.
Long evenings spent outdoors will always be enhanced with garden lighting, and switching on lights immediately invokes a holiday-party vibe, especially if you go for fun colour-changing bulbs controllable from an app on your phone. There are also lots of hanging pendant lights that give that indoor-outdoor look, or you might want a festival feel with festoon or fairy lights. String them along fences, through trees and shrubs or over an arch or pergola. Solar lights are a good option if you don’t have an outdoor electricity supply, although they won’t be as bright or reliable, or even a collection of tealights in jam jars will provide evening atmosphere for very little cost.
Lots of accessories on the market have the indoor-outdoor look in mind, and a cosy space filled with blankets and cushions, plus an outdoor patterned rug, will entice you and your family and friends to spend longer outdoors. And when the temperature drops, a free-standing fire pit makes another good addition to keep you warm, while creating an attractive centrepiece. Some even come with a cooking grill. Go for one with a gas tank for instant, reliable heat, Love Island style! n • ellyswellies.co.uk; Instagram: @ellyswellies1
Plant of the month: Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are reminiscent of holidays in France –their stately flowers towering against the rough stone walls of a rustic gîte –but they’re favourites in English country cottage gardens as well and it’s easy to see why. They’re easy to grow from seed and appear later in the summer after many other perennials and annuals have burnt out, their statuesque blooms ideal for the back of a border or against a house wall. I’d always thought of these as biennials, according to the books, meaning that they flower in their second year and then die. However, I moved to my current house more than seven years ago and I inherited a near-black variety that’s sprouted reliably right at the base of a cherry tree every year, proving that plants don’t follow the rules! They’re loved by bees and butterflies, and come in a range of jewel-like colours, from soft pinks through to yellows and creams, red, white, blue and black. The petals can be added to salads or crystallised for cake decorations. Hollyhocks are easy to grow from seed either indoors or out, and appreciate well-drained soil in full sun, where they will reward you with a plethora of flowers that can tower at over 2m tall. The stems may need staking in a windy spot.
Asuperbly appointed modern 3 bedroom detached house with well-proportioned accommodation, an attractive garden and set on the eastern outskirts of Bath. 1 Evelyn Close is one of 4 superb appointed detached properties built by Ashford Homes some 4 years ago. The accommodation has a light and airy feel to it and is very well proportioned throughout with good sized hallways and landings, 3 double bedrooms, together with wellappointed bathroom and shower rooms with Villeroy & Boch and Hansgrohe fitments.
Similarly, the kitchen/breakfast room has a high-quality kitchen with granite worktops fully fitted throughout and the property benefits from fully gas fired underfloor heating, fully wired with CAT 6 to provide the infrastructure for wifi and internet connection throughout the house. It should also be noted that the property is fully wired for sound system.
The property also the benefit of an attractive well enclosed garden to the rear which comprises a large, paved terrace with upper lawn and a recently erected home office/gym which is fitted with electricity and lighting. The property also has the benefit of 3 parking spaces to the front. This is quite a superb property, and a viewing is highly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr.
Box Road, Bathford
• Detached house
• Sought after location
• Garden with home office
• 3 double bedrooms
• Well-proportioned rooms
• 3 parking spaces
• Light and airy feel
Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath. Tel: 01225 333332
£675,000
Orchard House, Winsley
£875,000
An attractive and spacious 5 bedroom detached house situated in the heart of the village with level garden, ample parking and double garage.
• 5 bedrooms, 2 en suites • Family bathroom • 3 reception rooms, Kitchen/breakfast room • Double garage and ample parking • Level front and rear gardens
SOLD SOLD
Lansdown, Bath - £1,350,000
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Englishcombe Village - £900,000
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Walcot, Bath - £580,000
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Lansdown, Bath - £350,000
SOLD
Andrewsonline.co.uk
Fountain House Bath, BA1 OIEO £300,000
This well-presented city centre apartment can be accessed via a private lift or externally from two separate entrances.The grand lounge/dining room is light and airy and extends to an open plan well-fitted kitchen with integrated appliances.The spacious double bedroom is complete with a unique wet room and WC. There is also a separate office space and utility room. This incredible apartment is offered with vacant possession. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC 01225 809 571 central@andrewsonline.co.uk To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk
Camden
Andrewsonline.co.uk
Marshfield Way, Bath, BA1 OIEO £380,000
This is a well presented three bedroom, mid terraced townhouse with wonderful views, located in a popular location between Fairfield Park and Landsdown. In brief the property consists of: Internal garage on ground floor. On the first floor is a spacious lounge, kitchen/dining area with access to the rear garden. On the second floor are three bedrooms and a modern fitted bathroom. The front garden offers off-street parking and access to the garage. Energy Efficiency Rating: D 01225 809 868 camden@andrewsonline.co.uk To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk
Andrewsonline.co.uk
SOLD STC
Weston, Bath, BA1 £799,995
Originally built in the 17th century, this detached property in Weston village was altered in the Georgian period, it still has many original Georgian features throughout creating a charming and characterful farm house. Set on a quiet lane in a secluded location, the property sits in the centre of it’s grounds with garden wrapping around the front and sides. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC 01225 809 685 newbridge@andrewsonline.co.uk To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk
Bear Flat
Andrewsonline.co.uk
Flatwoods Road, Bath, BA2 Guide price £740,000
Situated on the upper Southern slopes of Bath and close to Combe Down village, this four bedroom corner-plot, detatched property is in pristine condition. In brief there’s a bright and spacious living room, a modern fitted kitchen and dining room - both overlooking the rear garden, four bedrooms and family bathroom on the first floor. Outside the garden wraps around the property and there’s a garage with two storage rooms. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC 01225 805 680 bearflat@andrewsonline.co.uk To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk
