HEADER
The great outdoors for living and eating Eating outdoors throughout the year here in Jersey is no longer the preserve of the very rich (or very crazy), says Gill Maccabe
A
s many kitchens and spare rooms have been turned into home offices and indoor space is at a premium, Islanders are calling on architects and DIY manuals to squeeze value out of every square metre of their land. A brief trawl of the current online Planning Application Register will reveal that pool houses and outdoor kitchens are topping the leader charts, from simple gazebo structures providing a bit of shelter from the elements to full blown garden rooms that can be used all year round. How much it costs to put in an outdoor kitchen depends on your budget and how ambitious or how clever you are.
24
“
The benefits are enormous, and you don’t need a huge garden. Choose a sheltered spot free from high winds (this is actually easier in a smaller garden surrounded by other properties) and treat it as a spare room
You could buy a top-of-the-range B&Q barbecue and build your own cooking area outdoors with cabinets, worktops and shelving made from weatherproof materials which will stand the test of time against the elements such as concrete, bricks and reclaimed wood – or you could call in the experts and name your price. The benefits are enormous, and you don’t need a huge garden. Choose a sheltered spot free from high winds (this is actually easier in a smaller garden surrounded by other properties) and treat it as a spare room. In the cooler months pretend you are in a ski resort and bring out your padded jackets and hats, light a fire and stick a hot water bottle under a rug on your lap.
