In this episode, Chris and Mark produce an atmospheric firepit for Joe and Sharon Phillips in their garden in Essex. Joe works as an art director and Sharon is an accountant and although they have no kids, they do share their garden with a bulldog called Mutley!

Sharon and Joe describe themselves as great partygoers and socialisers and they are keen to use the garden as a space for entertaining, particularly the secluded wooded space at the end of the garden. Their garden is approximately 250ft (76.2m) long and 60ft (18.3m) wide and is split into five different sections. The first area adjoins the house and contains the patio. This leads into the second area, a flower garden, the circular decks, the lawn area and finally an overgrown woodland space - the perfect retreat for a secluded fire pit.

Inspiration Station:

The first location the team visit for inspiration is a beautiful gladed area of Epping Forest. Chris and Mark are able to get a feel of the space they are to be working in and develop some ideas about the atmosphere they'll be trying to recreate.

The boys also pay a visit to CVO Fire Vault in central London. This retail showroom is full of beautifully designed fire bowls and fires for both indoor and outdoor use. Here Chris and Mark take a look at shapes, designs and materials to incorporate into their own outdoor design.

Stockist List:

Sawn timber (seating around firepit)
TimberTec - woodland and tree care specialists
Tel: (01245) 257116

Stones and boulders (surrounding firepit and timber posts)
Stone used was Grotto Rock, Tumbled Granite Cobbles, Spaghetti Rock
CED Ltd - masonry merchants
Tel: (01708) 867237

Timber (uprights for posts surrounding fire pit))
Brooks Brothers - timber merchants
Tel: (020) 8591 5300

General building materials (cement, ballast, geotextile membrane, seedeck)
EH Smith - builder's merchant
Tel: (01245) 459600

Go back to Garden Highs - An Introduction