Modern
Hi-Tech Garden
If you want a hi-tech garden, think Diarmuid Gavin. This is the look he so often achieves - with great panache - in programmes like Home Front. Hunks of steel shaped into shark's fins. Starkly elegant water features. Decking that moves to reveal hidden rooms. Lighting that resembles something out of Star Wars. It's garden style for boys with toys. Let your imagination rip!
So how do you achieve this look? Truthfully? Take out a mortgage. We're not talking DIY here. You may need to get an architect and many of the companies that supply the essential ingredients prefer to work with a professional designer and have minimum order requirements. But if you're prepared for the cost, you could end up with a space age garden to die for.
For information on finding an architect, see the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Fusion Glass specialise in extraordinary glass structures and finishes. They usually prefer to work with an architect or a designer and sadly won't accept an order below £1,000. But if your budget will allow it, they can give your garden a truly contemporary edge. Contact them on (020) 7738 5888 or see their website.
If this is outside your price range, then contact a glass specialist called Richard Cox, who runs a company called Glassology. He takes private commissions both inside and outside the home and can create anything for your garden from a glass water feature to a table or sculpture. Call him on (07958) 632 088.
At the cutting edge of garden lighting design are LEDs. These lights have loads of advantages over the traditional low voltage systems - they run cool, so won't burn your feet if you walk on them, and they don't need transformers. As a result you can use them near water. Although the amounts of light they can generate at the moment are small, higher wattages are on their way.
Fibre optics have come a long way since they were just fun indoor lights for your teenager's bedroom. Designers use them in all kinds of exciting ways in the great outdoors - most extraordinarily to light up swimming pools. Fluorescent tubes are another ground-breaking area. Place these under decking and watch the light penetrate the slats in interesting ways.
And the future? The word in the business is that the coming trend is lasers. So you could really have Star Wars in your back yard - may the force be with you! Buy all these products and more from lighting specialists Mr Resistor. Check out their website, or call them on (020) 8874 2234.
For information on finding an architect, see the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Urban Chic
The basic ingredients are simple enough. Landscaping needs to be hard and urban - decking will do, but concrete is best. Stainless steel, glass and aluminium will give your hi-tech garden the right feel.Fusion Glass specialise in extraordinary glass structures and finishes. They usually prefer to work with an architect or a designer and sadly won't accept an order below £1,000. But if your budget will allow it, they can give your garden a truly contemporary edge. Contact them on (020) 7738 5888 or see their website.
If this is outside your price range, then contact a glass specialist called Richard Cox, who runs a company called Glassology. He takes private commissions both inside and outside the home and can create anything for your garden from a glass water feature to a table or sculpture. Call him on (07958) 632 088.
Light Up Your World
Lighting is crucial to the hi-tech garden, but the most important thing to remember is to plan and install the lighting before you start to build. Make use of colour and switches, such as dimmers, to create different atmospheres automatically.At the cutting edge of garden lighting design are LEDs. These lights have loads of advantages over the traditional low voltage systems - they run cool, so won't burn your feet if you walk on them, and they don't need transformers. As a result you can use them near water. Although the amounts of light they can generate at the moment are small, higher wattages are on their way.
Fibre optics have come a long way since they were just fun indoor lights for your teenager's bedroom. Designers use them in all kinds of exciting ways in the great outdoors - most extraordinarily to light up swimming pools. Fluorescent tubes are another ground-breaking area. Place these under decking and watch the light penetrate the slats in interesting ways.
And the future? The word in the business is that the coming trend is lasers. So you could really have Star Wars in your back yard - may the force be with you! Buy all these products and more from lighting specialists Mr Resistor. Check out their website, or call them on (020) 8874 2234.
Far out Furniture
This fabulous stainless steel bench (£650) from Designs in Stainless will look great in your hi-tech garden. Maintenance free, it is available in different colours with the further option of textures impregnated into the surface. Call them on (01963) 363 686 for their catalogue or see their website.Our Programmes
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