New Garden Trends
Work on the Wild Side
Whether you have a small urban courtyard or a spacious green garden in the country, it should be possible to enjoy your outdoor space whatever the weather, and whatever the activity - and we don't mean simply playing or digging. Thanks to new technology and a growing trend in flexible working, gardens can make perfect offices too.
To prove it, just look at the Chelsea 2005 Flower Show: at least four of the gardens featured a workspace of some kind, be it a desk, workstation or gallery space. The most striking of these was the Microsoft SoGo Garden (pictured right), a superb brushed steel pod set in a courtyard garden, featuring a workstation for laptop and mobile phone.
Wireless technology is the real driver for this trend. All most people need to turn their garden into an office is a WiFi-equipped computer and a broadband link to the Internet. In a modest-sized garden, the signal should reach your laptop wherever you sit, which means you can access computer programs, the web and email even when you're sitting amongst the lupins and daffodils.
Thinking of getting your own outdoor office? Just like a real office, you'll need space to work: it doesn't have to be an antique desk in a fancy wooden shed - a garden table or metal desk on the patio should do. And how about some shelter? Sunlight might be wonderful for the plants but it wreaks havoc when you're trying to read a computer screen, so you will definitely want a bit of shade - even a large parasol would do the trick. With enough protection from the weather, you could even work outside in the rain. Finally, add a few finishing touches such as a wooden screen for privacy, a tub of rustling bamboo or willow and a calm-inducing water feature to help you stay focused, and with a mobile phone at the ready the office is complete!
If you have a spot in the garden with a favourite view, or alongside some aromatic herbs, then you could erect an open-sided pergola and work beneath it. One garden at Chelsea 2005 simply used a triangular sail as a canopy. For a more formal environment, opt for something permanent and resistant to rain or shine, such as the gorgeous Big Bertha - a Gothic garden seat with a difference, £1450 from Painted Pavilions (01787) 247 996.
John Gilbert’s "Work, Rest & Play” Chic garden at Chelsea 2005 used a simple computer desk as a workspace (although John admits he hates to work in the garden - "I’d rather relax in it," he says). For other ideas, have a look at London-based SCP (020) 7739 1869 which sells a selection of stylish office furniture.
Wireless technology is the real driver for this trend. All most people need to turn their garden into an office is a WiFi-equipped computer and a broadband link to the Internet. In a modest-sized garden, the signal should reach your laptop wherever you sit, which means you can access computer programs, the web and email even when you're sitting amongst the lupins and daffodils.
Thinking of getting your own outdoor office? Just like a real office, you'll need space to work: it doesn't have to be an antique desk in a fancy wooden shed - a garden table or metal desk on the patio should do. And how about some shelter? Sunlight might be wonderful for the plants but it wreaks havoc when you're trying to read a computer screen, so you will definitely want a bit of shade - even a large parasol would do the trick. With enough protection from the weather, you could even work outside in the rain. Finally, add a few finishing touches such as a wooden screen for privacy, a tub of rustling bamboo or willow and a calm-inducing water feature to help you stay focused, and with a mobile phone at the ready the office is complete!
Give Me Shelter
Unless you’re happy simply plonking yourself down on the lawn to work, you’ll probably need some kind of shelter over your head – anything from a gazebo to a small shady rosebush could do the trick. The key is to make it comfortable, inviting, and weatherproof, so you can enjoy working outdoors.If you have a spot in the garden with a favourite view, or alongside some aromatic herbs, then you could erect an open-sided pergola and work beneath it. One garden at Chelsea 2005 simply used a triangular sail as a canopy. For a more formal environment, opt for something permanent and resistant to rain or shine, such as the gorgeous Big Bertha - a Gothic garden seat with a difference, £1450 from Painted Pavilions (01787) 247 996.
Workstation
If you fancy creating your office on the patio, you probably want to think about a desk – and although a garden table will do, you could opt for a conventional desk made from weather-resistant materials. This gives you the advantage that you will have something solid to work on, plus it should give you lots of space to spread out.John Gilbert’s "Work, Rest & Play” Chic garden at Chelsea 2005 used a simple computer desk as a workspace (although John admits he hates to work in the garden - "I’d rather relax in it," he says). For other ideas, have a look at London-based SCP (020) 7739 1869 which sells a selection of stylish office furniture.
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