Choosing a Hanging Basket

Hanging baskets come in a range of styles. Which one you choose will depend on what overall look you are trying to achieve and your own personal preferences. Traditional hanging baskets are made from galvanized wire, although now many are made from plastic. You can also purchase wood baskets or terracotta ones, which are more attractive options. All hanging baskets will either be meshed or solid. Many people prefer meshed baskets as these allow you to insert the plants through the gaps, which can create spectacular displays.

Liners

Lining your hanging basket helps to retain moisture and prevent compost falling out.  The best lining option is sphagnum moss, which is specially farmed for this purpose. Some gardeners prefer to use black polythene as, if looked after carefully, it will last considerably longer.

Selecting Your Plants

Using a wide selection of flowers and foliage plants will make much more of an impact than simply using two or three varieties. Alternatively, the use of a single type of plant in a single colour can be equally striking. Spring and summer bedding plants are the ideal choice for hanging baskets and they can be inter-planted with bulbs. Petunias, busy-lizzies and begonias all work well in a hanging basket environment. For the best effect, plant trailing plants, such as ivy, around the edges.

The site will not need to be levelled for starters, and you can get supporting posts of different lengths to cope with any slopes in the ground. The materials used to build a decking patio are also much easier to handle than those needed for a concrete slab patio, and it can be erected over utilities such as gas, water and electricity mains. The wooden materials used are less invasive than concrete and brick, too. On the down side, a brick patio will last a lot longer than the 25 years you can expect a decking patio to survive, and decking patios also need a lot of maintenance such as regular treating and washing, as well as running repairs.

Decking can be attached directly to the house or separate from it and used, for example, as a pier for wildlife observation if you have a pond. Decks can be easily raised above each other if you have an old foundation getting in the way, and it can be built to almost any shape you want. The wood used to construct a decking patio can be fixed in a wide variety of patterns, and indeed designed to create an eye-catching garden feature, for example to mirror an existing circular stone patio.

Bespoke garden rooms can be made to fit snugly into the corner of most gardens and can even be fitted with a lantern roof to make them especially attractive when the lights are switched on at night.

Garden rooms provide the homeowner with some extra space that can be used in all weathers and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Children love playing in them and they are ideal garden offices or garden studios for adults who need to work.

Garden rooms can be specially designed to suit all tastes and are fully insulated so that even in the winter they can be used. They make a cost-effective alternative to a full-blown extension and can be erected quickly and easily, as they are self-contained units and do not need to be fixed to the house walls.

Garden rooms come with full electric wiring fitted and you can treat them just the same as any other room in the house. If you need a separate place to work away from a big and noisy family and they are a convenient solution for garden offices or garden studios.

On the other hand, they are godsend if you just want a place to get away from it all for a couple of hours.

There are three main decking care products that help protect the wood.

Decking Oil

This penetrates the wood, replacing natural oils that have been lost and also gives weather protection. It has a subtle appearance that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. It can be applied using a variety of methods such as brush, spray or special pad.

Decking Protector

This soaks deep into the wood, creating a protective and waterproof seal. This product is suitable for those wishing to maintain a natural wood finish as it is translucent and will not alter the wood’s appearance.

Decking Stain

If you want to add a little splash of colour you can do so whilst protecting the wood as well. Obtain a semi-opaque finish in a shade of your choice and waterproof your deck all with one product.

Let us be honest, the world is not getting any less hectic.  The trend towards an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle, along with a lack of time to properly enjoy downtime, either alone or with your family, has brought about a need for all of us to find ways of incorporating nature into our everyday lives.  Garden rooms, garden studios and garden offices offer a simple, beautiful and practical way to do this.

It is not necessary to be a master gardener or even an amateur home gardener to appreciate the possibilities of constructing a garden room.  Surrounding a serene room with the beauty of nature creates a perfect mini-getaway for homeowners and the perfect spot for hosting garden parties for friends and family.  The provision of an additional room, either as an extension of the home or otherwise, also provides useful protection from the elements.

By creating a lush and vibrant landscape, surrounding the garden room, it is possible to incorporate nature into the very architecture of the building.  The incorporation of nature into the home makes garden rooms the perfect choice for providing a seamless link between indoor and outdoor areas.

You can transform your garden studio into the perfect family room by adding items such as cosy chairs and even a selection of toys for the children.  Fully insulated garden rooms will provide you with a comfortable family room that you can use all year round.  You can even add extra heating to keep your family room warm and cosy during the winter months.

If you have members of your family or friends visiting you regularly then you can also create an extra room for guests.  In addition to cosy chairs, you can also add sofa beds so that your guests have somewhere to sleep.  Create the perfect family or guest room by adding entertainment such as TVs, books and games.  Many garden rooms come with electricity packages, allowing you to easily link up cables from your garden room to your home.

You can even transform your garden room into a games area, where family and friends can enjoy a variety of entertainment.  There are many spacious garden rooms available, providing you with just enough room to add items such as pool tables, video games consoles and much more.  Many garden rooms come with extra security features such as locking systems, allowing you to keep any items that you place in your family room secure.

Soundproof garden studios are the perfect choice for those wishing to create a music room.  By selecting a soundproof garden studio you will have the freedom of using your music room whenever you wish without disturbing others.  There are a wide variety of spacious garden studios available that will provide you with just enough space to store a variety of music equipment, including drum kits, pianos and guitars.

A soundproof garden studio will also enable you to transform your garden studio into a recording studio.  You could also turn your studio into a cosy den where you can escape and listen to your favourite music without disturbing others.  You can even add extra items such as spotlights to create the perfect atmosphere for your music room or recording studio.

Garden studios are perfect for those wishing to create an art studio.  Many garden studios come with opening windows and large glass panels, providing you with plenty of natural light as you work on your art.  You can even decorate your studio with your paintings or create an art gallery where your guests can view a selection of your work.

Preparing Ironwork for Refinishing

To prepare old ironwork for refinishing you will need to remove any existing paintwork or rust.  Visible rust will need to be sanded off manually or by using a power sander for more awkward areas.  Layers of old paint should be removed, either by sanding or with a chemical paint remover.  Whichever method of paint removal you choose, you should ensure that you are wearing the correct safety clothing, along with a mask and goggles, which are essential for both tasks.

Once all existing paint and rust residues have been removed, the ironwork will need to be thoroughly cleaned with a solution of soap and water to ensure nothing is left to affect the final finish.

Applying a New Finish to Old Ironwork

When the ironwork is clean and dry, you have two options.  Either apply a rust resistant coating, followed by paint or opt for a paint that incorporates a level of rust resistance.  Because of the intricate designs incorporated into ironwork, the new finish will need to be carefully applied by hand or, depending on the type of paint chosen, may be sprayed on for an even finish.

The gazebo was first seen in the gardens of Ancient Egypt in around 5000BC, when members of Ancient Egyptian royalty added gazebo-type structures to roof tops in order to view the surrounding area. However, evidence shows that ancient gazebos eventually moved to ground level (much as we know them today). Many ancient Egyptians believed that their gardens were a literal paradise on earth that could be taken with them into the afterlife, and the layouts of some of the earliest gazebos have been found depicted in murals inside ancient tombs. Some archaeologists have even suggested that gazebos may have been used as temples to contact the Gods.

Gazebos were also built in Ancient Greece and Rome. Often constructed in marble, these structures were also designed to honour and reflect the larger temples. In China and Japan, some of the most elaborate examples of wooden gazebos, or pagodas, are still in existence today, and are often used for spiritual meditation.

Gazebos also became popular in Europe in the Renaissance, as part of the fascination with the exotic that sprung up in this period of extensive trade, travel and adventure. Eastern-style summerhouses became extremely popular, and it is in this period that the term gazebo was coined.

Garden rooms are custom built to your specifications and come with electrical outlets, kingspan insulation and are fully plaster boarded and skinned; all you have to do is choose a colour and paint the interior. The exterior of garden studios is clad in timber, which is one of the most versatile and attractive finishes and will stand the test of time.

Wood effect door and windows can be placed wherever you want them and are usually made from PVCu material, making them highly energy efficient and adding to the overall design.

So if you want to add another room to your house that not only looks good, will last for years and doesn’t need any planning permission, then a garden room is for you!