Outdoor accessories – 5 designs to inspire
1. Water feature
Whether you are watering a few pots or extensive flowerbeds, the Haws long-reach watering can is perfectly balanced so that it can be used full, half-full or empty without placing undue strain on the user. The longer spout ensures a constant watering pressure while the brass rose creates a fine spray that won’t drown plants. A classic piece of functional design and an elegant object in its own right.
2. Instant atmosphere
Firebowls offer an easy way to create a fireside atmosphere in any outdoor space. The Ignis fire bowl, designed by VE2 for Skagerak, is light enough to be moved about with ease and placed wherever you wish. The bowl is made of weather-resistant, rust-inhibiting Corten steel, and the legs ensure the device is ideal for use on decking or other surfaces that cannot withstand high temperatures. Its portability makes it perfect for beaches and camping trips and means that ashes can be emptied out in an instant.
3. Shade solutions
Create welcome shade and shelter with the Messina parasol by Skagerak. Its minimal form is reminiscent of Asian sunshades, while the combination of white fabric and wood suggests a maritime look. The fabric shade is Teflon-coated to repel water and dirt and the durable meranti wood frame will complement all outdoor spaces.
4. Outdoor games
Outdoors isn’t just for relaxation and contemplation. Corknet by Julian Bond is an ingenious way of transforming any flat surface into a table tennis table. Made from natural cork, this lightweight set is portable and easy to store, making it ideal for holidays as well as homes. For a gentler form of exercise, the Petanque set by Akiko Kuwahata for Skagerak contains traditional French boules set within a beautifully constructed carrying case.
5. Animal sanctuaries
Add interest to outdoor spaces with ornamental products that encourage wildlife and benefit the eco-system. The Georgian birdhouse by Tomoko Azumi for TNA Design Studio provides an ideal home for blue tits and robins, laser-etched with Georgian house design and topped by a recycled period roof tile. Geoffrey Fisher’s bee hotels attract solitary bees and are hand-carved from sustainably sourced wood. Both are as pleasing to the eye as they are beneficial to the environment.