Sitting pretty for summer sunshine

Homes & Interiors

Given the recent downpours I am not sure lounging about outside is foremost on people’s minds.  Hopefully there will be the odd hint of sun over the holiday season and, with that in mind, there really is little to compare to the joy of relaxing on a garden swing seat, gently rocking in a light breeze with a canopy shielding you from direct sun.

One of the nicest varieties I experienced was as a child when friends had an enormous old “swinging sofa”.  I was delighted to find this design has been resurrected by a fellow fanatic as “The Idler”, a product faithful to an original 1930s model.  It features comfy pocket sprung cushions created thanks to the specialist advice of a 94 year old upholsterer, George Marchant, who has worked in the London palaces.  At £1,695 this is definitely a luxury purchase, but one which should hopefully create a whole lifetime of experiences (www.wilverley.com – 01843 603462).

If you want to indulge in cushiony comfort, without the price tag, you may want to consider the Bodo 3 Seat Swing Hammock.  The seat hangs on cadmium plated chains which adjust the vertical seat height and angle to allow maximum flexibility.  It is available in a variety of colours and finishes (£369.99; www.gardenfurnitureengland.co.uk – 01738 248019).

For those who prefer a solo space, the Teardrop is an egg-shaped hanging chair.  You can sit comfortably cocooned whilst rocking gently in the Summer Sun.  Failing that is does have a galvanised frame designed to be resistant to cold and wet weather (£349; www.livingitup.co.uk – 0116 269 5960).

Cushion storage can be a concern and if this is the case there are still plenty of differing options available.

The clean lines of the John Lewis Swing Seat are perfect for those wanting a little padding, without fuss.  It is made from FSC-certified teak, with stainless steel fittings for durability.  If left outside in all weathers the timber will fade to a beautiful silvery colour (£675; www.johnlewis.com).

In contrast, the Barmouth Swing Seat from B&Q looks as though it has been plucked straight from an English Country Cottage and would look perfect adorned with climbing roses.  It is available in kit form for £379 or with Assembly for £479 (www.diy.com).

My final choice for a minimum maintenance swing would be the Three Seater Hammock (Black) from Littlewoods. The frame is steel and the seats are covered with textoline, a comfortable and hard wearing man-made fabric.  Just give it a quick wipe down now and again (£124; www.littlewoods.com – 0844 822 8000).

Fingers crossed for a drier spell!

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is an award-winning interior designer.  Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or call 0800 032 1180.

This article was first published in the Yorkshire Post on 10th August 2011

Moroccan Flavour to Outdoor Eating

INTERIORS

WITH the prospect of balmy evenings returning, interior designer Jamie Hempsall considers an alternative for al fresco dining.

We Brits have embraced the idea of dining outdoors. However, it is often still in a formal fashion – the equivalent of taking your dining suite outside and sitting properly at the table.

Cultures that regularly experience hot evenings have a much more relaxed attitude to the whole situation, recognising that long evenings of happy chatting, drinking and dining can be better facilitated if revellers are totally laid back. So why not throw caution to the wind and embrace a bit of Eastern culture? Forego the table, forget the chairs and instead look to lounge in comfort.

This season sees an array of Moroccan inspired outdoor offerings which are perfect for creating your ideal dining experience. Think picnic with a twist and you are half way there.

Base everything around a central carpet area where you can put out your food and drink. Kilims are purpose built for this; they are incredibly hardwearing and fold up easily so that you can store them in a relatively small space. Specialist rug sellers often have them at reasonable prices and ebay usually have a good selection available (remember to check the size of the rug you are buying).

You might also want to consider the likes of the Acapulco Picnic Mat which is made from recycled plastic and fashioned to look like a traditional rug. It may not be as comfortable as a kilim, but is incredibly practical and the price point makes it a worthwhile alternative. (£19.95 in a variety of colours from www.dotcomgiftshop.com – 0208 746 2473).

Surround the edges of your carpet with masses of cushions and Moroccan pouffes. The more the merrier is the name of the game – think of falling back into a generous pile of cushions, rather than balancing precariously on one. Homesense have faux leather Moroccan inspired pouffes for those who would prefer something more upright (from £19.99; www.homesense.com – 01923 473000 - see main picture).

To light up your evening forget patio lights and opt instead for the gentle glow of candlelight. Moroccan style glass lanterns are perfect for countering our rather windy weather. Tesco has wonderful white lanterns with coloured glass at £11 each (www.tesco.com – 0800 505555), while Homesense claim that they will be selling the biggest range of Moroccan lanterns on the high street this summer with prices from £14.99. Add intimate lighting around the dishes of your feast with an assortment of tea lights in patterned holders which will cast exotic shadows.

Two of my favourites are the Etched Glass Candle Holder finished in silver (£4; www.roseandgrey.co.uk – 0560 311 3405) and Bangle Tealights fashioned from recycled Indian Bangles (also £4; www.berryred.co.uk – 01432 274805).

BEDOUIN THEME BRINGS TASTY TEA



DRESS your area with earthenware pots and vases to create a rustic Bedouin atmosphere and serve dates and mint or apple tea poured from a coffee pot into small glasses for an exotic after dinner digestive (the set here were purchased in the Souk at Marrakech).

To ensure that you can enjoy lounging until late invest in a firepit which you can keep close by and then regroup your cushions around to end the evening in a warm and welcoming glow.

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is an award-winning interior designer. Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or call 0800 032 1180


This article was originally published in the Yorkshire Post on Weds 18th May 2011

The bench mark for a summer of relaxation

Ever hopeful of a wonderful summer, now is the time to check out the pick of benches to provide the ultimate rest and contemplation point in any garden.  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall picks his favourites.

We are now headlong into May and approaching what is the busiest and most rewarding of times for the garden enthusiast. After time spent weeding, I always enjoy the opportunity to sit back and relax on a bench in the sun to maximise the use of my outdoor space which, for the next few months, will become a welcome extra room.

You would not just run to the nearest dump any old piece of furniture in your home and the same should apply to items you choose for your garden. Whatever you do, choose a piece that is comfortable, but also one that adds visual impact either in colour or form – think of it as an extra piece of garden sculpture and as an investment. A good quality bench will last a lifetime, if looked after properly, bringing happy memories as it gracefully ages.

There are plenty of options out there and good design has never been better – or cheaper – than it is today, so you should be able to find something to satisfy your personal taste. Here is a selection of my favourite benches that I think would enliven anyone’s garden.

Simple & Stylish

Saigon Garden Bench from B&Q

£499.98

1920s Elegance

Haddoncraft Charleston Seat
£995











Contemporary Funk

Quilt Bench from Edge Company
£175

Design Icon

Teak Marlborough Lutyens Bench
Kingshall Furniture
£349

Romantic Rendezvous

Two-seater Sorrento Bench from Kit Stone
£180

Ultimate Indulgence

Torino Rattan Daybed
Zebrano Rattan Furniture
£499.99






Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design.  For more details visit him at http://www.jamiehempsall.com/ or call 01777 248463