How Homeware Has Moved Out Of The Home and Into The Garden
Article by Iainjenkin
In the past, the home was simply a house and everything in it, while everything else was the garden and exterior. But times have changed and, as any home and DIY store assistant will confess, homeware is no longer confined to kitchens and living rooms, and now incorporates the exterior too. Today, the garden is every bit a part of the home, with furniture to lounge in, floors to care for and even areas for meals to be cooked and served in. The key to this new way of thinking is that people no longer see their garden as a place for flowers and pitch forks, but instead part of the living space. They are as carefully tended to as even the most expensive fabric sofas, with protective oils and waxes, such as the Osmo oil range, used to ensure wooden fixtures and fittings last. There is even a particular fussiness about cleanliness, and while the Barbantia touch bin is designed for the modern kitchen, it is not unusual to see one used at a family barbecue. When it comes to the garden and our new attitude to it, there are three tell tale aspects. These are the investment and care we now take in outdoor decking, the furniture that we purchase and the degree to which we are willing to use the garden at meal times, mostly in the form of barbecues. Decking At one stage, decking was something that only the well to do could afford to have installed, but it has become so affordable that it is now a common feature in urban and rural homes alike. The chief use, of course, is to extend the house into the garden, effectively creating an open air room by building a firm flooring from the home. So, while the grass and mud lies underneath the decking, home owners can have chairs and tables to sit and eat at, often with food carried directly from the kitchen without any impediments. Also, wooden decking lasts much longer than it did in the past, thanks to the advances made in treatment oils and waxes. Water resistant oils keep moisture out, while microporous oils allow the wood to breathe and keep the decking looking good. Barbecues Barbecues are perhaps the surest sign of the change in attitude. While they have been very popular since the 1980s and are nothing new to home owners, the sophistication of barbecues and the willingness home owners have in investing in them, shows just how important they have become. A barbecue is no longer a curious convenience, but is an important part of home entertaining. There are, of course, different types to serve different needs. Typically, a barbecue is available on its own stand and can be wheeled into the garden when needed from a utilities room or storage room. The technology involved means they are gas fuelled with one touch cleaning systems, rust proof vents and even a mounted thermometer. Smaller versions can actually be placed on a garden table and are electrically operated, while others still resemble portable kitchen ranges, with as many as six gas burners, stainless steel work tops at both ends, and even storage cupboards with shelves. It seems that the kitchen has been compacted and brought out to the garden. Furniture Outdoor furniture was once a poor relative to the living room and dining room, with sturdiness and durability the most important concerns when it came to the manufacturers choosing a design. However, today, the range of garden and patio furniture is far superior. The reason for this is not simply a change of preference on the part of purchasers, but is actually the fact that even the light wooden furniture can be protected thanks to the wood oils that are on the market. This is where developments in brands such as Osmo oil have made the difference. Since they offer superior protection against the elements, home owners can have greater confidence that the more stylish and less bulky furniture can survive. The concept of home has expanded into the garden, and the idea of homeware has expanded too. And while the Brabantia touch bin may still be at home in a kitchen, it can benefit garden chefs at a barbecue at any time too.
About the Author
Iain Jenkins writes articles for Lords of Notting Hill, who provide homeware accessories and tools to put the finishing touches to a stunning home. Their Brabantia touch bin offers a stylish feel to a kitchen and with many kitchen and laundry bins on offer.