www.englishnature.org.uk

How to bring the outside in & inside out

Urban gardens can be that extra room you are looking for, adding value in more ways than one.

An architect or designer should inspire their clients to make the most of their indoor-outdoor space, however big or small, so that they can relax enjoy space, eat and entertain, inside or out.”

The featured project is a complete house refurbishment and extension for a private developer client in Bayswater, London, W2. The garden was opened up to the open-plan living-kitchen-dining room to the full width of the property with large sliding glass doors and a level threshold. The canopy incorporated in the design leads you gently to the outside room while giving some additional shading to the living area in the warmer months.

The building was carefully designed to ensure that, as well as the curtains, the sliding folding doors can be neatly tucked out of the way and lie flush with the side wall when fully opened. The threshold of the sliding doors is flush with the floor finish and the same floor levels continue throughout, visually merging the two spaces into one, making both inside and outside appear larger. This is accentuated by having the same or a similar surface finish to both living room and garden. In this case a ceramic tile with under-floor heating was used internally, which closely matches the stone in the garden, where you are able to see the depth of the finish.

Tips for discussions with your architect when extending into your garden or remodelling your home.

 When using glazed doors which slide back and give a large clear opening at any time of year, consider how they will look when fully or partially open and if you want to include any screening or curtains.

 Consider similar materials on both sides of the threshold.

 Drainage can detract from your look, so make sure your architect has this feature integrated into the design.

 Get your architect to suggest or consider a landscape designer, who will be able to suggest plants that will keep your garden looking good all year round.

 Consider the view to your garden at different times of the day and extending its use by incorporating lighting.

 Be sure to discuss furniture, fittings, lighting, sound, heating and irrigation, all of which need to be integrated to keep lines clean.

 Consider the colour and texture of your garden walls to accentuate architectural planting, maximising the light reflected back into the garden and making it look bigger.

Contact them on: 0207 610 9333

Web: www.dblo.co.uk

Claire Hale, dblo associates

‘ A well considered extension and garden layout can make your garden into an extension of your living room and a space you can use all year round’

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