GARDEN DESIGN
using a wall or garden fence, you
could add artwork (metal or stone
is best to withstand the elements)
to further enhance the feeling of an
extra room. Don’t forget to add some
form of shade for hot days; a canvas
awning or sail shade are inexpensive,
yet stylish options.
Patio or paved area
If your garden is paved or has a
patio, consider creating a cosy nook
in a sunny corner. Wooden crates
or pallets are an affordable way to
create a seating area. Add plenty of
Scandi cushions, throws and candle
holders for evening lighting to create
the right ambience. Pot plants
will add greenery and instantly
transform a paved area. And why
not add a hammock to a corner as
a fun place to enjoy some evening
reading?
Transform the shed
The humble garden shed can be
easily updated to create a Scandi
retreat, but this does mean you can’t
use the shed for storage. Firstly,
deep clean the shed to get rid of any
dust and cobwebs, and clean the
windows, inside and out. Paint the
walls bright white, hang bunting and
fairy lights, and add seating (bean
bags or garden chairs) together with
cosy throws or cushions. The garden
shed will become a place you never
want to leave.
Upcycling furniture
You don’t need to spend a fortune
on outdoor furniture. In fact,
achieving a shabby-chic Scandi look
is all about using second-hand or
upcycled items wherever possible.
Wooden crates make excellent
coffee tables, sand down and
repaint any old garden furniture,
and look for second-hand decorative
items such as lanterns or rugs. You
could make your own bunting and
soft furnishings (such as cushions
and throws) and design your own
artwork if you’re a keen crafter.
Lighting
Soft lighting is a key principle of
Scandi design; it’s all about creating
the right ambience and being
enveloped in a soft glow, rather than
using harsh or bright lights. Strings
of fairy or festoon lights, draped
artfully, provide a subtle yet stylish
back drop. Add candles to the table
and choose an array of candle sizes
and styles, avoiding anything too
matchy-matchy. You can also get
outdoor solar-powered fairy lights,
which come on automatically when
it gets dark and will glow for several
hours.
Design touches
In Scandi design there is a strong
relationship between design
elements and nature, driven by the
many Nordic forests and abundance
of green spaces. All materials used in
your Scandi retreat should include
elements of the natural world
throughout, such as wood, woven/
jute rugs, rattan and wicker furniture,
faux-fur throws, cotton, stone, leather
and linen. Keep colours muted and
neutral, such as whites, greys and
beiges, as these won’t overpower
the final look. You can add accents
of colour in soft furnishings and
artwork as a subtle hint.
Update a balcony
Adding fairy lights, a small table
and chairs, candles and bunting will
make your balcony the envy of your
neighbours. Pot plants can give an
inexpensive yet instant uplift and
make you feel more immersed in
nature. Stick with hardy, easy-to
care-varieties, such as ivy, cactus,
ferns and succulents. Get creative
with how you style your plants; an
old step ladder can provide great
shelving to display plants in a stylish
way, for example. You can also grow
culinary herbs (rosemary, mint and
sage) on a sunny balcony in zinc
pots, which look decorative and are
useful for cooking.
For more information on Contura,
please visit www.contura.eu
Follow us @ludmagazine
www.landud.co.uk 57