Wirral Life October 2021 | Page 51

BY KATE KINGSTON

Kate Kingston , Managing Director of Kingston Shaw , an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral , London and Dubai , shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home .

ROOM OUTDOORS ?

Whatever you choose , pay heed to how the structure will mature in your outdoor space and compliment your existing structures . Planted roofs are an excellent way to integrate a new structure in to a garden .

We have just returned from the Chelsea Flower Show and for the first time in its illustrious career , the RHS held the event in September , causing some of its patrons musings off ‘ Will it be the same ?’ ‘ Will it be just dahlias upon dahlias ?’ However the reality far surpassed any misgivings of bucolic boredom , it was a riot of beautiful muted colours , grasses and hydrangeas and such like , but the stand out design for me was the outdoor rooms that these clever designers have created , rooms made out of bark , bricks , mortar , roofs busting with life , useful spaces combining offices , kitchens , bedrooms and craft rooms . If you are thinking of creating and building your own outdoor room or summer house , here are a few of our favourites with a couple of interior tricks !

1 . Choose your materials

• Are you going to go for wood , brick or hybrid ?

• Consider the size , what do you need the structure to contain ?

• Do you need plumbing ?

• Do you need planning permission ?

2 . Consider the Surroundings

• Will it be an extension of your house ?

• Nestled into the garden and integrated ?

• A feature ?

• An architectural full stop ?

3 . Interior Details We need to respect our climate and my biggest tip is ensure that the space is heated . Underfloor heating is the best way to go as it is unobtrusive , however if you are planning an outdoor room in sunnier climes you may want to consider a ceiling fan or central air . Some kind of temperature control is essential to ensure that things don ’ t get damp or you don ’ t use the space because it ' s too hot or too cold ! Lighting is essential , I beg you really think about how the space will be used and what lighting compliments that , daylight bulbs are amazing if you plan to work , different levels of lighting are essential if you want to create a mood and relax .

4 . Furnishings Where possible use outdoor fabrics - when rooms don ’ t get used that often and are subjected to extreme temperature a breathable fabric is essential . Have fun with the design , this is a space that you can go a little crazy with the colour and furnishings , whatever its purpose . Plot out your design first to ensure that there is good flow and everything fits ! Storage will be essential , you don ’ t want to be carrying things back and forward so if you are going to entertain in the space ensure you have everything you need and it is neatly stored away .

5 . Get a multi functional tap installed and mini fridge My number one tip and its brother !

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