Pebble mosaics

. Pebbles are of course delightful. That is why children instinctively collect them on beaches. They are a feature of classical Chinese gardens. And making them is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon in the garden.

Coloured mosaic tiles in garden design

Mosaic tiles are another way of getting ‘permanent colour’ into a garden design. You can buy sheets of small square tiles but it is better to follow Gaudi’s example and use broken bits of larger tiles. They combine well with broken crockert.

Red is the colour - design is the game

You don’t have to be a Manchester United supporter to appreciate red in gardens. After all, there is a famous Red Border at Hidcote. But, in England, there must be a dozen White Gardens for every Red Garden. Maybe their creators all support the English football team.

Mirrors in garden design

This is not the easiest way of doing it, but mirrors have long had a place in garden design. They introduce light and life – and the effects they produce change with the day and the seasons.

Paint colours in garden design

Coloured paints have been used in garden and outdoor design since the dawn of history. But most modern garden designers have been over-cautious. So we commend the bold swirls of paint in this photograph and also the harmony between the paint colours and the flower and plant colours.

Copper swing seat

. Copper is a beautiful material to have in a garden. It is heart-warming, eye-pleasing, reflective and ever-changing. But what can one do with it? As this photograph shows, a swinging seat is a good choice. It is fun to have, nice to see and loved by children.

Woven resin garden furniture

Here is another useful contribution to a cosy outdoor meal. The seating arrangement is companionable; the woven barrier protects your legs against unwelcome gusts; some heat can accumulate from all the legs-under-the-table; you can play footy-footy with the companion of your choice – and deny all knowledge of the game if this proves expedient. The resin looks like rattan but has immense durability. The glass tabletop is much easier to clean than a bare weave. Recommended!

Elegant modern outdoor furniture for garden design

Well designed and modern furniture can be a great starting point for an elegant modern garden design. In buying the furniture one is saying ‘thank you’ to the designer. Then, in the manner of all artists, one can use the designer’s work as a starting point for one’s own garden design.

Garden wall made of old washing machines etc

. One hopes this will never become a really popular idea – but one has to admit that it is pretty well done here! It is also a sustainable design, because it is surely a far better use of old washing machines than dumping them in landfill sites.

How to make a garden fence out of old logs

Here is a good, cheap and sustainable way to make a feature and a divider for gardens: keep your old logs and place them, artistically, in a line. They are great for conservation – the wild life advisory bodies are always telling us to let old timber rot. The dead wood creates ideal living space for insects – and birds love eating insects.