CrinkleCrankle Blog

Woven ratten circular table and bench at Chelsea Flower Show 2010

2011-03-05T09:42:45Z

On display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010, the Bramblecrest Sahara 180 benches with a Sahara 180 round table. Good protection from sun and wind. With a 3.5m parasol, there is also protection from the rain, though one might begin to wonder why one is not sitting indoors. The combination is very well suited to a cosy garden dinner – though it is a can be a problem if one of the guests with a centrally positioned seat wants to visit the loo. The furniture is made from woven extruded polyethylene. It is strong, tough, colourfast and comfortable.

Lego garden ornament – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:41:40Z

Lego garden ornament

It really is possible to make garden ornaments, as this photograph demonstrates. But is it a good idea? Comments welcome!

Metal garden ornaments – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:41:08Z

Metal garden ornaments
Metal is an excellent material with which to make garden ornaments. It often has interesting colours and it takes on a sharpness of design which, like the colours, often complement that of flowers and foliage.

Recycled log garden furniture – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:40:33Z

Recycled log garden furniture
This is an attractive way of making garden furniture – and a fine example of thrifty design. But we can’t say it is the most comfortable or the most quick-drying garden furniture we have ever used!

Rearing stallion garden sculpture – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:39:09Z

Rearing stallion garden sculpture
If one has a very small garden, one can do a lot worse than use it for a life size rearing stallion garden sculpture. But in all honesty we would only recommend this stallion for a really large garden. Those with middle-sized gardens should not have rearing stallion garden sculptures!

Cloth resin garden sculpture – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:38:25Z

Cloth resin garden sculpture

Cloth resin is an interesting material for garden sculpture and ornament. It has the life and vibrance of fabrics combined with the durability of resin. Cloth resin is not one of the traditional materials for garden sculpture – but we live in a new age – so why not experiment with new materials?

Cloth resin garden sculpture

Iron fire box for outdoor garden use – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:37:19Z

Iron fire box for outdoor garden use
We have praised fire boxes before – and expect to do so again. The smell of wood smoke is delicious, providing it is not blowing into your face, and on a chilly evening it is great to sit round a garden fire – perhaps with the accompaniment of folk songs and beer. And if you ever tire of these pleasures the fire box can be used as a planter.

Fire box for a cook-out

Gum boot garden planters – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:36:32Z

Gum boot garden planters
We do not often promote design ideas from the Brownies. But here goes! It seems like a nice idea for a planter which would appeal to little girls with brown uniforms and a sense of fun.

Jo Ansell stone sculptures – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:35:37Z

Jo Ansell stone sculptures
We liked Jo Ansell’s work and also her clear statement of her approach to garden sculpture “My Sculptures embody the feminine, her moods, sensuality, purity and charm. Elements of nature are apparent within the forms and limbs often become origins of a flowing line or swirl. For me, carving in stone heightens the organic nature of my designs. There have been no definable influences on my style only my own growth and awareness. Because of this my designs are constantly changing and evolving. To capture the female and her ‘inner being’ in her many emotive states, along with her relationship with nature has always been my inspiration and motivation.”

Leaf metal garden fountain – Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden product review

2010-07-09T15:34:57Z

Leaf metal garden fountain
The leaf motif is a natural choice for garden design. Using it to make a fountain is an imaginative idea for what the Elizabethans would have regarded as an ‘ingenious device’.