Lime Orchard Best in Show!

The Lime Orchard team  is proud to have been awarded the trophy for 'Best Trade Stand' at the annual Flintham & District Agricultural and Horticultural Show 2011, held in Nottinghamshire.

http://www.flinthamploughingmatch.co.uk

 The judges' eyes were caught by Lime Orchard's compact show garden, which mixed economical low-maintenance hard landscaping with striking designer garden furniture and structural planting. The garden also incorporated parking space for a modern city car - a role played by a liveried Smart ForTwo coupe. Visitors to the stand were also able to enter a free prize draw to win a Design Consultation - worth £150 - perfect to add a dose of professional inspiration for their own garden.

For more information on Lime Orchard's services visit http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/nottingham.html

Set Sail for Summer!

With Cancer Research UK’s latest research findings revealing a shocking tripling in melanoma rates among British 15-34 year olds since the late 70s – and the latest available figures showing that the total number of cases of malignant melanoma for all ages increased from 10,800 in 2007 to 11,700 in 2008, a rise of 8.5%, the need for adequate protection against the sun’s harmful rays has never been more topical.
Enjoying the benefits of the outdoor room in the summer sunshine is perfectly acceptable as long as you ensure you and your family have access to the sanctuary of some shade. There are a number of options available if you need to create a safe sun-free area in the garden but one of the most effective (and often dramatic) means is via a Shade Sail.
Shade sails are made from scientifically developed material which has been impregnated with both waterproofing and UV protection. The average UV protection of shade sails is around 85% making them suitable for preventing burning on all but the fairest of skins in temperatures higher than we are ever likely to experience in the UK. When you consider that Factor 85 is probably good enough for most people in the tropics, the level of sun protection afforded by a shade sail is more than sufficient for the UK climate.
A key benefit of a shade sail is that it can be cut to any shape or size and because of the treatments they are impregnated with, they are also tough and solid and retain an attractive shape. Shade sails can be used to cover driveways and paths; they can cover all or part of a patio; or they can make roof like areas for what effectively become outdoor dining rooms. Shade sails can be strung together in attractive groups to form staggered or larger shading areas and they can be attached to the sides of buildings or strung between poles.
A fact often not considered is that a shade sail need not necessarily be just for summer. Sails can become a permanent addition to the outside room since they also offer protection from rain and wind as well as from the sun. And let’s face it, in Britain we are likely to need more protection from the rain and wind than from the sun!

Alfresco Dining

One of the greatest delights of summer is enjoying dining alfresco, whether it’s a formal entertainment opportunity or a casual family meal eaten au dehors, you need to ensure that you and your guests are not only sitting comfortably – but that the outdoor setting looks suitably stylish!
This season’s hottest trend is for mixing and matching the brightest colours, so whether you are thinking of investing in some super-sized oh so cosy bean bags, or funky new seat cushions or even a selection of dashing new tableware, opt for some bold colour clashes.

Fuchsia pink paired with a hot red or sparkling turquoise will add a dramatic touch, or try an out there orange with zingy green. The mixing and matching doesn’t just relate to colours either, combining different materials is also very much on trend, so a glass table can look super stylish matched with ultra contemporary (and practical) plastic or metal chairs. And if you are looking to introduce a little designer chic into your outside space, a moulded sofa-come-bench for the garden is the very latest ‘must have’ cool garden furniture accessory.

Merging Indoor Living with Outdoor Living

A recent article in The Independent drew attention to the number of hours we can sometimes spend choosing planting schemes and agonizing over paving materials for the garden, which is sometimes in sharp contrast to the lack of effort put into selecting the  furniture which will adorn the outdoor room. 

Given that a sizeable chunk of our well earned ‘garden’ down time is likely to entail eating, drinking or simply chilling, it seems ridiculous that  we are content to compromise on such a significant detail.  However, as the trend for outdoor living spaces continues to gather momentum, there is a growing body of designers who take pride in incorporating bespoke seating into their plans to achieve not only the delivery of a functional practical seating solution but to also provide a striking stylish focal point for the outside room. 

Choice of material, colour and the all important comfort factor are important points to consider when reviewing built in seating options and in our wonderful British climate, it is also advisable to incorporate some easy to access storage options to house any cushions during the less sunny months!  Speak to a member of our design team to find out more on this subject ….

Future Perfect Furniture

After the long hard winter we’ve just experienced (experts say this has been the coldest winter for over 30 years), the majority of the population couldn’t be more pleased that Spring has finally arrived.  As the temperatures begin to creep up and the layers of extra clothing slowly diminish at long last we can look forward to the prospect of spending some quality time in the garden. So if you are hoping to get in some hard earned R&R in the outdoor room pretty soon you may be considering investing in some new garden furniture.  To ensure your garden remains totally on trend, here’s the latest advice on the essential items tipped to cause a stir in the world of garden furniture this season:




 

Al fresco bistro! A bistro table is considered a garden must have. Ideal for a terrace, balcony, deck or right in the middle of the garden, a tiny bistro table is the perfect setting for morning coffee,  an afternoon cup of tea, or a post work beer or glass of wine.

 

Bespoke style
Create some hand made furniture out of natural materials which will blend perfectly with your garden scenery. A bench made of giant pieces of stone, a stone that functions as a chair, a grass covered mound that provides an ideal spot to sit – these are all possibilities which can transform naturally occurring objects into an unusual furniture talking piece.

Wicker works
A huge trend in 2010 is the continuing popularity of all weather wicker furniture. One piece you may definitely want to add to your garden is the all weather wicker lounger or daybed (also known as all weather rattan furniture) for the ultimate in chill out luxury.  Comfortable, light to handle and crafted in natural materials which fit so beautifully in the garden environment, wicker is a winner once again!

Mix it up
Several of the luxury garden furniture brands are introducing new ‘mixed material’ furniture.  Companies are mixing it up by combining stainless steel with outdoor wicker, as well as stainless steel with granite or concrete. The result is a totally contemporary, uber chic collection that really takes the concept of bringing the indoors, outdoors to a new level.

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted