Hot Box by Bert & May

I am so painfully aware that by writing this post I will probably bring and end to summer as we know it, but I have been wanting to show you these for weeks and it keeps raining and I keep having to wait and now, at the time of writing, it’s 32 degrees and far too warm to be thinking about standing over a hot barbecue but hell, YOU NEED TO SEE THESE. So, on the off chance it’s still hot, grab yourself and iced drink and behold.

And what, you may ask, is that? Well I’ll tell you; it’s a hot box. Otherwise known as a barbecue. But ALSO, a spare seat, for those days when you don’t want to cook but just, perhaps, want to take five minutes outside in the sun. Or, shall we be realistic? Five minutes outside in the Not Rain, as it shall henceforth be known.

This rather stylish box, comes from that most stylish of companies Bert & May, whose tiles are on many an interiors wish list (including my own) and was created in collaboration with Red Deer. It’s fairly self explanatory but it’s worth pointing out that the handles are leather and that yes, when not being a hot box, it can be a neat little sitting box. Or a small table box.

Probably also worth knowing that there’s 10 per cent off this summer, so while it’s an expensive piece, it does have the advantage of being both beautiful and useful. And, you can leave it on the deck all winter and instead of looking rustily and reproachfully at you, it sit there looking pretty and enticing. Just type MADHOUSE into the promo code box if you fancy buying one.

You should know that they come in two sizes – teeny and small (£500 and £900 respectively) and that you can choose which tiles you want to cover it, as long as they measure 25 x 25cm. Bear in mind all this steel and cement makes them quite heavy so you will need to think carefully about where you want to put it as you won’t be moving it round into a sunspot very easily.

Whaddyafink? I rather fancy one to rest a little Pimms on before the cooking commences.