Outdoor Living with Debenhams

Way back in the mists of time – last year when winter started – Debenhams contacted me to ask if I would like to edit their outdoor living brochure for the spring/summer18 collection. It will be out in March they said. When the spring has sprung and the blossom is burgeoning on the trees. It will be the perfect time they said.

So we looked a products and edited words and put together their gorgeous photography and my favourite pieces. And the snow came down and the winds blew up and the temperature dropped so low. But then yesterday, as if by magic, the sun came out and the cherry tree outside my window blossomed and I thought hurray,  now is the time to dream of summer days and garden lounging.

And so here are some pictures from the brochure. And there is more good news. Because there is a big old mid-season sale on until next Wednesday 21 March. So you can order it now and hopefully it will still be spring and not back to winter when it arrives and you can take a scarf and a cup of coffee and sit on your chair and plot your summer entertaining and outdoor living.

I have my favourites. You will have yours. I have made a Pinterest board of mine, you might want to make one to remind you of how lovely an English summer can be when it finally comes.

One of the great advances of recent years has been the development of weather-proof rattan. Because who among us has space to bring the garden furniture inside every time a few drops fall from the sky? Not many of us I’ll warrant. But this furniture can live outside during the summer and have a cover over in the winter. Yes you have to make room for the cushions but that’s much more doable.

And actually much of this furniture wouldn’t look out of place inside anyway. See that garden table below? I featured one not dissimilar in a 10 Beautiful Rooms a couple of weeks ago. Outside for a drink and somes books and inside with a plant under during the winter.

I also love this sofa pictured below with the handy shelf at one end to rest your book and drink. You don’t even need to lean forward to pick them up. Instead you can lie back, rest your feet on the table and reach casually to one side. Lazy lounging days are on their way people. You just have to believe…

So if you see a catalogue inside your magazine or dropping through your letterbox give it a browse and see if I have managed to inspire you. I feel quite inspired as I sit here in my polo neck sweater.