Kitchen design turned inside out….

Tatton Park hosted its annual spectacular and inspiring RHS Garden Festival this mid July and whilst the weather was in the main dull and drab the exhibits certainly were not!!

For those who love to move outdoors in the summer months this could be the perfect answer! Al fresco dining, cooking, food preparation and harvesting are all possible with this contemporary kitchen garden design by Michael John McGarr.

The kitchen area is constructed from a combination of cedar wood, which is ideal for outdoor use, weathering over time, whist still retaining its residual strength and limestone work surfaces. Food preparation is catered for via a ‘built-in’ BBQ, fridge, sink and tap. On the surfaces are miniature herb planters allowing the freshest produce to be brought straight to the table.

Biodiversity features heavily in the design; the wall to the right is constructed from all manner of natural materials, allowing insects to take up residence for the short term or long stay, making it an ideal space for pollinators.

The pagoda design has ingenious multi-functions, the upper area houses strawberry plants that are exposed to the sunshine whilst being protected from slugs and the open channels that surround them collect water and feed it back through the upright supports down to the water loving grasses below.

The colourful bold feature wall also holds surprises; at the bottom two small openings make provision for small creatures such as Hedgehogs to pass through a wildlife corridor whilst behind and out of sight the design incorporates an area to store waste and recycling bins. The cubic design relief in the front of the wall can be used as a ‘ladder’ system to reach additional vegetable produce grown on the top.

Finally below the ‘insect wall’ a large border provides dramatic colour and fragrance.
The perfect place to spend summer days…….