Victoria Sparkes

A few months ago, we had the pleasure of installing our bespoke Luna Retractable Awnings at The Galley Hall in Hertfordshire! Our retractable awning sits comfortably over their outdoor area for guests to enjoy food and drink whatever the weather. In this post, we are going to delve further into the features and benefits of our Luna Retractable Awning and why it is the perfect design for any domestic or commercial area.

What are retractable awnings and what is their main feature?

Retractable awnings are a revolutionary structure designed to provide a stylish and sophisticated shelter for your outdoor area. With our completely bespoke designs, you have the control to find the perfect shape and size for your outdoor area whether that be commercial or domestic. The main features that are included with our retractable awnings are their PVC polyester fabric canopy, dimmable LED lights, and motorised canopy roof powered by Somfy motors.

It goes without saying that the main feature of our retractable awnings is the smooth retractable roof mechanism that is easily operated through the remote control. The roof gracefully slides from one end to the other with minimal noise, creating the perfect ambience for your guests whatever the weather. The roof is also equipped with impermeable features and is resistant to tearing, abrasions and erosion so you can enjoy your awning all year round.

Can awnings withstand harsh weather conditions?

Retractable awnings create the freedom for you to extend the outdoors even during the colder months. Their robust aluminium frames are crafted using unique injection systems that will last you a lifetime of stability in any climate. Their sturdy nature also means that they are extremely low maintenance and can withstand winds up to 100km/h and a weight of 50kg against rain and snow! The canopy roof is finished with a robust film lining that is located on the top and bottom layer which provides further insulation and UV protection.  

What are the uses of awnings?

There are many ways that a retractable awning can benefit your outdoor space. It can accommodate and shelter a larger space for guests at your business, or friends and family in your personal outdoor area. Not only will this shelter your guests and furniture, but it give you the freedom to regulate the changing weather conditions throughout the day. The retractable roof is fitted with white LED dimmable lights which enhance your outdoor area during the darker periods of the day, especially when the winter months come around.

Furthermore, our retractable awnings can be fitted with manual or motorised screens to create an intimate and private area for your guests! They can also cut down on energy costs if you have rising energy bills by keeping your function or gathering outside so you can turn off any indoor heating systems for a few hours. With their versatility and stylish design, our retractable awnings offer a wide range of benefits for both commercial and domestic areas!

At the Garden Furniture Centre, we had the pleasure of installing our bespoke Luna Retractable Awning at The Galley Hall in Hertfordshire. This quaint family-run pub dates to 1374 when it was originally a farmhouse that soon turned into the infamous Galley Hall during the 1830’s. The pub now runs as a beautiful location for weddings, parties, or just to catch up with friends!

By talking to our gazebo specialist Chris, we guided them through the different features and customisations to accommodate all their personal preferences. This included adding bespoke motorised screens on the front, which also act as a doorway, as well as their choice of canopy and desired size.

Once the awning arrived, our installations team got to work, and the results look incredible! Visitors at The Galley Hall can now sit and relax with friends and family without worrying about the weather, as well as the pub now having an increased dining space for functions and events.

We are so pleased that The Galley Hall is happy with their Luna Retractable Awning, and we wish them the very best with their future endeavours! Watch our video below to learn more about our Luna awning on-site at The Galley Hall: 

If you want to view our range of Luna Retractable Awnings or gazebos, then click here or pop down to our showroom in Wootton Wawen where we have an extensive range of products on display for you to view! 

Sun Loungers | How To Make The Most Of The Summer Sun!

After the cold winter, we think it is about time that the weather starts to get warmer so we can soak up the summer sun!

At The Garden Furniture Centre, we believe that you should enjoy the beauty of your outdoor area, and what better way to make the most of the hot weather than with our versatile and stylish range of sun loungers! In this post, we will be discussing all things sun loungers from wooden sun loungers to day beds, and how you can kick back and relax with maximum comfort to make the most of your outdoor space!

Wooden Sun Loungers

If you like simplicity and tradition, then our wooden sun loungers will be the perfect fit for your garden area. Their elegant and robust structure is what makes our wooden sun loungers stand out as well as their classic style. If you are looking for a modern and sophisticated wooden sun lounger, then take a look at our Vintage Steamer Lounger Chair, TNT Sun Lounger, and Sienna Sun Lounger! Their classic smooth golden finish makes these wooden sun loungers an iconic staple in any home and will certainly be the talking point of any conversation! Our Vintage Steamer Lounger chairs can also be customised with our steamer outdoor cushions which are available in a variety of colours to add style and character to your outdoor area!

On the other hand, if you are looking for something simple, ready to use, and extremely low maintenance, then our Sienna and TNT wooden sun loungers are the way to go. Fitted with an all-weather textilene fabric which manufactured from high-tenacity polyester yarn, this is extremely durable in any weather conditions. With this, you can kick back and relax with ease to enjoy the summer sun!

Our range of Bristol and Stratford wooden sun loungers are also extremely to help you relax in style! Fitted with teak wheels behind the headrest, this gives you the ability to manoeuvre your wooden sun lounger to any desired position. Our Stratford wooden sun lounger can be tilted in a more upright position if you want to enjoy your favourite book or retracts flat for you to soak up the sun rays! What is more, our Bristol wooden sun lounger comes fully equipped with a drinks tray that discretely slides into the frame for you to place your beverage or book when you want to sit back and relax!

Rattan Sun Loungers

If wooden sun loungers aren’t really your style, then why not have a look at our range of rattan sun loungers?! Our staple and exclusive Fiji and Montana range rattan sun loungers are the ideal way to add character and unique elegance to your outdoor area. They are manufactured using a 100% recyclable weave and come with a choice of vibrant olefin cushions to complete the look!

However, if you are looking for something with a modern twist, then our Tahiti rattan sun loungers will certainly be the perfect fit. These elegant rattan sun loungers are finished with a beautiful powder-coated aluminium frame and are extremely lightweight so you can move them around wherever you desire! Another modern option is our Meteor sun lounger which is finished with our Spradling fabric and tested to resist moisture, abrasion, bacteria and mildew build-up!

You can also find our sun loungers in our Willow and Seville rattan weave which are a classic example of style and sophistication! These all fully recline and have the added option of our vibrant-coloured cushions.

Day Beds

If sun loungers are not working for your garden space, then look at our range of day beds! Our notorious Fiji Apple Day Bed and Montana Apple Day Beds have been exclusively crafted to create our most comfortable apple day bed complete with a stunning range of cushions and accessories! The day bed is carefully placed on a rotational base which can turn 360 degrees so you can follow the direction of the sun for optimal sunlight or shade. There is also a retractable drinks table included inside so you can really enjoy the hot summer weather with friends and family!

We also have a selection of smaller day beds in our exclusive Fiji and Montana rattan weave if you want to add a compact lounging area with style and elegance. This pod-styled apple day bed can recline to your desired height and transforms into an apple when closed!

One of our more modern approaches to the classic day bed is our Meteor Rotating Day Bed which is finished with our high-quality Spradling fabric and weatherproof rattan weave! This day bed is fitted with a rotating base and 2 adjustable sunshades that are uniquely designed as leaves to add style and character to any garden area. There are also two nifty little storage compartments that are on both sides of the cushions so you can enjoy your drinks or cocktails in the summer sun!

So, now that you know everything from wooden sun loungers to apple day beds, what are you waiting for?! View our extensive range online or head down to our showroom in Wootton Wawen at Yew Tree Farm to see them on display!

GFC 2022 ROUND UP!

We have had quite the year here at GFC; from RHS shows to gazebo installations, it has been a very busy 12 months! We do have a lot to look forward to in 2023, but here is a little reminder of our favourite moments from 2022.

Show Exhibitions

This year, we have had a brilliant time travelling around the country to exhibit and showcase all our amazing products for visitors far and wide! In March, we kicked off with the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in Birmingham where we debuted our brand-new Eclipse gazebo for the first time! This was definitely a big hit at the show with its sleek powder coated aluminium design and striking motorised roof!

As summer began, we were invited to exhibit at two RHS shows; Hampton Court and Tatton Park! We had a fantastic time at both shows meeting people from all around the country, as well as showcasing our magnificent stand! Don’t worry if you missed us this year; we are returning to a great range of shows in 2023, so keep your eyes peeled!

Installations

It is safe to say that our installations team have had quite the busy year! From our infamous Galaxy gazebo range to our brand-new Bioclimatic Pergolas, our installers have been all around the country! Our most memorable install was in Northern Ireland where one customer chose to go with a beautiful pink frame for their Bioclimatic Pergola to match their exterior décor! We also had a great time installing our Pergolux at Spot-On-Wake where it is now used as their control centre for the best view of the park!

Deliveries

There is never a quiet moment at GFC! When we are not installing, we are completing hundreds of deliveries each week to our customers! On some occasions, we deliver to our dedicated trade customers at their stunning locations in different parts of the country. Our most notable deliveries included Olton Golf Club and Peak Edge where our stunning furniture is on display for all their guests and visitors to enjoy.

As well as trade deliveries, we have a great time meeting all our retail customers far and wide who have kindly made an order! Whether your order is big or small, we appreciate every customer who chooses to shop with us!

Competitions

During the year, we have launched many competitions to give everyone the opportunity to win our fantastic products! In the summer, we held one of our biggest competitions of the year where we asked our existing customers to send in their best pictures of our products. We had such a large volume of entries that we extended the prize draw to award our top 10 pictures! Take a look below at some of our entries…

Thank you to everyone from staff to customers for a great 2022! Stay up-to-date on our socials for all our upcoming events and news in 2023!

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Our Local School Defibrillator Fundraiser!

At the Garden Furniture Centre, we believe that the health and safety of all our staff and customers is one of our highest priorities. Last year, our staff received their first aid training and it came to light that defibrillators are a key necessity in public areas in the unfortunate case that someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest. With some extensive research, we found that our local primary school, Wootton Wawen Church of England Primary School, did not have a defibrillator on their site. Ultimately, we decided that this needed to change as access to a defibrillator can be the defining difference to saving a life.

With this, we launched our Galaxy gazebo fundraiser to provide the local school with their own defibrillator to give them the best possible chance of saving a life! The buyer was offered an exclusive discount on one of our 3.5 x 3.6m Galaxy gazebos with 100% of the payment used to purchase a state-of-the-art defibrillator machine for the school!

What does a defibrillator do?

It is known that a defibrillator, when used within the first minute of a cardiac arrest, can increase the survival rate of the patient by 90%! However, if the defibrillator is administered during the next 3-5 minutes, then the survival rate decreases to around 74%. Nevertheless, this can make all the difference to save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest.

A defibrillator primarily sends an electric shock into the heart to try and reinstate a normal rhythm when there is an uneven heartbeat. Standard automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, are the most common defibrillators which can be used by any member of the public in the case of an emergency. These are fitted with sticky electrode pads which send information to the computer within the AED to determine the status of the patient’s heart rhythm. If there is a need for an electric shock, then the electrode pads will deliver one.

Why have defibrillators in school?

Fundamentally, health and safety in schools is an extremely important factor that needs constant attention. You may not think of children being at risk of cardiac arrest, however, there should still be the relevant systems in place should a cardiac arrest occur to an adult or child. Installing a defibrillator in schools is extremely important and ultimately can mean the difference between life and death for both children and adults.

What is more, this will educate both teachers and pupils to understand the importance of having a defibrillator on site whilst also benefiting the surrounding community! More accessible defibrillators in local vicinities will increase the chance of survival for anyone who suffers from cardiac arrest.

Our Defibrillator Fundraiser

With this information about how important defibrillators are to the local community, our Director Jon made it his mission to raise the necessary funds to provide a defibrillator unit to the local primary school! We decided to offer one of our Galaxy bioclimatic gazebos at a discounted price to cover the cost of the defibrillator, and we had a great response from our customers!

However, we were pleased to have sold the entire gazebo to our generous buyer Ken, who has installed it to create a multi-purpose outdoor area! Ken informed us that he was “extremely pleased with the result’ and congratulated us on “providing a defibrillator for the school”. We are so pleased that Ken is happy with his outdoor space, and we are also thrilled that our local school now has the defibrillator system in place to provide the necessary life-saving equipment for the pupils, teachers, and the surrounding Wootton Wawen community!

If you are interested in any of our bioclimatic gazebos, then visit us at our showroom in Wootton Wawen at Yew Tree Farm, or click here to view our gazebo range!

Laser Engraving services: How to personalise your garden bench!

Whether you are looking to create a place to reflect and remember a loved one, or to showcase your business slogan or logo, our laser engraving services will provide a personal touch to a wide selection of our high quality garden benches! Our laser engraving service is an innovative and quick way to display your personal ideas, designs, and messages to create the perfect bespoke engraved garden benches for any commercial or domestic area!

How do laser engraving machines work?

Laser engraving may seem to be a largely complicated process; however, it really is much simpler than you think! At the Garden Furniture Centre, we use a state-of-the-art Alpha CNC laser machine to accurately and efficiently transfer your desired images and text to our outdoor garden benches! Our CNC (computer numerical control) machines use numerically controlled tools to provide a quick and cost-efficient engraving service! With this, you can choose your desired image, text, and font to create the perfect engraved garden benches for your outdoor area!

What are the advantages of engraving wooden products?

There are many benefits that come with laser engraving wooden products to see your ideas come to life! Engraving using a CNC laser machine does not chip the wood and it can create neat inlays, lines and contours to produce a clean-cut finish. What is more, the risk of the garden bench splitting is very low as there is no contact between the wood and the laser!

What is the best wood for laser engravings?

The type of wood that you choose is very important so that you can enjoy your engraved garden bench for a lifetime. We recommend that you choose a hardwood bench due to its robust and durable nature as well as its natural weather resistant qualities! Oak, teak, maple and cherry wood are all known for their dark and heavy characteristics which are perfect for engraved garden benches to last for years to come! Hardwoods are also very easy to work with and produce a clear image for you to see beautiful results which you can display in either your commercial or domestic setting!

Laser engraving services at the Garden Furniture Centre

At the Garden Furniture Centre, we offer the option of our fantastic laser engraving service with over 40 different styled garden benches! Our Teak, Oak, and Eco benches are all available for you to personalise with images and text, as well as the choice between 15 elegant fonts! We also stock different sized garden benches which are machine crafted in Indonesia to provide the perfect place for you to relax and unwind in your outdoor space! The most popular benches among customers include our Westminster, Memorial, and Eco ranges which are the perfect way to clearly display your personal messages for family, friends, or even customers to enjoy!

Click here to view our garden benches range, or come and visit us in Wootton Wawen to see our engraved garden benches for yourself!

Beyond the Bin: Transform Your Outdoor Space with Stylish Wheelie Bin Covers

When you think about wheelie bin covers, you might not associate them with possessing style or character because after all, they are only storing your wheelie bins. However, at the Garden Furniture Centre, we believe that anything can be stylish which is why our wheelie bin cover range is the perfect place to find the ideal match for your wheelie bin! In this blog post, we will be looking into how your wheelie bin can be transformed into a stunning staple in your outdoor area, as well as providing safety and security for your surrounding environment.

What are the benefits of wheelie bin covers?

Wheelie bin covers are a huge benefit to any outdoor area whether it is commercial or domestic. But why are bin stores so popular? Well, there are several reasons why wheelie bin covers have made a name for themselves:

Aesthetic

Wheelie bin covers are not something you would initially think provides you with practical and aesthetic benefits, but they do! The main advantage is their stylish appeal and how they can elevate your outdoor space by hiding your standard wheelie bins in plain sight. Our Galvanised Steel Wheelie Bin Covers (with or without planters) are the ideal way to bring elegance and practicality to your garden area, as well as concealing the view of any abject waste. You can even mask unwanted odors by planting flowers and herbs in the designated planter sections located on the top!

Security

Another important benefit is how wheelie bin covers provide an extra level of security from animals and even people accessing your bins. Our wheelie bin covers come equipped with a locking handle so you can keep your bins secure at all times. They are also fitted with hydraulic-powered lids so you can easily dispose of waste with minimal hassle. What is more, you can protect your wheelie bins from any harsh weather conditions as their galvanised coating is resistant to rain, rust, and erosion to keep your bins continuously protected all year round.

Low Maintenance

Cleaning the area around your wheelie bins is not a pleasant task but it is something that needs to be done a few times a year. Our wheelie bin covers are designed to protect and minimise the amount of external debris that will collate in your outdoor space, as well as any rubbish that can be blown away due to extreme weather conditions. With their high-grade galvanised steel coating, you can easily wipe the covers down as and when you need with minimal effort.

Why is there a need to cover wheelie bins?

The use of wheelie bin covers will significantly increase and encourage you to dispose of waste responsibly as you are containing and managing the condition of your wheelie bins. With their aesthetic and stylish benefits, you are also creating a more appealing environment for your outdoor area which friends and family will certainly notice! With the small addition of wheelie bin covers in your home area, you are making an important step to combat waste management as well as making an environmental change.

Come and visit our Wheelie Bin Cover range at our showroom in Wootton Wawen or check out our range online!

What To Do With Your Old Hot Tub?

If you have a hot tub that has been neglected, broken, or simply pushed to the side, then this blog post is perfect for you! Hot tubs can be a way to add luxury to your home and at one point might have been the centrepiece for your garden entertainment. However, nothing lasts forever and it may be time to think about what to do with it next. Well, in this blog post, we are going to give you a rundown of how you can upcycle your old hot tub and give it a new lease of life by creating a raised planting bed!

Step 1

The first thing to do is make sure the hot tub is prepped and ready to begin its new adventure, whether this is moving its location or stripping parts that can later be sold. If you have the equipment like our Director, then you can hire a large crane to lift the hot tub and place it wherever you desire. If your hot tub does not need to be moved, simply make sure it is in a location that is easily accessible!

Step 2

As previously mentioned, your hot tub will have some hidden treasures that can be used by someone else. To create the raised vegetable bed, all you need is the outer casing as this is where the soil will be kept. Ultimately, you can remove anything internally such as the plumbing, filter cartridge, control system, pump, and other components that can be sold. 

Step 3

The next step is to drill a few holes at the bottom of the hot tub to drain excess water which will prevent the roots from drowning. You may have to investigate what materials have been used for the bottom of the hot tub to ensure you do not create any further damage.

Step 4

This is the important part! Placing a few bags of gravel at the bottom of the hot tub prevents the roots from perishing. You can get this from any hardware store or even see if anyone local is trying to get rid of some old gravel. Fill the wells and seating area of the hot tub with gravel and make sure it is level before adding the topsoil.

Step 5

Time to start filling! Grab yourself a few bags of topsoil and compost and start carefully filling your hot tub to prep it for your chosen crops. Make sure to level and work the soil with a small spade to get rid of any big lumps so the soil is ready for planting.

Step 6

The final stage is to start planting your crops! Whether you want to grow your own vegetable garden or a fragrant bed of herbs, you now have a space where you can do both. What once was a disused hot tub is now an upcycled and sustainable raised planting bed.

At the Garden Furniture Centre, we have a huge range of unique planters and storage boxes where you can let your garden flourish with character and colour!

Visit our website or showroom in Wootton Wawen at Yew Tree Farm to find out more!

Cooking outdoors might seem like a daunting task, however, it doesn’t have to be. Outdoor kitchens and BBQs are becoming all the range and at the Garden Furniture Centre, we are jumping on board the outdoor cooking train! From outdoor kitchens to pizza ovens, there are multiple ways for you to make the most out of our garden and turn it into a culinary dream. In this blog post, we will discover how outdoor kitchens can elevate your cooking experience as well as discussing the benefits outdoor cooking can bring.

What is an outdoor kitchen and how is it constructed?

It might seem obvious what an outdoor kitchen is, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. An outdoor kitchen is a functional area which acts as an extension to your home. It is also designed to be a setting for entertaining guests with its inclusion of cooking appliances, storage compartments, and even a designated dining area!

Depending on your available space, it is best to plan the preferred layout of your outdoor kitchen. This will help you visualise what you need to add or take away so you can get it right the first time. Our Bari Outdoor Kitchen range is the perfect solution for any outdoor kitchen needs with its autonomous components making it easy for you to construct your dream outdoor cooking experience. With its scratch-resistant ceramic surface and grade-A teak structure, our Bari range will provide elegance and sustainability to make your outdoor cooking experience unforgettable.

What are the essential components of an outdoor kitchen?

The main benefit of an outdoor kitchen is its versatile customisation! You can add your centrepiece cooking appliances such as a gas or electric grill with additional storage components making up the rest of the space. The key elements that make up an outdoor kitchen do vary depending on your preference; however, it is standard to have storage cabinets, a sink unit, a fridge unit and even a bar area. It is important to remember that your outdoor kitchen should cater to your personal taste and style, so don’t be afraid to go big or small!

What material is used for an outdoor kitchen?

When constructing your own outdoor kitchen, it is important to consider how durable and sustainable the components will be. With our Bari range, we have ensured that you will get quality and style combined! Crafted out of grade A reclaimed Indonesian teak and a scratch-resistant ceramic top, you are guaranteed decades of outdoor cooking with minimal maintenance. Complete with galvanised hinges and soft close doors, you can store all your cooking equipment safely and efficiently all year round.

Big Green Egg

With our Bari Outdoor Kitchen range, we offer a wide selection of components to accommodate your outdoor space. Our newest addition is the Big Green Egg outdoor oven which certainly elevates your outdoor cooking experience! This infamous outdoor oven has taken the culinary world by storm with its weatherproof casing and temperature control technology. You can fit your Big Green Egg oven in our specially designed Big Green Egg unit which is either fixed or on wheels so you can enjoy delicious dishes in your garden space.  

 What are some tips for barbecuing on a Big Green Egg?

The Big Green Egg will reward you with a cooking experience you will never forget. With its temperature control mechanism, you can adjust the top and bottom vents to control the airflow that enters the egg to create optimal cooking conditions. It is best to give yourself some extra time to preheat the egg so that you can keep a stable and consistent temperature.

The best way to get the most out of your Big Green Egg oven is simply to experiment! Try out different cooking methods such as indirect and direct grilling, smoking, baking, and spit roasting. Investing in some high-quality accessories will also make your cooking experience even more special for you and your guests.

Pizza Ovens

If you want to really impress your friends and family, then you cannot go wrong with having a pizza oven to take your pizzas to a new level! Our pizza ovens are the ideal way to get the perfect finish on your pizzas whether they are homemade or shop-bought.

Why is a pizza oven better than a regular oven?

With a pizza oven, you are guaranteed to have a delicious pizza cooked in a few minutes while keeping all the important flavours on the surface. Our Montelini 360 Pizza Oven is easily transportable in your outdoor area to cook the perfect pizza with either wood pellets or gas! What’s more, you can save on your energy bills due to its energy-efficient and compact design, so you do not have to rely on your larger oven appliances. It also comes equipped with a 360-swivel attachment so you can rotate your pizza to get an even finish.

Come and visit our Bari Outdoor Kitchen range and Big Green Egg display at our showroom in Wootton Wawen to discover the world of outdoor cooking! Or check out our range online where you can find all our best-selling outdoor cooking appliances to complete your outdoor space.

It is safe to say that the cost-of-living crisis has affected all of us, especially when it comes to our energy bills. However, as technology has advanced in the last 10 years there are now multiple ways to cut the cost of your energy bills with renewable energy sources. At the Garden Furniture Centre, we have launched our new brand Kingdom Solar which supplies all your solar energy needs! You might be wondering; what are the financial benefits of solar energy? Why is solar energy the best alternative? Do home solar systems help you save energy bills? In this blog post, we will break down why solar energy is the future and how our new range of solar products will kick-start your renewable energy journey!

What is solar energy, and how can it be beneficial?

Solar energy is an extremely positive and sustainable way to produce renewable power whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions which in turn will improve our climate and ecosystems. What is more, solar energy will significantly reduce the cost of rising energy bills as you do not solely rely on the national grid. Ultimately, solar energy allows you to generate your own electricity which can lead to you becoming more autonomous with your household energy. All you need is a little sunshine, and your solar system will do the rest!

So, where do we start?

At Kingdom Solar, we have a variety of solar products to start your renewable energy journey in your own home! From power banks to micro inverters, you will be able to sustainably produce solar energy to power your home or business.

Solar Panels

As the cost of energy bills increase, it is quite the opposite with solar panels as they are becoming a lot cheaper to source. Solar panels basically absorb the sun’s rays and create a renewable flow of electricity which can be stored or used straight away. Solar panels are also designed to withstand any harsh weather conditions and are extremely low maintenance meaning that you can enjoy them for years to come! If you want to find a sustainable way to provide clean, reusable energy, then our solar panels are the best way to start.

Battery Storage

Evidently, solar panels will not produce energy at night however, you can store any excess energy using our solar batteries! These batteries give you the freedom to use any unused energy whenever you please. By storing excess solar energy in batteries, you can cut down your electricity bills, increase energy independence, and reduce your carbon footprint significantly to ensure you are running a sustainable and efficient environment. What is more, our IP65-rated battery storage units can be charged by solar panels as well as the national grid during off-peak hours and have high inverter compatibility!

Power Banks

Alternatively, you can opt to take your renewable energy on the go with our multi-functioning power banks. The Zendure Super Base Pro and Super Base V collections are crafted out of environmentally friendly materials and advanced battery technology which allows you to have a sustainable alternative to main grid power! Our power banks are easily portable and give your devices an extra lifeline when you are in remote areas or during a power outage. You can choose the size of your power bank and even add our satellite batteries to maximise your energy storage so that you can power your household or business purely on renewable energy.

Inverters

Another sustainable way to bring renewable clean energy into your household is with our inverters and inverter kits. These are a cost-effective way to produce on-grid electricity which can be used to power your household or business. We have a selection of hybrid and micro inverters which all operate by converting DC power from your solar panels into usable AC power. With the choice between our hybrid and micro inverters, they will give you peace of mind in the event of a power cut as well as drastically decreasing your outgoing energy bills.

What is more, our inverters are fitted with easy Wi-Fi configurations via its bespoke app which gives you accurate data checks for maximum power point tracking. The design of our inverters is compact and elegant to fit in with any interior space as well as having minimal noise when in use, integrated diecasting technology, and quick plug terminals for easy installation! Click here to read more about our inverters and how they can help you save on your energy bills!

Now that you know all about the benefits of solar energy, you can check out Kingdom Solar by clicking here and see how you can start your solar energy journey!

Or you can visit our showroom in Wootton Wawen where we have our solar panels and micro inverter on display for you to view!

This year’s Gardener’s World Live event at the NEC in Birmingham was bigger and brighter than ever with thousands of budding garden enthusiasts making their way around the incredible display of living garden displays and stands! At the Garden Furniture Centre, we had the pleasure of donating our Romance Teak Bench to Lilidh Matthews and John Tallis’s ‘Escaping Seasons of the Mind’ garden design in support of the charity Perennial.

The Design

Primarily designed to be a space of reflection, the garden represents the escapism of the mind and home as well as symbolising the different states of human emotions depicted throughout the changing seasons. The inspiration for the creation of this garden resonated around two important facts:

- 90% of our lives are spent indoors.

- Most suicides happen during the Autumn season.

As you look from above, the centre of the garden is designed to emulate the shape of a clock or compass to represent the passing of time throughout the year. There are eleven Corten steel posts that slowly decline in height as you move around the garden to highlight how our mindset changes once winter is over and spring begins. This is also demonstrated through the fragmentation of the sandstone paving where it is noticeably divided in the autumn section, but conjoin together as you progress into the spring. Our Romance Teak Bench is then placed at the 12^th point which demonstrates that summer has begun.

As you move around the garden, you can see the transitional stages of the year with the beautiful display of plants and colours corresponding to the four seasons. In the top left corner, the garden starts with the autumn season as it significantly links back to the statistic that most suicides happen during this time of year. This is also the highest point of the wall and Corten steel post as well as the planning heavily focusing on reds and oranges to depict the autumnal season and emotions of anger.

When transitioning to winter, you can see that the planting starts to emulate more blue tones and spikey plants to show how gardens are neglected during this time due to the cold weather. However, at this point, you see the Corten steel posts start to decline in height as the hope of spring becomes more prominent.

Once you progress into spring, this becomes the lowest point of the outer wall and the ending of the Corten steel posts. The inclusion of bright colours and spring planting depicts how this time of year is the hope for a new beginning and excitement for the summer season.

The last section of the garden depicts the summer season where our magnificent Romance Teak Bench takes pride of place! The bench overlooks the autumn and winter sections and acts as a way of reflection on the year that has passed. It also encourages the onlooker to spend more time taking care of their mental health and to make the effort to go outdoors.

How We Got Involved

At the last minute, we received a call from the designers as the bench they had previously chosen unfortunately did not work with the overall concept. Through an extensive search on our website, John managed to find our beautiful Romance Teak Bench which he instantly felt was the perfect final touch to complete the garden. The curvature of the bench and its simple yet elegant design was the missing ingredient to finish the garden and we were more than happy to help!

In the space of a few days, the bench made its way to the venue and was carefully placed in the designated spot to represent the summer segment of the garden design. The bench and garden have been a huge hit with the public as well as famous faces such as Alan Titchmarsh and Adam Frost! The garden has been a great success and we are extremely honoured to be part of such an inspiring and influential project.

Come and visit our other range of benches in our showroom in Wootton Wawen at Yew Tree Farm as well as so much more!

Escaping Seasons of the Mind

Designed by:

Lilidh Matthews - https://www.findingroots.co.uk

John Tallis - https://www.outdoorlivinggardens.co.uk