My Urban Garden Deco Guide

Update on Outdoorz gallery + ramblings on when IS online shopping really safe?

2009-11-05T22:56:09Z

As promised, first a quick update on www.OutdoorzGallery.com, run by Beth Boutry and Deborah Sommers which opened earlier this fall > It has now become an actual company, which is good news ...though their terms and conditions really need to be read if you shop their cool pieces .

I would certainly not be satisfied with them given the high ticket value of the products sold, the international nature of the orders and the fact they have no real control it seems over the stock amongst other things.
I hope that these terms of business will indeed evolve as the company grows.

This inspires me to encourage checking your transactions are really safe and your guarantees are meaningful.

As the holiday season approaches, I am concerned over the issue of security of transactions in online shopping. I was defrauded recently so I learnt to be a little more cautious.The police told me fraud was up 60 % in the past quarter...

A few tips from someone who did not follow them:

> Really check terms and conditions in full- however dull and boring that is ! Ask yourself if these seem to be designed to protect you first or the seller only?
> Though the recession seems to be behind us, many online stores are going bust: check what would happen if your provider went out of business?
> Are they in control of stocks they sell etc...? If they do not you are at increased risk something goes wrong as more people in the process can drop the ball.
> Does the 'store' comply with general online standards and are they a member or an affiliates of regulatory bodies? Remember this is key if a dispute happens > you will have some kind of possible leverage ensuring things are put right.
> Do they have the 'safe to trade' icons such as ?

> Remember that guarantees are only as good as are your ability to enforce them:
If you shop a piece from the comfort of your Nantucket home ...and the company is based in Europe : how will you enforce your rights?

A great example of a well managed online store is http://www.madeindesign.com/

it offers a kind of full monty guarantee system is the now hyper successful
http://www.madeindesign.com/

Outdoorz Gallery : oups! misinformation

2009-10-31T21:06:08Z

Dear All,

A few days ago I posted about the new online boutique http://www.OutdoorzGallery.com opened by Beth Boutry and Deborah Sommers....
The selection at OutdoorzGallery is rather cool but it appears that it is not an actual company registered in any way.

Online shopping really needs to be secure so I apologize for breaking the news before they actually comply with basic online trading standards.
As soon as the do: I will let you know.

If you are in the market for great designs do go to secure online sources such as : www.Sabz.Fr and see what is out there or to www.Silvera.fr

PLEASE SHARE YOUR recommended design stores by the way!

Garden design rethinks itself - Brompton Borders

2009-10-25T16:24:55Z

As you might start planning for the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show... you may like to know about the Brompton Borders:
This is last year's pitch!
'

Garden and outdoor furniture will be on display in numerous imaginative and experimental settings across Brompton in west London next month.

Artists, gardeners, museums and shops will be joining in the cultural heart of Kensington for Brompton Borders, a fringe garden festival coinciding with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

From May 16th to 24th, garden enthusiasts will have a chance to enjoy hidden green spaces and 'contemporary visions of urban nature' in the historic London borough.

Organised by Arts Co in response to the ideas of influential garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, Brompton Borders will see art intermingle with gardening in a variety of unique ways.

Iconic retailers including Few and Far, Skandium and The Conran Shop will be creating small gardens in their windows and outside spaces, while restaurants such as Bibendum and Le Pain will provide special menus.

Meanwhile, art collective House of Fairy Tales is to host a secret garden festival in a disused car park on May 23rd and artists El & Abe will be decorating hidden spaces with their striking moss graffiti.

Smileys head out : 'art' panels by Anne Luneau

2009-10-19T20:32:03Z

UV resistant 'art' at ancadres.com:

The power of paint by Regis Juvigny

2009-10-18T13:27:41Z

Simple example of a creative option that is far from being a bank breaker!
Seen at French Courson show.

Be prepared :'Black lawn' is coming

2009-10-17T20:49:24Z

Synthetic lawn was a style no no...But no longer. Ultra high end garden designers are using this in more and more creative ways.
And the industry has caught on.
The buzz now is on Black fake lawn.
www.ma-pelouse.com

Baby Blofield: inflatable and fun

2009-10-08T20:15:16Z

Lovely variation of the full sofa by Blofield..the inflatable outdoor version of the famous Chesterfield.
www.Blofield.com

Desaawat new teak outdoor lighting

2009-10-04T12:37:21Z

B&B Italia extends outdoor range

2009-10-03T19:13:08Z

B&B Italia presented this new re-interpretation of a classic garden bench in Paris.

The wavy simplicity looks great in landscape ...

Planters? its about making a statement...a subtle one

2009-09-28T21:23:58Z

The chicest London boutique Hotels have chosen planters by http://www.bronzino.co.uk/
to sit outside their front door and greet guests.
Yes, planters are more than a functional item ...they set the tone.

I love Bronzino for the quality of their work. Chic and not crying it out loud.
http://www.bronzino.co.uk/

EGO Paris changes outdoor cooking with design at Maison et Objet

2009-09-22T11:39:02Z

I personnally am not a BBQ type but I love the idea of cooking outdoors as easily as I can indoors.
Ego Paris - the always amazing provider of stunning outdoor furniture- have made this amazing table: you can 'slot in ' an extra panel fitted with an induction cooking plate.

Planters by Bacsac: hyper flexible and eco friendly

2009-09-21T18:32:37Z

French duo created BACSAC. A textile bag that has it all: resists freezing temperatures, UVA and UVB, made in a textile that makes water air and earth work together.

Wally Pockets: vertical planting without breaking the bank

2009-09-17T19:15:15Z

Clever design by new readers www.GardenBeet.com

'Wally Pockets are modular planting baskets that can be hung inside or outside to create a vertical garden. They are robust and designed to last. They have a built-in moisture barrier which conserves water, as well as prevents dripping, whilst allowing the soil to breathe (a must for healthy plant growth). Revolutionary. And they are made from recycled plastic bottles.

Wallys come in three modular sizes to accommodate almost any wall size and three colours to play nicely in any environment.

Wallys are easy to install and totally modular and love to hang out in any combination, alone or with friends. Wally Three and Five don't mind sharing, and will let roots grow from Pocket to Pocket. All Wallys love a good party, and they'll even keep things quieter by absorbing sound when their Pockets are full.'

Casamania linen line ...So chic

2009-09-15T21:40:02Z

http://www.madeindesign.com/rub62-Outdoor--Accessoires-deco.html is where you can buy a great design and give up the tumble dryer.
652,00 EUR is the price to go green with ultra style...

And at Casamania.it you can discover the color options.

Reading ideas I like this week: Conran, Kennedy and ...

2009-09-15T00:31:16Z

Amazon.com Widgets