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Glam up your garden

Kate Stirrup
2/ 7/2008

CLEVER ways to improve even the smallest yard or garden space are on show at a very different exhibition coming to Manchester Craft and Design Centre next week.

Yard Birds reveals that, however cramped the area involved, you can funk up the outdoors with the best of contemporary accessories.

And the centre is certainly showing some very different ideas!

Designers and makers from across the UK and beyond have been gathered together at the Oak Street centre in the city’s Northern Quarter to show that even a window box or garden step can look special – with a dash of imagination.

For example, ever thought about wallpapering OUTSIDE? Well, take a look at Susan Bradley’s clever all-weather wallpaper and change your mind.

Made of powder-coated stainless steel, it takes an interior Damask pattern into an "outdoor room" such as a yard or patio to make the outside an extension of the indoors. Val Hunt recycles metal drinks cans to make botanical-based jewellery, bags and objects such as alcoholic onions, chickens and hens, all of which work well in small outdoor spaces.

And Stella Corrall uses recycled plastic to create a range of coasters and placemats suitable for both interior and exterior use.

Textile designers Massey and Rogers produce a collection of cushions, baskets, aprons, wallets, napkins and teatowels.

They use natural yarns and fabrics in addition to recycled newspapers, comics and plastic carrier bags in their woven designs and the exhibition displays work from their Vintage Rave and Urban Garden ranges.

Designer Helen Smith will soon move into the Craft and Design Centre and will showcase some of her work in the exhibition.

Trading under the business name Nell, she makes unique embroidered garments such as T-shirts, scarves and bags, plus badges and notebooks, using recycled, ethically sourced materials whenever possible.

Local designer furniture outlet Ferrious has lent the centre a thermoplastic Truffle chair designed by Jean Marie Massaud and manufactured in Italy by Porro, which will certainly alter visitors’ ideas about garden furniture.

Fake brick wallpaper and artificial grass will complete the picture to create an outdoor room set.

On Saturday next week (July 12), a Summer Garden Party will be held at the centre involving plenty of traditional activities but, like the exhibition, with a quirky twist.

Ice creams and smoothies, face painting, Pimp my Parasol and a plant swap will be among the attractions.

There will also be live music, and Hulme Community Garden Centre will run a workshop there.

A spokeswoman from the centre said: "We hope Yard Birds will inspire visitors to be inspired by the innovative and exciting products – and even make something new themselves from old cans, plastic bottles or fabrics."

Yard Birds runs at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Oak Street, until October 4.