How to design your dream garden kitchen
Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a cosy evening à deux, there’s something special about cooking outside. Fun and spontaneous, al fresco entertaining speaks to sensual summer days – the clink of glasses, the scent of cut grass, a cooling breeze. Preparing food in nature, particularly when using freshly harvested fruit, vegetables and herbs, makes us that little bit more attentive to the flavours, colours and textures of a meal.
It’s no surprise, then, that we’ve seen a surge in demand for the Clive Christian garden kitchen, which has evolved to reach new heights of functionality and design. Entirely bespoke, the garden kitchen can accommodate a variety of configurations and appliances, depending on client preferences.
So what should you think about when designing your dream garden kitchen? Clive Christian’s head of design, Oliver Deadman, shares some advice.
Style
The focal point of any outdoor gathering, the garden kitchen should make a visual statement while also being at one with its environment. Deadman’s elegant design for Clive Christian takes inspiration from the world of yachts. A pair of bow-fronted islands invite guests on an oceangoing adventure, with mirrored, arcing stone worktops evoking the hull of a sailing boat.
The pinstriped detailing on the cabinetry, meanwhile, recalls the deck of a boat. Created by inlaying ebonised Iroko sections into the door and drawer fronts, this effect showcases Clive Christian’s expertise in marquetry. Decorative hardware includes handles made from actual deck cleats, finished in an elegant mirror-polish stainless steel.
Materials
Sustainability and weather-resistance were essential to Deadman’s choice of materials. The cabinetry is constructed from Iroko, a sustainably sourced wood known for its natural resistance to insects and decay. UV-blocking lacquer, which almost binds with the timber, has been added to the surfaces, and this provides a protective coating that moves with the wood, eliminating the risk of cracking or flaking often associated with traditional varnishes or lacquers.
The exterior and internal shelving are manufactured from the highest grade of marine ply, which has been scientifically developed to withstand the elements, while worktops are made from durable and moisture-resistant Sensa Orinoco stone. All internal components are also marine grade, which ensures longevity and reduces the risk of corrosion.
Functionality
Clive Christian works with trusted appliance partners to incorporate state-of-the-art equipment tailored to clients’ preferred cuisine and style of entertaining. As managing director Phil Cole says, “If our customer wants an industrial-size, authentic, top-of-the-range pizza oven we will work with Nisbets to get this installed for them. We value the importance of harmoniously integrating both beauty and functionality to create an everlasting kitchen.”
Outdoor grills, burner modules, refrigerator drawers and stainless steel chillers all sourced from industry leader Sub-Zero Wolf contribute to an unparalleled level of sophistication, elevating the outdoor experience to new heights of refinement.
Entertainment
Clive Christian sees the outdoor kitchen as a space to create memories, with a sense of fun and comfort being central to those memories. Clients are increasingly interested in creating a party atmosphere, with hosting capabilities for every nature of event, from pizza parties to sushi evenings and even tasting menus.
The Clive Christian team works with partners to install enhanced speaker systems for guests to enjoy their favourite music or immerse themselves in a movie or sports event while relishing the natural ambiance of their surroundings.
Seasonality
A garden kitchen needn’t only be enjoyed in summer. “Clients want to be able to use their outdoor spaces even in the winter, as they strive for a greater connection to nature and the outdoors,” Deadman says. The cabinetry has also been designed to sit off the ground to elevate it from any dampness and to allow access for cleaning and removing surface water. The team also works with partners to install pergolas and shades, so that clients can enjoy the garden kitchen all year round, in any weather.
The Garden Kitchen, like all Clive Christian Furniture rooms, is designed around the client's specific requirements, and the scale and proportion of the appliances. For further information or to make an enquiry, please contact us.
