Summer Garden Haul with Homebase // Lucyy Writes

From previous blog posts on LW you may know that last year we decided to give an area of the back garden a little makeover when the insane storms decided to destroy the brick built shed. The only option was to knock it down. As a family we've always spent a lot of time together and can always be found outside when summer arrives. Our back garden isn't the largest, it's definitely more of a 'courtyard'. So what was once a shed full of nothings is now a dining area where we like to spend most meal times out there whether we're all home or alone. When Homebase recently got in touch I couldn't wait to find a few smaller items to give the space a little more character without cluttering it up.

Before I share what I purchased on my recent trip here's a purchase from last summer when we started creating the area. We've owned the Rimini six seater garden furniture set for about a year now and boy did it get a lot use last summer. Homebase still carry the Rimini range, in fact I'd go as far as saying it's their most popular since our local seemed to be dominated by the entire range set out beautifully. The Italian inspired set has been the perfect place for dining - come summer we eat every meal outside and our little Westie can always be found sleeping underneath the table or curled up on one of the chairs. If we aren't dining the table turns into an outside office with so much room to play around with or myself filling the table up with blogging related items. For those with a smaller space there are many more options - including a bench and 'sofa' sets. 

First purchase of the day? Flowers. When we brought Harry home the amount of flowers in the garden soon started to rapidly decline. The only flowers to survive our mischievous West Highlander were in hanging baskets. With ours needing a little TLC we decided it was easier to replace a couple with the pre-planted options Homebase have which just so happen to be on offer for just 2 for £20. Each basket is full of various flowers and colours, our local had a lot of choices - more than displayed on the website which is understandable.

We've been meaning to pick up some solar lanterns for quite some time. Our store had the full range of solar lights from intricate metal fairy lights, a dupe of my Cable & Cotton lights and my favourite the Mason Jar Fairy Lights. Available in two sizes, I decided on the medium rather than large as we were to team it with another style of lantern. I actually wish I'd put more in the trolley as come evening when the jar had had enough sunlight it looked incredibly beautiful. Such a simple design yet very effective and an item I urge to you to pick up when passing your local Homebase store. The lights are bundled into the jar which has a removable lid with a hidden on/off switch to save your solar energy. Our second lantern is rather different to the firefly-esq lantern with it taking on a Rattan effect and available in various sizes/shapes. We both thought the rattan design would work well with our Rimini furniture which was purchased the previous summer. Inside the rattan basket sits a fake candle which reflects the light attached to the inner lid of the lantern. The styles work together really well and provide just the right amount of light to create a lovely ambiance. I wish I could say we've sat outside and enjoyed them many an evening though with the amount of hospital visiting recently we've not had the time or energy. Last week I did manage to find the time for a spot of baking and a few glasses of iced tea for a well deserved unwind.

Other items come from the concession in my local Homebase, Lots of Living. Lots of Living feature in a select few Homebase stores. I'm not entirely sure what's happened to the website since my purchases, it's not directed back to the wholesaler. If you're lucky enough to have one of the concessions I urge you to visit if you're a fan of the white and grey washed trends. I'd love to hear if you're thinking about giving your garden a makeover this summer. Lucy xx

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