Here's an interesting fact - when 300 Canadian couples were interviewed, although 71% of men and women agreed that they wanted their garden to feel peaceful and intimate, 31% of men seemed to prefer modern decor while 32% of women said they enjoyed traditional furniture.
When it comes to the garden, it seems we still have to fight this battle of the sexes. Here is how it pans out ...
Gazebo or shed?
Modern gardens have a gazebo, traditionalists opt for the shed. The main difference between traditional gazebo design versus a shed is the openness of the structure. In most cases, a gazebo has no completely closed walls and very little storage space. The compromise position is a shed with a veranda - traditional inside, light and airy outside.
Lounger or Hammock?
The modernist has a lounger, often in stark modern style with either dark wood contrasting with light upholstery or light wood being set off by a dark jungle print design. The old fashioned garden has a hammock, often made of string but sometimes now of canvas. The compromise position on this one is the swing hammock - a hammock with an metal frame so that it can be moved around, rather than one slung between trees.
Wood, plastic, metal, stone?
While wood and stone are considered to be traditional materials, the way they are used can be very modernistic, with stark white stone cubes and atlas stones giving a cubist appearance in some gardens and ergonomic wooden outdoor furniture which can look positively futuristic. Plastic has begun to appear in traditional formats too - Grecian urns made out of resin fool any but the closest inspection and there are some wonderful new Victorian benches made of plastic and metal that are half the weight of the originals but will probably last just as long.
Barbecue ... Benches ... Best Use ... Buying Furniture ... Cane ... Looking after Metal Furniture ... Looking after Plastic Furniture ... Looking after Upholstered Furniture ... Looking after Wood Furniture ... Childrens Furniture ... Conservatory Furniture ... Environment ... Hammocks ... Harmonising Furniture ... Heating ... Lighting ... Material Furniture ... Modern Vs Antique ... Outdoor Eating ... Personalising Furniture ... Poolside Furniture ... Secondhand Furniture ... Theme ... Patio Umbrella ... Winter Garden Furniture