With the gentle rise in temperature over the summer months comes the urge to bask in the sun while spending quality time with family and friends. Suppose you are fortunate enough to have access to a private outdoor space, you may be thinking of how to uplift an existing shed, incorporate a summerhouse or even reappropriate a country shepherd's hut. Below we will highlight several ways in which you can liven up your outdoor spaces, making them fit for entertaining, resting and embracing pockets of nature.
Ironmongery For Your Outdoor Spaces
When considering ironmongery for your outdoor space, its functionality and ability to withstand nature's unpredictable tendencies can be a prominent topic of interest preparatory to making the purchase. Here at From The Anvil, we stock vast amounts of hardware that have been designed specifically for outdoor spaces, with equal focus on durability and looks, giving a well-rounded design of good quality, that will always function as it should.
Our external beeswax is unique to From The Anvil and one of our staple outdoor materials. Manufactured from anti-corrosive beeswax, it has a matt richness just like our standard beeswax and the depth of colour ranges from blue to deep red ochre. An extremely natural finish and a far softer alternative to a black powder-coated finish. This aesthetic can work perfectly alongside traditional homes, bringing that high-quality rustic look into your garden space. The original hand-forged products from our Blacksmith range lend themselves brilliantly to this look. Principle products include; Thumb Latches, T Hinges, and Bean Handles. Our Octagonal Mortice/Rim Knobs also work well.
Alternatively, try using our Monkey-tail lever handles and accompanying window furniture. The most effective finishes for traditional are most definitely black or beeswax. Below you will see some ironmongery products that the team at From The Anvil has chosen to complement a traditional or rustic summer house:
The hand-forged nature of the beeswax hardware doesn’t always lend itself to a contemporary build. That being said, we do have the more contemporary Brompton range which sits well in a modern setting, accentuating minimalism and incorporating a nice tangible texture to the right parts of your summerhouse. The knurled handle adds a tactile and high-end edge to any setting it is placed in, making it the perfect solution for the on-trend individual. Our refined matt black finish has a distinctly contemporary feel. Naturally, it looks great in ultra-modern interiors and exteriors, but this versatile finish is timeless and will create a sophisticated statement in any setting. The matt black finish is applied to a base material of solid steel and then baked in a high-temperature oven, resulting in a subtle black patina that emphasises the product’s clean silhouette. This finish is extremely low maintenance and has excellent corrosion-resistant properties, making it perfect for use in bathrooms, kitchens or externally where damper environmental conditions are expected. Below you will see some ironmongery products that the team at From The Anvil has chosen to compliment a contemporary outhouse.
Garden gate designs can significantly alter the appearance and feel of your outdoor space. There are several pre-made and custom options available, perfect for enhancing your home's visual appeal. Of course, you could also take advantage of the chance to commission a bespoke, handcrafted item that will become a part of your house and be cherished for years to come. However, choosing a beautiful design and finish is not enough; they must also be useful, durable, and provide trustworthy security. Wonderful examples can be seen below; the first image featuring our Black 35" Hook & Band Hinge - Cranked Pair (33234) and the second our Black Cottage Latch - LH (33294)
In a styling sense - If you love a country-classic look, try pairing a fresh, white gate with traditional stone posts. This will add a nice balance between texture and tone. The pale hue provides the perfect balance against such rustic surroundings as it lifts the space and feels clean and chic, however the overall look still maintains plenty of vintage charm. Looking for something a little more contemporary? Go for a sleek wooden style for your garden, a gate consisting of light horizonal or vertical slatting. A design like this is also great if you're looking for garden privacy and a handy lock is good for added security.
If your garage door has seen better days, you may be thinking about whether you should repair or replace it. There are many subtle ways of giving your garage the revival it deserves. Functionality is a good place to start, repairing or replacing the hardware will enable it to operate as it should, given that it is structurally sound. When hardware is concerned, we suggest our durable Pewter 24" Hook & Band Hinge (33742). These can be paired with many different styles of Lever Handles and Thumb Latches. Some examples of Hook and Band Hinges can be seen below for reference.
Cabin hooks are also incredibly useful addition to any doorway or storage unit; they provide a stylish and effective way of keeping doors open or closed. They are available in a range of sizes and finishes, providing a multitude of décor options, whether they’re installed on French doors, cupboards, or outdoor areas such as sheds, garages and garden gates. From The Anvil Stock several Cabin Hooks in a range of finishes, which means there will something for everyone’s style. Below you will see the charming 10" Forged Cabin Hook in Pewter (83795).
Which Style Suits You?
So, gardens come in many shapes and sizes, which can be a limitation when determining the type of summerhouse or shed you have your eyes set upon. Another factor to consider is the style of your home, key characteristics and aesthetic properties. Constructing subtle homages to your home's external and internal styling will create a seamless integration from building to building. Whether you own a home inspired by contemporary minimalism or inundated in traditional country charm - there is a look for everyone.
Modern garden sheds have increased in popularity throughout the last few years, seeing a rise in average temperatures and the need to be surrounded by nature. These structures are typically designed in a new nordic fashion, with horizontal pine or cedar cladding; a summerhouse of this fashion can be a central hub for entertaining, barbecues and even relaxation. Minimalistic characteristics and linearity in construction can lend well modern homes. The use of light wood works well with an abundance of colour schemes, lighting and furnishings. We would suggest embracing the minimalism of exposed wood, and pairing it will finishing touches like high-quality hardware.
Alternatively, if your home consists of traditional differentiae, then perhaps a time honouring design with classic boxed windows will be suited to your taste. Similar to a construction sense, the wooden cladding of a traditional summerhouse can be easy to work with, giving you several finishing options and many ways to bring your character and taste into the outdoors. We like to recommend brands like Little Greene, predominately due to their excellent coverage and trends setting tones. These can be incredibly durable, weather resistant, completely washable and suitable for exterior woodwork and metalwork. Why not try 'Celestial Blue', a charming, timeless blue paint deriving from a rare surviving colour card from 1807. Suited to both interior and exterior schemes. This pastel blue will liven up the garden on those overcast days whilst complimenting nature and its surrounding areas.
But what if you have a pre-build stone or brick shed? There are many ways of increasing their visual appeal, beginning with painting. Using wipeable and durable paint earlier can add a lease of life to your future summer house or perhaps Limewash; a very traditional exterior finish used to decorate and protect porous stone and lime-rendered surfaces. Limewash is a breathable finish making it suitable for old or damp-problematic walls. Unlike paint, Limewash penetrates the surface and the colour is built up by applying successive coats. A neutral tone or pastel will work notably well in your outdoor space and can be complemented by several different accent colours. The second solution is enlivening the doors, an accent colour can be used to complement the tones on the wall. We like the weather-resistant and self-priming 'Lemon Tree' exterior eggshell paint from Little Greene.
Our team took on the challenge of giving a prebuilt stone shed a facelift during these recent warm spells. We want to show our readers how effective the introduction of paint and handcrafted ironmongery can be. We used Farrow & Ball’s Teresa's Green No. 236 for the door along with their Brinjal No. 222 for the wooden strip above the door. These colours complimented by the rustic stone construction and hand-forged ironmongery give an aesthetic bursting with country charm. We used our External Beeswax 6” Forged Cabin Hook (45604), the External Beeswax Round Mortice/Rim Knob Set (92066) and our Black Gothic Coat Hook (33963). The journey can be seen below:
The above points paired with your knowledge of door and ironmongery will be advantageous when planning the construction of your new or existing summerhouse. We hope that you are better prepared to carry out this venture with a better understanding of what look you’re trying to achieve. If you would like your journey to be shared and your new 'From The Anvil' Ironmongery to be featured please feel free to contact us through the email address below or simply tag us on social media.
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
Instagram: @fromtheanvil
Take a look at our 'Advice from an Expert: Barn Conversions' blog for more help and advice.
