National BBQ Week: How to Host the Perfect BBQ

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
BBQ

Barbecues can be a wonderful and casual way to bring family and friends together to enjoy each other’s company.  Grilling outdoors adapts itself readily to any lifestyle, and can be as ambitious or low-key as befits the occasion.   PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING. As anyone who has thrown a barbecue once or twice can attest, the key difference between a fun time for everyone, and a frantic disaster is preparation.  Before inviting over a large group, get to know your grill and how it operates before you throw yourself into a hosting role.  Whether you are using a gas or charcoal grill, learning how to time and place your various foodstuffs will be invaluable knowledge during a party.  Foods that can be prepared easily and quickly ahead of time, such as…

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Choosing Restaurant Outdoor Furniture

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Bridgman contract garden furniture at The RAC Club in Epsom

No matter your particular industry, picking out outdoor furniture for your commercial space can be a daunting endeavour. As an important and very visible investment, your outdoor furniture pieces can set the tone for your business to your prospective audience. Well-made, high quality pieces will not only be more durable for the long term, but may showcase features that make day-to-day operations more efficient. The following are few factors to consider when selecting your commercial outdoor furniture.   SETTING THE TONE. Contract furniture comes in numerous materials and styles to suit both you and your business.  Our most popular lines for hotels and restaurants include rattan and teak pieces.  Rattan furniture can best complement a more traditional, and relaxed environment, whereas teak can be placed in both traditional and more…

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Britain’s Best Garden Pet – Winner Announced

Monday, May 21, 2012

For one month we ran a competition throughout the British Isles to find ‘Britain’s Best Garden Pet’. Our aim was simple; we wanted to find the funniest, cutest or most interesting photo of a British pet in the garden. We received a tremendous response and after sorting through hundreds of entries we were given the very hard task of choosing a winner. So without further ado, we are pleased to announce that the winner of the Bridgman teak garden furniture set is:   *** Ava from Southend-on-Sea, and her owner Gareth Gerreli *** Caption: My dog Ava, a real life Ava ‘Gardener’   Thank you to all of you who entered. We received some beautiful images & we will be showcasing a selection of the best over the next few weeks –…

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5 Reasons to Visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Monday, May 14, 2012
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 - Garden Design Inspiration

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most famous garden shows in the world, and if you love gardening, it’s quite a spectacle to see. Consisting of show gardens, flower pavilions, a huge range of garden brands and retail spaces, and the chance to see some famous faces, it’s the number one event on the gardening calendar. And, if you’ve ever wondered just why you should visit this world famous event, here are five reasons to get your inspiration flowing.   Design inspiration If you’ve ever been stuck for a garden idea, then Chelsea will certainly have something to spark your creativity. Aside from its very famous main show gardens which show the latest design and styling tips that you can use in your own outside space, the…

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Bridgman Factory Shop – April Competition Winner Announced

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Throughout April we ran a free prize draw, open to all customers that visited our garden furniture shop in Enfield. The prize up for grabs was an aluminium table and chair set (RRP £500). We received a great response & after drawing the winner at random we’re pleased to announce the result: The winner of Bridgman’s Factory shop competition for April was Carol Warwick from Chingford (pictured right with our shop manager Amancio). We are running another prize draw this month, for your chance to win visit our factory shop in London.  

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Gardening Jobs – what to do this May Bank Holiday

Friday, May 4, 2012
Garden

If you’re a keen gardener, then come rain or shine, the May Bank Holiday is a time when getting out into the garden is a must. At this time of the year, when things have really started to grow, there’s a lot to be getting on with and you can easily miss important jobs. This year, when there’s been so much rain in the past few months, plants have sprung into life with even more vigour than many previous years. And, whether you’re a vegetable grower or have a beautiful garden of tended flowers, there are some ideal jobs to enjoy this weekend. Ensure that pots are watered When there’s been so much rain, it’s easy to think that pots won’t need watering. However, the natural shape of pots combined…

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How Garden Wall Art Can Bring Your Garden to Life

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
garden art

Many gardeners are artists at heart. We just love to design our exterior living spaces with plenty of comfort, colour and texture. Long a favourite inclusion in classical gardens, garden wall art is on the rise in modern homes as well. From iron and metal wall sculptures to thriving framed gardens with live plants on display, the walls of our homes, sheds, and garages provide the perfect venue for added flare.   Static Wall Art   We must be mindful of the climate, and avoid hanging garden art that will deteriorate or rot in the moisture. Leave canvas pieces and watercolours inside, but feel free to bring out items built from durable materials like steel, stone or fired ceramics. You’ll find a wide range of wall medallions and flat sculptures…

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