Alfresco Living

Anyone who has ever lived or spent some time in Spain, will understand why the terraces round the villas, are nearly always bigger then the actual lounge.  Because of the sunny warm weather, most of the living is done on the terraces.  All meals are usually eaten there, and a lot of the household chores are carried out on the terraces.

Unfortunately, our climate is not so kind, and very changeable, but when our long warm sunny days do arrive, we all know we have to make the most of them.  Barbecues have become so popular, it is almost compulsory to have them during a heat wave.  Thanks to all the television chefs, we have progressed beyond the hotdog and hamburger, and our barbecues are becoming quite sophisticated.

Nothing is more pleasant then sitting outside on a warm balmy evening, enjoying good food and a glass of wine.  Gone are the days when we had to turn the garden shed upside down to find a couple of deck chairs to relax in.   Garden furniture today is as sophisticated as the food we eat.  Good quality furniture is an investment.  It must be completely weather-proof, extremely comfortable, and very smart to look at.  By making the right choice, it will last for years. Many people in Spain spend more on their terrace furniture, then they do on their indoor furniture because they know that it will have a lot more use.  Sadly, that is not the case in the U.K., but because of our changeable climate, it is still necessary to go for quality.

Many homes have realised the benefits of having a conservatory added to their property.  Not only does it add more living space, but it is like bringing the garden into the house.  Alternately, if you plan a barbecue, and it turns a little chilly, or you realise that a storm is brewing up, you can simply carry the food into the conservatory, and carry on enjoying yourselves. Once again it is important to choose good quality, smart conservatory furniture.  As conservatories can be used all the year round, style, comfort, and durability must be taken into consideration, as it is simply an extension of your home.

There are many ways to heat a conservatory, so even when it is cold outside, meals can be taken in it, giving the impression of outdoor dining - something which always makes us cheerful.

If you are lucky enough to own, or have shares in a villa or apartment in Spain, you will no doubt, have seen some really luxurious alfresco furnishings.  A few years back, while our Spanish friends were reclining on good quality rattan terrace furniture, we had to make do with plastic chairs and folding tables.  Not today, we have a very good choice of quality garden and conservatory furniture, equal to anything that you see abroad.

Because our summers are never long enough, we all want to make the most of  living outside, and who can blame us, as winters always seem to last longer then summers.  To make the most of it - make sure it is done in style.

Source : articlesbase