David Harber specialises in creating innovative garden ornaments and sculptures in contemporary designs that pay homage to the past, inspired by the marking of time.

Fascinated by the use of shadows, David incorporates light, water and reflections to create surprising and delightful illusions.

His work has an ethereal quality, drawing integrity from his commitment to using only the finest quality materials; beautiful, sometimes mysterious, always intriguing.

More recently the element of water features in David’s garden designs — a natural marriage of elements that complement and interact with each other in a dynamic manner.

Featured here is a shining example of a garden water feature - the Chalice sundial which builds on the past, reinventing a hemicyclium one of the oldest types of sundial, first seen in around 350BC, into contemporary and award-winning garden art; available in stainless steel, copper, bronze and brass.

David Harber uses only the highest quality materials to ensure that a sundial, sculpture, or water feature will endure into the next millennium; each design is conceived to meet the specific requirements of both the site and the client’s desires

Many different crafts and skills are combined in the creation of each dial; from more traditional skills such as hand letter-cutting stone, engraving, etching, sign-writing and casting, through to highly technical plasma and laser-cutting, electro-plating, polishing and welding techniques.

A striking choice of water walls, garden rills, garden globes and large garden sculptures are also available.

David Harber is an RHS Sundries Trophy winner at RHS Chelsea 2007.

Web: http://www.davidharbersundials.co.uk

Tel: (01235) 859300

Masses of vivid yellow daffodils and mild sunny days herald the beginning of spring and help bring the garden to life.

Cast stone and wrought ironwork designs by Haddonstone and Haddoncraft Forge, look beautiful surrounded by vibrant spring flowers and can also be enjoyed throughout the rest of the year.

Featured here is a Regency Gothic Octagonal Jardiniere with double-quatrefoil panels and alternate acanthus and rose relief bosses.  Height 66cm. Priced at £610.

Shown in Portland (grey-white), also available in Bath (creamy-yellow) and Terracotta. 

 The Gothic Upper Base in four sections featured is optional. £180.

It is essential that your Gothic Jardiniere and bases are sited on a firm and level area. An 8 to 1 sand/cement bedding mortar should be used to ensure that the weight of the Jardiniere and bases is spread evenly, avoiding any pivoting or twisting strain.

Find more inspirational ideas in Haddonstone’s 200-page catalogue, on the company’s CD-ROM, or visit:

Web: http://www.haddonstone.com

Tel: (01604) 770711

After three years in development, Thomas Sanderson has launched the Nexus Patio Awning.

Boasting advanced technological design this exclusive patio awning not only offers revolutionary new features, but also its sleek design will complement any home and garden.

The unique Mistral Wind Sensor built into the new patio awning, detects any movement of the canopy during windy conditions; should the wind reach an unsafe level, the Mistral Sensor will communicate wirelessly to the awning controls and immediately retract it, preventing damage to you and your property.

Further intelligent features include:

• The Advanced Light SolarSensor, a solar-powered light sensor communicates wirelessly to the awning’s electronic control, which can be programmed to extend the canopy as the sun rises and retract as night falls.
• A unique ‘nano’ coating ensures that rainwater will simply wash light dirt off the awning.
• Thomas Sanderson’s bespoke installation method, ensures that the awning fits to the wall in a tidy casing with minimal gaps and its integral control system avoids the need for conspicuous electrical control boxes.
• A beautiful collection of over 200 different fabrics, LED mood lighting and optional heaters and valances, make sure that the customer will find a style to suit their taste.

Also new this year are stylish Metal Venetian Blinds for the conservatory or elsewhere, offering a novel system whereby the blinds are fitted to each individual windowpane, providing excellent light and glare control; there are over 90 style and colour options.

Web: http://www.thomassanderson.com

Tel: (0800) 220 603

Did you think sundials were old-fashioned timepieces mainly seen rusting away in overgrown English country gardens?

Not any more as David Harber has pioneered the restoration of a centuries old craft, coinciding with the renaissance of interest in the garden and built up an international reputation for making both contemporary and classical sundials.

He started making small armillary sphere sundials in 1992 and has now expanded to embrace contemporary sculpture and water features for homes, country houses and corporate clients; his work combines different materials and plays with light and reflections, to produce striking contrasts and fascinating optical illusions in the garden.

The featured Armillary sphere owes its design to the Egyptian astronomer and geographer Ptolemy and is crafted in bronze, brass or mirror-polished stainless steel.

The Armillary’s interwoven rings represent the celestial arcs of heavenly bodies and the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, while the arrowhead points to the pivotal Pole Star.

All sundials can be personalized with engraved mottoes, birthday markers or pointers to places of personal significance.

David also makes traditional vertical sundials in a whole range of materials and dramatic garden obelisks in steel, stone and copper.
Also available are water walls, garden rills, garden globes and large garden sculptures.

David Harber was awarded an RHS Sundries Trophy at RHS Chelsea 2007.

Web: http://www.davidharbersundials.co.uk

Tel: (01235) 859300

Introduce influences of spring into your home and garden using pastels of pink and green against a crisp white background.

One of the quickest and most effective ways to do this is by using textiles to refresh an area around your home.

The new Våren textile collection will bring a light and airy feel to the dullest of rooms and has been inspired by the wood anemone, one of natures early indicators that spring is on its way.

Featured here are just a few of the stimulating spring products on offer:

• Våren cushion 65×65cm in white and green £14.99.
  Varen round cushion in green pink or white £7.99.
  Våren knitted throw 130×170cm in green £13.99 (also available in
  white and pink).
• Varen Rug in green or white £39.00.
• Agen rattan chairs in white £19.99; stackable in order to save space when not in use.
  Complete with Agen chair pad with anemone design in white £9.99 for increased seating comfort.
• Agen round coffee table white £35.00; handwoven with extra utility surface e.g. for magazines; plastic feet; protect the furniture if in contact with a moist surface.
• Agen Triple Hanging basket set white, handwoven £13.99.

Web: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB

Tel: (0845) 355 1141

Tutankhamen’s return to London has sparked a renewed fascination with the boy king and his age-old civilization.

Several designs in Haddonstone’s collection of garden ornaments have been influenced by ancient Egypt:

The Leazes Park Lions are thought to be inspired by The Red Granite Lion of Amenhotep III; it was one of a pair originally created around 1370BC to guard the Temple of Soleb in Sudan.

The lions were owned by a succession of rulers after Amenhotep III, including Tutankhamen (1336-1327 BC); Haddonstone’s versions were created for Leazes Park in Newcastle, and are now part of the company’s standard collection.

Both Grecian and Egyptian Sphinxes feature the body of a lion, with the Grecian version depicting an elegant female head and bosom, in contrast to the male head of the Egyptian style; both were popular in the late Georgian period.

Haddonstone has also faithfully replicated an original design created by Coade Stone; Egyptian in origin, obelisks were first brought to Rome, before becoming a decorative feature in the English landscape from the XVIII century onwards.

The European fascination with Egypt began with Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian Campaign in 1798, when the scholars who accompanied the soldiers, suddenly discovered the rich history of a forgotten, but important civilization.

The results of their comprehensive investigation of the country – both past and present – eventually became Description de l’Egypte, which spanned ten volumes when it was eventually published in 1830 and Egyptology was born.

Haddonstone’s full collection includes many pieces inspired by cultural and historical figures and events - in their inspirational 200-page catalogue, on CD-ROM or visit:

Web: http://www.haddonstone.com

Tel: (01604) 770711

Breeze House, the celebrated provider of original and unique structures for perfect year round relaxation and outdoor living, has just launched a new full colour brochure.

The new brochure is full of inspirational photography, plus details of all sizes for the wide variety of garden buildings on offer, to whet your appetite to indulge in alfresco living this year.

Pictured here is The Colonial, a spacious, quality and decorative outdoor dining room for your garden, which comfortably accommodates a 165cm diameter table and 6/8 armchairs, making it the ideal outdoor dining room.

Later in the evening it provides a great wooden dance floor for all ages to party, party, party; The Colonial was the company’s original building and it has proved to be the most popular over the years.

The Complete Colonial Breeze House includes, Floor, Handrails and Timber Roof, underslating and Thatchbor Thatch Tiles. Priced at £11,522.

The Breeze House range of high quality timber garden buildings and all of the gazebos are designed and hand-made in the UK to exacting standards and are available with a thatch or Cedar shingle roof.

Web: http://www.breezehouse.co.uk

Tel: (01538) 398 488

Haddonstone is a leading UK manufacturer of cast stone garden ornaments and architectural features and their collection offers over 500 standard designs.

The company’s new Roman Sundial features a stainless steel gnomon, to project a shadow across the Roman numerals cast into the sundial top.

Haddonstone designed the sundial to complement the popular Baluster Bird Bath; ideal as an attractive center piece in a courtyard or cottage-garden.

The sundial is available in five colours –Portland (grey-white), Bath (creamy-yellow), Terracotta, Coade (honey-yellow) and Slate.

Diameter of sundial top: 37cm. Width of base: 26cm. Height: 67cm.
Retail price is £175.

The full range can be seen in Haddonstone’s inspirational 200-page catalogue, CD-ROM or online at:

Web: http://www.haddonstone.co.uk

Tel: (01604) 770711

Break with tradition this Valentine’s Day and give the garden lover in your life a gift that will last much longer than flowers or chocolates –a statue representing Venus, the goddess of love and fertility.

This charming statue would add romance to any garden and will look effective against a wall or dark formal hedge.

Statuary is also perfect for adding life to the garden in the bleak winter months, whilst also looking stunning among foliage in the summer –a gift that can be enjoyed in all seasons!

Haddonstone replicated the Venus statue featured, from a late XIX century Italian white-marble sculpture; she rests against a rocky outcrop and is depicted with flowing hair and a robe loosely draped around her body.

Haddonstone begins to weather and develop a patina after only a few years outside, becoming more beautiful with age –just like the loved one in your life!

Alternatively, a gift voucher (available in any value), will let the recipient choose from Haddonstone’s extensive range of cast stone garden ornaments.

If required, vouchers can be delivered direct to the recipient complete with a personalised message; vouchers are valid for 12 months and are supplied with a Haddonstone catalogue.

Web: http://www.haddonstone.co.uk

Tel: (01604) 770711

Putting your garden to bed properly for the colder months will often save time and effort in the spring and can lead to a thriving garden that will really flourish next year.

nicenstripy, the leading UK domestic lawn cutting and garden services company, is advising clients that now is the perfect time to start planning ahead for next year.

However, in today’s hectic lifestyle, you may have little or no time to tend to your green-fingered responsibilities.

nicenstripy can help; operating across the UK, it’s teams of fully trained and vetted operators, provide an extensive range of professional gardening services at affordable prices.

Supplies of the very best lawn care feeds and treatments and the latest equipment are used to ensure that your garden is well maintained during the winter months and therefore in great condition for the spring.

nicenstripy’s core grass cutting service continues in the winter; milder weather means lawns continue to grow, but at a slower rate, so their technicians will cut the lawn to a length that is best for winter.

At present the company is offering a special Winter Works package, which includes lawn feeds and treatments, hedge trimming, leaf and general debris clearing, garden tidy ups and gutter clearance.

Web: http://www.nicenstripy.com

Tel: (0845) 230 7676