With summer bringing its warmer days and lighter evenings, few people will be thinking about drawing the curtains and curling up in front of a fire to keep the night at bay. But the coming season offers opportunities to bring your inner fire outside and we should make the most of it, whether it’s a family barbecue or summer cocktail party, there’s no reason it should move indoors when the sun goes down.

  by  x76882 

Sitting around a campfire brings back happy holiday memories for many people and one we wish we could recreate more often. Recently the fashion has grown for dedicated outdoor fireplace and elegant firepits that enhance your garden’s appearance during the day and provide a warming hub to gather around after dark.

Chimineas have become a popular sight at many outdoor gatherings, but frequently a huddle forms on the open side for warmth and before too long the stove cracks and needs replacing. An open stone firepit allows the same level of sophistication but with the enduring and aesthetic qualities of solid black granite. 

Because you spend a great deal of time maintaining your garden and choosing its style, a good quality fire pit should reflect and enhance the look you’re going for. Quality fireplace craftsmen will be able to provide the materials for just about anything you can imagine, whether it’s a simple box design for warmth or a table firepit that provides a centrepiece for your garden gatherings.

For those of you who love to cook, TV chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall are frequently coming up with delicious recipes that they prepare in outdoor ovens. A pizza oven in your garden can allow for the easy preparation of wholesome and delicious meals without ever leaving the comfort of your patio chair. For the more traditional of you, a custom barbecue pit for your braais and BBQ parties would be perfect for the World Cup matches this summer.

  by  Colby Stopa 

Adding a granite or slate preparation area for your barbecue elevates it from basic outdoor cookery to garden cuisine, as well as providing an attractive seating and table area for when your oven or barbecue is not in use. Fireplaces South West offer a range of outdoor fire materials in several different finishes to suit your garden and patio, and their expert stonemasons can create custom designs to your specifications so get inspired and get in touch to start your summer today. Here are some ideas from our Pinterest board to get you started...

Follow Fireplaces Southwest's board The Great Outdoors on Pinterest.