For a lesson on how to create a charming indoor/outdoor dining area for summer nights, we take you to a small backyard in London’s Crofton Park neighborhood. There food writer Mina Holland and musician Freddie Denham-Webb have created an oasis in the city—complete with an American-style Big Green Egg grill.
What prompted the American barbecue invasion? “We’re on a street of what I figure were quite experimental Victorian houses. Ours is a purpose-built maisonette, and opposite there are cleverly laid-out cottages. It feels like it was a bit of a testing ground for small-space living,” Holland told The Modern House.
Here’s everything you need to get the look:
Above: From inside, a view of the dining table and benches is framed by the open doorway. The small garden also has a storage shed at the edge of the property. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House.
See more of the house’s interiors on Remodelista.
Above: The industrial-style light fixture above the door came from a friend: “He and his partner moved to a very stylish Sixties development in Hatfield, and this didn’t quite go with their refit. We love it, though,” says Holland. Photograph courtesy of The Modern House.
Exterior & Facade
Above: The brick facade and trim is painted with Pure Brilliant White by Dulux to reflect light and make the space look clean and bright.
Above: The back door and transom window are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Blue.
Farrow & Ball’s exterior paints are available in both eggshell and gloss finishes.
Lighting
Above: With a galvanized finish, The Original Warehouse Gooseneck Light can be customized with five sizes of shades, a straight or gooseneck arm (varying lengths are available ) and a wire cage. Prices start at $255 at Barn Light Electric.
Garden Shed
Above: A similar 10-by-8-foot peaked from Wooden Traditional Garden Summerhouse with shiplap siding has double doors with four window panels; it’s currently sold out, but a similar version can be found via Handy Home Products.
