BEYOND the back door

Garden designer Franchesca Watson, encourages us to reimagine our gardens as the ultimate open-air living room. Here, good design isn't just about plants — it's about people, food and how we gather

- photographs ELSA YOUNG

We are incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a generous climate. Long, lingering summers and winters that rarely bite make outdoor living not just possible, but wonderfully effortless. It's a lifestyle that invites you to slow down, step outside and spend more time in the garden — whether dining, relaxing or simply soaking up the sun.

Our climate practically insists we spend time outdoors, and the sky often feels like a permanent invitation to dine alfresco. It’s not only pleasant, it’s easy. And therein lies the joy: creating spaces that make outdoor living feel like second nature.

The secret is staying power. It’s all too easy to drift outside only to find yourself constantly pulled back in — a forgotten knife, another plate, something you swore you'd just brought out. The aim is to build garden zones that hold you there, that let you settle. Kitchen. Lounge. Table. Done.