I Splurged £40,000 on My Garden: Meet the Football Pitch & Outdoor Bath

When Sally Worts, aged 56, and her husband Chris, who is 64, purchased their Victorian home, barn conversion near Skipton In North Yorkshire, 12 years ago, the structure's vast size was notable. garden And spectacular vistas that convinced them.

However, with four youngsters and energetic sons When they first moved in, prioritizing an outdoor living area was not at the top of their list.

Rather than doing that, they concentrated on revamping the inside of the house and investing their resources into digging up the lower part of the garden to create space for a five-a-side soccer field, as well as developing an area for Sally’s use. greenhouses — where she cultivates flowers and vegetables.

'It checked off all the items on our list at first,' she explains. 'Our sons had room to play, while Chris and I appreciated the scenery and tinkered about in the greenhouses. However, I always envisioned adding a veranda along the rear of the house someday to craft an enjoyable spot for outdoor entertainment.'

It was not until 2020 that Sally started working on designing a porch. extension to the house Her task was to design a welcoming space for relaxing with friends and family, featuring distinct areas such as a seating zone with a couch, armchairs, and more. coffee The space includes a dining area featuring a nine-foot-long Edwardian dining table sourced from a nearby antique store, capable of accommodating many guests for optimal socializing.

She sketched out a basic plan, directing her builder to secure seven poles within the current pavement and construct a straightforward wooden beam roofing system featuring laminated panels above and timber flooring below. Additionally, she dedicated numerous hours adjusting the pitch of the roof to guarantee proper drainage and waterproof integrity.

'It's entirely water-resistant, and the house protects it from the wind, allowing us to keep everything outdoors throughout the entire year.'

To add warmth to the area, Sally used a staple gun to secure rattan panels beneath the roof beams and intertwined artificial Ivy from the ceiling down to the rattan.

'I've worked with actual ivy before, but since it grows slowly, I included an artificial plant instead. It looks so authentic; I find it hard to distinguish between them.'

It’s evident that Sally has put equal emphasis on outdoor decorations as she has on indoor aesthetics for her home.

Employing the identical color scheme of yellows and animal prints used within the house, she purchased accessories intended for both indoor and outdoor spaces, including items like cushions, throw blankets, and carpets—alongside large disco balls suspended from the ceiling overhead.

'I didn't want to gaze at my winter garden and see everything hidden under covers. My aim was to enjoy this area throughout the year,' explains Sally, who added outdoor heaters for those chilly days. 'Just remember, you don’t necessarily need to purchase furniture designed exclusively for outside use.'

He transformed an Ikea piece for his patio, acquired via Facebook Marketplace and given a dark blue paint job.

'It's fantastic for keeping my antique dishes and glassware safe. True, some drafts might seep in during the colder season, but since I always clean my plates before using them, it doesn’t really matter.'

The next item on the list was an outdoor kitchen constructed by her carpenter in the same design as the veranda. Sally opted for matching laminate panels, aware of their effectiveness, and included a gentle slope on the roof to ensure rainfall would drain away at the rear instead of splashing over the cook.

She then fitted a tile Splashback made with tin tiles from Rockett St George, which were painted gold to match her current color palette, along with a durable Carrara worktop installation.

The standout piece is theCharliecharcoal yellow cooker. 'When I first saw it, I knew Ihadto own it. We matchedthe colorwithour current décor, makingitoneof their top-selling items,' explainsSally,who appreciatesits vibrancy.'It’s simplya wonderful addition.' happy colour , isn’t it?’

Aware that the wooden facade, which Sally had coated with outdoor paint matching Farrow & Ball Railings, appeared rather rigid, she decided to soften it by placing bamboo in large planters obtained from her nearby garden center. She then spray-painted these planters in a golden hue.

“You must be very cautious when planting bamboo in the soil due to its fast-spreading root system,” explains Sally, who has recently started pursuing a degree in horticulture and garden design. “However, I adore how stunningly graceful it appears as it moves gently in the breeze.”

Securing the top honor for the finest garden at the first edition ufurnish.com awards last year provided Sally with the motivation to transform her enthusiasm for garden design into a professional venture.

'I had considered pursuing studies for some time when I ended up winning the award.'

The awards are all about honoring what ordinary folks do with their homes and gardens, and they provided the encouragement I needed to think, 'You know what, I can tackle this,'” explains Sally, who aims to focus on well-being and regenerative gardening.

The latest addition to her garden is an incredibly vibrant yellow outdoor bathtub from Victoria Plum Bathrooms, which has become very popular on her Instagram page. @sallydoessassy .

Initially, the family used an oak barrel for cold dipping, but it proved impractical year-round. So, Sally swapped it out for a cast-iron bathtub instead. To make it blend in, husband Chris painted the tub’s exterior a sunny yellow to coordinate with her cooker and furnishings, adding some flair to the legs with a touch of metallic gold paint.

'We installed inexpensive yellow and white tiles beneath the bathtub and concealed the pipes with gravel, then linked them to an outdoor faucet at the front of the house,' explains Sally.

'It seems utterly luxurious to take a warm bath in your garden. However, it's delightful to relax in the tub after a long day of tending to the garden. I adore it.'

Sally’s favourite plants

Grasses are charming, whether potted or not, as they dance with the breeze.

Anything you can rub your hands on and smell – geraniums are amazing for this

Nasturtiums are fantastic because they bring a burst of color – and they're also edible.

Herbs are always a safe choice. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of cultivating something you can harvest and enjoy at your dinner table.

Have you got a tale to tell?

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