I forked out £2k to turn my garden into a Love Island oasis, trolls dub it a ‘Shein car crash’ but I couldn’t care less
CALLING her husband and two daughters for a special family dinner Vanessa Powell, 55, pulls a delicious chicken out of the oven and puts it on the table.
Then she adds grilled vegetables, corn on the cob and salad.
As her family gathers, Vanessa serves up freshly mixed strawberry mocktails in iced glasses.
The only difference between Vanessa and millions of others cooking-obsessed Britons is she’s made the ENTIRE meal outside… and on a budget too.
Because in lockdown 2020 admin assistant Vanessa and architect husband Stacey, 49, decided to revamp the entire 70ft garden including their asbestos-ridden garage of their three-bed semi-detached home in Coulsdon, Surrey.
Now it has got a pergola, outdoor kitchen and bar, solar powered lights and roof covered in vine leaves and flowers, hot tub, TV, dining table, L-shaped sofa (which cost more than the one indoors), stone flooring and bar stools.
Many of the products came from Aldi, Shein and Temu.
In total she turned it into a Love Island paradise for just £2k.
Online trolls have deemed it “tacky” and said it looks like “Shein has crashed into it”… but she doesn’t care.
In fact Vanessa loves it so much she sometimes nude sunbathes outside.
And she’s having the last laugh this week – especially on Tuesday when the mercury hit 32C.
But her garden wasn’t always so plush.
Originally the garage had asbestos.
The dining area/entertainment zone adaptation only happened in the past six months when Stacey realised he could remove a wall from the outdoor shed and turn it into the dream food preparation zone.
Vanessa said: “We found a wooden slab for the bar and stained it ourselves.
“We all helped paint the new ‘garden kitchen’.
You can cook and garden in the buff and get a great tan.
Vanessa Powell
“Stacey installed a freezer and fridge, a drinks prep area and a grill.
“He ran electric cables from the old garage to the shed.
“We have a barbecue which allows me to grill and roast the meat and we also have a microwave and an air fryer.
“I cook cakes, pastries, pizzas and even a roast dinner outside.
“We found amazing bar signs and decorations on Shein.
The outdoor sofa can be turned into a double bed, so I rang up and got a discount of another £69.
Vanessa Powell
“But the biggest bargain was the L-shaped sofa.”
Vanessa spotted it on Very and managed to get it for just £200 because of marks and scratches when it was delivered.
She continued: “I love a bargain.
“The outdoor sofa can be turned into a double bed, so I rang up and got a discount of another £69.
“We found outdoor cushions on Shein.
“Once the meal is over we turn on the big TV which is also in the outdoor kitchen.
“We can all sit on the huge outdoor sofa and enjoy the movie.”
This year Vanessa invested in a hot tub which is next to the dining area under the pergola.
Cheap gardening tips
- Keep weeds away with straw
According to horticulturists and plant professionals, all-natural straw is one of the most effective tools to bring into your garden.
You don’t need to buy a whole bale – you can typically buy smaller bundles at your local farm store for upwards of £1.50.
Some stores even sell pre-portioned bags made for gardens, which can cost closer to £10 but can be found on the shelves or online. - Call your local garden centre
If you are unsure of how to care for your plants, hop on the phone or online and get in touch with your local garden center, rather than resorting to the internet.
Nursery employees will have an up-to-the-minute understanding of your area’s conditions, and any plant care tips that are unique to your climate and soil.
Calling them with a question or stopping in is totally fine – they want your plants to thrive, too. - Wood to keep slugs out
Use a piece of wood to keep the slugs out of your garden.
Experts say that they’ll crawl under it for shade.
Then you can gather them up and get rid of them. - Save your toilet paper tubes.
You can use paper towel tubes and toilet paper tubes in your garden, according to a tip from Family Handyman.
Save the tubes and cut them into two-inch lengths before placing them in a waterproof tray.
Then simply fill the tubes with potting soil and start planting your seeds.
According to the site, when you’re ready to move them into the garden, they can be planted right in the tubes and, because it’s cardboard, they’ll decompose organically.
She added: “It cost £250 in the sale, down from £550.
“It was a bargain. Every night before dinner we enjoy the hot tub and then cook dinner without going inside.
“Our outdoor sofa cost us more than our indoor sofa.
“The area is great for sunbathing, parties and family time.
“I also indulge in some nude sunbathing and gardening if no one else is around.
“It feels so much like a lounge room you forget it’s outside.
I know some people will call it tacky. Others will say it’s an Aldi and Shein car crash
Vanessa Powell
“You can cook and garden in the buff and get a great tan.
“That’s the added bonus of our outhouse kitchen and dining room.
“I know some people will call it tacky. Others will say it’s an Aldi and Shein car crash. We love it.
“Our friends come over and are gobsmacked at what we have done.
“They can’t believe we didn’t hire experts and that it cost so little money – it looks like a 5* hotel.”