Transforming residential outdoor living: A case study of Caribbean Blinds and Bancroft Lee Landscapes

In January 2023, Caribbean Blinds worked with landscaping professionals, Bancroft Lee Landscapes, to install a stylish outdoor shading solution at a residential property in Cheshire. The result was a fully covered sunken seating area within a multi-zoned open plan garden that can be used all year round.

The client – a couple with two young children – recently had their garden landscaped by a designer who created the overall concept, including the sunken seating area. Bancroft Lee Landscapes saw the opportunity to add one of Caribbean Blinds’ Outdoor Living Pods™ to this element and mocked up a digital design. This was then approved, and the client chose the colours for the Pod itself, as well as for the fabric for the 4 screens.

Our ‘Deluxe’ Outdoor Living Pod™ was selected due to its flexibility – in particular the ability to incorporate additional uprights and integrated screens to the sides which gave the project a more streamlined look.

Expertly installed over a sunken seating area within a contemporary open plan garden with a multi-zoned design consisting of an outdoor kitchen and dining space, the Pod complemented the stunning landscaped area and helped create an ideal space for the client to relax in all year round, due to the ability to control the elements.

Due to the complex nature of the project in terms of where the posts of the structure were situated, technical drawings were provided for final sign off. There was also a change in design specification in the initial stages with the positioning of the inset and additional post uprights.

Detailed support was provided throughout to ensure that the precise nature of the project worked within the tolerances of the structure. We advised on various elements during the process – from when the first sketch was submitted by Bancroft Lee Landscapes in June 2022 to the order placement three months later, via our trade account manager and our technical team. The overall lead time on this product was 8 weeks, with installation taking 2 days to complete.

Sam Bancroft, Director at Bancroft Lee Landscapes commented: “We attended a training day at Caribbean Blinds HQ before we built our first Pod supplied by the company as subcontractors for a local garden designer within a high-end modern garden we were building. Similarly, we also worked as a subcontractor for this particular project.

Near completion, we suggested installing the Deluxe Outdoor Living Pod™ over the sunken seating area we had built. The client was shown pictures of Pods that we had previously built, as well as samples so they could see the quality of materials used, and subsequently chose the colour of the blind they wanted.

The quality of the Pod is outstanding, and every little detail has been considered, including hidden fixings and integrated cabling and guttering. The product has completely changed the already amazing space, giving it a real focal point, looking out from the kitchen. We installed blinds, lighting and heating within the Pod, meaning it can be used all year round. Both ourselves and our clients are extremely happy with the outcome and hope to include many more Pods in our future designs.”

Ingeniously designed for those who want to live life outdoors, the innovative rotating louvered roof offers an open-air alfresco feel when left fully open, and ensures a completely water, wind and even snow-tight roof when closed. Optional windproof screens, ambient LED perimeter lighting and instant infra-red heaters mean a cosy and pleasant environment can be achieved all year round. Built for durability and longevity, the low-maintenance Outdoor Living Pod™ is constructed from super-strong, corrosion-resistant, powder coated aluminium and adapts to any outdoor lounging or dining space.