A
re you sufienng in siLepc
with a small, dull, paved
courtyard? Well, it’s tii^ic
$> get loud and"proud! W iih i№e
<;ight materials and techniques,
not to nlrention flamboyant use
of colour, you can turn a bland
space into your own private
party zone, Rio Carnival 'style!
These four simple projects can
take your space from drab to fab
in a weekend. Follow these qasy
steps and you’ll be shaking your
maracas and doing the samba
around your BraziliarHinspired
courtyard in nexrto nb time! ►
1. For a brilliant splash of
gorgeous tropical colour,
plant ixora. Its spectacular
flower heads of scarlet,
orange or yellow appear
in summer. Ixora needs a
fost-free climate to thrive,
and in the tropics it likes
a partly shaded position.
2. You can add interest
to planting schemes with
the variegated foliage of
bromeliads. They have
fabulous flower colours,
too, like this vivid magenta.
Rio
the movie!
This striking makeover was
inspired by the new animated
3D movie
Rio,
starring Anne
Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg.
Set against the exotic backdrop
of Rio de Janeiro during its
world-famous carnival, it tells
_ Jj
the tale of a blue
>
U
macaw who n e n s
to overcome his
.
fear of fjying.
P
The film opens
in cinemas
nationwide from
,
7 April, so get ready
l
to join the party!
3. See what a difference
white pavers and a whole
lot of colour can make?
This courtyard is now a
place to relax by day and
entertain by night.
4. Use a common theme to
help tie all your elements
together. Here, colourful
stripes link the hammock,
table runner, cushions
and beach umbrella.
