From Rotten Wood to Sky Blue Planters

Karen Osborne • February 9, 2026

There is something truly special about living in an idyllic village. The peace, the birdsong, and the connection to nature make the garden a vital part of the home.


During the lockdown years, many of us turned to our outdoor spaces for solace. Our latest clients were no exception; they had originally opted for wooden planters to create their own personal garden sanctuary. However, as the British weather often dictates, time wasn't kind to the timber. A few years on, the wood was rotting, losing its structural integrity, and in desperate need of a permanent solution.

That’s where Industrial Modern Furniture stepped in.


The Commission: Precision and Personalisation

Our clients knew they wanted something that would stand the test of time without losing that bespoke charm. John headed out to their beautiful village location to measure up for a complete garden overhaul.

Because every garden nook is different, "off-the-shelf" simply wouldn’t do. John designed and crafted seven individually sized planters, each tailored to fit a specific spot in the clients' sanctuary.

Why Steel?

Lately, we’ve seen a huge surge in the "Alan Titchmarsh effect." With the gardening legend frequently showcasing the beauty of planters that oxidise over time, many of our customers opt for self-coloured steel to achieve that rustic, weathered orange patina.

However, for this project, the vision was different.


A Splash of Sky Blue

While the industrial look is our bread and butter, we love it when a client brings a pop of colour to the table! For this sanctuary, Sky Blue was the order of the day.

To ensure these planters never suffer the same fate as their wooden predecessors, we didn't just stop at the aesthetics. Each planter was:

  1. Zinc Primed: Providing a heavy-duty layer of rust protection.
  2. Powder Coated: Finished in a vibrant Sky Blue for a sleek, durable, and weather-resistant surface.


Delivery Day

There is nothing quite like seeing a project come to life in its final setting. We believe in delivering quality, and it felt like a good omen when we arrived at the village—the British weather decided to play ball, and the skies were just as blue as the planters themselves!

The result? A garden that is now low-maintenance, structurally sound, and bursting with a colour that reflects the summer sky all year round.


Are your garden planters looking a little worse for wear? Whether you want the oxidised industrial look or a bespoke splash of colour, Industrial Modern Furniture can help!

We recommend that all garden furniture and plants need looking after, and with this in mind, garden planters are predrilled with drainage holes. We recommend our customers line the planters with materials like plastic sheeting, pond liners, or landscape fabric to add an extra layer of protection and help retain moisture.


Expert gardeners will use gravel, pebbles, or broken bricks at the bottom of the planter for drainage and give all outdoor furniture a coat of beeswax when needed to provide a natural, breathable, longevity and water-resistant barrier


Contact Us to discuss your own  garden plans

Check out our other Bespoke Projects

Please visit our Etsy Shop to view our full range of products.

 

By Karen Osborne June 7, 2026
We’ve all been there. You look at the calendar, realise Father’s Day is right around the corner, and panic-buy a multipack of multi-coloured socks or a "World’s Best Dad" mug. This year, let’s do something different. Let's get him something that lasts longer than a few months, carries a bit of character, and completely upgrades his favourite space. When is Father’s Day 2026? First things first: mark your calendar! In the UK (as well as the US and Canada), Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 21 – two weeks today! Because it always lands on the third Sunday of June, the date shifts every year. This year, it hits at the latest possible date on the calendar, giving you just a little extra breathing room to plan the perfect surprise. Even better, it aligns perfectly with the Summer Solstice, making it the ultimate weekend for summer garden vibes, cold drinks, and outdoor celebrations. The Secret to Great Gifting: Built to Last If you want to find a gift that matches the grit and reliability of a great dad, look no further than Industrial Modern Furniture . Run by husband-and-wife duo John and Karen Osborne out of Portishead (you might even recognise John as the resident steel and wood specialist from the TV series Saved and Remade), this independent British brand handcrafts incredible pieces from raw steel and responsibly sourced, live-edge timber. Every single piece is unique. If your Dad appreciates premium craftsmanship, industrial design, or wants a stunning statement piece for his home or garden, here are some of the standout gift ideas you can find on our site: For the Fireside Master: Sculptural Log Holders If your Dad’s pride and joy is his log-burning stove or outdoor fire area, the standard wicker basket just won't cut it. Industrial Modern Furniture is famous for its heavy-duty steel log stores. The Look: From minimalist Scandinavian-style circular wall rings like The Orbis to free-standing heavy geometric stores. Why he’ll love it: It transforms standard firewood into a rugged, architectural piece of home decor. For the King of the Patio: Designer Fire Pits & BBQs With Father’s Day landing right at the official start of summer, an outdoor piece is a guaranteed win. Our heavy-gauge steel fire pits and portable camping BBQs are built to take a beating from the elements while looking effortlessly cool. They develop a gorgeous natural patina over time, giving their outdoor space that perfect rustic-meets-modern edge. For the Organised Dad: Live-Edge Shoe Racks & Benches Is his hallway constantly cluttered with boots and trainers? Give him a gift that is both beautiful and highly practical. Our benches and shoe racks combine robust, precision-welded steel frames with beautiful, chunky slabs of characterful wood—such as spalted beech or waney-edge yew. It’s a solid piece of furniture he’ll use every single day. For the Hobbyist: Unique Golf & Train Gifts If you're looking for something smaller but packed with personality, our curated gift section includes rugged, industrial metal doorstops and desk accessories tailored to specific passions, like golf lovers or train enthusiasts. These are upcycled, heavy, and have an immediate rustic charm. The Industrial Modern Philosophy: "If you buy well, you only need to buy once." Every piece is built to be a statement feature that survives a lifetime of use. Make it Truly Personal Because John and Karen handcraft these items to order, you aren't just buying mass-produced retail stock. If your dad has a specific spot in his garage, man-cave, garden, or hallway that needs an exact fit, they frequently adapt our designs to custom sizes, timbers, and finishes. Ditch the boring high-street options this June 21st. Head over to Industrial Modern Furniture and pick out a handcrafted piece of British engineering that he’ll proudly show off to anyone who walks through the door.
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If you are a dog owner, the safety of your beloved pet is of the utmost importance. Therefore, when our customer requested a home consultation, we visited to measure up and chat through designs. Often our homes have driveways and open plan entrances to gardens, which of course, aren’t safe spaces for the family pooch to play and roam freely. After a good look at the criteria that needed to be met, we etched out designs that met the 'Fleur-de-lis' design brief! Some customers love an ornate look and others a more modern design, anything is possible, and the best part of the service, as seen in these photos, is we can quote to supply only or install efficiently. If you know John, you'll know 'precision ' is his middle name! So it won't surprise you that when a magnetic spirit level is required for accuracy, and planting of steel posts quickly, precision is achieved! John will install the zinc primed and powder-coated posts to allow time for them to set and cure in the concrete, before tarmac is relaid if such a finish is required. He has a solution for all surfaces; patios, paving or tarmac can all be catered for, so if you have a vision, don't hesitate to ask how to go about it.
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