Spend Time Outdoors With the HEX All Weather Garden Furniture
The Ashbourne Retreat sits within the Derbyshire Dales, on the edge of Staffordshire – a contemporary family home built around a simple idea: the garden is an extension of the home, and outdoor space should be just as easy to use as the rooms inside.
Designed and delivered by Powell Design & Construction, the whole project was shaped with that in mind. Inside, the home includes a gym, home office, and a basement cinema. Step outside, and the same level of thought continues: an elevated terrace with countryside views, built‑in seating, a firepit, and a standout outdoor pool.
At the centre of that outdoor space is the HEX Living Buckley outdoor kitchen – a UK-crafted, fully equipped unit featuring a Broil King BBQ, Wild Goose Kamado and HCK outdoor cooler, acting as a focal point for the whole garden. It’s a space the family actually uses: to cook, host and spend time outdoors long after summer has passed.
It’s become a natural gathering point for the family; somewhere to gravitate to for mid‑week meals, weekend barbecues, or simply sitting together while the kids swim – a part of everyday routine.
Designing the Home Around the Landscape
From the early planning stages, Powell Design & Construction looked at the house and garden as one connected space. The outdoor kitchen was included from the start, so the dining and social areas could be designed around it rather than added on later.
Alexandra Powell, Managing Director of Powell Design & Construction, said: “The family wanted the outdoors to feel like part of everyday life, not just something they’d use on the odd sunny day. Bringing the kitchen in early meant we could design the whole terrace around how they actually use the space.”
The Buckley kitchen, one of HEX Living’s core designs, was customised to suit the open setting. The finishes and worktops were chosen to fit naturally with the project’s colour palette, helping the kitchen feel like part of the architecture and a seamless extension of the home.
Materials With Meaning
One of the most thoughtful touches in the project came from the landscape itself. Stone uncovered during the basement excavation was reused to clad the wall beside the kitchen – creating a subtle nod between the indoor architecture, the garden, and the wider Derbyshire landscape.
And the Buckley kitchen itself is built to last, crafted with high‑quality materials and precision manufacturing. Designed for year‑round use and supported by a lifetime warranty on all metal components, it stays practical, durable, and looking brand new in every season.
A Defining Feature of Premium Outdoor Living
The Ashbourne Retreat shows how an outdoor kitchen can make spending time outside easier and more enjoyable, turning the garden into a natural part of everyday family life.
Alexandra said: “We’re really proud of how this project came together, especially knowing the family gets so much out of the space. The Buckley kitchen plays a big role in that, making cooking, hosting, and spending time outdoors feel simple and enjoyable.”
Rupert King, Retail Sales Manager at HEX Living, added: “It’s fantastic to see one of our kitchens at the heart of a project like this. Alexandra and the team at Powell Design & Construction have created a space that’s beautiful, functional, and genuinely enhances family life – bringing the comfort of the indoors, outdoors.”
Images From The Project
