David’s professionalism and ingenuity

Equally, Hartman speaks highly of David’s professionalism and ingenuity: “He’s a serious horticulturist, with immense passion and creativity for everything to do with outdoor living,” says Hartman UK’s Paul Facey.
“He was a good match for us as we look to further build our brand with the consumer market.”

ekonglong leisure chair

Certainly, the designs have fared very well thus far and – with both ranges being sold in over 20 stores – have a great deal of potential.

The success of this outdoor furniture range, and others of its ilk, might be attributed to the growing demand for patio furniture to maximise use of compact urban outside spaces, but is surely also reflective of a more widespread shift in the British public’s perception of outdoor living.

For David, outdoor furniture poses a signficant degree of design potential and is, he believes, “taking centre stage” as a burgeoning source of interest for designers and landscapers.
“Attitudes towards the outdoors lifestyle have undoubtedly changed, particularly in the past four or five years,” says David.

“This is principally due to the smoking ban of 2007, when pubs and clubs had a tendency to upgrade outside furniture to accommodate smokers. The ban really brought Britain into al fresco evening entertainment.”
Despite the notoriously wet British weather, sparse occasions of sunshine are taken full advantage of – “a complete migration from inside to outside” as David describes it. “The garden leisure industry is particularly buoyant now, even after a difficult year – it’s such a great time to be involved,” he adds.

In order to meet and withstand entertainment requirements, garden furniture has diversified from conventional plastic, to solid woods, rattan, and aluminium and, crucially, maintenance and aftercare has never been so minimal or simple.

Despite a relatively adverse climate, then, outdoor furniture companies such as Hartman UK appear to be faring well. Certainly its partnership with David has resulted in a collection wholly representative of his abundant and inspiring passion for outdoor living