The Handmade Concrete Sunlounge (our favourite DIY at Hyams)
There needed to be a special mention for our outdoor concrete sunlounge, because honestly, it’s one of my favourite things we’ve done at Hyams.
If you’ve followed along with any of our projects, you’ll know Sam, my husband, is incredibly talented. He usually gets his hands on a few projects within the places we do. Sometimes all of them, like Sunny Siren in Tassie.
And at Hyams, the idea I simply couldn’t shake was an outdoor built-in sunlounge. A proper chill zone. Not just two chairs on a deck. I wanted it to feel like a little relaxing oasis moment.
The idea in my head
I wanted it in a beautiful, curved concrete, built in and sculptural.
Then I pictured Moroccan zellige tiles on the base, because I love that handmade, imperfect, glossy look. And then I found these handcrafted Mexican Talavera ceramic tiles that I just really wanted to use on the backrest area. The colours and pattern were a non negotiable.
Add a super comfy sponge cushion base, plus big cushions, and suddenly it’s not just “outdoor furniture”, it’s a place you actually want to spend the day.
How it came to life
Once I explained the vision, Sam went into full research mode. He figured out how to build the moulds, how to get the curve right, and how to actually make the concrete work properly outside.
It was such a fun project to do by hand. I love that we didn’t just order something. We made it.
And yes, I even mixed concrete and helped out. Not gracefully. But I was committed.
Hyams isn’t one theme and that’s the point
People ask what “theme” we’re going for at Hyams and honestly, I’ve pulled bits from everywhere.
Tiles from Italy, Morocco and Mexico. A concrete basin from France. Couches handmade in Bali. A splashback that’s semi-Mediterranean.
But that’s the fun part of design now. You can do whatever you want. You can collect pieces from all over the world, mix them in a way that feels like you, and create your own Hyams moment.
And this sunlounge is exactly that. A little mash-up of inspiration that somehow became our favourite DIY.