Big huge thank you to all of those who attended the master classes these last few days, it was a fabulous weekend full to the brim of inspiration and I am always so inspired and animated having spent two days with a great bunch of people who are as obsessed with interiors as me!
On top of that a new truck loads of flowers arrived, beautiful pink blossom, big fat Dutch roses in the softest pinky lilac, bundles of peonies, hydrangeas all of which look amazing in store, I have to photograph and get on line asap so everyone can see.
The weather in London has been amazing, hotter than the Med I here so yesterday we pottered around the garden in pj’s not even leaving the house, apart from a super early trip to Columbia and ended the day with lamb on the barbecue which I marinated in herbs and a beer or too, heavenly! So with the weather being fabulous still, I thought I would write a few words on gardens if you don’t mind. Why is it that garden furniture is so boring? I’m peeking out my window and fearing I might piss off the neighbours by saying this but am wondering why so many gardens are a bit neglected. I don’t mean plant wise I mean furniture and lighting wise. Bog standard garden furniture that does little to lift the spirits plonked in the middle of the garden and that is about it. No vases on tables no lighting anywhere, I think we all need to be a tad more inventive, easy for me to say I here you cry and yes it is, I immerse myself in all things interior every single day but a degree of it must, I say come from thinking outside of the box. For instance I’ve upturned big trunks of wood and apple crates and used them as coffee tables. I’ve plopped flowers (oops fake ones) in jam jars and scattered them throughout the garden on these sweet little tables. I’ve got chairs everywhere under the lilac, a twosome by the jasmine, another couple of loungers by the outdoor fireplace, two little upright things under the bay trees at the back on and on I could go. I put indoor lights out and simply replaced the bulb with a freezer one (withstands all sorts of temps even in the depths of winter) and I’ve lit the garden to feel like another outdoor room. Glass baubles hang from trees, furniture is a mixture of super cool lounging and rustic vintage, plant pots are big bronze numbers from home base or woven wicker and almost every plant is scented. Quite easy no? It is very much like designing a space inside all about layering. The more layers, three dimensional little vignittes you create the more interesting your space becomes.
I leave you with a fabulous outdoor LA space from Lonnymag.com and whilst we might not all have spaces as large or fabulous as this its a pretty good example of layering at its best!
Just need to say that I had an amazing day attending your Masterclass last Friday thank you. Head is brimming full of ideas and great inspiration for my own place and my flowers fake or real will never be plonked in a vase again thanks to Gemma’s advice on displaying them. Great day and met lots of lovely people which was a bonus!!
Thanks to Graham as well for keeping us supplied with teas and coffees and Mungo and Maud for sheer entertainment value!!
Apologies to lady on train back home who ended up getting a full lowdown on the brilliant day I’d had!!
Esther xx
Thank you so much Esther, so great to here you enjoyed xx
Please post some picture of your garden as it sounds great!
I will good point
One of the great things about living in London is that we (if not all our neighbours!) make the most of our limited outside space. When I first moved here many moons ago, I was fascinated by the planted roof terraces, basement light wells and courtyards. I created my own outside living space, York flag and crunchy Cotswold chip flooring with raised beds full of big lush architectural evergreens. Now we’re heading off to a larger house and garden in the country and it’s not all a bed of roses: been out in my N1 garden over the weekend feeling quite sentimental….
Sounds lovely your N1 garden, and totally agree love that too about city gardens, but am sure you country move will be amazing once you;ve settled in, best wishes
Whilst this sounds like a clever idea as far as the lamps (bulbs) are concerned, please make sure that you DO NOT use indoor fittings (table lamps, uplighters, etc.) as they are NOT safe for exterior use.
They will not be designed to keep moisture out and many will not be ‘Earthed’ (have an earth cable), so will be potentially lethal.
This could easily result in fatal electric shocks.
Thanks John, all are earthed with a cirucuit breaker but good point
Well as someone who was lucky enough to sit out in your garden in the beautiful sunshine on Saturday I can vouch for Abigail practicing what she preachers. Her garden has no grass and is a lovely little maze of mini-rooms and hidden corners. It’s a properly magical little haven.
Thanks Annie x