Exactly a week after the previous day trip to visit three Kent churches and Great Dixter, I was back out again with a very ambitious list of churches in Sussex to visit. This was by far the longest list (seven churches and a musuem) and I was determined to see them all.
Read moreChurches and Great Dixter (4th day trip)
Day 4 included a visit to Great Dixter gardens. Given that it’s a fair schlep to Great Dixter, I identified three beautiful Kent churches to visit in the vicinity.
Read moreChurches in Sussex (3rd day trip)
I was really starting to enjoy these days out on my own with my camera so decided to venture back into Sussex a week after the previous trip, armed with another list of churches.
Read moreChurches in Sussex (2nd day trip)
If you read my previous blog post, Visiting Churches in Sussex (day 1), you will know that I am doing day trips to Sussex in search of the little churches often found in woodland, at the end of lanes, in hamlets or villages – steeped in history. I’ve focused on Sussex as it’s not too far to travel by car and it’s a beautiful county.
Read moreMagazine feature of my home
I’m delighted to announce that my home is featured in the latest issue of Homes & Antiques magazine’s Art Issue. The beautiful images were taken by the brilliant photographer Mark Bolton. His wife Sarah Bolton wrote the feature.
Read moreA visit to Sissinghurst Castle
At the end of August I paid a visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden. This was my second visit to Sissinghurst (I went a couple of years ago) and it is one of those places that you could visit two or three times a year and always see something new.
Read moreA dull & drizzly summer's day in my three square feet of outdoor space
Hi All. Apologies for the lack of blog posts in the last week or so. My younger son, who lives in Sydney arrived back in London last week for a week's visit and it's been full-on since he arrived. It's wonderful to have him home though briefly and I'm pleased that up until today, the weather has been excellent. It's drizzly and dull today but certainly not cold (very muggy). I am amazed how my three square feet of outdoor space can still create an impact today despite the lack of sunshine. Also, some of the plants have finished flowering and some are yet to flower so you there is always something new to see.
London has been basking in high temperatures recently and the warmth and sunshine have certainly helped the gardens. However we have had little or no rain so the parks are expanses of dry grass and we have to water our gardens every day. No hosepipe ban threatened yet thank goodness.
As those of you who have been following my blog, my flat is on the first floor and I have no share or access to the back garden, just the tiny space outside my back door and the steps leading down to the garden belonging to the flat below. However this limited space provides me with a lot of pleasure turning it into a bank of colour. The plants on the steps obviously grow towards the light so I do lose a lot of the impact of them, especially the trailers, unless I go down to the garden and look up. But my neighbours downstairs can appreciate it so it serves both flats!!
When I work on my tiny outdoor space, I use the same design principles that I use indoors. It's important to create "rooms" or areas of interest in your outdoor space with focal points. I learnt when I studied floristry that monotones are more effective (or shades of the same colour). I have picked a colour palette for my outdoor space of blue, purple, mauve and pink which are all very similar tones and this palette has quite an effect on my very limited outdoor space. I then introduced a gentle orange as a contrast but complementary colour.
I'm a huge fan of blue-based colours, in particular purple and its hues. Years ago I had my colours done by one of those colour consultants and I'm a 'Summer' so should wear blue based colours i.e. cool tones. I remember the consultant took ages to decide between Spring or Summer as a lot of blondes are Spring. It seems I've transferred my cool blue-based colours into my interior and exterior decoration, but certainly not deliberately. In fact I really dislike yellow-based colours; they really jar with me. For example, I love blue-based red but not a tomato red; I love emerald green but not olive green.
Here is a selection of photos I took this morning in the drizzle. It was a joy to see so much colour.
In my kitchen I also have a bay with two windows. I've had lavender in the window boxes in the past and last year I grew basil which reached about three feet tall. I had so much basil I ended up freezing it and it lasted most of the winter. This year I bought Cornflower and Nigella seeds from Petersham Nurseries thinking that they wouldn't grow too tall. Well, the photo below says it all. The cornflowers are nearly three feet tall and the Nigella, still to flower, is over a foot tall. I am hoping the NIgella will produce its beautiful soft blue flowers while the Cornflowers are still in flower but I may be disappointed.
I'd love to hear about your outside space and if limited, how you maximise it. Are you a blue-based or yellow-based person? What colour palette do you have in your garden? Is it a reflection of what you have inside? Do let me know as I'm always keen to hear from my readers. I'd also love to get some feedback from you as to what topics you'd like me to cover in my blog.
SEEKING STYLE INSPIRATION INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY?
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Making the most of a small outdoor space
If you have a small balcony or limited outdoor space, it is important to plan carefully. When designing it as every inch counts and you should try to ensure that the design is appropriate to the size of the space.
Read moreShift into Summertime with flowers
The change of seasons to British summertime is joyful time of long days and beautiful flowers. See what's blooming in my three square feet of outdoor space.
Read moreSpring is over; let the summer flowers begin
It's time to bring a little summer floral beauty indoors. Check out my interior stylings.
Read moreSpring is in the air and in the home
This weekend, it has been dry and sunny with temperatures around 8–11°C (quite balmy!). Spring is in the air and it manifests itself in very subtle ways. I want to bring spring into my flat and here's some ways to do it without spending a fortune.
Read more