Garden Inspiration

Gardens are a bit of a rarity in central London.

I had one when I first moved here in 2007 – up in Kensal Green, a long sweeping green space into which we dug a firepit for our weekend BBQs. We had a family of foxes living at the back.

In Earl’s Court, I had another small garden space, a hideaway lined with bamboo, with a small wooden table where a baby robin used to perch outside my window. I had to crawl through my bedroom window to access it, but it was a serene little space once I was outside.

It’s been five years now since I’ve had the pleasure of a garden.

Photo: Pop Up Pallets / Homify

Photo: Rigby & Mac / Homify

And so, as we move to a new place later this year, one of our top three priorities for our next flat is a bit of outdoor space. I am married to a garden designer afterall, so it’s only fitting. (The other two priorities are walking distance to work and a bathtub, in case you were curious!)

Photo: Baker and Bell / Homify

Photo: Dot Com Gift Shop / Homify

But back to the garden, because I think it will make a world of difference to be able to step outside in the morning with a cup of tea and a travel magazine, have a bit of grass between my toes, a place for Oakley to roam around and a space to just sit and enjoy some fresh air without a visit to the park.

Photo: Rigby & Mac / Homify

Photo: Duncan Meerding / Homify

When I stumbled upon a design inspiration site, I got swept up in daydreams of summer garden dinner parties, planting rows of lavender, jasmine and rosemary and finding a cute little table to sit at while I sip that essential morning cup of tea. And how nice would it be to be able to grow a few cherry tomatoes and basil, perhaps some mint for iced tea? A little potted olive tree…

While I was browsing, I spotted some cool garden accessories too: fire log lights, old fashioned camping lanterns, quirky zebra head pots and a cute little black and white table that’s small enough to fit in just about any London garden if we manage to find one.

Photo: Miafleur / Homify

Photo: Rowen and Wren / Homify

Perhaps there will be space for candles, for evenings dining under the stars with glasses of wine to dull the inevitable sound of London traffic in the distance. Maybe a bird feeder from my dad’s Etsy shop? A place to grill cheeseburgers and skewers full of marinated prawns? Depending on the size of the space, the possibilities are endless and limited only by our creativity!

This post was created in collaboration with Homify. All opinions are my own.