Slarvigt snyggt!

Ibland är det svårt att förstå att det kan bli riktigt snyggt när det ser så där slarvigt och oorganiserat ut. Men om man har en enhetlig stil och en mild och konsekvent färgskala går det hur bra som helst att inte vara så ordningsam. Det ser ändå snyggt och harmoniskt ut. Bilder från fotograf John Dummer.

June ... what a glorious month it's been!

What a glorious June it's been! Long sunny days here in England (although we're now facing the prospect of hosepipe bans!), many wonderful gardens visited and new friends made. And I'm now preparing to go to India again, so if you'd like to give moral support to my hospital project there, PLEASE follow our blog by clicking on the link below ... and you can follow me on my travels too:

The Raven Foundation

I've had another wonderful month visiting new gardens; I spent two days seeing glorious properties with Rachel of Wisteria and Cow Parsley; and now I'm busy sorting out what we need for Rajasthan.


It's monsoon time, so it's going to be wellies and wet-weather gear - quite a change from the raging heat we've had in England recently - but a welcome change from the searing temperatures I experienced in April. I might even see some gardens when I'm not in the villages (see photo left) and, if I do, I'll be sharing them with you! One of my favourites - Sahelion-ki-Bari - is at the top.

This month took me to two new manor houses with gardens - Hidcote and Mottistone for the first time; two notable gardens where women have called the shots - Kiftsgate Court and Barnsley House; two stunning landscapes - Colesbourne Park and Buscot; and two very different castle gardens - Arundel and Sudeley. I've smelled a lot of wonderful roses, seen borders bursting with colour and wandered round a couple of water gardens - Longstock Park and Little Wantley; and many other other properties I'd never seen before.

The labernum walk, Barnsley House - but past its prime when I visited!

I'll be writing about them in the next few weeks and you can check my UK Directory if you're planning garden visits in the UK. Right now it concentrates on the Southern half of England because that's where I've visited most gardens, but as I travel further afield, there'll be more and more properties heading north, so it's a growing list.

Borders at Little Wantley, open for the NGS in June

There are many new bloggers on the block this month too, and I'm sure you'll want to check out their plots - John Grimshaw writing about what's going on in the lovely garden he tends (and many other interesting posts); Judyth at The Time Travelling Garden - a really wonderful read; Patio Patch, based in London's Bloomsbury; Dozen Oaks, with glorious bee pictures; and Garden 337, with wonderful pictures and words about a garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They're all new at Blotanical, so do give them a warm welcome!

En balansgång

Danskarna kan verkligen konsten att hålla balansen mellan gammalt och nytt. Det här är ett hus i klassisk korsvirkes stil från 1918 som har flera av de gamla detaljerna som bjälkar i taket, spröjsade fönster och spegeldörrar kvar. Ändå har man valt att inreda supermodernt. Det funkar hur bra som helst, det blir snyggt och charmigt! Bilder från Boligmagasinet.

A little piece of heaven - open for the NGS!

Imagine a house overlooking a wonderful lake and a garden full of surprises - this is what you'll find at Little Wantley in Sussex if you visit on an NGS open day! It's a little piece of heaven - brainchild of Hilary Barnes - which has been developed over the last 13 years, to make it what it is today. The lake was excavated in 1997 and is now a peaceful oasis, complete with rowing boat for the family to use. But it's also provided a wonderful canvas and allowed the owners to plant a range of water-loving plants that couldn't flourish without it.

But everywhere you turn in this 4.5 acre garden, you will find something different, like the rope walk (above) flanked by glorious borders brimming with perennials and roses, leading up to the pergola; the Stumpery (below), made up of old roots of oak and chestnut, which took four years to collect. And as Hilary says: "We were stumped on how to begin ... so we lifted the largest roots into place to form the base and then fitted the other pieces into position, like a jigsaw puzzle." She adds that her 93-year old mother still wants to know when the bonfire will be lit!

Everywhere you turn there is another charming vista, like the flower garden below - bursting with colour; a secret garden accessed through a pergola; a cantilevered jetty with its own pergola; and glorious views over the lake, which incorporates two islands. This garden is a masterpiece, and although Hilary says: "Opening your garden is like baring you soul!", she has nothing to worry about because this is one of the best NGS gardens I've ever seen.

Little Wantley opened for the NGS this weekend, one of more than 3,700 that opens to raise funds for cancer-related charities in the UK, so do visit their website to find gardens near you. I had the additional joy of avoiding the crowds because the England v Germany match was on when I went ... so the roads were empty. Not so on the way home after the England defeat, but give me a garden anyday in preference to a football match ... although my husband and son wouldn't agree!

Other notable gardens that are open for the NGS in Sussex next month are Town Place, with its wonderful roses (4th and 11th July), Sussex Prairies (17th and 18th July), Clinton Lodge (5th and 26th July) and Latchetts (16th and 17th July).

Ett hem med böcker

Kanske är jag lite gammalmodig så här i webvärldens tid men jag tycker inte att ett hem är ett riktigt hem utan böcker. Helst ska det vara en massa böcker. Jag gillar helt enkelt böcker, tycker det är en viss känsla att sitta och bläddra i en bok även om det för det mesta blir datorn i stället. Bilder från danska Rum som är ett riktigt bra inredningsmagasin.

Midsommar blev förresten toppen, tror inte det varit så fint väder på evigheter, efter dans runt stången och lekar för barnen blev det sill och jordgubbar på terrassen. Vi satt sen ute hela kvällen vilket var evigheter sen vi kunde göra. Så allt blev väldigt lyckat. Tänk vad vad stor del vädret har på våra breddgrader!

"Exotic Sezincote! Stately and strange!"

We’d drive to Sunday lunch at Sezincote

First steps in learning how to be a guest

First wood-smoke-scented luxury of life

In the large ambience of a country house...exotic Sezincote!

Stately and strange it stood, the Nabob’s house

Indian without and coolest Greek within...

This is how Sir John Betjeman described the unique property near Cheltenham in his verse autobiography "Summoned by Bells". He used to come here for lunch during his time as an undergraduate at Oxford. And it's certainly one of the most unusual gardens I've visited this year - with its striking Moghal-style architecture (so a home from home for me!), and lovely gardens, well worth making the effort to get to, despite it's restricted opening hours (Thursday and Friday only).

The house (top) - with its onion domes, minarets and peacock-tail arches - and the pavilion (below) were designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell for his brother Sir Charles, who worked for the East India Company. Completed in 1805, it was the inspiration for the famous Brighton Pavilion, following a visit by the Prince Regent to Sezincote in 1807. The original gardens were landscaped with input from Humphry Repton, the lesser-known, but more flexible successor to Capability Brown, who helped Samuel source sketches for classic Indian gardens. The classic chadar bagh (top) featuring trees and ponds in front of the house and pavilion was added by former owner of the property Lady Kleinwort in the 1960s.

Located near the glorious, but touristy towns of Stow-on-the-World and Moreton-in-Marsh , where you expect to find honey-coloured stone buildings, Sezincote comes as a real surprise because of its marked Indian influence and unusual gardens. The property is approached by an avenue of holm oaks, and over an ornamental Indian bridge - complete with two pairs of Brahmin bulls (above) - overlooking the Snake Pool, which takes its name from the three-headed serpent intertwined with a dead tree stump (below) and the magnificent water gardens below.

The original garden lies to the north of the house and features a chain of inter-connecting pools and streams, lushly planted and fed with water from the top pool with its temple dedicated to the Indian sun god, Surya (below). It was a dull and damp day when I visited, but this didn't detract from the glorious planting and serenity of this magnificent garden. Everywhere you look, there are large-leaved aquatic plants, together with weeping beeches and willows.

The house and garden, like so many others in the area, suffered neglect during World War II, but was brought back to life by Lord and Lady Kleinwort, who purchased the estate in 1944 and started restoring it to its former glory. Today the property is still lived in by their descendants and serves as a family home, but is only open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 2.00 - 6.00.

Other notable gardens nearby include Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court and Sudeley Castle - but make sure you don't try and combine the first two with Sezincote, because you'll be disappointed, since both are closed on the two days this beautiful garden is open. But there are many other gardens you can visit on these days and I'll be reviewing them in the few weeks, including Bourton House, Mill Dene and Snowshill Manor.

Luxury Hotel Interior Modern Design

Hotel Interior Design Ritz

Interior Design Ritz

Staying at a hotel can be one of the best, and most relaxing experiences that many people will ever have, especially if the hotel of choice is a luxury hotel. Finding a luxury hotel that will meet your vacationing or weekend getaway needs may take a little digging, but it will be well worth it.

What is a Luxury Hotel?

Interior design Ritz

Lobby Bar Interior Design

Hotels are given a rating from zero to five stars - five star rating being the best. When a luxury hotel is rated, there are different things about it that are given a rating, and the rating is averaged to give it the hotel star rating.

In the United States, Europe, and England, there are star ratings for hotels, though each area uses a slightly different way to rate them. The star rating is meant to help people who want to choose a luxury hotel based on certain criteria.

Restaurant Interior Design

Interior Restaurant Ritz

Room size, comfort level of the room and especially the bed, noise level audible in the room, cleanliness, decor, amenities provided, and service of the luxury hotel staff are all rated during the overall process of reviewing the luxury hotel. The bottom line, though, is that if you want a luxury hotel, you will want to look for a four star rating at the least, and possibly a five star rating.

Interior Design Restaurant Ritz London

The star rating is not the only thing which distinguishes a luxury hotel from other hotels. Most often a hotel will be considered a luxury hotel if the rating is at least four, and there are other unique things about the luxury hotel, such as a particular focus or special perks that are not common to other hotels that are not considered to be in the luxury hotel category. Having a spa, in room massage, offering child care, and even having a special theme throughout the hotel may help as one establishment is deemed a luxury hotel.

Special Perks

Usually a luxury hotel will offer special perks. You may be able to find a luxury hotel that will offer perks and amenities in almost any area including family fun, romantic adventure, and exotic treatments.

Finding what you want in a luxury hotel can make your vacation time or weekend getaway even more memorable.

Bedroom Interior Design Ritz

There is a luxury hotel option available in many price ranges and one can be found by looking for the star rating. Make sure when you look at the rating of a luxury hotel, you look at the ratings for the individual categories that have been rated. If comfort and room service are more important to you than space and a blow dryer, then give those things precedence over the other.

Ritz Interior Design

Luxury Hotel Interior Modern Design

Hotel Interior Design Ritz

Interior Design Ritz

Staying at a hotel can be one of the best, and most relaxing experiences that many people will ever have, especially if the hotel of choice is a luxury hotel. Finding a luxury hotel that will meet your vacationing or weekend getaway needs may take a little digging, but it will be well worth it.

What is a Luxury Hotel?

Interior design Ritz

Lobby Bar Interior Design

Hotels are given a rating from zero to five stars - five star rating being the best. When a luxury hotel is rated, there are different things about it that are given a rating, and the rating is averaged to give it the hotel star rating.

In the United States, Europe, and England, there are star ratings for hotels, though each area uses a slightly different way to rate them. The star rating is meant to help people who want to choose a luxury hotel based on certain criteria.

Restaurant Interior Design

Interior Restaurant Ritz

Room size, comfort level of the room and especially the bed, noise level audible in the room, cleanliness, decor, amenities provided, and service of the luxury hotel staff are all rated during the overall process of reviewing the luxury hotel. The bottom line, though, is that if you want a luxury hotel, you will want to look for a four star rating at the least, and possibly a five star rating.

Interior Design Restaurant Ritz London

The star rating is not the only thing which distinguishes a luxury hotel from other hotels. Most often a hotel will be considered a luxury hotel if the rating is at least four, and there are other unique things about the luxury hotel, such as a particular focus or special perks that are not common to other hotels that are not considered to be in the luxury hotel category. Having a spa, in room massage, offering child care, and even having a special theme throughout the hotel may help as one establishment is deemed a luxury hotel.

Special Perks

Usually a luxury hotel will offer special perks. You may be able to find a luxury hotel that will offer perks and amenities in almost any area including family fun, romantic adventure, and exotic treatments.

Finding what you want in a luxury hotel can make your vacation time or weekend getaway even more memorable.

Bedroom Interior Design Ritz

There is a luxury hotel option available in many price ranges and one can be found by looking for the star rating. Make sure when you look at the rating of a luxury hotel, you look at the ratings for the individual categories that have been rated. If comfort and room service are more important to you than space and a blow dryer, then give those things precedence over the other.

Ritz Interior Design

Office Decorating Ideas

Do you need office decorating ideas for your home business? Here they are! Having a workplace at home takes adequate planning, time and effort. Don’t worry, we know what we’re talking about. We work at home, too...just like you!

This web site will not only provide you with decorating ideas, but ways to create a productive work environment within the walls of your own house or apartment.

With more and more people starting to work at home, the need for office decorating ideas keeps growing. But where is the best place to start?

First you need space.

Identify how much space you need and how much you have available for your home business.

For some, a simple desk in the corner of a kitchen is enough. Many others need a light, spacious room to work at home. But, how big are the pieces of office furniture you plan to use? Are there sufficient electrical sockets in the room for lighting and for cable or wi-fi internet connections? Do you have enough filing cabinets for organizing your paperwork? Do you need space for storing inventory or other home business necessities?
Always decorate the walls with decor you like to look at!

Framed art prints and posters work best when related to your business, especially if you have client meetings at your home office. Also, if inspirational quotes or stories help keep you going, frame them and hang them up! Use your favorite colors and your favorite types of decor. Make your home office feel special to you!

Ensure clients don't have to cross your living room, kitchen or nursery before entering your home office. And of course, make sure you have comfortable chairs that fit the style of your office, along with idea-inspiring industry reading material should clients need to wait to speak with you.

Have bottled water, juice and coffee on a nice serving tray ready for enjoyment. It doesn't take much to have these little niceties ready, and image counts!

Even though you work at home, you're still running a business and clients expect an accommodating environment.

Stylish clocks, calendars and chalkboards are great office decorating ideas for any home business. If you don't have a lot to spend on office furniture, at least spend alittle more on your office accessories such as your desk lamp, desk chair (for your comfort), and other office supplies. They'll help keep your workplace contemporary-looking.

Keeping up with technology is also necessary for any home business. If your clients can see your work area, these tips are especially important. Once again, image counts!
Create a relaxing, but professional atmosphere without any distractions.

Most small business owners spend more time in their home office than in any other room in their house.

A good view and relaxing colors (blue, purple, green) can be very comforting.

Clutter is distracting. A clean, neat and efficient home office will improve your productivity when you work at home.

But don't forget to inject just as much love into decorating your workplace as you would in decorating any other room in your house. Have fun creating a comfortable, efficient, and client-friendly (if necessary) area for your home business!

If you’re living in an apartment and there’s only one cramped room available, you might just need some office decorating ideas.

Why not paint the walls white and use a large mirror to open up the space? Also, try to decorate with lighter colors. Darker colors will make the room feel smaller and more closed in. Make sure to plan for the possibility of needing a larger space in the near future, too! Think big!

Office Decorating Ideas

Do you need office decorating ideas for your home business? Here they are! Having a workplace at home takes adequate planning, time and effort. Don’t worry, we know what we’re talking about. We work at home, too...just like you!

This web site will not only provide you with decorating ideas, but ways to create a productive work environment within the walls of your own house or apartment.

With more and more people starting to work at home, the need for office decorating ideas keeps growing. But where is the best place to start?

First you need space.

Identify how much space you need and how much you have available for your home business.

For some, a simple desk in the corner of a kitchen is enough. Many others need a light, spacious room to work at home. But, how big are the pieces of office furniture you plan to use? Are there sufficient electrical sockets in the room for lighting and for cable or wi-fi internet connections? Do you have enough filing cabinets for organizing your paperwork? Do you need space for storing inventory or other home business necessities?
Always decorate the walls with decor you like to look at!

Framed art prints and posters work best when related to your business, especially if you have client meetings at your home office. Also, if inspirational quotes or stories help keep you going, frame them and hang them up! Use your favorite colors and your favorite types of decor. Make your home office feel special to you!

Ensure clients don't have to cross your living room, kitchen or nursery before entering your home office. And of course, make sure you have comfortable chairs that fit the style of your office, along with idea-inspiring industry reading material should clients need to wait to speak with you.

Have bottled water, juice and coffee on a nice serving tray ready for enjoyment. It doesn't take much to have these little niceties ready, and image counts!

Even though you work at home, you're still running a business and clients expect an accommodating environment.

Stylish clocks, calendars and chalkboards are great office decorating ideas for any home business. If you don't have a lot to spend on office furniture, at least spend alittle more on your office accessories such as your desk lamp, desk chair (for your comfort), and other office supplies. They'll help keep your workplace contemporary-looking.

Keeping up with technology is also necessary for any home business. If your clients can see your work area, these tips are especially important. Once again, image counts!
Create a relaxing, but professional atmosphere without any distractions.

Most small business owners spend more time in their home office than in any other room in their house.

A good view and relaxing colors (blue, purple, green) can be very comforting.

Clutter is distracting. A clean, neat and efficient home office will improve your productivity when you work at home.

But don't forget to inject just as much love into decorating your workplace as you would in decorating any other room in your house. Have fun creating a comfortable, efficient, and client-friendly (if necessary) area for your home business!

If you’re living in an apartment and there’s only one cramped room available, you might just need some office decorating ideas.

Why not paint the walls white and use a large mirror to open up the space? Also, try to decorate with lighter colors. Darker colors will make the room feel smaller and more closed in. Make sure to plan for the possibility of needing a larger space in the near future, too! Think big!

Äntligen midsommar - kan vi sitta ute?

Då är det äntligen dags för midsommarfirande! Gårdagen blev en hektisk dag då blommor skulle plockas och majstång skulle kläs. Tält skulle resas och bord och stolar plockas fram inför den stora dagen idag. Men det är också riktigt kul och ett tillfälle när vi, inte alla men ganska många, i vårt lilla område träffas och gör något gemensamt. Igår var det strålande sol och en underbar dag. Men idag dyker naturligtvis den klassiska frågan upp - blir det fint väder så att man kan sitta ute eller måste vi, ve och fasa, sitta inne?

Glad midsommar!

Three generations of women gardeners at Kiftsgate

Kiftsgate Court is one of THE gardens in the Cotsworlds to visit! It's absolutely stunning, has unrivalled views over the Vale of Evesham, and is a tribute to the three generations of women gardeners who have made it what it is today. And even though it's right next door to Hidcote, you won't find the jostling crowds here ... so it's a little slice of heaven! It's certainly one of the best gardens I've ever seen.

The house was built at the end of the 19th century and provides a magnificent backdrop for the gardens that have been created there in the last 90 years. It has a Georgian front with a high portico, which can be seen from various parts of the garden (top), and is still used as a family home, but unlike so many other properties where the house dominates the landscape, it's the gardens here at Kiftsgate that will make you gasp. And at this time of year, every single bit of the garden is in bloom - from the moment you walk in and are greeted by the magnificent peonies and roses (above), to the glorious white garden (below); the rose border; and the lower garden overlooking the Vale of Evesham towards the Malvern Hills.

The garden was originally planted by Heather Muir from 1920 onwards, who had help from her closest neighbour, Lawrence Johnston of Hidcote, but Kiftsgate has stayed in private hands and has been cosseted by two further generations of women gardeners, so it retains a sense of intimacy and charm and feels like a family home. You'll find the famous 'Kiftsgate' rose (Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate') in full bloom right now - an amazing sight in June - although current owner Anne Chambers likens it to a "triffid" if kept unchecked!

Leaving the heavenly scented formal gardens behind, you'll find yourself in the sheltered Lower Garden with its half moon swimming pool overlooking the Malvern Hills (above) - and as you wander through the huge Monterey pines, you'll find many exotic plants including echium and agave, sheltered from winter frost on the banks leading down to the pool. You'd be forgiven for thinking you've walked into an entirely different climate here, because it's so different.

And don't miss the amazing Water Garden (above) - a modern masterpiece commissioned by the present owners, where 24 swaying bronze leaves designed by sculptor Simon Allison reflect in the black water of the rectangular pond, complete with stepping stones inspired by the moat at Sutton Place. This is a place to sit and reflect on what you've already seen at this amazing garden.

Kiftsgate is open on the same days as Hidcote (Saturday to Wednesday in June, July and August), but if you really want to get the most out of this garden, get there when it opens at midday, before the marauding masses arrive from over the road!

For other privately-owned Cotswold gardens reviewed so far, see Colesbourne Park. I'll be reviewing Bourton House, Cerney House, Misarden Park and several others in the next few weeks, but first I have to get my breath back!

Grattis!

Vinnare av två grafiska tryck från Studio Nele är EmmaP. Hör av dig till mig Emma så kommer vinsten på posten. Grattis!

Almost wordless Wednesday ... a taste of what's to come!

Misarden Park, Glos

Just returned from three days of touring wonderful gardens, and wanted to post some pictures to show you what's to come ....

Snowshill Manor, Glos

Glorious weather here in England and the gardens are looking magnificent ..... I've been to Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Buckinghamshire ....

Cerney House, Glos

Sun's been shining all the way ... and I'll be sharing all the best gardens with you ...

Ascott, Bucks

Sixteen magnificent gardens in three days ..... so watch this space!

Kiftsgate Court, Glos