Urban garden design ideas

I may have lost my ‘naaaah, I don’t really need to take a jumper to work’ confidence after this morning’s rain surprise, but I sure haven’t lost hope in sunny summer weekends in the gardens. As a city girl, I love these urban garden design ideas from Livingetc‘s latest issue – they’re perfect for adding the wow-factor to even the smallest of spaces.

A river runs through it …

There are plenty of sexy outdoor fabrics on the highstreet at the mo. I love this floral fabric combination, ideal for an exotic lounging area in the garden.

roomenvy - colourful outdoor seating

Flex those green fingers …

Construct a cool living wall of fragrant herbs that’s good enough to eat!

roomenvy - urban herb garden

Banksy, eat your heart out…

Create a modern arbour by using an outdoor wall as a canvas for bold artwork! This urban garden is just PACKED with attitude.

roomenvy - wow walls urban garden

Friday’s fetish: swanky English garden designs

Well this glamorous garden isn’t exactly the average compact outdoor space! I was FLABERGHASTED when I saw this beautiful English country garden from Homes & Gardens magazine. It actually reminds me of my Brownie leader’s garden all those year’s ago (I really should look her up!)

Anyway here are some pics –  marvel, find inspiration, assure your own patio that it doesn’t need to feel intimidated … it’s up to you!

A humungous swimming pool? So far, so good …

roomenvy - garden swimming pool

roomenvy - garden room

I bet this door leads to some sort of castle!

roomenvy - secret garden door

A lake? Now that’s just showing off!

roomenvy - weeping willow lake

Lunchtime lust: sexy seaside style

These beautiful decorating schemes from Country Homes & Interiors have made me more and more eager to head to the beach this summer! What’s better than a trip to the good old British seaside? (Besides a trip to a tropical island)

Find inspiration from the sun, sea, sand and sky with these coastal decorating schemes.

Cushions and throws in aquamarine, grey blue and turquoise are teamed with white upholstery, rattan baskets, weathered furniture and a sisal rug for a relaxed look.

roomenvy - coastal-style living room

Blue organic patterns plump up this cool and dreamy bedroom. I LOVE this scheme.

roomenvy - seaside-inspired bedroom

Oh to be having breakfast there right now. An appliqued fish design rug, mix-and-match nautical tableware, oh and THE SEA!

roomenvy - alfresco dining by the sea

I love the cute accessories in this outdoor room, from the scattered cushions and shells, to the lanterns.

roomenvy - nautical conservatory

Decorating with carnival colours

Anyone else get slightly sunburnt during their 10 minute walk to work this morning? Can’t say I mind much, for months I’ve been yearning for hot summer weather, and, well, teamed with the rest of my white skin, this new red patch of sunburn is IDEAL for my patriotic England costume for this afternoon’s World Cup match. Outfit complete!

Wrapped up in the heat of the moment, I just love these decorating ideas inspired by heady summer days from Country Homes & Interiors. Carnival-coloured stripes and florals, punchy pinks and sizzling oranges are the heroes of the hour, and if it gets too hot, cool off with some zingy lime green accents. Why is my mouth watering?

Check these beautiful decorating schemes out.

Hang a breezy voile canopy above a four-poster and tie with faux peony flowers for an exotic hotel-style look. Dress the bed with striped covers and tropical cushions.

roomenvy - exotic bedroom

Make an outdoor sofa the place to be! Upholster seat pads in rich stripes and pile high the zingy cushions. Hang lanterns so that the fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down.

roomenvy - tropical garden

Ooohh I actually know how to make this fitted table cloth! Click here for a step-by-step guide.

roomenvy - colourful dining room

Garden ideas – the perfect afternoon nap!

I’ve been hunting for garden ideas in past magazine issues and deep in the depths of an old Country Homes & Interiors magazine (I kid you not, it had dust on it!) ANYWAY, I thought these ideas were way too pretty to gather dust – relaxing in the garden never looked so chic.

What I really love about them though is that you don’t have to have a large country garden to incorporate these ideas, a small cute urban patio will do just as well – which suits me to a tee!

I know I know, at some point you’re going to drag it inside BUT in the meantime you get a simply stunning place to chill out in the garden (afternoon nap, anyone?!) Plump up a day bed with colourful cushions and hang a mosquito net.

roomenvy - cute garden seating area

YES PLEASE! A hammock is a summer essential – practical, compact, portable and an instant lounger. Hang from something sturdy, add cushions and enjoy – but make sure you grab your drink and book first, or it can get tricky!

roomenvy - lazy garden hammock

As dusk approaches, place pretty coloured lanterns around your garden for atmospheric twinkiling lights.

roomenvy - colourful outdoor lighting

Garden ideas – style from The States

I’m getting a bit obsessed with Apartment Therapy‘s ‘My Great Outdoors‘ section! It basically involves gardeners proudly (and so they should be) sending in shots of their outdoor spaces and chatting a bit about their project.

Here are two of my favourites …

I love how this New York City homeowner has made the most of their roof terrace, in fact they’ve made SO much of their outdoor space – with an alfresco dining area, outdoor kitchen and lounging zone.

roomenvy - urban garden roof terrace

… and onto a less urban garden design, this pretty Portland patio is perfect all year round with an alfresco dining table and a shaded lounge area that’s perfect for cocktails in the evening.

roomenvy - cute garden patio

My favourite garden from Chelsea Flower Show …

Not at all influenced by the fact that I got to try out L’Occitane‘s new beauty products on the sidelines (so much so that the designer walked straight passed me and I was comPLETELY distracted), but The L’Occitane garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was definitely my favourite.

Designed by James Towillis to recreate the sights and smells of Provence in true L’occitane style it represents the natural ingredients found in their products, and was packed with the colour and textures of the south of France. And, with the weather being so dreamy, I was transformed from Chelsea to Provence. (Not that I’d mind living in uber-glam Chelsea of course!)

The Country Homes & Interiors team took a fab photo.

roomenvy - The L'Occitane Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010

Garden ideas – cute alfresco dining spots

It was when I was sunning/burning myself at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show while working/eating ice cream that I decided ‘this is EXACTLY what I want from my summer’. Sunshine, plentiful food, (a sneaky Pimm’s or two) and of course, a cute outdoor dining area where I would have the aforementioned fun!

I think these garden dining ideas are just so sweet, whether it’s for sitting outside with a book ….

Planning a romantic evening meal with the fella … (ahem, invited for a romantic evening BY the fella …)

roomenvy - garden dining area

Getting some piece and quiet at the end of the garden (and at the beginning of the set of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village it would seem) …

roomenvy - garden seating area

Or enjoying a sunny afternoon with the family …

roomenvy - alfresco dining area

Friday’s Fetish: country vintage garden living

As if a weekend of garden parties and entertainment isn’t exciting enough, Country Homes & Interiors have come up with ways to make your outdoor space even MORE cheerful – and I’ve STOLEN them!

I love this idea for a vintage garden tea room packed with cheerful mix-and-match mugs, tins, cutlery and beakers, it can just as easily be turned into a drinks room for the grown ups! Plus, the look is all about pretty accessories and furniture that are designed for jolly times!

Pretty ball lights give a darker corner a colourful glow…

roomenvy - pretty garden room

Use bright bunting in colourful fabrics for a party fizz and hang over the roof line of your shed or roof line…

roomenvy - garden bunting idea

There’s a party on the hill can you come?

roomenvy - country accessories garden room

Create an informal seating area by adding plump floor cushions in bright plains and patterns to your garden decking…

roomenvy - garden decking area

Chelsea Flower Show – sneak preview video!

Some people visit Chelsea Flower Show for gardening tips, others to get their hands on the latest garden buys, but for me there is one feature that I MOST look forward to, and that is the designer show gardens!!

Unable to wait until the day (patience isn’t one of my strong points) I went on the hunt for some insider Chelsea Flower Show gossip about what show gardens are in store for us this year, and I knew EXACTLY who to ask. Arabella St John Parker, Homes & Gardens magazine‘s Houses & Gardens Editor is the Chelsea Flower Show queen! (… there should be a queen of Chelsea!

Check out which 5 show gardens she’s most excited about seeing!