Bushey Rose Garden

After years of neglect the once beautiful rose garden in the village has been restored to glory thanks to Lottery funding. The garden is historically important to the village and is in the English Heritage Register of gardens of special historic interest. It was originally created in 1913 by the famous landscape gardener Thomas Mawson. Before it was a garden the Victorian artist Hubert Von Herkomer ran an art school on the site. It was wonderful to see it brought back to life and local people enjoying the grounds once more. The new planting needs to mature and by next summer there should be a wonderful floral display. I couldn't be happier that this garden has been restored.

This beautiful seven foot bronze panel of Lululaund was designed by Herkomer and was originally in his nearby house of the same name (named after his wife Lulu). The original was stolen in 1967 so this is a replica. 

Swanky shed

Spent an exhausting day yesterday trying to get up my new sentry box style shed in between the rain showers. My thumbs are sore from all the drilling! It was getting dark when I finally finished the paint work in my favourite Farrow and Ball Light Blue no 22. I think it needs a finishing decorative touch - maybe a sign or a wicker heart. What do you think?

 I've also painted the windows at the back of my cottage in the same colour. I think it's the perfect shade of blue/grey.

Hastings Old Town

I fancied a trip to the coast today (got to make the most of summer weather) and where better than East Sussex? I haven't been to Hastings for a couple of years and it was fascinating to see how the Old Town has become such a fashionable area - like Brighton 20 years ago. Some great interiors, galleries and antiques shops and some very gentrified back streets.

 

What a beautiful display - a garden designer lives here!

I stopped by in Robertsbridge on the way. A delightful ancient village with some wonderfully preserved medieval houses. 

Love the colour pop the green woodwork gives these pretty cottages!

Many famous people have lived in Robertsbridge including writer Hilaire Belloc, cricketer WG Grace, John Wesley founder of Methodism, and actor Edward Woodward.

One Day - the perfect summer book

Welcome if you've linked to this page from 'The Books Cafe' http://home-shabby-home.blogspot.com . I have chosen One Day by David Nicholls as my recommendation for perfect summer reading. I have just read this along with members of my local book group and we discussed it when we met this week. It's rare that we read a book that we all absolutely love so this book has to be pretty special.

The book tells the story of Emma and Dexter who meet for the first time on the night of their University graduation - 15th July 1988. Where will they be on this day next year? And the next? This story of love, friendship and growing up spans 20 years, and is equally funny and sad. It is a wonderful book. It made me laugh and cry in equal measures - the characters are completely convincing.

Author Tony Parsons says about the book:  ‘A brilliant book about the heartbreaking gap between the way we were and the way we are."

I adored it - so will you.

My first cushions

So here they are. My first go at cushion making. I've used vintage style material sourced from ebay - the buttons on the cowboy design are original vintage. The button fastening is easy to do for a novice like me and I like the additional decorative feature of pretty buttons. I really welcome feedback - please do let me know what you think.

I love this fabric - reminds me of when Carrie Bradshaw went to Paris!

I've backed this cute cowboy fabric with some jolly red gingham.

Somerset cottages

I was in cottage heaven this weekend! This was my first time on the Somerset coast. What a treat! The sun was shining and the scenery simply gorgeous.  The beautiful  medieval village of Dunster was totally captivating - it has the most perfect chocolate box cottages. Here's some that had me drooling...

And some beautiful cottage gardens too...

How about a thatched cottage on the beach? These beauties are in the idyllic Porlock Weir...

My favourite things - part two

Some more decorative items in Lilac Cottage. The trouble with all these collectables is the dusting! I've tried paring things down but can never bear to consign anything to the attic.

Oxhey Open Gardens

I spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the annual Oxhey Open Gardens.  I confess to being a snoop! I love open garden events - how many times have you wondered what lies behind a garden gate? I was flabbergasted to find a swimming pool in one garden, in a street of tiny terraces!  

Beautiful old vintage signs

And a sense of humour!