Garden party (European style)

Any excuse for a party, right? Especially in summer when you can set everthing up in the garden or the park. I am partial to the paper pompoms floating above the table (and would keep them for further use indoors). Have you ever had a party in a public park? We've had our fair share of them. One year we went out to Parc de Sceaux with all our goodies in tow (including champagne, of course!) to eat under the cherry blossoms.

Photos: Ikea

Four city gardens

Since the garden season has started and I live in a big city I am very interested in city gardens. How do you turn a few squarementers surrounded by buildings (and hence often with little sun light) into a lush paradise?The examples I post today all get the 'green thumb up'.

If you have seen any cool photos of city gardens please let me know.

Photos: Marie Claire Maison

Veranda vignette

Photo: Decor8

I am partial to this sweet little vignette from Germany. Imagine sitting here in the evening with a glass (or two)of wine and reading your favourite book! And I am spotting my favourite Morroccon sandals.

Castle garden in Leipzig

https://pinterest.com/

Happy weekend to everybody! I am starting to smell spring here in my corner of the world so I specifically looked at gardens and fell in love with this beautiful door in the castle garden in Leipzig, a city in Eastern Germany. It looks like the entrance to the Secret Garden, doesn't it?

Modern garden hut

Photo: Marie Claire Maison

Remember this post? Well, browsing MC I came across this small cabane and liked how the design integrates in the forrest, and (supposedly) offers a gret view. Ahh, I want to lie on that day bed and read my books and read my favourite interior magazines

Bauhaus for dogs

Ever since my beloved dog died in late November there has been an empty spot (dog owners understand the pain of losing your dog) but now I am thinking of adopting a new dog. If I had a garden I would want to have this ultra modern Bauhaus dog house! Talk about light and airy and yet city chic.

Photos: http://www.bestfriendshome.com/

European porch

Photos: VTonen Netherlands

I need a spot of summer today, me thinks. I like this simple porch - so relaxing to hang out there. I cannot even guess where this porch is located. Lithuania? South of France? Sweden? What do you think?

Silent night

Photo: Pinterest

I do not know where this photo was taken but isn't it a perfect place to finish a winter night? Snow makes even a busy city like Paris quiet and peaceful. Let's see if we will have snow this year.

Marvelous snow castle near Paris

Browsing the internet for weekend getaways near Paris I found this gem of a castle! Château de la Verrerie is less than one hour by train from Paris Gare du Montparnasse. I already see myelf relaxing here, don't you? I like how the decorators sneaked in a few 'modern' pieces to make the castle less traditional, for example with the Kartell lamp or the Indian commode.

All photos: Château de la Verrerie

The remains of the day

Photo: House to Home

I can see Emma Thompson or Anthony Hopkins opening the door any time! The Merchant Ivory film 'The Remains of the Day' (1993) is great. If you haven't watched it yet rent it as soon as you can.

For me this beautiful front garden with trellis is sooo quintessential English countryside.

Blissful Italian living

Did I mention that I like converted monastries and churches*? They give so much design freedom (plus a couple design challenges). Here is a beautifully converted monastry in Liguria, Italy, with a view to Corsica and the montains of Portofino in the distance. What a bliss to live here!

Imagine you wake up to this view everyday! And the garden is georgeous! I've spotted not one but several perfect breakfast places.

*Check out this place, and this one.

All photos: AT Casa Italia