'Come inside...' - the inviting interior of the potting shed at Mottisfont
In the middle of summer, this is the sort of day that holidaymakers hate and gardeners love. It is pouring down with rain, has been since 8 am and is well settled in to go on for the rest of the day.
It can be miserable to be away from home and all that is familiar in this sort of weather, trying to find something to do with the children - or without - that is under cover. But if you are a gardener, you can always retire - to the greenhouse, the potting shed or the summerhouse!
Here are some images - from home and away - of the cosy pleasures that can be gained when taking shelter from the rain. The first are from the walled garden at Mottisfont Abbey, where the National Trust have called in theatrical designers to reconstruct a potting shed; it is part of their 'Storyscape Project' and many of the articles in there allude to the accomplished horticulturalist and rose-grower Graham Stuart Thomas, who set up the collection of Old Roses in the walled garden at Mottisfont in the 1970's.
Notebooks and illustrations of Old Roses
Terracotta pots and tins for seeds...essential minutiae in old gardens
The second are much closer to home - the latest incarnation of the summerhouse here at the cottage - also, in its own way, a Storyscape; a place where my friends sit with me, tell me their own stories and conjure up new ones from the inspiration they (and I) get there, surrounded by peace, quiet, harp music, wildlife and books.
Some new pictures added to the wildlife collection
'Spring Spirit' - Hares by Jane Keay - a two pound greeting card in a one pound frame...
A place for fairies and fancy - but don't be late for a very important date!
Twinkly lights and candleholders - (new ones bought for pennies, bearing images of my favoured dragonflies)
It's just a tiny space, but I do have such fun creating a place for pondering and creativity. If you also have a much loved little refuge - do tell me something about it!
The most important furnishings in any room...
Loved this rainy day idea, Roz. Sitting in your little summerhouse was delightful - one of those memories that lasts forever. Hugs to you, Dear Lady.
Posted by: Ardi | Friday, July 24, 2015 at 14:21
My whole house is my refuge. :) The sign outside reads "faoi síocháin" (I haven't checked the spelling, just going by memory), which is "at peace" in Irish. :)
Posted by: Jamie Chavez | Friday, July 24, 2015 at 19:52
It is such a joy to have you sending blogs regularly again! Thank you.
Posted by: Sarah Wrightson | Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 01:05
Bonjour,
I'm french and I don't English but I love your blog. Je ne pourrais en dire plus dans votre langue. Mais comme vous, je suis une amoureuse de mon jardin et de tout ce qui s'y rapporte. Je vous dis bravo c'est magnifique. Aujourd'hui, je vais planter des hydrangeas. J'ai craqué. Bonne journée.
Posted by: Florence Degallaix - Milite | Saturday, August 01, 2015 at 03:38
Aaaahhhh the summer house..... What memories Roz! I think it looks quite wonderful now. It should be figuring in some fancy shmancy home magazine. Would you like to come down to Sydney and tell me what to of with my, "I don't know what to do with it" room? Of course if I got around to selling my set of eight dining chairs which are stored there and asked AC to remove her huge chest of drawers then I might get around to it!
Posted by: brenda scofield | Tuesday, September 08, 2015 at 10:45
What a delight to once again venture into your delightful summer house. I hadn't remembered the White Rabbit - he's adorable. I have a little fairy, almost like yours, that sits in my planter on the deck. I don't have a potting shed but do have a nice bench that sits down by the basement door, sheltered under a cedar tree, that former neighbors gave to me when they moved away. It's rather a catch all for pots and odds and ends, but very handy. LOved your post and hope the dry part of spring arrives for you soon.
Posted by: Ardi | Tuesday, April 03, 2018 at 15:20