London Life Places

spring in the city

April 2, 2012

Happy monday. Today’s post has been inspired by my friend holly. In her post about the benefits of plants in interior spaces there was a line that struck a cord with me: “nature doesn’t need us, but we need nature”. Holly has been commuting between the city and ‘the middle of nowhere’ and reflecting about ‘nature in the city’.

Yes, living in the city can sometimes make us forget how important it is to stop and look at nature. Commuting and working all hours can take its toll on people’s health and well being. There is so much early flowering right now that i wanted to show off london at it’s ‘blooming’ best. Here’s what you can find on street’s corners and in people’s drives. Admittedly, the areas i passed were rather nice but there’s green patches everywhere. We just have to look and connect with nature! In return, it will do it’s thing.

Fashion’s hottest trend right now is pastels and florals. If you look closely, it’s images like these that inspire the fabrics and textiles we are wearing this season. Can you see a link to interiors?ย 

How’s the beginning of spring treating you? Don’t you love the lighter evenings? Are you embracing nature while living in a city? Do you keep plants indoors or outdoors? Do tell.

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33 Comments

  • Reply Igor April 2, 2012 at 12:26 am

    Great post and great photography. And yes, I so loved Holly’s post on plants in interiors. It just matches my current craving for greenies in my apartment! Happy week, Tina!

    • Reply tina April 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm

      London is looking wonderful at the moment. Yes, Holly’s post was great! Happy week to you Igor.

  • Reply Catherine Bedson April 2, 2012 at 1:55 am

    Hi Tina, stunning photographs..I think alot about the colours of nature when I need to be inspired and am trying to work out what colours go together..the colours in the last photo are beautiful, nature just doesn’t get it wrong! I’ve never been a gardener but am thinking about redesigning my front garden at the moment for the pleasure and peace it will give me. Have a great week. Catherine x

    • Reply tina April 2, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      The last photo happens to be my favourite too:) I like your comment of: “nature just doesnโ€™t get it wrong!”I am certainly no gardener and so appreciate this even more:) x

  • Reply Heather @ Canal Notes April 2, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Lovely springtime photos, Tina! I wandered through St. James’s Park the other day and was overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. I had to stop and sit in the grass and watch the birds for awhile ๐Ÿ™‚ I do keep plants indoors but nothing can match the blossoms on those outdoor trees!

    • Reply tina April 2, 2012 at 9:51 pm

      St. James’s Park must be looking wonderful. You’re in London? I’m at The Wolseley on Wednesday so will take a look:)

      Oh, so agree. Nothing can compare with nature itself….x

  • Reply annie April 2, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Lovely photos Tina, I especially like the third one. I want to lie down and fall asleep in that fluffy blossom. I have a camellia that is blossoming beautifully on my balcony at the moment. The flowers look like they’re made from tissue paper ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Reply tina April 2, 2012 at 9:53 pm

      Lucky you. I’m rather crap with plants and so leave it well alone. All I manage to do is grow some herbs and not kill them:)

  • Reply Holly April 2, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    O.M.G!

    First of all, your pictures are just a joy! I am so envious of all the colours surrounding you! It’s still quite grey here and the trees are all branchy and bare and Fall-looking (not that there’s anything wrong with grey btw, ha!) Thank you sooooo much for sharing these. I’m really into all the pinky ones ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Second, I’m so flattered, no, honoured that I inspired you to post these lovely images – what a nice feeling it is to be part of something so lovely, something others will (and already have) devour with their eyes and enjoy.

    We do have to appreciate the nature around us and encourage it, even if we live in cities. Thanks for reinforcing that idea. Since being in the ‘middle of nowhere’ I have been appreciating the nature surrounding me, but have not felt really comfortable in the ‘excessiveness’ of it until today, believe it or not. So this post comes at a perfect time. Seems you are quite in tune with my mood Tina!

    Wishing you a lovely day my friend Xx.

    • Reply tina April 2, 2012 at 10:00 pm

      Nothing wrong with grey, miss grey!!! You are into pink????

      When I read your post I knew what I wanted to post about. It felt so natural and was definitely inspired by reading your blog:)

      I think we are lucky in London because we are surrounded by loads of green and as you can see some colourful trees as well. They were all taken in North London, not far from me.
      Yes, agreed, nature in cities is hugely important. I look out on green gardens so consider myself very fortunate x

      I feel quite passionate about people having some sort of outside space so they can embrace nature and fresh air (ish!!) But then I would say that, the woman finding good homes for people to enhance their lifestyles.
      Just found a flat for clients who thought outside space in central london would be impossible to find and way beyond their budget. Not really, on the weekend they will be proud tenants of a gorgeous roof terrace, all within budget!

  • Reply Lauren April 3, 2012 at 1:12 am

    Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous springtime with us! I just knew London would be stunning in the spring! My mom and I were once talking about this color or that color “going with” another color and we marveled at how all the disparate colors in nature just magically go together. Sunlight will do that for you, won’t it! xo

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 8:21 am

      This is rather early for us but just wanted to capture the first moments of spring.

      So true, nature just knows colour while we mortals struggle:)

  • Reply Jennifer April 3, 2012 at 4:12 am

    Tina! Those pictures are so lovely. I think a collage of them framed in vintage frames would be really fantastic! I am such a California girl and now that the days are longer, I feel like I almost have two days – my day at work and then another day when I leave. I can get home and take my daughter to the beach or park and still have enough light to walk home! I love planting flowers in our small gardens in the front and back of our house, but the only plants we have inside are a few orchids. I’d love to have a few more plants, but I have no idea what to buy that does well inside. Do you have any favorites?

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 8:42 am

      Oh, thanks Jennifer. You know, I was on my scooter trying to find these and literally stopped, took a few shots and moved on to the next. Although sunny it was a little windy so the leaves were moving ferociously….

      All said I’m rather happy with the results and your idea of a collage in vintage frames is intriguing. Thank you:)

      I was fascinated by your interview which I’m happy I stumbled across. Now ladies, for those who are inspired by career changes and haven’t yet read Jennifer being interviewed over at suzannahscully.com, drop EVERYTHING and rush over. You won’t regret it: suzannahscully.com/blog/
      Jennifer shares her journey and it is inspirational.

      Yes, it seems you’ve got the best of both world and well done you. I’m kinda with you here. I work hard but also play hard and like it that way.
      Only thing missing here is the beach:)

      My lovely cousin, who lives in Tel-Aviv but works in Jerusalem in forensics has the same lifestyle. Working hard but rounding off the day at the beach. Heavenly and good on you girls.

      No, no indoor plants for me. None outside either:( need all of you with green fingers to come over and plant my terrace into a haven of blooms x

  • Reply Theresa April 3, 2012 at 4:23 am

    Oh, Tina, your photos came out great. Really beautiful. I tell you, I love looking at what is blooming in everyone’s respective city. Spring is really working its magic.
    I read Holly’s post and it reminded me that I need to get more plants in the house. I have one orchid that I have managed to keep alive. Now I think I’m ready for more. I’ve been wanting a fiddle leaf fig tree, but can’t seem to find them anywhere. (Might have to order one.)
    Spring has been good to us so far and I’m definitely enjoying the longer days.

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 8:48 am

      Thanks T. I know it’s fun peeking at everyone’s spring….

      I was rather impressed with your Orchid flowering twice and also Jennifer seems to have them. Is this a Carlifornia thing?:)

      A fiddle leaf fig tree. Wow, must google that. Sounds intriguing. Do you have nice nurseries selling plants. We have some gorgeous ones here in London and you know what, there’s an idea for a post…. leave it with me….

      The longer days are much appreciated. Hello Spring. Welcome:)

  • Reply Sam Lennie (Interiorsam) April 3, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Lovely pics, blossom is so beautiful. I love Spring, it’s my favourite time of the year. I have some of the Skimmia in the garden and it smells divine, but no fruit trees. I’d like a cherry tree some day x

    Thanks for sharing

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 9:02 am

      I can’t keep up with you. One moment you’re at The Savoy, then having food with Annie. Next you’re showing off amazing pics from Morocco. Seriously woman, do your celebrations ever stop? What about the chickens. Are they still alive?

      Good on you I say!

      Would LOVE a cherry tree but roof terraces aren’t made for that:)

      • Reply Sam Lennie (Interiorsam) April 3, 2012 at 3:48 pm

        Trust me when I say that I’m about to have a drought period where I go absolutely nowhere! I had to admit to hubby that my birthday celebrations were possibly a bit excessive, but ho hum, it’s done now ๐Ÿ™‚
        Chickens are alive, my eldest son managed to keep them well whilst I was off galavanting.

        • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 6:09 pm

          Listen, grab it while you can….you only live once. What’s he going tomdo for your 50th???

          Glad the chickens are ok… got worried:)

  • Reply Nicola April 3, 2012 at 9:46 am

    These photos are just lovely Tina, so uplifting. I love Spring and its feeling of new beginnings and freshness. For me it is the real New Year.

    You could have a fruit tree on your terrace, perhaps a pear or plum. A fig likes to have contained roots so that would be good too, depending on how much sun shines on your terrace. But then again, a row of pots with bright geraniums, now you have me thinking!

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 11:26 am

      Right, you’ve officially been selected as my terrace consultant.

      If you really think lunch is free next week, think again. I’m so going to make you work for it:)

      Seriously, need something on the terrace. let’s discuss when you come round. X

  • Reply Chedva April 3, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    So pretty! Unfortunately, I’m too allergic to go near the blooming trees, so I love seeing them on your blog!

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 6:06 pm

      Oh, sorry to hear. You have the beach though…

      Tel-Aviv must be looking amazing right now!

  • Reply Toni April 3, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    These images are amazing Tina, and now it is finally raining in London they may be all we have left of the spring bloom.

    • Reply tina April 3, 2012 at 7:11 pm

      I was just tweeting Holly about this. When I took the pics on Sunday I knew we would have this weather today and tomorrow so that’s what made me do it with urgency.

      We’ll get wet tomorrow. Correction: I’ll get wet tomorrow…. see you at 7pm x

  • Reply ursula (room to bloom) April 3, 2012 at 11:46 pm

    Blossom – guess what – my favourite! Thanks for sharing Tina. London rocks for green spaces – I’m always amazed when I come back from Holland where the housing in cities is much more inspired, but green spaces are generally lacking. There’s a really cute book about plants that grow in Amsterdam against all odds – I reckon you’d find it inspiring too, I’ll find out from my sis what it’s called (you probably have it already, ha!) x

    • Reply tina April 4, 2012 at 12:08 am

      Ms Room to Bloom… I know this is you!!! You’re right, I never think of Amsterdam and green spaces. Oh yes, please let me have the title of the book.
      See you next week. Happy Easter x

  • Reply Erin April 4, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Goodness look at those blooms! I think you guys across the pond are getting a more vibrant spring than we are so far (at least where I am!). I think my absolute favorite would have to be the weeping willow, though. I have a soft spot for those trees ๐Ÿ™‚

    Unfortunately, our house doesn’t get enough natural light to keep anything alive for longer than a few days, unless it’s situated right on the windowsill in one particular corner. I’m making it a point in the next place I live to have a TON of light streaming in; this is the first place I’ve lived where there is not an abundance of natural light (owing to the fact that the majority of the house is basement-level). We can’t even keep fresh basil going for more than 2 days unless we toss it in the fridge. Le sigh. So to answer your question, we have no plants in the house, unless you count the 99c fake one I bought at IKEA that is currently our dining room centerpiece! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Reply tina April 5, 2012 at 12:52 am

      Well, I wouldn’t dare say anything against Ikea, not even the 99c fake plant. Maybe you could get a ton of fake plants and make a feature of it.

      Yes, create an artificial jungle with plastic plants and animals. That would be a hoot.

  • Reply Sophie April 18, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    Some beautiful not-so-hidden Blossom Tina! These are so uplifting, really made me smile this evening. I love Spring!
    ๐Ÿ™‚ x

    • Reply tina April 18, 2012 at 10:51 pm

      Ha. Sophie, you are killing me with all the comments tonight. It is rather nice to have you back:)

      When I took those photos I already knew we were having a cold and rainy spell so more poignant I think.
      “not-so-hidden Blossom” love that xx

  • Reply Sophie April 18, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    ๐Ÿ™‚ Here’s a quick and simple comment you need not reply too hehe x

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