When my Dad and Lady B came to stay back in May, one of the lovely day trips we took was to Salts Mill in Saltaire. My Dad is a David Hockney fan and as it's only a short journey away from Atticland it seemed like a great idea to hop on the train and go to gaze at some artwork.
I really love Salts Mill, I've written about it before on my blog when I've been with the Little People. It's hugely inspiring, with an atmosphere that is both refined and exuberant. The building itself is really amazing, as is the artwork (I am also a Hockney fan) but it's the merchandise which blows me away every time. There is soooooooo much Good Stuff for sale here! Art materials, cards, stationery and a truly jaw dropping selection of books, all beautifully displayed and utterly desirable.
Even if you end up keeping your purse firmly shut in here (near impossible), it is still hugely enjoyable to spend a good hour or two browsing. Ahhhh the joy of browsing....not quite so easy with a three year old. But actually, to be honest Little B was remarkably well behaved in here, and he loved looking at all the books.
When a weeny amount of tension started to creep into the browsing, we headed straight through to Salts Diner for a spot of refreshment.
I had a frothy cappuccino and some rather delicious toasted crumpets slathered in butter and Tiptree jam. The tension slipped away and I felt refreshed and revitalised.
After finishing round two of browsing in Salts Mill and after I had made one or two purchases (nope, my purse did not stay shut, it refused), we went out to stroll in nearby Roberts Park.
This was back in mid May and the blossom and magnolia trees were in full magnificent bloom. It was so pretty!
Our walk around the park ended in an impromptu detour to the decking of the Boathouse Inn right beside the river. I don't usually drink in the daytime, but having my Dad there made it feel like I was on holidays so I ordered a beer at the bar without even thinking about it. Goodness me, it felt rather naughty to be sat beside the river sipping ice cold beer in the middle of a School Day afternoon! Naughty but rather nice. Mmmmmm, happy memories :o)
Anyhow, sorry, didn't mean to get caught up in Memory Lane. I have to show you what made me open my purse in Salts Mill...........
It was this. Port-a-Plant. What do you think? Isn't it just a delight?
Look! Plants you can't kill, and no watering or sunlight required! Instant, virtual gardening, and in full colour too.
I've been waiting for an opportunity to bring my Port-a-Plants to life, and with me not being able to crochet at the moment, today seemed a good day to get creative with cardboard instead.
All the components (pots, plants and leaves) are printed onto sheets of card and pre-cut, so all you have to do it press out the pieces and slot them together. No cutting, no gluing, just happy, mess-free assembly.
Oh I had the best time growing my plants!
It was really great fun. A little bit fiddly at times (my leaves did keep popping off), but with a little bit of concentrated effort I was soon well under way.
Oooooo I like this kind of gardening, I like it very much. I like how instant it is, and how insanely satisfying and nostalgic.
I think the finished results are great, well they pleased me enormously at any rate. Simple but effective.
I think they look very at home on top of my studio shelves, they've delivered some big happy smiles today for sure.
If you'd like to try this sort of indoor gardening (and I can highly recommend it), here is where you can equip yourself....
Port-a-Plant (Amazon.co.uk) :: Port-a-Plant (Amazon.com)
On our way home from the studio this afternoon, Little B persuaded me to walk back "The Tricky Way". This involves walking down Back Bridge Street and then along a precarious narrow path with no fence and a sheer drop straight down into the beck below. The path finally (with a huge sigh of relief) comes up a steep flight of old stone steps to emerge on the canal tow path. It is a short cut of sorts and very picturesque, but boy oh boy, I swear I hold my breath the whole time and almost feel like I want to pee my pants with nervousness. Anyhow.....walking along Back Bridge Street, I was completely captivated by this gorgeous garden outside a small run of town houses there.
I just loved the exuberant climbers under-planted with a mixture of plants and flowers and crucially the way it looked delightfully low maintenance.
This is definitely giving me some inspiring ideas for my own little back yard. I would love a more permanent set up with much more greenery. Maybe some raised beds for climbers that I can under-plant with shrubs, bulbs and perennials. Perhaps not this year, but I would love to alter the way I garden so's that I can remove the annual guilt factor. I think this year I will mostly be a Virtual Gardener. A Planner and a Dreamer in readiness for next year.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Those plants are so fun :)
Lucy can I suggest you have a go at growing your own pepper plants? I saved some seeds from a store bought pepper, left them to dry for ten days then planted them in yogurt pots. They take between 7-10 days to pop up then grow like nobodies business. I now have 24 pots of peppers growing on my big sunny windowsill. They are already flowering so I should have peppers in a few weeks.
Posted by: Elaine | June 21, 2013 at 10:01 AM
On our list to visit and you've made it sound even more desirable. Love your everlasting plants and that is one beautiful case on your shelves.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | June 21, 2013 at 09:48 AM
As ever a great post I find you really inspiring. I came to the same conclusion when choosing plants for our yard. Starting from scratch every year was not an easy task. I now have lots of pots with perennials, evergreens and a couple of trees for height. Now in the summer I plant colourful hanging baskets and a couple of pots of annuals for splashes of brightness, job done. It means that there is always something of interest in the yard and it never feels like an overwhelming task. xxx
Posted by: Doe Floyd | June 21, 2013 at 09:01 AM
Oooh, I so need some of those plants! I cannot keep plants alive at all and these have the added bonus of being incredibly cute.
Posted by: Sam | June 21, 2013 at 08:54 AM
There's something special about Tiptree Jam isn't there! I love the paper flowers, we have no luck at all with flowers or plants (the only thing we've kept alive for any length of time seems to be a lettuce... I am now reluctant to eat it!)
Posted by: Clare | June 21, 2013 at 08:31 AM
Empty the hanging basket and containers into the bin - it takes 5 minutes and makes you feel better instantly
Posted by: marge | June 21, 2013 at 07:54 AM
Another lovely post Lucy. That bookshop looks amazing, I could lose myself in there for hours! The plants would be fab for my daughters uni room - if she can find room!!
Posted by: Louise | June 21, 2013 at 07:52 AM
Hi Lucy,Your studio looks beautiful and as per Lucy!:) Very colorful!!!A day out must have been a lot of fun!!!Such a beautiful place!!!Hope you have a fun filled weekend with your family!!!
Love
Amarie
Posted by: Anna-Marie Field | June 21, 2013 at 07:41 AM
Hi, when I saw your Port-a-plant I instantly thought what fun they would bring and what great gifts they would make.
They reminded me of when I was little, when you could buy a magazine with a paper doll with different outfits that you could cut out to dress her with. I used to love playing with them. Not even sure if you can get them anymore.
These plants will definitely be on my gift list.
Thanks for sharing :)
Sally x
Posted by: Sally | June 21, 2013 at 07:34 AM
What a lovely post, Lucy! I love your pictures, they make me want to visit Salts Mill as well. And your studio is so colourful. Looking forward to pictures of your open studio day.
Posted by: Sonja | June 21, 2013 at 07:13 AM
I must be one of the few people who does not appreciate Hockney, however I DO appreciate his subject as many of his paintings are of one of my regular walks and it is a beautiful part of Yorkshire ( I would say that as it is in my home town!) I also, incidentally, regularly walk past his home and see him driving through town.
Love the garden, what a beautiful little oasis xx
Posted by: Jo | June 21, 2013 at 06:56 AM
Those paper plants are such fun... but that garden is the real thing! It is delightful. Worth taking the Tricky Way :)
Posted by: Handmade in Israel | June 21, 2013 at 06:40 AM
Salts Mill is such a great day out. When my girl was little it was a real treat to go on the train from Skipton. We managed to fit in a visit on our last trip home and my purse refused to stay closed too!
x
Posted by: Beth | June 21, 2013 at 05:46 AM
What an interesting place you live in. So many delightful sights. Thank you for the pictorial.
Posted by: Elsie | June 21, 2013 at 04:44 AM
WOAH! The garden in the Back Bridge Street is so amazing..
Posted by: Samantha | June 21, 2013 at 04:26 AM
...a virtual garden! what a happy idea, indeed!!!!
hope you are getting better, xxxxx Ale
Posted by: Alessandra | June 21, 2013 at 02:28 AM
Great post. Such goodness! Studio is looking quite snappy with the addition of those potted ants. I think your ideas for more lasting plantings at home is brilliant. Very good idea to use this season as a planning and thinking stage. Plenty of time down the line to implement ;). I say from experience. Sometimes the best times are when we let go of what can't fit just now and keep moving forward. It all falls into place. Eventually :)
Posted by: Paula | June 21, 2013 at 02:15 AM
Never mind the plants (love them by the way), look at all that YARN!!!!
Posted by: Andrea | June 21, 2013 at 01:49 AM
Plants you can't kill? Done! I am sold! Thank you Lucy, this post was just what I needed. I love seeing the lush green scenery and miles of books;). Thanks again.
Kim
Posted by: Kim W | June 21, 2013 at 12:54 AM
Hmmm, Lucy, the paper plants are clever, and will only need regular dusting, but I so much prefer the garden you saw by taking the tricky path.
Perhaps the gardener behind that climbing garden might be someone you could meet, and convince to give you a few clippings to root for your own garden? Trade your beautiful crocheting for a seeding or three?
Best wishes.
Posted by: Frances | June 21, 2013 at 12:34 AM
it looks good!
Posted by: ann snell | June 20, 2013 at 11:37 PM
Hi Lucy I visited Salts Mills a few years ago and loved it. The size of the mill was inspiring and I hope to return one day soon. Loved the little plants and will certainly be buying some. Sadly I am a well known killer of plants as I always over or under water them. When given plants as gifts, although lovely, my heart sinks so your wonderful find fits the bill for me. A lovely post as always. Hope you managed to pop and see the GP about your hand. Take care
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxx
Posted by: Dorothy Griffiths | June 20, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Awwww, love your paper plants....so cute .
The garden you found is stunning and I'm sure these plants would love it in your outside space.
And YES this sort of gardening is so much more satisfying than buying annuals each year.
Please keep planing and dreaming and sharing :0)
Salts mill is on my list to visit....I love Hockney too.
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | June 20, 2013 at 10:58 PM
Loving the cheerful plants. x
Posted by: Sara Jenkins | June 20, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Thank you so much for that little visit to Salt Mills - We are coming over for a holiday and tour of England next year with the boys and it will definitely be on the list - as will Bolton Abbey. xxx.
Posted by: kate from greedy for colour | June 20, 2013 at 10:49 PM