The secret to serene city living: geraniums in terra cotta
When I stepped into my friend's Upper East Side apartment overlooking the Met, I found a surprising oasis amidst the concrete jungle. Generous terra cotta pots, each housing a rangy green geranium, sat in deep window reveals, casting a soft, calming ambiance. This unassuming yet elegant touch transformed the space, making it feel peaceful and inviting.
A geranium's tale of elusive chic
As I learned, these lush plants had come from the countryside, a detail that stirred a sense of excited envy within me. The humble geranium, paired with its rustic terra cotta pot, requires a greenhouse, gardeners, and a journey from afar to achieve this level of scale and beauty. It's a combination of unattainability and understated elegance that I find utterly chic.
I've long coveted geraniums, especially the way John Derian displays them in his shops – a visual treat that's unfortunately not for sale. Cath Kidston's new company, C. Atherley, offers scented geranium products, but the actual plants are off-limits, adding to their allure. When interior designer Veere Grenney sold his Norfolk folly, the obelisk-trained geraniums fetched a decent sum at auction, further fueling my desire for a greenhouse to house these lovely treasures.
Plants bring real life to a room, and the more statuesque and tree-like they are, the better. While cut flowers have their place, living plants imbue a space with an authenticity that's hard to replicate. Deborah Needleman, a writer and weaver, is a master at arranging flowers, making even a single stem seem like it's joining in the conversation.
A home's heart: plants and flowers
There's something special about plants and flowers that's all the more powerful when they're tended by the person who lives in the house, rather than being brought in weekly by a florist. It's a personal touch that makes a space truly feel like a home.
Architect Gil Schafer and his wife Courtnay Daniels always have plants in their homes. In their stunning Brooklin, Maine, residence, a massive tree fern sits atop their kitchen island, perfectly proportioned for the space and its gently swaying fronds. For Schafer, summer begins with a visit to Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk, where he stocks up on the most incredible plants, the products of green-thumbed owner Tony Elliott.
Back in London, I make sure to visit Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, where the restaurant is delicious and the shop and nursery are fabulous. Until I find my own personal greenhouse, I'll keep faking it with my baskets, pots, and cachepots, while seeking help from the Clifton or Petersham Nurseries. I encourage you to do the same, as this is the perfect month to start.