Turn your tiny terraced city garden into a seaside retreat complete with beach hut styled shed and grass skirt parasol. Let me start from the beginning, Hi! I’m Melissa, Charlotte’s little sister and in March I came out of a five year relationship.
I thought it was the real deal, marriage, family, the works, so it was a bit of a shocker when it ended so abruptly. We lived together in the house I’m still in and at the time of the break up I was tempted to move, everything reminded me of him. The bottom line was I simply couldn’t afford to, besides, it was my home.
There was some moping, and significant wine drinking (!) but rather than wallow in self pity I decided to do something with the resources I had available and try and cheer myself up. I’ve never really done anything with my garden before and with summer approaching I thought it would be nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy (one too many) frozen margaritas with friends.
I’ve always wanted to live by the sea, so I decided to go coastal with my decor. I know this probably isn’t the norm for a mid-terrace fairly near the city centre but who cares, do whatever the hell you fancy I say! By the way, I’m not expecting to win any best in show awards, I love my little space but it’s all done with a pinch of much needed humour.
I started by making my shed into a beach “hut”, painting it with Cuprinol Sea Grass and hanging pretty lantern lights. I bought a selection of “happy” flowers that I love, sunflowers, gerberas and fuchsias and my Dad treated me to two rose bushes, “New Dawn” (appropriate) and “Hot princess” which is my favourite shade of bright pink.
I am very proud of my vegetable patch! I grow rhubarb, runner beans, potatoes (the Charlotte variety obviously) strawberries and raspberries as well as a selection of herbs. My patio set was dirt cheap from some outlet store off the M5, it’s not exactly glamorous but it does the job. My favourite thing is my parasol, I thought Charlotte was going to die laughing when she saw it. If you want one for yourself it was a tenner off ebay 🙂
My driftwood decoration was from Brighton, I went for my birthday weekend with my friend Lizzie 3 months after the break-up and we had a brilliant time, it was the first time I’d properly laughed in ages so it’s a permanent reminder of getting on with my life and all the good things to come in the future.
For other bits and bobs I’d recommend having a look in B&Q and Matalan, there is some right old rubbish in both but you can find some nice things too, and they are cheap. My pink flower fairy lights were from B&Q, think they were about £12.99.
My garden has become a place I can go to relax and switch off, read a book or as I mentioned before, invite friends for cocktails! I certainly feel much better than I did 6 months ago but I do have my moments… I’m still holding out for Prince Charming so if you know him, and he would appreciate club tropicana on the outskirts of Birmingham, give him my number.
If you could recommend any flowers or veg I could be planting now in time for Spring it would be appreciated!
Crocuses! Lots and lots of crocuses, all through your lawn and in little pots and all over the place. You can buy packs of 50 bulbs for about £3 in supermarkets at the moment (it’s the right season) and there is nothing more cheery on a grey February day than seeing little white, purple and yellow flowers poking up through your lawn. Leave them until they die down and then mow it (i.e. – leave them until it gets warm enough to use the garden then do your first mow of the summer!). The best way to plant them is to grab handfuls and throw them, then plant where they land, en masse.
Good luck with finding your Prince Charming. Enjoy yourself while you’re waiting!
I fancy the sound of this Sara! I didn’t have the first clue you could buy 50 bulbs for £3?! I also love the idea of just throwing them and planting where they land! x
I got mine from Sainsburys, but I’ve seen them in a few places – I think that Aldi had some recently too (even cheaper!).
I love Aldi! thanks for the tip Sara x
Beautiful garden, you really made it a paradise to relax in! And I love the parasol! Couldn’t agree more with what Sara said: enjoy yourself immensely and then Mr Right will turn up and fall in love with that charming happy woman who loves life (and her garden)
Thanks Anja 🙂
Good for you Melissa! I think being able to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and then get on with something practical is a really important part of the healing process…even if five minutes later you’re back to floods of tears again.
And, being an aunty is just the best thing ever, there’s an example to set to little ladies and it’s one that we shall not be beaten! Enjoy Mabel!
x
Being Aunty is the best, I get withdrawal symptoms if I don’t see her every day! Thanks for your comment x
Melissa, your garden looks fab. A great place for cocktails!
I’m with Sara on the crocuses. Also if you plant Tete-a-tete daffodils and tulips bulbs in pots they look gorgeous when they come up in the spring x
I do have some empty pots Lauren, tulips are some of my favourite flowers so I’ll certainly plant some x
Love your garden Melissa! Nothing better then having the girls over for cocktails in the garden, I’m doing exactly that tomorrow :o) Another great feature to have is a giant sail over the garden. We got one really cheap in Costco and it’s soooo glamourous. Makes you feel like you’re on holiday!
Can’t beat beautiful flowers either for the soul. One of my best buys is my passion flower. Dead cheap, grows like crazy and has the most stunning flowers. Just stick up some trellis or wire and let it do it’s thing xx
Hi Becca, I do have some trellis that is currently bare, passion flower sounds lovely! the sail sounds very glam so I will get myself to Costco and take a look! x
[…] yes, my sister is getting married! It doesn’t seem that long ago that she shared her singledom story here on Rock My Style. Not long after she met Will on a blind date…..(yes again, exactly the […]