Balcony Garden Inspiration

We are right in the middle of May and summer is knocking on our doors! I have a pretty long balcony which right now houses a couple of dead flower baskets and two rose plants. But come summer I have big plans of converting my balcony into a green space. Of having my morning tea in the green bliss, having summer parties, spending long summer evenings drinking Pimms and puffing on the hookah. Of course I have been looking at Pinterest for inspiration and I found oodles of it. If only execution was as easy, specially for a non gardener like me. Sharing some of the photos which have me totally hooked, I wish I could create something like this. Any suggestions on balcony makeover is more than welcome. But please remember I am a novice.

This one looks like a narrow Parisian balcony. What I like is the gorgeous sunlight of course, not too many plants overcrowding the narrow space, the blue furniture and the other blobs of colour. This looks doable. What say? Image source here.

Now this is a wow space! My dream balcony looks like this. Don't think I have the capacity to create something as beautiful as this. But it's worth dreaming, isn't it? Image source here.

These old wine crates seem all rage for planting. Lusting after them! Image source here.

How easy these guys make it look? I wish I could put up a green space as effortlessly! Image source here.

Ah to have such a nook in your house! Deep sigh! And utter longing! Image source here.

See the guy there in the photo I want to be him in my next birth. I am sure he is the gardener with a giant green thumb who used old pots and boxes to create a fabulous space like this and grows all his veggies there too. Image source here.

All the images are taken from Pinterest, on DID's Pinterest account we have a board called Balcony Garden Inspiration. The photos I have shared is just tip of the iceberg, there are loads more, do check it out and follow us on Pinterest. We are slowly and steadily building it up.
P.S. I have tried to link the photos to their original sites, but could not find the specific posts on which they were showed.

The Magazine Gawker

Decorating a room, garden or the entire house, whatever the size of the project, the first thing we all do is to go magazine shopping. Oh, how I love to stare at the magazine racks in the shop, drool over the cover pages and browse through the options. They are not only a great source for inspiration but also a  great way to unwind and let yourself sway away in some ‘me’ time. Who wouldn't want some time away with a nice coffee, cookie and your favourite magazine. I totally love the early morning serenity of cold breeze, birds chirping, the intense aroma of coffee surrounding you completely de-linking from the ever so connected world. Even though it lasts only as long as you sip that coffee, believe you me, the few minutes of sitting down and taking a breather in the morning takes you a long way during the day. Sit down with your favourite magazine, be it home, garden , or lifestyle magazine, it definitely  takes you to a place where you are happy, more refreshing and recharges you for that mad day ahead :)

Although I am also a total foodie, when it comes to my choice of magazines to gawk at, it will always be Home & lifestyle. I don’t really get the gossip magazines going on and on about the so called celebrities which are mostly made up, misleading, boring and absolutely useless pile of papers. For me, it's always a nice home magazine with loads of pictures and to -do articles.Also, something that these magazines do is to have that balance between different ranges of products catering to all pockets. The effort they put to collect different pieces and create a place which you can take some inspiration from is commendable and worth the money you spend :)

Here are a few of my favourite magazines :

Homes and Gardens are a beautiful magazine with lots of inspiration for decorating. Introduces you to the current trends in colours, fabric and themes. They feature houses from UK and abroad which I particularly like because you get that global reach in terms of trends.

Real Homes is the one if you just need to gaze endlessly into beautiful real homes with new kitchens, they talk about barn conversions, extensions, garden rooms which is quite good if you are gathering information on home extension to make your own do(s) and don’t(s) list. They also feature mood boards which are a great way to create the colour/pattern/texture you want.

Kinfolk is my new found love, which is about all things life. Their latest Volume 15 is about slow living, learning to unlearn and achieve that satisfaction in life which we forget amidst the usual day to day activities. It talks about how to use the senses like scent, vision, taste, feel and sound in our space to our and the family/work’s advantage.

Elle Decoration has got loads of beautiful compilation of decorating pieces, comparing products and interesting articles on how to make your space your own which reflects your personality. The upcoming events, stores directory, offers are too tempting to turn away from.

25 Beautiful Homes - I really love the way they feature all sorts of homes from around Uk. From studio flats to huge extensions they have covered it all. Lots of ideas on how to use the space for different rooms. Keep reading these beautiful books, unwind, get inspired and fall in love with yourself !

 G