Window Dressing in SW1
Any gardener pounding the streets of London is heartened by the sight of floral displays in whatever form they take. Recently I wandered around the white stucco terraces of Pimlico designed by Thomas Cubitt in the 19th century to see what I could find spilling out of window boxes. As anyone knows window boxes must look good from the street and bring cheer to the room directly behind them. Here is a selection of what I found:
A chic use of bamboo used as an alternative to net curtains, or frosted glass. A contemporary solution to the age old problem of snoopers peering into other people’s homes.
Someone has had fun choosing the different plant for this window box. The dwarf bay tree adds a whimsical touch.
This is a good example of how dismal and dreary a window box can look. Poor plants don’t you think to meet such a sad fate?
A conventional yet effective choice even if the plants are plastic!
A very contemporary choice of voguish grasses.
Hydrangeas are a bold and effective choice for a window box particularly if combined with fine architectural ironwork as shown here,
What is striking about this window box is the voluptuousness of the dangling plants.
Topiary is an obvious choice for window boxes, not only is it simple to take care of, but the sharply clipped forms suit a urban environment. Here the judicious use of geraniums combined with box balls is an attractive combination.
This is the most original example of window dressing that I encountered. The shiny metallic balls add a dash of glamour and a smooth contrast to the sprawling petunias. Note the sleek modern containers.
A different array of pots is a charming solution but needs to be carefully thought out.
A striking very contemporary solution to how to dress a window ledge. Like it or not at least it shows some imagination.
