Ionian Inspiration

I have recently returned from 2 wonderful weeks on the Island of Kefallinia in Greece.  We stayed in a villa in the mountains overlooking the sea and although I feel now that it’s almost becoming a distant memory, I wanted to share with you the pictures I took of some local gardens.  Despite the dry hot weather that generally presents itself from May to end September, some islanders really made an effort.

This little courtyard area at the front of one of the local houses was covered with a a network of vines – somewhere shady and cool to sit in the heat of the day.  Around the terrace were pots of all shapes and sizes, really pretty.

The bourganvillia on the corner of the pergola was just gorgeous.  Bourganvillea of course needs a warm climate in which to grow.  In the UK it’s best grown in a conservatory or in a pot that can be taken inside during the winter to protect it from the frost.  In the nearest town, Fiskardo, many of the shops and water-front cafes had bourganvillea growing alongside.  This was the window of a jewellery shop and I thought it was just gorgeous…

And this pot with honey suckle was wonderful too…

I’ve never thought about planting honeysuckle in this way, but it’s scruffy nature really works with the tall elegant shape of the pot.

One evening when we went for a walk down to the local village we stumbled upon this gorgeous house…

Difficult to capture because it was so much higher than the road, but it had a really wonderful feel about it.  I loved the loungers on the front porch, made you want to open the gate and go exploring.  The garden was nothing spectacular, but it was full of plants and foliage and just worked wonderfully with the terracotta walls of the house. 

I am about to start work on a new design and my clients are keen to capture a Mediterranean feel to the seating area outside the back door.  They already have some wonderful pots and features to be incorporated, but it’s only when you visit such places that you truly become inspired!