May Flowers
Last Sunday we dodged sporadic April showers to check out the West Avenue Garden Tour in downtown Richmond. It’s in a neighborhood called The Fan, which is famous for its incredible, historic brownstones and townhomes- and as much as we love gawking at the beautiful houses from the street, we love it even more when they invite us to explore their back gardens.
Which is exactly what happens each spring when West Avenue residents open their back gates so the public can view their immaculate gardens (all housed in some very small but super inspiring urban spaces).
And its actually those very back gates that made an impressive first impression on us. These people clearly see the value in making a grand transition between the communal back alleyway and their private garden retreat.
So whether they’re teak and oversized or deep purple and latticed, each and every back entrance set the stage for the stunning garden just beyond the threshold.
This garden’s bold eggplant and raspberry color scheme might sound scary, but we felt right at home in the punchy haven in the middle of the city. And the colorful parasols wooed the heck outta Sherry.
The posh home below definitely did the best job of making us forget that we were anywhere near the booming Richmond metropolis. Rather than a simple fence with a swinging door, they used an entire two-car garage to separate their house from the back alley. Then they disguised the double garage as a guest house with a stone wall, some creeping ivy, a charming tin roof and a mirror-backed fountain. Talk about a sanctuary in the city.
We were also uber impressed by (and a little jealous of) how such small spaces enabled these folks to stuff every corner of their garden with flowers and shrubs for some major impact. Imagine how many flowers and bulbs we could plant if we didn’t have to spend so much time mowing!
Creative space planning was another thing that we noticed throughout the tour. From an outdoor fireplace to a built-in barbecue to this serene koi pond tucked into a narrow nook, we were constantly in awe of everyones ability to add beauty and function to every last inch of their garden.
So by the end of the tour, did we pine for our own secret garden in the city? Yeah, a little bit. We’re only human. But we’re also pretty happy to have lots of space for Burger’s daily bug-hunting expeditions. Which just might rival a koi pond in the entertainment department.
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Beautiful pictures!
I’m sorry but I have a side question – can you please let me know where you got the daybed in your Dining Room turned Guest Room? I’m looking for a simple daybed with clean lines, and cannot find one anywhere! The West Elm one (in your sunroom) I love but it’s a little out of my price range. Thanks!
Hey Bryn,
Alas, the daybed in the dining room turned guest room is also from West Elm but we got it on sale and I don’t believe they sell it anymore.
It’s hard to find an affordable daybed these days, but other than keeping an eye on West Elm in case anything else goes on sale, I’d also suggest checking out jcpenney.com (I always thought they sounded cheesy but they have pretty good furniture for cheap that a lot of people swear by).
I also think you could check out craigslist for some cute daybeds because you’d be amazed what a little paint can do for old frames. Then all ya need is a new twin mattress and you’ll be in business.
Good luck with the bed hunt, my fingers are crossed!
xo,
Sherry
Oh Bummer! You are so sweet! It’s a drag that daybeds always are “country”-ish looking… I just want a simple clean lined daybed for not an arm and a leg. I think I will continue to hunt craigslist (I have checked JCP, and you are so right, I love that place for good inexpensive furniture).
Thanks for your fast response :)
Thank you for sharing all of those great pictures! I just love garden pictures.
I love the eggplant fence combined with lattice. It just might be the solution for my own alley entrance.
Sweet. So glad you guys liked the pics.
EastEnd, if you go with an eggplant lattice inspired fence, please please please send us pics (before, in-progress, after, etc). You know we love a good transformation!
xo,
Sherry
Better yet, I’ll invite you over to see it.
We’re so there. Exciting!
xo,
Sherry
I’ve lived in Richmond for 3 years and didn’t know about the West Avenue garden tour. Sigh, maybe next year. I graduate from VCU in a few months, I’m going to miss spending so much time in the fan… Oh well, I guess there’s always gradschool.