phone email

Inspiration Space: Beth Chatto Gardens

One Sunday with my parents, after a very lovely brunch at Wivenhoe House Hotel, we went over to see the Beth Chatto Gardens.

SAM_0775

I’m both sad and astounded that I’ve lived in Essex nearly six years, and in Colchester just over three, and somehow haven’t ever been here before!  SAM_0802

Five acres of informal, beautifully tended and imagined, landscaped gardens and water gardens, and some incredible examples of plants and trees I’ve never even heard of abound.

Some spots would be perfect for reading, thinking or just letting the inspiration sink in…

SAM_0777

and other spots make you feel like you’ve just crossed the bridge into fairyland.

SAM_0808

I did my usual from-where-I-stand shot surrounded by blossom,

SAM_0817

(more…)

[inspiration space] Beth Chatto Gardens

One Sunday with my parents, after a very lovely brunch at Wivenhoe House Hotel, we went over to see the Beth Chatto Gardens.

SAM_0775

I’m both sad and astounded that I’ve lived in Essex nearly six years, and in Colchester just over three, and somehow haven’t ever been here before!  SAM_0802

Five acres of informal, beautifully tended and imagined, landscaped gardens and water gardens, and some incredible examples of plants and trees I’ve never even heard of abound.

Some spots would be perfect for reading, thinking or just letting the inspiration sink in…

SAM_0777

and other spots make you feel like you’ve just crossed the bridge into fairyland.

SAM_0808

I did my usual from-where-I-stand shot surrounded by blossom,

SAM_0817

(more…)

Places & Spaces | Inspiration Space: Tea & Sympathy, Colchester

Places & Spaces is a new feature here on Ducking Fabulous, for me to share all my favourite places in the world with you. And to keep track of them for when I want to revisit, if they’re not local. To kick off, here is the (wonderfully local) gorgeous Tea & Sympathy shop in Crouch Street, Colchester.

IMG_9572

Walking through the door is like stepping into another world. Jo and Melissa who own and run it have curated all manner of beautiful stock (and Ducking Fabulous jewellery is stocked here too – I’m honoured!) including handmade and vintage clothing, accessories and homeware. They also have beauty therapists on the first floor, and run all manner of workshops from Christmas wreaths to blending your own body lotions to nipple tassel making, and recently turned the whole shop into a speakeasy for the night.

My photographs don’t do the atmosphere justice, but here they are anyway…

Shelves of gorgeousness as you walk through the door:

IMG_9553

The view from the counter on one side of the shop, and along the front of the shop:IMG_9568  IMG_9549

Tea, coffee and workshop area in the front of the shop, surrounded with gorgeous things to buy: IMG_9550

Fabulous Jo, mistress of all she surveys: (and to the right of this picture, there is a rail of vintage clothing for sale that runs the entire length of the shop – it’s both exciting and lethal! IMG_9560

The first selection of Ducking Fabulous jewellery in situ – most of which has now been sold and replaced 🙂 IMG_9563

I love going there to shop, to chat and sometimes just to chill out with a cup of tea. It’s a gorgeously inspiring space and the workshops I’ve done have been among my favourite ever evenings – there’s nothing like being creative with likeminded local people! I’d class it as Creative Space and Head Space as well as the Inspiration tag it has in the post title – it’s very quickly become a focal point for me in my quest to get to know the area and more people here better… and I bloody love it!    

IMG_9576

If you’re in Colchester, pop in and see Melissa & Jo, they’re at 113-115 Crouch Street (which is the fab independent part of Colchester). They can be found on Facebook (search for Tea Sympathy and friend them, much more info than the page!) and also on Twitter – @alittlesympathy.