If you were needing a little midweek pick me up, why not pause a while and take in these views from Ditchlng Beacon. Last weekend we were up at six and out on the road for a little sunshine and view chasing. Our apple tree at home has already been stripped of it’s blossom by the gale that is usually blowing up on the cliffs where we live, so I was glad to find a cloud of palest pink and blush up on top of the highest climb on our way to Brighton.
After we drove down from the clouds we parked up and stopped in at The Flour Pot Bakery our favourite bread shop in Brighton. Sweet for me savoury for him and pink tea!
I love a bakery as you know and the cakes here are amazing, super fresh and heavenly flavours – I didn’t quite have room for a slice of the jewelled Hummingbird cake (below) but did manage to grab a slice of flourless chocolate torte for the car journey home after all the walking.
With a loaf of sourdough firmly wedged in my handbag for later and camera at the ready we braced ourselves for the hike back up Ditchling Road to the start of the five ways Artist open house trail.
I couldn’t wait to get back and visit the beautiful home and shed of Philippa Stanton, you might know her as 5ftinf on Instagram? After visiting a week ago with the lovely Melanie, I knew I had to return with the husband. We met up with Rida, Chris and their delight of a daughter Zora, to take a walk around five ways and visit some of the other open houses and bumped into Emma of Sew Recycled again too. A happy day of talking, walking and the most magical homes and gardens abuzz with art and creativity.
I love how colours draw you in, in unexpected ways, I never think I am a blue person but the blue corner of Philippa’s shed is my favourite. On both visits it was the arrangement that I photographed the most.
The light in the shed is magic, falling on leaves, plants, books and all the collected treasures within. On the ceiling there is a mass of twigs and nests all intertwined with leaves and other tiny details.
The walled garden itself is jus as magical, I knew Dean would love it and dotted throughout Philippa’s beautiful and wild planting were Ceramic pieces by fellow artist – Francis Doherty. From a towering Echium to pale Hydrangeas these beautiful sculptures added a surreal feeling to the vintage style of the garden.
With old furniture and unusual mixes of flowers and grasses, a salad growing in a basket and colour everywhere, I could have stayed all day, noticing different things in this peaceful south facing stretch of garden. How lovely of Philippa to open her home and artistic world to us.
