I hope everyone had a nice long weekend- I think all summer weekends should be three days, no? Anyways, last week my friend Amanda and I went on the Beacon Hill Garden Tour. As you know from my previous post, I adore Beacon Hill. It is Boston’s most aesthetically gifted neighborhood and it feels so very European and full of charm. Seeing the private gardens behind the venerable brick town homes was pretty amazing- just knowing the value of the real estate of those small patios and plots of grass made every little plant all the more impressive. However, besides a few knockout ones, I was a bit deflated by it. Perhaps it’s because I’ve spent so much time in my mom’s garden that anything less falls short or perhaps it was the distraction of the garden with ASTROTURF and all the waxy chintz balloon shades I could see through the windows? Anyways, here are few snapshots, it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon!
This garden was insane and by far the most impressive- entering through their archway into the stone walled breakfast area and then up the stairs to a HUGE yard and garden (let me remind you, this is smack in the middle of the city- the yard is on the second level-i.e. on top of a building)
I had to take some snaps of doors, naturally.
The old floors in some of these places were more impressive than the gardens! Look at these beauties!
Bottom left was the garden with old astroturf in the middle and a fountain that looked like it had bubble bath it in. I think that lady is looking at me going “Really????”. I mean, the potential of this space is incredible. To the right, another sweet garden.
Hello, gorgeous.
It was really difficult to take good pictures in these small spaces FULL of people. This garden was adorable with separate seating areas in the sun and the shade. I’d happily eat breakfast here or have a cocktail! :)
A very lovely flower shop on the Hill.
This patio below left had some amazing vines and trees, and below right, the vine framed door with pots along the top just tickled me.
Amazing blog!!!
wow. this post really makes me miss boston! we had a stint there while hubster was in law school. bh was my absolute favorite! it’s SO romantic!
thanks for sharing :)
I am so glad you didn’t rave about this tour because I was really disappointed! Beacon Hill is always beautiful, of course, but most of these gardens were either “instant installations” or rather slipshod endeavors. Not much creativity, attention to detail, or REAL gardening.
The gardens all look amazing, as do the doors and floors. How fantastic to have such a spot in the middle of a city – what a great tour. thanks! (all that lush greenery makes us jealous…..we are in a drought)
what a charming neighborhood! I always love these little ‘courtyard’ city backyards!
i’m so glad you got to see that first garden, the two story one. i did the tour about 5 years in a row and it’s the best of all of them, by far. i agree that it’s never all you want it to be, but there are a couple gems in there and there are worse ways to spend an afternoon!
thanks for this post. how i miss beacon hill. i lived there for 9 years but never quite graduated to the gorgeous secret gardens… i only managed potted plants on roof tops (which really are so much fun – especially come 4 july) – rouvalis flowers is probably the best florist around – now you’ve got me missing living in boston sooooo much!!
I must get to Boston soon! What a gorgeous, charming neighborhood. And to think, we don’t have to cross the Atlantic for it. :)
There was a very prominent TV family in the last 60s/early 70s who pioneered the concept of a blended family as the focal point of a situational comedy.
May the astroturf was an ode to the Brady Bunch? Just a thought.
It’s so beautiful and green there right now. Lovely.
that walled garden with the turquoise fence – heaven on beacon hill? That photo got filed in the dream house folder.
Swoon worthy! I want to visit Boston (and New England in general) SOON!
I feel like you’re really trying to hurt me today with these gorgeous photos! LOL Wish I was there, too. Any plans for a book yet??? xoxo
Wow…these gardens are totally beautiful and the wood floors are insane!
Beautiful pictures. I love the cobblestones, doors and those floors!
I was disappointed by the astroturf as well. Wouldn’t it look amazing to replace it with a meadow — so unexpected in the middle of BH!
What a wonderful tour! Those floors are absolutely amazing! I can’t believe the gardens, aside from the astroturf one. =) Thanks for sharing!
Believe it or not, I’ve never been to Boston…when I finally do go, Beacon Hills will be a stop I have to make. Love the doors and of course those amazing floors! Great shots! The turquoise trellis wall looks so similar to Miles Redd garden in Domino. I actually bought the color, it’s soooo beautiful. It’s BM 727 Calypso Blue. You should buy a pint just to paint something with it! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for allowing me to revisit one of my favorites neighborhoods in the world. I miss New England so much & getting to see the charming nooks gave me a lift.
oh & the waxy balloon shade bit…hilarious & true. It makes me sad that such charm can be dated inside…
Wonderful pictures of gardens…gives me all sorts of ideas to use on future urban projects. I would also love to do a inlaid wood floor like that! A bit over the top, but really stunning
You’re so lucky to live in a city with so much history. I love living in Miami but i wish we had older neighborhoods like Beacon Hill. I loved the red doors. Great Pics.
Thanks for the post…i’ve been to Boston last summer and I simply love it…so european!
I have awarded you the “Lovely Blog Award”.
http://alices-adventuresinwonderland.blogspot.com/2009/05/award-n2.html
love
It’s such a pretty space – looks so relaxing :)