It's been a relatively long time since we've been to any garden attraction as of recent but we've finally remedied that by a quick visit to RHS Wisley today. However before we post any photos of the plants and the garden itself I thought of posting some of the knick knacks we saw at their gift shop first.
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| Nelumbo seed pod vase, oh la la! |
We don't often feature garden knick knacks we spot at gift shops of garden attractions as it's not often we spot anything unique and unusual to do so (or personally find attractive). Besides most gift shops tend to stock tacky accessories and the tendency is to have low expectations whenever we peruse this section but this time it is an exception as I actually found several items that I really, really liked and I was pleasantly surprised....
I have a thing for vases and potteries that have organic shapes, textured, and have interesting forms so when I spotted these my immediate response was to give them a good once over:
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| Objets d'Art |
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Even their other accessories from the range I found rather attractive, yes even the bird vase!
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And the big urns, I'm always on the look out for big urns for a reasonable price to put in the garden.
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I'm not sure about the large urns and vases but the textured, organic inspired potteries came from a Dutch company called Des Pots and a quick look at their range online as got me well impressed and rather hooked. A few stockists are listed on their site but will keep my eyes open for where else their range can be found. Suddenly visiting gift shops of public gardens has become extra interesting.
This kitsch lemon bowl really caught my eye and I love it! It's out of my price range though so had to leave it behind.
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So what did I go home with? Three of those lotus seed pod vases did. The unique shape, colour, and reasonable price all ticked the boxes for instant purchase. The large one would have been great but the smaller ones would be easier to integrate either in the house or out in the garden during the summer.
I'm really pleased with my purchase but part of my mind is still on that lemon bowl!!! Wish I spotted that before Christmas...
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Dear Mark, wow, that is quite an extraordinary selection that the gift shop at RHS Wisley carries! You made a great purchase by picking up the lotus seed pod shaped vases, I would have gotten those, too. I also like the other darker organic shaped pottery vases in the following two pictures as well. Gosh I just hope that some day I will make it to Wisley as well and now I know that I need to pay a visit to their gift shop, too. Wishing you and Gaz a happy and healthy New Year 2015! Warm regards,
ReplyDeleteChristina
Next time you're in England you'll have to allocate some time to seeing Wisley Christina, you'll love it! Happy New Year to you too :)
DeleteThose pods are great and the shop looks fun. I'd love to see their gardens some day.
ReplyDeleteThat bowl of lemons is cool but it wouldn't be fun to dust so best to enjoy it there.
That's a good point Shirley, although I do wonder if it's also dishwasher safe, hmmm...
DeleteThe peacock is rather cute too!
ReplyDeleteIt is Jessica, although I'm too drawn to the vase to notice it the first time :)
DeleteIt's fun to see what is available in far away nursery/garden shops, so thank you for that! I think you made a very wise choice and hope to see how you use your new vases in the future.
ReplyDeleteA pleasure Loree :) the garden itself is the main draw of course and it would be great if you can see it in the flesh one day, hopefully soon, you'll love it! :)
DeleteStep away from the lemons! (Think of the dust)
ReplyDeleteI love the lotus pod vases, I've been looking for a traditional flower brick and these are a new variation. Will you use them as vases or just admire them as sculptural objects?
Your first line made me laugh Celia!
DeleteI think I'll leave them as sculptural objects rather than use as vases. Plus they won't be easy to clean and remove lime scale so best left dry :)
What a fab selection at RHS Wisley. I used to fly into London a couple of times a year from 1997-2007 and I loved to go straight to Wisley followed by a pub lunch on the canal not far from there. I learned a great deal about gardening during those visits. I love your selection...and all the different vases and containers such lovely textures and colors. Yes, those lemons would have made quite the statement : ) Happy New Years!
ReplyDeleteWhere Wisley is is a lovely area that we are yet to explore in detail, we ought to really. Happy New Year to you too Laurin!
DeleteI would have gone for the lotus vases too...and maybe the textured pod-like vases. I think Peter is exerting his influence on many of us.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki :) it's easy to get the vase and knick knack bug from him!
DeleteI've never been to Wisley but my sister who lives in Maidenhead has promised me a trip there when I visit her. Now whilst I would struggle to get one of those large desirable urns back on the train I think that a sea urchin could be adequately accommodated in my suitcase. I like your purchases too :)
ReplyDeleteThe sea urchin looks fab, I did ponder on them too Anna. Interestingly the pricing on them were the same irregardless of the size bar the largest ones. You do have to visit Wisley, you'll love it!
DeleteThanks for the link love. I fell for the seed pods in the first image and am so glad that they went home with you! The vases in the second picture are pretty special, as well. Sorry that the lemon bowl had to stay but perhaps someone will sneak back and buy it for your birthday.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice thought and suggestion Peter, but there's a high chance it won't be there anymore when that time comes :)
DeleteGreat buys, and I love the sea urchin pottery pieces!
ReplyDeleteThe sea urchin potteries are the first ones that caught my eye Amy :)
DeleteHappy New Year, Mark and Gaz. Really, you did the best thing, leaving the lemon bowl behind. It's a complete dirt-trap and would be an absolute pain to clean. Much better to have a lovely bowl with real lemons.
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen and you too! Looking forward to seeing you next year!
DeleteWhat a cool selection of pots! And I love what you picked. Are you going to paint them a bright color? I can see you doing that. It would be cool.
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