Basement flair


The New Town of Edinburgh is new in relative Scottish terms. Built between 1765 and 1850, it's an area of gracious neo-classical streets and squares, of townhouses and spacious flats. Very desirable.

When I'm walking through this area I like to look down, into the basement area below pavement level. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it's very much lived-in. I love the juxtaposition of high end property and basic Scottish thrift, above. Why use a tumble dryer when you can put up a clothes line?

And gardening? Just use a basket.



We have several of these wicker hampers kicking around at home. One is in the loft, one in the garage, one at the allotment. I think I should liberate them from their dull storage duties. I'd draw the line at leaving my guitar outside as decor, however.

Comments

  1. How beautiful! They use what small space they have to add such gorgeous spots of color! I am always excited when I see you have a new post up!

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  2. I, too, love walking in New Town. It's a funny name when our oldest buildings are from the 1860's. My town is on the route to the gold rush in Yale. The first nations were here before, but no permanent structures (long houses) survive.

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  3. A very photogenic basement flat indeed. Hope the guitar wasn't out in the "reported" rain today. x

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  4. I love it!! Ah... young in Scottish terms? I still have a dream to move there one day. :)

    In particular I love those little gardens! Since I'm doing my first garden it makes me extra excited!

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  5. Wonderful photos.
    A red door, a clothes line and flowers in baskets. Ain't life grand!

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  6. A beautiful area and I love the plants in the baskets. Nice to see some inventive thinking.

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  7. I am always intrigued by these basement dwellings - seems so romantic somehow!

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  8. Marvellous point-of-view in these photos Linda. And decorating tips for all. Love the red door esp. in the 1st.
    Thanks for sharing your "holiday" plans. Your photos of summer activity in Scotland are always so enjoyable regardless of the weather.

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  9. What a lovely setup! I agree about the guitar though.

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  10. It is a post like this that is my favorite. I love the way you give me a glimpse into the everyday sights of your city. It is such a novelty for me to see these gardens. Maybe the occupant, in using a clothes line, is simply being "green".

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  11. It really does make a pleasant setting with all the different things. I like the trellis and yes the clothes line is a necessity.

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  12. I like those wicker baskets as planters!

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  13. Now it's your turn to make me nostalgic. We lived in a basement flat in Stockbridge when we were first married. I loved the steps down, the weeny yard where I could play at gardening, the big shiny front door all of our own. I was less fond of people gawping at me in my bedroom while they were waiting at the bus-stop, though! But I am just the same, I love peering down at the basement flats and seeing people's inventiveness with their little spaces. Those planted-up picnic baskets are inspired.

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  14. Great shots! I bet they take in the guitar... or it's just a prop.

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  15. very original these baskets flower pots !

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  16. Those are great photos. There really is so much to see! The planted baskets are very sweet, and I really like the clothesline. Are those flats all very dark inside? Or do some have a bit more light at the back perhaps?

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  17. Hi Linda,
    I do exactly the same sort of thing when walking through old cities, and it's amazing how resourceful people are with what little space they have isn't it?
    I did a lot of being nosey in Edinburgh too, but alas didn't see this one...a pity....very nice indeed, thank you.

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  18. That looks like an interesting place to walk. What great ideas one can garner...love the basket garden idea. And I wish I had that one particular basket...the round one.

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  19. That is a great use of the baskets! What a lovely patio.

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  20. Hello Linda

    I was a tourist for a day in Edinburgh last year and even in April, I was struck by the wonderful window box displays everywhere. So, it seems that making the most out of limited space is, perhaps, a local virtue.

    I am looking forward to following your future postings.

    Anna

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  21. Hi Linda,

    I'm with you on being so curious about people's living areas. I think it's because I'm always looking for ideas. I once saw a single golden pear on a ficus tree at a front door, it was in a white ornate planter box and was so beautiful.
    Your posts are always such a good read.
    Vickixx

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  22. Living in a small space makes people much more creative, I think. I may have to steal that picnic basket idea! (it has an added bonus of the lid as a shade when needed)

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  23. Just use a basket or better yet, slice open a basket of soil and put the plants there directly. That is always a sign of a fast pro to me!

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  24. What a lovely place to live!

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