In Full Bloom

15 August 2007

I know I have written about this nursery before – but I just couldn’t help sharing again as I find something beautiful and inspiring every time I visit there. It’s such a special place that makes me happy (and lowers my stress level).
 




It’s lovely being there anytime of the year – although it’s obviously nicer in the summer, it can cheer up even cold, rainy days. Recently I was absolutely thrilled to meet David Loftus when he was shooting there – like so many other people, I have been a huge fan of his work and it was such a privilege for me.
 




As much as the nursery itself, I love wandering around their kitchen garden too – it’s not huge, but there are different things to see every time and it looks glorious at the moment – with so many colours and shapes it certainly inspires me to try to capture them. The kitchen staff have a chat in the garden about what they are cooking on the day – their beautiful vegetables always feature on the menu.
 



I really enjoy their lovely food, but the only problem is that their portions are very generous and I’ve never got as far as dessert – such a shame for someone who has a super sweet tooth like me! I’ve been cooking many dishes from Skye’s book too – not only do I love her food, but her cooking ‘makes sense’ to me – it’s already one of the most frequently used cookbooks in our kitchen, and the results are always lovely.
 


It looks like we’ve finally had a chance to enjoy some summery sunshine here in the UK – I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but we’ve all been trying hard to make the most of it. As the temperature has risen, I’ve started making loads of ice-cream again – which I will write about next time.
 

Misc    Places    46 comments    Permalink

  • This makes me just swoon and dream and I wish I was there with you.

    Will you take me there? :)

    Posted by matt | 15 August 2007 #

  • beautiful garden!

    Posted by Kat | 15 August 2007 #

  • dear keiko, how very beautiful and tranquil the nursery looks; i can certainly see how it would have a therapeutic, stress-alleviating effect! looking at your exquisite still life portraits, i almost feel like i am there. you must be super busy with work; do take care…

    Posted by Joycelyn | 15 August 2007 #

  • Gorgeous as always, Keiko. It all looks so green and peaceful – much like how I always imagine the UK! I am sure you are enjoying every bit of sunshine you are getting though!

    Posted by Anita | 15 August 2007 #

  • A feast for the eyes- just looking at your photos transported me! How fortunate you are!

    Posted by Deborah Dowd | 15 August 2007 #

  • Truly beautiful Keiko. I had not heard of David Loftus before. His work is certainly stunning.

    Posted by Barbara | 15 August 2007 #

  • There’s something about dining al fresco that’s just so invigorating, isn’t there? It’s especially nice this late in the summer, when nature’s glories are usually at their most vivid. Keiko, I do hope you return for dessert soon, the food sounds marvelous and I’d love to learn more.

    Posted by rob | 15 August 2007 #

  • Every time i see your posts about petersham nurseries it reminds me how much i want to go there.
    It simply looks amazing.

    love xxx – fanny

    Posted by fanny | 15 August 2007 #

  • Hi Keiko, just looking at your photos “lowers my stress levels” so i can imagine how therapeutic actually visiting the nursery must be. Lucky you. Thanks for sharing.

    Posted by Doris | 15 August 2007 #

  • I have you to thank for my wonderful lunch at the Petersham Nurseries in early April, Keiko, as it was because of your beautiful blog posts we chose that place in the first place. It was everything you described and more – so enchanted, romantic, relaxed. And the food was great. We bought Skye’s book as well, and have been cooking from it – great recipes, and a style of cooking that indeed ‘makes sense’.
    Thank you for those lovely memories!!

    Posted by Pille | 15 August 2007 #

  • This lovely spot is at the top of my list to visit the next time I’m in the UK!

    Posted by Mari | 15 August 2007 #

  • Your photographs make it all the more special. And do write about ice cream; I’ve made my first batch in an old Donvier and it was outstanding!

    Posted by tut-tut | 15 August 2007 #

  • Oh, my dear! You’ve dug up deep memories I have of working in the sweetest boutique florist off Brookgreen in Hammersmith too long ago. It was a perfect job for stress release and every day there was a gift I treasure still today. Beautiful photographs. Well done.

    Posted by Robyn VIckers | 16 August 2007 #

  • What a lovely place! Everything is so clear, tender and cozy. I was just impressed with the atmosphere which fills here….
    By the way, i’ve been enjoying your lovely blog for a long time, but actually this is the first coment. I’m so sorry that I left without saying hi. As I have same nationality as you, I really feel intimate with your point of view. Furthermore, I seriously envy your skill of taking photos!! ( of course, your skill of cooking, too!)

    Posted by tomily | 16 August 2007 #

  • What an amazing eye you have, Keiko. Your pictures are absolutely stunning. I wish we had nurseries like that over here.

    Posted by Eggy | 16 August 2007 #

  • hi Keiko, thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures. I cannot help but drool (yet again) at them. Your blog is so sublime. Your pictures reduce my stress level! ^^

    Posted by karen y | 16 August 2007 #

  • Didn’t your blog used to be great?

    Posted by Dave | 16 August 2007 #

  • i must take photography lessons from you!

    these photos are so lovely, and i also hope the summery weather is here to stay for a little bit… looking forward to drooling over the ice cream next ;)

    Posted by Lil | 16 August 2007 #

  • Hi Keiko-san

    I love Petersham Nursery too and pop in from time to time – I believe you’ve taken some photos for their website, haven’t you?

    I am a great fan of your amasing photos and delicious looking sweets!

    Posted by Lady Ellington | 17 August 2007 #

  • I too am swooning! I wish i could walk through there! The pictures are amazing. That was a nice little vacation from my work day. Sighhhhh

    Posted by rachael | 17 August 2007 #

  • ピカピカ光る新しいものがほとんど見当たらないのに
    モダンな雰囲気を感じるのが不思議です。

    Posted by y_and_r_d | 18 August 2007 #

  • Keiko, always lovely to look at your shots.And you are so right about Petersham, it is a gorgeous place.

    Posted by valentina | 19 August 2007 #

  • the place does look heavenly~

    Posted by shereen | 19 August 2007 #

  • I’m late in the game but thank you for posting these exquisite photos – they have calmed me down bautifully!

    Posted by Planethalder | 19 August 2007 #

  • by the way.. i’m indonesian. And thanks to you coz you really inspired me! i am pastry cook also, here in Jakarta. so, i really enjoy (soooo much!) your blog! Lots of Thumbs up!

    Posted by dewi | 21 August 2007 #

  • Hello, i’m an 18 year old japanese girl. i’m on the 11 month exchange program in Australia. this is my 7th month. the other day i found your blog by chance. it’s great!the photos and your skill of cooking etc.!! i’m very interested in cooking and want to be a chef in the future. i’m willing to try your recipe as soon as possible!
    i do Photography at my school, although i never be able to take photos like yours.

    Posted by saori | 22 August 2007 #

  • Hello,Keiko-san. Amasing photos, it is incredibly gorgeous. I can feel the air & scent thgourh your beautiful photos.I can’t wait until the next!

    Posted by Sunny | 22 August 2007 #

  • Hi Keiko

    It’s first time to leave a massage for you. I am a big fan of your photos and these nursary ones are fab too! I haven’t been this place yet but surely I will… I have recently started a blog and have made a link to your site if you don’t mind. I’m looking forward to looking at a nest post too. Thanks and best reggards.

    Sudachi

    Posted by Sudachi | 22 August 2007 #

  • Fantastic shots. I love it at Petersham too; I’m on the other side of London but will be taking a bike trip there this weekend, and am really looking forward to just relaxing in the gardens. Thanks for getting me to look forward to my day out at home!

    Posted by Annemarie | 23 August 2007 #

  • I cannot express how quieting your photos are for me in the middle of a busy and stressful day. It’s as though poetry has come to life and then been caputred in still form by your lens. Breathtaking and such a gift to give all of us. Thank you.

    Posted by jennbec | 23 August 2007 #

  • Lovely photos of Petersham. Skye’s book is fantastic I agree with you completely. I bought this and another at the same time and this one always is the one picked up first.

    Posted by Matthew Bowden | 24 August 2007 #

  • Thank you for having shared with us this splendid place…
    I ordered the book of skye just before vacation, he is superb I am impatient to try one of its recipes!

    Posted by sooishi | 30 August 2007 #

  • your pictures are so gorgeous as usual, you’re fantastic!

    Posted by christell | 30 August 2007 #

  • What a beautiful blog you created! it’s just like walking in a dream…

    Posted by Auralyn | 30 August 2007 #

  • Hi Keiko

    I’ve been constantly checking your food blog for quite a long time. Thanks for sharing those astonishingly beautiful creations from your kitchen! I have also been curious about what camera you used for your pictures…

    Posted by fehcsuos | 31 August 2007 #

  • hi! what’s your favorite cookbook (for baking)?

    Posted by eve | 31 August 2007 #

  • Hey Keiko, your pictures are amazing as usual.

    Posted by Steffles | 1 September 2007 #

  • Hello Keiko!I found your blog a while ago and I was really impressed by it. Your photos are beautiful, and in every post I´ve read there was something that made it special and unique. I´m really happy to have found you blog so I tagged it and I hope you don´t mind.

    Posted by Harumi | 1 September 2007 #

  • Hi Keiko, I’m new to food blogs and have been checking out a lot of blogs lately. Your pictures are gorgeous. What type of camera do you have? I’m dying to know.

    Posted by Michelle in TO | 3 September 2007 #

  • Simply stunning.
    I am always amazed at how much I like your photos!

    Posted by Francesco | 4 September 2007 #

  • Oh Keiko – yet another post full of gorgeous photos to tempt me! I love your eye for small details and I’m going to have to make a plan to visit Petersham Nurseries! For the photo opportunites AND the food :)

    Posted by Jeanne | 4 September 2007 #

  • breathtaking images.
    wish i can visit someday..really sound like the zen pad you described both in ink and images…

    Posted by kel @ Green Olive Tree | 5 September 2007 #

  • amazing pictures. It’s not just visually inspiring, each picture is telling something and grap my sight.

    I am just courious of what lense did you shoot these pictures with. But I am sure you make good pictures with anything in your hand.

    -beacherry

    Posted by beacherry | 6 November 2007 #

  • Hi all, sincere apologies for taking so long to get back to you, thank you so much for your kind notes.

    Fehcsuos, Michelle – I started with a Minolta A2, then Canon 350D and recently got a 5D.

    Eve – it’s a difficult one :) I’ll try to make a list of my favourite books sometime.

    Beachberry – I normally use a 50mm f/1.8 for this kind of shots.

    Posted by keiko | 22 January 2008 #

  • So beutiful! I am really glad I find you!

    Posted by mónica | 5 August 2011 #

  • Hi Keiko…I’m a food and nature photographer in London.

    Posted by Al Drennan | 26 June 2012 #

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