London’s Little Venice: More Cheerio Than Ciao

November 2, 2018

London's Little Venice cruise on the canal.

It was an unseasonably warm autumn day as I strolled along the water’s edge shaded by a canopy of trees. I took my place in line (or “queued up” as the Brits say) to board the 55 minute London Waterbus Read More...

A Tiny Secret Garden in London

September 30, 2018

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You won’t accidentally stumble onto Gibbons Rent, a tiny narrow cut-through between Magdalen and Bermondsey Streets in London SE1. Tucked away in the shadow of the towering spire-like skyscraper known as The Shard and close to the busy London Bridge Read More...

London’s Serpentine Pavilion

August 3, 2015

London's Serpentine Pavilion

What makes pop-up, temporary, and experimental installations so intriguing? Maybe it’s that they are by nature ephemeral, to be experienced for a limited period, and often constructed of unusual materials as longevity isn’t a concern. London’s Serpentine Pavilion is one Read More...

Fourth of July Garden-to-Glass Cocktails On London Rooftop Garden

July 2, 2015

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Our American friends in London–and our British friends too, because without you we wouldn’t be celebrating–can fête the Fourth of July sitting around the fire pit at the Midnight Apothecary, a cool pop-up cocktail bar in the secret rooftopRead More...

Farm Kitchen Blends Micro-Agriculture and Design at London’s 100% Design

August 30, 2013

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Mood board by The Farm Kitchen’s designers, Mette.

As a testament to the prevailing interest in countertop gardening and indoor farming, a conceptual kitchen environment showcasing micro-agriculture will be a key feature at this year’s 100% Design 2013 during the … Read More...

The Cocktail Gardener Cultivates Garden Pop-Up Bar on London Rooftop

May 28, 2013

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Photo via Eleanor Salton Thorne.

Known for her seasonal garden cocktails and infusions using cultivated and foraged herbs and flowers, Lottie Muir (aka The Cocktail Gardener), mixes it up at Midnight Apothecary, the London roof garden pop-up cocktail bar Read More...

Balcony Gardener and Squint Pop-Up Urban Garden Shop at London’s Chelsea Fringe Festival

May 23, 2013

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The Balcony Gardener’s teamed up with furniture maker and design company Squint to curate their first pop-up urban garden shop, part of Chelsea Fringe, the edgy “alternative” garden festival running concurrently with The Chelsea Flower Show.

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From May 18-June 9 … Read More...

“Pop Down” Park May Be London Version the High Line

May 8, 2013

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Underground mushroom farm and park by Fletcher Priest. Photo: Fletcher Priest.

The success of the High Line, an elevated park extending from the Meatpacking District up to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side, has begun inspiring similar projects. From Santa Read More...

London’s Design Center Brings the Outdoors Inside

November 8, 2012

Each of the London Chelsea Harbour Design Centre’s three glass domes houses interior design showrooms which circulate around a planted ground floor café and gathering area. Ambient light filters in through the glass panels, illuminating textiles, furniture, bath fixtures and … Read More...

London Design Festival: 100% Design on My Mind

October 2, 2012


A remembrance of things past: Magis red Proust Armchair sits indoors or out. Photo: Robin Plaskoff Horton, Urban Gardens.

I hope you’ve been following along as I report on my recent travels to Paris and London in search of cool Read More...

The freshest innovative and eco-friendly designs, trends, and ideas for urban gardens and stylish small places.

Visit Robin Horton @UrbanGardens's profile on Pinterest.