A place to sit

 Sitting in your garden is a feat to be worked at with unflagging determination and single-mindedness -
for what gardener worth his salt sits down.  I am deeply committed to sitting in the garden.
                                                                                                   -  Mirabel Osler

Whether it's a place to rest, to sit and admire your work or to enjoy the company of friends, a place to sit is all important in the garden...unfortunately for myself and a lot of gardeners, we seldom make use of the chairs, benches and chaises we have strategically placed in our gardens. Why you might ask...it's because if we take the time to sit and look at our gardens, we don't see what we have done, we see what NEEDS to be done.

 

When most gardeners think of a garden bench there only one that comes to mind...a Lutyens bench...created by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), often considered the greatest architect of his age. 

(this photo is credited to Restoration Hardware)

 

 

  

The variety of seating is endless, but I have found benches to be the most common, some a weathered gray, some painted, some handmade and all decorative.

 

Many are nearly hidden from view.

 

They are places to gather with friends and family.

 

 

There are solitary chairs and benches in beautiful settings, perfect places to enjoy a good book.

 

 

Imagine having one of these to escape to in a quiet moment.

  

 

These stone beauties were surprisingly comfortable.

This bench was totally unique, carved out of a yew hedge into the shape of a sofa with a board placed to sit upon...and as these ladies discovered, a nice place to have lunch.


All the seating shown here were found in various glorious gardens around England.