This apartment is a real gem! A garden, storage spaces? Amazing!! Pets allowed and a beautiful park nearby!

One of those outdoor arched doorway mirrors would look good, surrounded by plants and flowers like a doorway to a secret garden.

I have lived in 9 different places since moving from my childhood home-apartment buildings, houses and a loft. The third place I lived in taught me that a must for me is some kind of outdoor space. A buffer between my home and the rest of the world. A place to wander and putter about with a cup of tea in hand, enjoying the fresh air throughout the seasons. I have had big gardens, small porch gardens and balcony gardens. All very different, but all happy spaces.

Finding the last two of anything on the shelves is the universe's way of telling you that the purchase is ordained by the Powers That Be. Well done.

As a gardener myself I can well agree with the exorbitant expense of keeping one updated! Have you thought about adding a small water feature to your garden? My husband built a water garden for me years back and it's my favorite part of the garden now! Yours wouldn't have to be big - they can do lovely ones in containers. Just something different and so relaxing in a space with the sound of trickling water!!!❤️

Sophie and Peggy! 🥰 Sophie looks so pretty with her groomed hair. I kept zooming in to see her more clearly.

A fountain on that dark wall would be charming.

The doggies in the doorway are precious! Everything is looking beautiful!

My thoughts on that empty wall in the shade: I would make a wall fountain with a storage tank on the ground, surrounded by ferns and variegated hostas, and let variegated yellow-green ivy trail along the wall to brighten up the space a little. 🙃

Nicolas, my husband and I built a "Bottle Wall" area off the back end of our old farmhouse. Covid prompted us to do it back in 2020. It is built with treated lumber made into a frame to then house colorful stacked wine bottles of blues, browns, greens, and clear glass. On two walls , we went halfway up with white lattice work and then 3 stacked bottles atop. The main attraction is the feature wall that is just all bottles stacked about 6-8 bottles high. The bottles are drilled with nickel to quarter size holes in bottom (drilled with diamond drill bit and water method). KZfaq has many videos of "how to" drill glass bottles, etc. It is open and more of a fenced in area that I absolutely love and I can honestly say, the sun coming through the pretty glass colored bottles is captivating and gives me a huge lift every time I sit out there. I dressed the area up with thrifted items, bedding, linens, plants, windchimes, etc. A beehive stye pizza oven off to the side that I have made pizza in. I love sitting out there in good weather and burning some incense and getting a good "zen" experience. It has become my favorite place to hang out and be with nature. I think you would totally enjoy a "bottle wall" in your space there...even if you did just a few rows of bottles...it was easy and a gratifying project. Give it some thought, and I am here to answer any "how to" questions you may have if you decide to do this method. Hugs! (Oh, and the bottles have withstood the elements each winter here in New England with not one bottle broken or cracked.)

Hi from Australia. We loved Barbara Dickson singing on the The Two Ronnies show. She has a wonderful voice and we looked forward to seeing her.

I had to laugh seeing Sophie and her friend standing by the door just watching you! They are cute! Also i like your small courtyard.

Hang some large ferns from the overhang in the dark terrace corner. 😊

The dark wall is a perfect spot to plant ivy. You could easily create an espalier in a large diamond pattern out of wire. With a little tying the ivy would follow the wire’s pattern and you would have a lovely checkerboard on the back wall.

Barbara Dickson?! She's amazing. Lucky you having her as a neighbour. Loved how you just dropped that in!

You have the most perfect patio corner to grow hydrangeas. Humid, not too sunny… it’s just perfect! Loved the video btw

I imagine Edinburgh Scotland would be an absolute dream place to live. Your home is stunning inside and outside and it is so nice to see you enjoying it. Spring is such a brilliant time of year. 🤩

On the long patio wall, I would add a metal sideboard and above it a large mirror. Anchor it with tall topiaries on either side. Also add a outdoor rug under table and chairs to cozy it up.

I think power washing the wall will give it new life and interest. It's a simple "fix"

Lovely video. Your immediate neighbour Barbara Dickson has been my favourite singer. I luved listening to " I know him so well". Also Sophie is a darling after her grooming.❤❤❤

Oh how fabulous having Barbara Dickson as your neighbour! She's a lovely lady. My sister in law had a basement flat in Edinburgh off Lothian Road, used to love visiting there. There was a bus stop right at the top of the steps, so convenient!

The store room door's would look nice if they were painted the same colour as your front door, they would look much softer, and blend in with the greenery of your plants, you could even hang flowering baskets on them, or on the walls seperating the door's.

Thank you Nicolas for showing us around your beautiful home and the courtyard garden, it’s a lovely extra space to relax. Lovely when the sun shines.

I love Sophie ...she is such calm and well behaved dog..kind of like her owner 😄

Yes. The shaded wall. I would hang a wall fountain along with your idea of a raised wall. Hearing the water i think you would love. Like Italy 🇮🇹 maybe 3 fountains.

As a garden designer myself, I always address the least interesting aspect of any garden FIRST. A long Lutyens bench (or two short ones) on that long, shaded wall would be sensational and EASY. I would purchase a bench immediately...

You have the most calming voice. Your channel is very informative and a joy to watch. Thanks for sharing your life’s journey!

Awww Lovely Video Nickolas! I loved Barbara Dickson a beautiful lady with a stunning voice we all looked forward to seeing her perform! Tell her we miss seeing her she is so genuine! Sending love 💕

Sophie is a gem, she’s so well behaved and sitting like royalty! What a perfect day and garden ❤

Barbara Dickens wonderful lady how lovely to have her as a neighbours

It seems like everything you do is done with grace - the way to live.

Do a wall of mirrors on the back wall. It will add texture and light. Gallery style so you could also add hanging baskets flat on one side and some art as well.

Wow Barbara Dixon was one of my favourite singers back in the day 😮 I'm sure I still have some tapes of her albums. She had an amazing voice. You are lucky to be living next door to her 🎉🫰

Hello Nicolas. Congratulations on the coolest name drop in the history of name drops!!!! My neighbour is one of the most successful singers Scotland ever produced!!!! Cherish her (and look after yourself too!)

@ NicolasFairford I want to be certain to let you know I am glad that I signed up for your monthly news letter. It's obvious you put a lot of creativity into them...I appreciate that...and I look forward to its arrival in my email. I really like your videos because it's always fun being with you. You are truly an excellent host, though I am certain you've been told this many times before. Thank you for inviting us into your home and thank you for sharing some of your life experiences with us, Nicolas. I am envious about your terracotta garden pottery but I am also interested in how you end up using them. Sophie looks gorgeous🤗. ✨I send you light and love✨

Along your stone wall, maybe a Roman stone trough planter or cedar wood planter with shade plants. I love astilbe, ferns, hellebores, hostas, and coral bells.

I'd put a beautiful climbing rose on those railing.Or a David Austin around the window.

Love foxgloves and ferns💕 The little ones growing out of the wall is a wonderful surprise. The egg prints are very sweet and will look lovely in your kitchen. It’s nice that Sophie has her friend to visit with. Thank you Nicholas! Enjoy your garden. 🌼💕

Greetings from South Carolina in the US. I stumbled across your channel a few weeks ago and have been thoroughly enjoying your content. You have such a tranquil and peaceful demeanor; wishing you much success.

☀️I’ve been thinking about you!😊 Good Morning from California, Nicolas!🕊️🍃🎶🎶🎶

How about covering the length of the darker wall with trellises and long rectangular planters, and plant ivy all along that wall? Ivy don't require a lot of light, it will cover the wall with greenery and will be easy to manage how much and how it grows, since it's going to be in planters?

Of course not being in your shoes, I know nothing of your life. That said, this is a fabulous apartment that would not be easily replaced. Thank you for the pleasure you bring to my day.

How about a cushion for your bench. Something with fabric suitable for outside. The garden is looking great!

The pups are so precious! Nicolas, just a thought, how about a clematis or other part shade vine for the farthest mossy corner under the stairs, it would give vertical interest.

Nicolas Glad you Took My Advice and Put Some Plants Under The Trees, Would look Lovely With a Lavender On The Table. Xx 😊

Thanks for showing us how we can garden in a small space. it looked like Sophie approved!

Hi lovely Edinburgh new town I once lived in Dummond place many moons ago

Clean the algae off the wall. Grow climbing flowers up the black basement window railings. Place colorful cushions on bench and chairs. A colorful garden rug under the table and chairs would define the area. Place a water feature and ferns on the back wall.

I kindly offer my suggestions on your garden area. I live in New Zealand and have a lot of garden areas that I work with. (In the summer, we have foxgloves growing wild). Love everything you purchased and the willow bark is an excellent idea. You have gorgeous stone and outdoor tiles to showcase your pots, garden furniture and plants. I would scrub all the green mold and clean the whole area thoroughly. You will be pleased at how bright it will look and it won't look so dark. Personally, I love the back solid wall; I would follow with a theme and bring your indoors outside. You are right that it is expensive to have a great garden, but you can use your imagination and search for items that are second hand or antique and give them a new lease of life in your bespoke garden. Your terracotta pots and chosen plants were perfect. Your idea of having a taller tree is a great one. Greenery, mirrors, wrought iron (gorgeous!), rustic plate hangings, hanging baskets and other specially handpicked features you find, and complementary bursts of summer color will look just beautiful in your garden. Even more so on and against a cleaned patio and stone walls. Have fun! Kathleen

Barbara has one of the best voices of all time - imho!

A large white trellis with garden lights would look amazing

I'm sure I'm not the first to say this; lovely, lovely content and what a beautiful speaking voice you have. Thank You.

i love the joy and satisfaction you get from planting things and collecting lovely things to frame and put in your home!

Always a Pleasure. Like visiting that Favorite Cousin. 😊❤

Good to see you, Nicolas! You look rested and happy after your vacay!!! Thanks for the new episode. ❤

Your voice and demeanor is so calming I truly enjoyed

How beautiful lavender you plant they will get big and beautiful…those frames look gorgeous…🤍🤍✨🤍✨🤍✨✨hope you have a beautiful day ..blessings 🙏🙏🙏🌿🌿🌿🌿

Nicolas more greenery in your garden would enhance it a lot. It could take lots more greenery. It could look amazing. Like a secret garden.

Sophie is just adorable with her new spring/summer groom! As always Nicolas I immensely enjoy your videos and you have everything looking so classy and lovely. As for a suggestion for your patio back wall, purchase some decorative iron wall hooks with long arm ( I'm thinking 3-5 hooks, but not placed all in a row, some higher and some lower, I think you understand what I mean) to hang some potted Boston ferns or Maidenhair ferns that would flourish and grow for that area. Its a classic look that would tie in nicely to what you have already created for your outdoor space. Have a great day and I look forward to your next video!

Hi Nicolas, you can NEVER have too many shoes! 👏👏👏🙏🙏

The park in the opening sequence of the park is so peaceful and beautiful. Your new plantings are a great addition to your front garden. I'm surprised you don't use gardening gloved when you were repotting the plants. Also your new prints look gorgeous and they're an excellent replacement to the botanicals. It's good to see you resituated from your trip abroad. BTW Sophie and Peggy are so precious. Stay well.😍👍🙏♥

I would build a stone planter the length of the dark wall about 12"-15" tall. Fill it with compost. Mount Trellising on the wall to plant flowering vines, like Purple Hyacinth Bean or Cathedral bell Vines. etc.directly into the planter. Put to use the front of the planter for spring bulbs, ( tulip, alliium, daffs,etc.) and then some summer perennials or annuals. You could even use pots set directly into the planter to create different heights and in front of the planter as well. Anyway, that's what I would do if it were my space. P.S. Plant from seed and save Lots of money.

It’s so nice to have a visit with Sophie and Peggy!

Love your garden area, Nicolas! It’s coming along beautifully!

Yes, indeed...a nice garden enhances your living space and makes you happy and content to be outdoor. Shopie looks gorgeous and your new prints on the kitchen are so perfect there. You motivated me to Sprint my kitchen. Gracias from Mexico😊.

I can truly see why you enjoy the lower flat with the garden area and that lovely outdoor area is so lucky to have you tending it because it really is obvious you add a lot of happy energy to it. 🌳🌷🌳

I love this episode, Nicolas! And I adore how you speak affectionately to Sophie and Peggie ❤ so caring. You've inspired me to continue on with my Spring planting. 🥰

First thing that came to my mind about the garden wall and the most simple I guess: buy wood fence panels or something like that and get an Ivy and let it grow and cover the wall. I read a comment, someone was saying about an outdoor mirror on that wall with plants all around and I agree, it will make the place seem enchanted and of course, larger and it goes well with the ivy. And I love Sophie!

My son (6) started watching while I was watching you and he suggested the corner of the garden be turned into a secret hideout 😆

Climbing Hydrangea on the shaded wall together with hostas, blue perfume woodphlox and small evergreen ferns will look wonderful all year round, and a couple of clematis on the railing. Happy gardening 💚

I think your home and courtyard garden are enchanting. Id power wash that back wall and put up a trellis and train ivy up it and adding the bench would be ideal

Love gardening myself. Those lavender and foxgloves look so healthy. The foxgloves look beautiful in your new pots. Oh yes, to an olive tree, I have two pricey but an investment. They will just give you so much pleasure. By the way ,you have a courtyard. Typically British. Meaning = "an unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by walls or buildings, typically one forming part of a castle or large house" Oh yes, please, hahaha 😆

Local to Edinburgh and love it. Your vlogs are always inspirational and creative for me. I’m a weekend artist only, ( as a technology day job keeps me busy) I recently painted a “ blossom tree in front of Edinburgh castle “ some days ago.. great to capture the seasons.

A long wooden bench with lots of pots or maybe a couple of raised garden beds. As usual it's all stunning. The girls are adorable and Sophie looks like a puppy. I wish a haircut made me look younger! 😂 Great video

Wonderful ❤ A very beautiful garden . Congratulations! Thanks for sharing to your sister

I just found your channel! You have such a beautiful voice! You have such a charming patio! I plan on catching up today on your past videos! I’m so glad I found you! God bless!

Check out Fatsia and also fatshedera for your shady corner. Also some hydrangea which can have flowers for a really long season such as limelight. Another shrub is a skimmia Kew green and has a lily of the valley scent. Another shrub you could keep in check is sarcococoa confusa an evergreen lovely scent early winter, You could plant snowdrops under theses shrubs too

Add a wonderful fountain in that darker corner surrounded by ferns and other shade/part sun plants in beautiful pots!

You are a gem. I love the way you go about your decorating and gardening. Sophie is a pleasure. Love how she interacted with the other dog. Blessings

Lovely film. Your courtyard is coming along nicely. A little suggestion to offset costs: pick up a small half sized wooden green house (lean to style), then you can purchase plug sized plants online or at garden centres and bring them on yourself and take cuttings for free from your friends and family, you would fill the courtyard in no time. I always pick up plug plants from Aldi and Lidl and my local markets. Pentland Plants Garden center are excellent, very good range and often cheaper than some other places. Best wishes

Thank you Nicolas for sharing your gardening day with us! So cute Sophie had a friend to play with. Love your egg prints! As always an enjoyable relaxing video!

Beautiful happy garden and Sophie is so sweet ❤

I remember listening to Barbara Dixon on the radio as a child! Great music. Please convey her my regards! 😊

I saw Barbara recently on tour in Liverpool - wonderful singer! You certainly are lucky in more ways than one!

Dear Nicolas, Your life sounds delightful. A side trip to a Garden Center is so sensible, and Sophie gets to look her best. Thanks for a more detailed tour of the place. You had mentioned installing a framed mirror; that would be nice. Don't forget to utilize the space for people with furniture; Garden Parties are essential. We've bought our bedding plants for the year, but they're still waiting on the porch to be planted. Another labour of love to look forward to this week. Absolutely love your Channel! Send our love to the Rollingson's. God Bless F&A

It looks really beautiful Nicholas your choices of plants were perfect. You have such a gorgeous outdoor space X 😀

Wow Barbara Dixon is your neighbour,I have lots of her records,she has the most beautiful clear voice 😮your garden area is really lovely,very elegant,as is everything you do ❤

I just got back from Edinburgh and the spring flowers were beautiful! It’s my favorite city.

Hi Nicolas what a beautiful flat and garden you have, you are so lucky so private and elegant. From Ireland.❤

Sophie is such a sweetheart, love the garden.

I love the colours of the lavender and hollyhocks adding to your garden. The 2 beautiful dogs look so adorable in that setting❤

LOVED every moment of this episode Nic! *Invitation:* If you happen to be in London May 22-27, I'd love to have you join my bosom best friend and me for dinner at Rules! This is my first international trip since covid, and we are returning to all of our cherished memory spots. We'd be delighted to include you. xoxo

It's a beautiful May! Thanks for sharing with us Nicolas!

I really enjoy gardening and your private patio area is a wonderful space! In response to your request for ideas, I would suggest using groupings of pots on the long wall. That way, you have maximum flexibility and can move them around as needed. You could put three in one corner and three or five in another corner, using various sizes and different colors and designs of pots. I would encourage the use of faux wood, faux woven planters (that are weather-proof), or ceramic, as you have a lot of metal going on. It would help break up the repetition. In the middle of the long wall, I would try to find a used wooden piece that looks like a potting bench, that can double as a serving table when dining on the patio. I would also find three items that are weather-proof, but not metal, to hang on the wall over the potting bench. Maybe the two woven arches you already have plus one more? By adding this additional decor, the metal railings will fade into the background and the decor will take center stage. Whatever you decided to do, I think it will look stunning Nicholas!

Hostas are lovely, you can get variegated ones so they'd add a bit of light to that corner, helebores, bulbs both spring and autumn are great and you could leave them to come back year after year. I think someone mentioned a water feature which would also be lovely, a mirror would bounce light around if put in the right position. I'm sure you've had lots of ideas sent to you, have fun. Loved the prints too, you have such great taste.

If you want to get rid of some of your green brick moss - 1/2 each vinegar and water and a scrub brush. Also, if you want to save your white metal bench you will need to deal with the rust or the seat will start to break through. What about simple window planter boxes with trailing ivy for the black railings. Might be a less expensive option than trellis and you could change them up with annuals for some colour. New prints look very smart!😍🇨🇦

I would purchase flower boxes to put on the railings around the window. They make some that actually hang by themselves.

Wow Nicolas! I forgot how gorgeous your garden/patio is. I love all of the stone and the wrought iron railings. You really have such a beautiful space to make it your own with plants and tree's and whatever else you decide to do with it. You are very lucky indeed!! Cheers

Your garden area is beautiful and I understand why you think of your home as a cottage. Thanks Nicolas for another excellent vlog.🙏❤️

Hello Nicolas! Very glad to see you as always! You have a peaceful and lovely flat. I like your courtyard soooo much, and you are so lucky to have it. Also love Sophie's new haircut, and Peggy is such a cute gem too. I'm American, but would love to maybe someday see the Cotswolds. I would also love to visit Scotland, as I have Scottish blood on my mom's side of our family. I love you and your vlogs, so please continue. ❤️🫶🪴🌿🍀🐕🦋🫖🙂