Before & After: My Teeny Tiny English Balcony Upgrade

Claire Bock
Claire Bock
Claire lives in San Francisco by way of a SoCal childhood and 6 years in London. With a background in photography and interior design, her current creative obsessions include sewing, calligraphy, and anything neon.
published May 29, 2013
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Small balcony with a wooden chair and a yellow trash can, overlooking green trees and brick buildings.
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Watson, my French bulldog, approves of the new front balcony furniture and window boxes filled with herbs. I have a notorious black thumb, so the plants were my biggest hesitation, as I hate the idea of making the investment in something that I have been known to kill in a matter of weeks. So I consulted my friends who love to garden and they recommended the heartiest of herbs, which include thyme and rosemary (also a few of my favorites when cooking).

I replaced the old IKEA furniture with two Arc en Ciel chairs from Emu and a zinc-topped table from the Balcony Gardener. This table was the only table that I was able to find to fit the space. With a diameter of just 15 inches, it fits my small balcony perfectly. I didn’t get rid of the Trina Turk yellow lantern, as I love how it lights up the space. I simply moved it to a better location.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Now I just need a few sunny weekends for BBQ’s, and I have the perfect space to extend my entertaining outdoors.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

(Images: Claire Bock)

More to Love from Apartment Therapy