Jennifer Aniston may be synonymous with her NY-based character, Rachel Green, but in reality, the actress usually resides on the West Coast, with one exception.
In 2011, Jennifer purchased two condos in an iconic building built in 1930 by the Bing and Bing Brothers and their favorite architect, Emery Roth. The wrap-around terrace outside Jennifer's former apartment hosts the most stunning, idyllic, urban garden I've ever seen.
Being the tallest building in the West Village, the views are inevitably incredible. However, the space's sense of calm, despite its zip code, is what makes this space the most impressive of all. The terrace features Conifers used for spiral topiary, and some sensory potted herbs, including mint. Other features include a beautiful pergola, perfect for dining above the city. The condo is a jewel of Jennifer Aniston's property portfolio, and this terrace is the most beautiful feature of all.
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While we can't all enjoy an urban terrace as spacious as Jennifer's, we can still learn from her example. Creating a serene setting, no matter how small, is arguably even more vital in a city than elsewhere, but knowing where to begin can be hard.
'Urban gardening presents unique challenges and opportunities, especially when transitioning from summer to fall – whether you have a balcony, rooftop, or small backyard,' comments Tom Massey, the designer behind the RHS Resilient Garden as part of a campaign with Chase.
When planning your urban garden, Tom recommends choosing herbs (much like we see in Jennifer's garden), which can thrive in small pots and survive harsher conditions. 'Herbs like parsley, coriander, and chives do well in cooler temperatures and can be grown in small pots on windowsills or balconies,' he says.
Plus, if you live in a city but don't have a terrace, you can still follow Jennifer's lead simply by introducing small pots of scented herbs to your windowsill.
'Micro herbs are a great way to bring that punchy aromatic flavour to your favourite drinks and dishes, and are easy to grow and maintain in a small space,' Tom says.
'Choose your favourite herb – such as basil or coriander – sprinkle your seeds in shallow trays filled with potting soil (micro herbs only require light germination, so do not need to be covered in soil), ensuring there are holes for water drainage. Then mist the soil's surface and cover with a lid to retain moisture, place in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill or balcony, and lightly mist with water, ensuring the soil doesn’t get too wet.'
The best part? You can use your home-grown herbs for garnishes. 'Micro herbs can be harvested and picked 1-3 weeks after germination, and cut and kept in the fridge to be used as garnishes,' Tom notes. Whether we're enjoying them on a terrace like Jennifer's or inside, this is a concept we can get behind.
