If you, like us, have been blasting out West End Girl on repeat since its debut, you’ve likely at least glanced at Lily Allen’s townhouse (and, in particular, her garden) since it went up for sale a few weeks ago.
The Brooklyn brownstone, which was featured in Architectural Digest in 2023, is listed at a cool $8 million. And, of course, there’s a great deal of interest in it – not least of all because of its starring role in the title track of Lily’s latest album (the first of several songs which seemingly reference the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things’ David Harbour).
Plenty has been made of the property’s botanical wallpaper and windowless ‘bed-womb’, but it’s the NYC home’s chic minimalist garden (scroll to the end of Carl Gambino’s Instagram album below) that’s captured our attention. From its stylish grey patio to its sheltered lounging area, it’s filled to the brim with covetable contemporary garden ideas. The ones worth stealing, though? Those that make the decluttered outdoor space look and feel surprisingly cozy, of course!
Now, if you love it and have the cash going spare, you could always book a viewing via the real estate agent pros at The Gambino Group and snap up the property for yourself. Otherwise… well, how best to recreate the core elements of Lily Allen’s townhouse garden if you’re on a budget?
Here’s what we recommend:
1. Use Woven Fencing for Soft Structure
One of the subtler standout features of Lily Allen’s townhouse garden? The fence!
If you want to recreate the look at home, stick to natural willow or hazel fencing, as this will add texture and privacy without harsh lines – or you could add a mesh covering to an existing wall or fence if you prefer.
Whichever you choose, consider this your key to keeping minimalism warm; something that feels structured but organic at the same time.
2. Plant Bare-Root Hedging to Create a Snug Privacy Nook
The clue’s in the name when it comes to bare-root hedging; think your favorite hedging plants – like beech, hornbeam, or laurel – sold in their winter dormancy without any soil or container around their roots. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable, and easy way to shape a soft green ‘snug’ around those areas of your garden you’d like to feel a little more intimate.
Visit a nursery in your location for the best option, or order online from a reputable site like Tennessee Wholesale Nursery (they have a wide selection of bare-root shrubs). Trust us; it's a brilliant way to get that secluded, cozy feel without cluttering a small garden.
3. Layer Evergreens for Year-Round Color
The standout color of Lily Allen’s townhouse garden is that deep glossy emerald, and it’s easy enough to achieve at home.
Just mix evergreen plants for the garden such as bay laurel, hollies, yucca, and more for subtle contrast and texture through the seasons. Of course, if you prefer something a little showier, the Expert Gardener Yuletide Camellia at Walmart promises festive blooms and holiday cheer from fall until early winter.
Whichever you choose, remember this; even minimalist spaces need life, and it is this – not expensive pots or neatly-brushed patios – that keeps the garden looking “styled” every month. And effortlessly so, too.
And just like that, you have the key ingredients to recreating the chic, cozy, minimalist vibe of Lily Allen's townhouse garden.
Throw in a few climbing plants, maybe a large tree or two, and you'll be well on your own to feeling like a celebrity. Hopefully one without the Hopper-coded heartbreak.
