Garden Structure

Consider the Labyrinth

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Photo of stone labyrinth

I recently came across this stone labyrinth at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. Once I started, I felt compelled to finish the walk. I don’t think that’s the intention, but I did start to think that this would be really fun to build. Maybe I’ll play around with a mini-labyrinth as a sort of pop-up feature in my gravel patio out back. I think the actual construction would be a very contemplative process- carefully selecting each stone, placing them side by side, following the curves. Of course I’ll need some larger stones- time for a visit to Sisler’s?

Sliding Door for Porch Screen

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Photo of a front porch

Inspiration is everywhere! I alway enjoy looking around my client’s neighborhoods to see what people are doing with their gardens. This neighbor made clever use of a sliding door to create a movable wall at the end of their front porch. What a great way to create privacy without completely blocking access to the side yard. I’ll definitely keep this idea in my back pocket!

2018 Arlington Home Show & Garden Expo

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Photo of Arlington Garden Expo Garden

I had such a good time at the 2018 Arlington Home Show & Garden Expo yesterday. Thank you to Tony Weaver and Karen Olson Weaver for such a fun day together, to Design Distillery for the gorgeous Fermob furniture, and to everyone who stopped by to talk about their gardens. It was a great way to start the season and we look forward to working with some of the great homeowners we met. Happy Spring, everyone! (Here’s a guide to find these elements or get a similar look.)

Strolling Through The Ringling

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Photo of Ringling Museum
The exterior of the Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Florida.

We had a superb visit to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. It was a perfect day to enjoy the grounds. In the central museum courtyard are enormous terra cotta pots with bougainvillea as the only color spots- and nothing more is needed. Classic and simple, and I wanted to live there! Although if I did live there, I would add lemon trees. Then nothing more would be needed.

Outdoor Christmas Decor

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A couple years ago a family in our neighborhood was leaving for a trip on Christmas Day, so they put their tree out on the curb. As you can imagine, it didn’t stay there for long. A group of guys got together and set it back up on the family’s lawn, complete with tinsel and whatever tacky decorations they could get together. The thing is, though, that people loved it! Little kids, random dog walkers, people driving by, they all got a kick out of it, so last year we decided to put up outdoor trees as a deliberate decorating decision. Some people were frustrated by the number of times their tree blew over, but others of us are hooked and have decided it’s a new tradition. Ours is a bird theme, complete with bird seed and these pre-lit cardinals that I think are the cutest thing ever. (Yes, I have a kitschy streak.)

How’s your decorating going? Have fun, don’t stress, do your own thing.

Using Black in the Landscape

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Photo of fences

Often people think that black is a bold color choice- white feels more neutral- but when it comes to exteriors, black is the best way to make something recede. Black is definitely one of the best color choices for a fence. In this example, our client installed a new fence and gate that jumped out at the viewer because of it’s light, raw wood. You can see this everywhere, as people usually do leave their fences unfinished. A simple coat of exterior wood stain, though, creates a much more harmonious look that will require very little future maintenance.

It’s Fall Planting Time!

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Photo of daffodils
Colorblends daffodils

It’s fall planting time, and the garden centers are bursting with wonderful trees and shrubs. On top of that, I just received my Colorblends catalog in the mail yesterday. Colorblends is my favorite place to order bulbs, and I’ve had great success with all of the items I’ve ordered from them. They will ship to you at the appropriate planting time, so you don’t have to worry about putting them in the ground too early. Important note- they do sell out of the most popular items, so if you see something you really love, don’t hesitate to get your order in!