A Cute Headboard

We had to show off this adorable twin headboard that one of our designers who shops with us did for a client's bedroom - using our burlap rugs sold at The Willows! What a creative idea Michelle!

What creative ideas have you come with from items you bought at The Willows? If you send in your pictures, they may just be featured on our blog!

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Noxious Weeds

Yesterday I wrote about my experience so far with velvetleaf.  This weed is classified as being noxious in British Columbia and several US states.  To be classified as a noxious weed the plant has to cause harm to human via toxicity or cause an agricultural loss however every municipality has their own definition of noxious weeds.  In some localities a weed (eg. water hyacinth) can be classified

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Noxious Weeds

Yesterday I wrote about my experience so far with velvetleaf.  This weed is classified as being noxious in British Columbia and several US states.  To be classified as a noxious weed the plant has to cause harm to human via toxicity or cause an agricultural loss however every municipality has their own definition of noxious weeds.  In some localities a weed (eg. water hyacinth) can be classified

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Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)August 25, 2010
As a gardener my style is not to get too bent out of shape with respect to weeds.  Some weeds act as companion plants in a garden while others are edible.  I only get concerned if the weeds present the potential to choke out the fruits or vegetables.  My preferred way of dealing with weeds is pulling.

Earlier this year I noticed a suspected weed

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Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)August 25, 2010
As a gardener my style is not to get too bent out of shape with respect to weeds.  Some weeds act as companion plants in a garden while others are edible.  I only get concerned if the weeds present the potential to choke out the fruits or vegetables.  My preferred way of dealing with weeds is pulling.

Earlier this year I noticed a suspected weed

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girls in tutus

When little miss Ruby pulled up in front of the store and saw a little mannequin wearing our new tutu she gasped and said, "Oh, Mama!" Needless to say, we didn't have to twist her arm to try it on for a few pictures... and her cousin Lucy was more than happy to oblige as well...

When the excitement of dancing wears you out and you need a little break, leave it to the Willows' to always have a "coze" hanging around (anything silky will do)...

Let's be honest, what could be cuter than girls in tutus...

Oh, and Ruby's friend Carrots was so kind as to pose for a few pictures as well...

So, come check out our new tutus at the Willows' in our kids section, Vanilla Chair...

but try not to forget your shoes...

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Projects Getting Checked Off The List

I have finished a couple of my projects so far this week.

The commissioned mosaic piece is finished. 

I made the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and it is in the freezer.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

1 (8.5 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil

1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves

2 garlic gloves

1/2 (packed) fresh parsley leaves

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

In the bowl of a food processor, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil with the basil, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic just until the tomatoes are finely chopped.  Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl, and stir in the cheese.

This pesto will last one week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.  I put mine in ice cube trays and freeze.  Then pop them out of the trays and store in a freezer bag.

This pesto is a great topping for sauteed or grilled fish and is perfect over penne pasta.

The big project seen in my last post, is still in the works.  Off to do some major sanding!

Welcome Home,

Penny

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Projects Getting Checked Off The List

I have finished a couple of my projects so far this week.

The commissioned mosaic piece is finished. 

I made the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and it is in the freezer.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

1 (8.5 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil

1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves

2 garlic gloves

1/2 (packed) fresh parsley leaves

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

In the bowl of a food processor, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil with the basil, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic just until the tomatoes are finely chopped.  Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl, and stir in the cheese.

This pesto will last one week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.  I put mine in ice cube trays and freeze.  Then pop them out of the trays and store in a freezer bag.

This pesto is a great topping for sauteed or grilled fish and is perfect over penne pasta.

The big project seen in my last post, is still in the works.  Off to do some major sanding!

Welcome Home,

Penny

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A Delicious Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle 'White Chocolate'
in August 2010

A scorching summer doesn't deter the blooms of crepe myrtle, a "go-to" tree for southern gardeners. There are three varieties of crepe (crape) myrtle in my garden, but 'White Chocolate' is my favorite for mixing with perennials.

I stumbled upon this unusual variety in 2006. This year, the blooms are fabulous and have been going strong for a month.

'White Chocolate' is a cultivar selected by Dr. Michael Dirr, University of Georgia, Athens. Rated for zones 7-9, this is a moderate grower to 8 feet high and wide.

Although 'White Chocolate' is a difficult crepe myrtle cultivar to find, it is listed with Monrovia. (Their website allows you to search for garden centers in your area that carry their brand.)

Once established, this tree is drought-tolerant. It is also deer resistant. Japanese Beetles will chew on any crepe myrtle, but the damage is less as the trees grow larger.

The dark burgundy foliage of 'White Chocolate' is especially beautiful when it first emerges in the spring. As the season progresses, it is more bronze-burgundy, but never fades in the strong sunlight. The autumn color is brilliant and in winter, the bark is interesting. The summer blooms are white, but the burgundy and pink tones make it a good color to use with pink or blue blooms of perennials such as agastache, nepeta, echinops and caryopteris.

I shape 'White Chocolate' like a shrub instead of a tree, but pruning must be done with careful consideration—as with all crepe myrtles, you take responsibility when you grow one of these lovely trees, so please don't commit crepe murder!

Crepe myrtle 'White Chocolate'
behind agastache 'Salmon & Pink'

Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. Deer and rabbit resistance varies based upon the animal population and availability of food. All company or product or patented names mentioned are registered trademarks, copyrights, or patents owned by those respective companies or persons.

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Update

Hello everyone,

I wanted to pop by to thank all of you for your kind and loving messages in the past week as my Mom has been in hospital. To give you a little update-Mom had surgery last night for a bowel obstruction and she has come through the surgery as well as expected and she slept peacefully all morning. the next few days will be very difficult but the Doctor seems hopeful that all can go well if there are no complications such as infection or pneumonia.

My Mom was still pleading for a cup of tea( no fluids for a few days - only ice chips ,and not even that for hours before surgery) as she was going into surgery last night. So please pray that we will soon be enjoying the best cup of tea we ever had!

Thank you again- it is amazing to have support from friends all over the world.

Take care,

Carolyn

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First Impressions

We all know the saying about the importance of first impressions. Our homes, like ourselves speaks volumes about who we are.
If you were to pull into my driveway at the moment, you might think I am lazy.......weeds, drooping plants and yes I am a Landscape Designer .................. maybe you might think an overly busy Landscape Designer. Your initial image is lasting.

The presence of a gate, to me, is an enticement, a lovely bit of ornamentation.

And of course the other intent is additionally loud and clear.

But today's post is about the beautiful first impression you can create.
Last February I was in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for a biz conference. Stolen time was a drive-through this fairy tail community.

Consider the placement............a no-nonsense stride to the front door

Think about the effect. No this is not derelict but a local style of the community adding to it's charm and casual lifestyle

Think of the style and it complementing and enhancing the architectural style of your home. Hints of adobe make this gate and fence appropriate.

 My personal favorite for many reasons;
The overhead arbor makes the gate very important
Love a double gate
The weathered wood blends with the homes colors

 

AND LOOK AT THAT MAILBOX!! 

Live on a busy road? Or in the case of this town.........gawking tourists?

Have something to say? Look closely, inside the gate and arbor

The mystery of what beauty this gate contains

A rustic mix of materials and styles; the gate remains special with stone sentinels supporting it. The wood carries on but in a different pattern.

Not necessarily a means of securing the property but as an element of charm for artistic expression

Love it, but when it speaks to me it says.............."no surface unadorned" and that would be carried forth indoors, no doubt with good taste and a specific theme

This could go two ways, as is in the rustic style of the town, not particularly calling attention to itself. Or a classic white picket gate and fence mirroring the trim and style

SPANISH!   Loud and clear.........vintage sun bleached door with stone and stucco. The home has underlying tones of Tudor but who am I to judge :-)

Pure cottage..............the rounded undulating form of the stone wall, the wood fence capping and arbor perfectly mirror elements of this home

Enticing! Stone and iron............notice the curving path beyond. Curves say to me "slow down and enjoy". Also take note of the stone backdrop which highlights the gate.

SHEER PERFECTION! Don't you agree?
What I see that is so spot on;
-the stone adds weight, all iron would disappear otherwise. It's colorways compliment the roof
-the iron is a taupe/gray that blends. Take particular notice of the subtle arch in the fence, repeating the Tudor timbering on the house
-the separation of the "street garden" and the "interior garden"
-the personalization..........see below

And..........the sense of humor. I want to know these people!

Formal and curvy and subtly French

A nod to it's Spanish Architecture

The same stone as the house is carried forward creating the illusion of a more expansive home. The gate color is repeated on the house trim

"Look" but do not enter................

An artistic whimsical mindset...........a conformist does not reside here.

What about a set of gates for the drive?

This would be my absolute favorite............
-The gates repeat the style and materials

-Maybe they are always left open..........the effect is so good
-The planted drive
-The enticement of the "long view" and what lies beyond

The gates and the fencing need not match

Repetition of the garage door lines...............and........if one material is good (wood), two or three are better (stone and stucco).

  Lastly a moment of shameless self-promotion.
Back in Illinois..............this is one of my landscape clients' home with their free standing gate. Here is what we were attempting to achieve;
-Bring the garden "out" towards the street with repeated architectural elements
-The concrete posts are from my friend and artist Richard Taylor
-The gate is custom made by a local iron worker
-The gates do not function.............purely ornamental
-When the Hydrangea's mature and bloom the gate will stand out with the flora behind it
-WINTER INTEREST..........mandatory in Illinois.

Do you have a gate, want a gate? If you need help in deciding style and color send a photo of the front of your home, we can all learn about the process together.
"He who wants to do good knocks at the gate; he who loves, finds the gate open"
by
Rabindranath Taqure


xo
Debra

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