Pool Time

The citrus green pillows and towels are just the touch needed to complete the look on my terrace. It is fresh and soothing at the same time. 

The Elfin Thyme is filling in beautifully. By the end of summer the lines between the stone should be solid.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY...

June has arrived with the gorgeous roses and beautiful peonies that I love.

 Unfortunately, it packed buckets of rain in it's suitcase. 

I swear, if I did not know better, I would think it was October! So I decided to live vicariously through my blog.

Here are photos of outdoor dining areas and patios. I am hoping they lift our spirits a little bit, until we can actually use the real thing!

Of course I love this photo. The green pillows absolutely add the final needed punch. I was so inspired by it that I got online and did some research for reasonably priced bolsters for my black and white striped cushions. I will only use Sunbrella fabric because it doesn't fade, but even more importantly I can get any stain off it fairly easily.

I found these pillows on a site called Home Decorators. The 19 x 12 inch pillow is on sale for $20, and the 22 x 9 inch bolster is $19. Excellent prices for Sunbrella fabric.

 The pink umbrella is a great touch!

 Monochromatic and sophisticated.

 Again, the spring green color is wonderful!

Do you think I like black and white striped fabric?

 Refreshing.

 Gorgeous.

 Love it!

 I love this pool set up.

 The idea of a chandelier in a tree is intriguing. 

 I like this because the fireplace does not take over the terrace. So many times they are way too big.

 Also, the lantern is awesome!

 Dreamy!

 Love how lush this is, would not want to be responsible for keeping the pool clean!

This furniture is to die for!

OUTDOOR LIVING, SETTING THE SCENE

A good friend emailed me the other day. She was getting ready to replace her cushions on her terrace and could not decide what to buy. Her practical self was pulling her toward a pattern to hide stains and spills. My reply was swift and exacting. No patterned cushions!! They are always dated looking and way too busy. (There are exceptions. A gorgeous high end cushion with a Greek Key design, or something along those lines is wonderful, but it has to be just right.)

My firm belief is solid or stripes. Stick with this and you won't go wrong.

Don't be afraid to try things and then live with them for a time to know if they are right or not. I did. The lovely hanging iron wall baskets have come down and are for sale in a shop downtown. Once I added the classic pillars and urns to my yard they just looked too busy and a touch Victorian, which is not my look. In addition, I am leaning toward filling my pots with just foliage and greenery. I did a huge boxwood in one and hostas in two others and I love how it looks.

It makes me think, as we go on in our designing does our taste get simpler, or do we learn the value of shape and texture so we need much less busyness and color? 

I have been spending a great amount of time studying books and blogs. It can take several attempts to get it right. If it doesn't work, change it.

Below are some examples of what I am writing about. Study the photos and see how the simplicity of color use causes you to see what nature offers so much better.

When you choose a shrub or plant to use, REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT. The is nothing worse than a yard full of a bazillion different plants. It says you have no idea what you are trying to achieve. Repetition of plants is soothing and makes a much larger statement.

Read books, study and check out all the wonderful garden blogs. 

One of my favs,  www.taradillard.blogspot.com

Happy gardening!

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 The black and white cushions with all the white woodwork is perfect with the greenery. 

Very little color is needed.

 Carolyn Rohem does beautiful tablescapes. Again, the use of just one color with the backdrop of green is all that is needed.

 This is lovely like it is, but I like it because you could throw any accent color into it and have a whole new look.

 Shingles are just the best. The touch of blue is lovely, but it would be just as beautiful with a neutral shade.

 All earth tones, it is very soothing. Who wouldn't want to spend the evening dining at this table!

 Elegant, green and white, natural wood, soft gray stone.

 One of my favorites. Shingles again, just a hint of color, solid black cushions are a statement.

 White cushions and topiary. It really is all you need. Just beautiful.

 The ivy covered walls are divine!

 Similar to a previous photo, solid cushions and light blue hydrangeas. Repeat the flower/shrub.

 Carolyn Rohem again.

 Lush!

 The double chaise in the corner is calling my name.

 The use of solid cushions allows the addition of patterned pillows for more interest.

I love this cabana. 

But then I love black and white stripes!

JOHN SALADINO'S GARDENS

These gardens are amazing.The climate is so different from where I garden, but the plant placement, focal points and designs are universal. Really, really beautiful!

Today I bought a gorgeous espaliered apple tree to place against the wall at the far end of the circle lawn. I will plant it this weekend and post the photos. I also hope to get the cement pillars into place if Mark's back holds up! 

Happy gardening.

 Are you serious? Breathtaking! 

I am falling in love with Italian Cypress all over again. I grew two at my old house and they got to over 20' tall. Hated leaving them.

 The way the limb of that tree curves overhead is simply splendid.

 Love the patio floor. What am I saying, love it all!

 Where can I pick up a table like this???? And how about a load of that gravel while you're at it.

 The more I garden the crazier I get about stone and gravel.

 Well now, I'd be happy to drink out of this!

The Italian Cypresses are placed perfectly.

GARDENS

Spring has arrived! We have had several days of sunshine and it has been heaven. Early in the morning birds are chirping as I make my coffee. The air is cool and crisp with the smell of the earth and growing things. Is it any wonder that springtime is the proverbial time to fall in love? But I think they have it wrong, it is with the earth, not a man! Although I need that too. How else am I going to get those heavy pots drug around?

We moved into our home sixteen months ago. We lived with the yard last summer, learned our paths and living patterns. In the fall we set about bringing in soil and laying terraces and courtyards. So happy how it all came together. Lots more to do, but the fine tuning is the fun of it. Actually, I love the whole process, but this part the best.

The covered porch off the kitchen is probably one of my favorite things we did. Added this terrace last fall. 20 x 20 squares spaced two inches. Planted Elfin Thyme between them. Scoured every nursery within 25 miles and because it was fall could only do part of the filling in. I am already on the hunt this year to find the Thyme and complete the project.

This terrace is off the hill side of the covered porch. See the pipe in the corner? I buried it about three feet in the ground. My plan is to put a very large rotating umbrella in it. That will allow us to cover the outdoor table from all angles easily. I loath those umbrellas in the middle of the table that do nothing to shade more than one person! I will cut it off and paint it dark bottle green to blend in.

View across from the covered porch past the pool. This is our cow pasture with woods beyond. If you have a pool you know there are fence codes. Not a fan of chain link or any of those other sad choices. We built a three board fence with lumber we harvested and milled from our own trees. I then bought one inch wire mesh and attached it to the outside. Searched to find black mesh so it would disappear into the background. The code was one inch so children cannot get a foothold and climb it.

The pool, sited near the hillside where it drops off steeply. White cement stone, 26 inched wide,  surrounds the pool. Simple, I love it.

 Grass is thin, just seeded last fall. Need to add to it. Just got a wonderful organic fertilizer with iron, but not the kind that stains cement. I also ordered some seed that is supposed to be amazing. Roots 12 inches deep, needs very little water. If they work I'll post the names.

 That is the garage in the background. It is a beautiful design.

 Door to the pool room. I always wanted a yard full of daffodils and tulips. Last fall it was an absolute to do on my list. Plan to add more each year.

More of the garage.

 The pots surprised me with how much came back early. This African Ivy is amazing. I had no time for spring pots, so whoever showed up got center stage.

 Love the pansy and daffodils

 Not crazy about my porch chandeliers, but was at that stage and could not find/afford what I wanted. these will do until the others find their way home.

 French doors to the kitchen, extra large panes, saw it in an old Grange Hall and loved them. The BBQ is hidden around the corner, tucked in on a little pad. Blue stone path to the backdoor, where there is a bathroom right inside, no traipsing through the whole house to get there.

I do love the door lights. Restoration Hardware.

I will continue to post as the gardens develop and I add to them. I love to watch the yard evolve. next time I will show you my little side yard with fruit trees and hydrangeas.