Mitchell garden revisited

If you recall, last year misterarthur and I finally got around the sprucing up the side of our house, which had become a gravel pit (that reminded me of a kitty litter box). You can read the first exciting episode here.

Here are the before and after photos taken last year before and after we planted several Variegated Willow trees in said gravel pit. To read the second exciting episode, follow this link.Our little trees have now grown and are well on their way to becoming a beautiful all?©e.

What a difference a year makes. We bought these at Detroit’s Eastern Market – the place to go for all kinds of plants at great prices. Be sure to go early on Saturday to get the best choices.

Later this week I’ll post some photos of our neighbor’s roses. He’s got a golden green thumb that even Mr. Pigglesworth would admire.

8 Great hostess gifts for a beach house

Know someone with a vacation home near a sandy beach? When you’re invited to stay, don’t forget these few important tips. First, guests are like fish – they begin to smell after a few days. Don’t plan to spend the month asking what’s for dinner. Second,¬† don’t get so drunk that you break their favorite lamp (I guess the old raggedy one is okay). Most importantly, don’t forget to bring an unforgettable gift. Your host and hostess will never forget your good manners. Best of all, you’ll be sure to be invited back next year.

1. Skull Appliqu?© Pillow

This appliqu?©d skull pillow is always a winner in my book. What beach house would be complete with out one of these> Find it at Hable Construction ($135).

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2. Lobster Letter Tray

Going to Martha’s Vinyard with the Obama’s? Your hostess will love this letter tray from Apartment 48 ($165). She’ll love it even more if it comes with some nifty postcards and stamps.

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3. Photo Frames

Another great idea – a photo frame. I love these from Mimi Collection (@ $35.00). Don’t forget to send your favorite photo from your time spent together. Your host will know just where to put it.

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4. A Classic LL Bean Tote

This beach tote is a classic. And who cares if they already have one – you can always use two. LL Bean has a new Design Your Own option. Don’t forget to add the name of their beach house (i.e.: Chum Bucket) to the bag, or their initials. Prices start at $17.99.

There are still four more to go after the jump….

Read More…

Create a colorful table for outdoor dining

It’s summertime and the living is easy. Dining should be too, don’t you think? A summer salad, grilled fish, fresh fruit and a glass of chilled Sangria are on the menu. What’s on the table?

I came across this beautiful photo of an outdoor picnic in Cote Sud and it inspired me to recreate its breezy, cheerful and, (best of all) laid back style. Brights are on the menu for my version.

I’m starting with a beautiful tablecloth made from Brunschwig & Fils’ Fawkes cotton print. The table is set with:

• plates from Gracious Home. Their Benidorm melamine dishware ($15 each) comes in a variety of bowls and dishes.
• We’re drinking our sangria in Juicy acrylic glasses from Target ($$19.99 for a set of four).
• The blue, striped flatware is from Nautical Luxuries ($320 for a set of four, 5-piece settings) is imported from France. Ooh la la.
• Finally, our Francesca Orange napkin can be found at Roberta Roller Rabbit ($8.00 each).

But we’re not finished. We need a centerpiece and some accessories.

• I love this centerpiece, made from recycled pop cans.¬† Would real flowers, picked form your own garden fit our scene more perfectly? Err, yes. But I like it, so it’s in. My fake flowers are from Eco-Artware ($24 for six flowers).
• This set of colorful, melamine stacking bowls are perfect for our fruit and salads. They’re from Apartment 48 ($65).
• I also love this collapsible cooler - just the thing to keep our sangria cold. It comes in two colors. You can find it on sale at Sur La Table ($31.96).
• Now for the chairs. Maine Cottage serves up several styles that come in just about any color you like. Their Edna Chair sells for $350.00.

Outdoor Dining Tip

Please don’t hesitate to take your indoor furniture outdoors for an evening. There’s something about a wooden table and chairs that create a romantic atmosphere. If you can fashion a canopy, keep the furniture out all summer. If not, be sure to cover the set table with an old sheet until your guests arrive. This will keep the leaves and birds from making a mess of your beautiful tablescape.

Do you think it’s important to have a separate set of dishes for outdoors?

Interior design outdoors

I just love roof gardens Рthe limitations of space, and the opportunity for control seem to actually inspire, rather than constrict.  The granddaddy of them all, in the United States, is on top of Rockefeller Center.

It’s pretty, of course, but doesn’t look particuarly “rooftop” – ish to me, more like they transplanted a ground-level garden up to the top of the building.

What’s generally acknowleged as the first post-war roof landscaping is at the Kaiser Center, in Oakland, California. I like the way that the design (which is on top of a parking garage, and surrounded by rectangular buildings) deliberately uses organic shapes to give it its own identity. The fountains are a really nice feature as well.

Both of these examples have a lot of room to work with – but as I wrote earlier, the ones I really admire make great use of limited square footage.¬† Here’s a nice example from New York City.

How refreshing to be able to come home and relax in such a peaceful environment.

Finally, here is an example of brilliant use of the roof and its environs to create a high-in-the-sky outdoor space. First, from the inside -out:

And then, from the outside – in. Equally lovely, no?

I think the landscape architect did a wonderful job transferring the interior design to the outdoor aesthetic.

Have you ever visited a rooftop garden that you really like? Where is it?  Let me know.