Planting: Eden and Evelyn roses

Lately I have been a little obsessive about my garden, here in California the sun has been shining and it has been pretty warm so I have been feeling like it is the perfect time to get started on really planting my garden.  It is a bit of a challenge for me as we took almost everything out of our yard last year when we put in the pool, so I have been planning and scheming for months as to what I could plant.  I have been dreaming of these two beauties for much longer than that and finally I should be able to plant some in the next few weeks.  If I can just find them at the nursery, I am a little ahead of the game this year, so I am patiently awaiting their arrival.  Eden and Evelyn are two of my favorite roses... I am so excited!  

 I know that just about everyone has a favorite and I would love to hear which roses you prefer.  I am looking for more ideas and have a lot of space to fill.

 

They are described as having a double or full head... which to means perfect.

 

David Austin describes the Evelyn as follows: bears giant, apricot colored flowers of a shallow, saucer-like shape, with numerous small petals inter-twined within. This is not the most vigorous of English Roses, but the individual flower is absolutely magnificent. Its great glory is its wonderful fragrance, which is similar in style to an Old Rose, but with a sumptuous fruity note reminiscent of fresh peaches and apricot. Named on behalf of Crabtree & Evelyn, who used it in their range of rose perfumes.

 

The photo below is from Sharon at My French Country Home.  She has the most amazing garden and I found myself stalking her blog over the weekend looking for ideas..

 

images via google and pinterest

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Planting: Drought Tolerant Garden

 

Last fall we stayed in a house in Northern California with the most wonderful garden I have seen in a long while.  I loved that it was filled with beautiful grasses and succulents but also it had herbs and some great native plants.  I struggle with our landscape in the front of the house.  It has become a very sore spot for me as I cannot get anything to grow well...  I promise I am not usually a plant killer but something about this house has really challenged me for the past 5 years!  I am thinking this spring I will implement this style of garden and see how we do.  I would love hear what you think?  Have you used this approach?  I am thinking a little native and wild like these beds...

 

images via

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Fifth Avenue Style {Design Library}

 

When I received the advance copy of Howard Slatkin's Fifth Avenue Style I was so excited to unlock my treasure from the layers of wrapping it arrived in and I am just as excited to be sharing it with you now.  Howard has put together an amazing book chronicling his creation of his beautiful home.  Each room was created with painstaking attention to detail by an amazing group of craftsmen in Howard's vision.  I love the down to earth approach he takes in explaining his choices for this showpiece of a home and his drive and patience is simply inspiring!  A gorgeous book for the design enthusiast in all of us.

     

If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

Black entry doors

 

I love the contrast of a black or espresso door.  We have a pink Wisteria planted to go over ours and I am so hoping that this is the year it grows across the front of the house.  These are a few of my favorites that I have collected and were great inspiration for me.  When we redid our kitchen this year I had the painters paint the interior of my doors black also just for a change in the space and I love it. 

Are you a fan of the high contrast?

 

 

 

top 3 images via/ bottom 3 images by christina for greige

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Climbing plants and packing...

 

Just a little something to help me relax... did it work for you too?  Well, it won't be for long- we had a wonderful first day on our One Kings Lane sale and it is off to packing up all of those goodies for me!  

I hope you are enjoying the long weekend - I know we are going to need the extra day around here, so I am very thankful for it. 

 

images via

If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

Wine bottles...

 

I have a soft spot for the re-purposed  wine jugs.  They are usually such a great natural shape.  I simply adore them with a little grouping of tree branches or full tropical leaves, the perfect accent.

image via

 

Molly Wood Garden Design {fall}

Last week I had a chance to stop by my friend Molly's shop for a little table-scaping class she was having.  She has the best selection of goodies and plants!  It is always an inspiration to walk through the garden and the shop.  

This is just a peek at the goodness that she has going on there.  

For more info on Molly and her services stop by her site.

 

Molly Wood Garden Design

1660 Orange Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 

P 949.548.1611
F 949.548.8557
E info@mollywoodgardendesign.com

  

 

exterior accents

 

Everything here is just right.  I love the shutters and the pavers!

Wishing you an inspired Sunday!

image via 

 

at home...

I came across these beautiful images on No. 19 and completely fell in love with the layered and real life look of them.  Sometimes I really need to be reminded that I need to design for me..  it does not always work that way for me at home.  I am thinking it might be fun to start a new series of real homes - designers at home.. Are you interested?  Well if you are drop me a line and we will see where it leads..  Wishing you a creative and productive Monday!

images via