Posted in Entertaining, Garden Design, Gardening, tagged cheese, cheeseboard, entertaining outdoors, Fig Tree on August 14, 2021| 1 Comment »
I love a fig tree in the garden. Mine is a bit wild at the moment. I usually keep it nice and tidy but decided this season to just let it do what it wants. Even though this years figs aren’t extremely flavorful, I do love using the leafs for decor, especially for cheese boards.
Happy Saturday!
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Gardening, Projects, Renovation Project, tagged Benjamin Moore, Exteriors, Garden Design, Gardens, Old World Charm, San Antonio on February 14, 2020| Leave a Comment »
This was a wonderful project to work on! Not only was this project for a dear friend and fellow designer, Lisa Woolley, but this home had so many unique and charming elements that it really made the project an exciting one to do. Built in 1940, the home was originally designed as the “mother-in-law” home to the house next-door. Initially, the house had two entrances, one on either side of the home. A main design goal was to direct guests to the now principal entrance which was through the courtyard to the left. When I first saw the home, it really seemed to have an Old World charm about it so I decided to continue the theme. I used a lot of shrubs that could be shaped into conical and rounded shapes as the garden matured and chose shutters that were reminiscent of a home in the European countryside.
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Above, some of the main elements that I wanted to incorporate into this project. I wanted a beautiful and strong trim color, so we went with ‘Iron Mountain’ by Benjamin Moore. I also wanted to use a rose shrub, in the front entrance, and went with a shrub called ‘Belinda’s Dream’. Not only does this shrub have wonderful blooms, but I thought is would look elegant as it cascaded over the nicely trimmed boxwood border. I also kept many of the original boxwood for their sculptural shape and just trimmed them a bit. Lastly, I wanted to incorporate one of my favorite elements, lighting.
Above, a before photo of the courtyard. After removing the shrubs, I noticed a nook that would be a wonderful place for a seating area. I thought it would be perfect place for my client to enjoy a cup of coffee while watching her kids play.
After
Above, a before shot of the right side of the home with some wishes from my client.
After
Posted in Entertaining, Food, Garden Design, Projects, tagged Fall Garden Party, Garden Party, Gardens on November 20, 2019| 1 Comment »
Last week my good friend and fellow designer, Lisa Woolley, and I hosted a garden party in the courtyard of her San Antonio home. We had just completed the exterior of her home and thought there’s no better way to celebrate than to host an intimate get-together in her newly designed garden.
With the holidays around the corner, the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing super easy tips for decorating and entertaining during the season.
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Gardening, Projects on October 8, 2019| 2 Comments »
It’s been about two years since we started this exterior project, and the design is maturing beautifully. Many thanks to my wonderful clients who have done an incredible job keeping up the integrity and look of the initial design. We still have a phase two happening to the front, which I’m really excited about, but for now I’m very happy to share the latest. See before and after photos below.
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A sneak peek of the backyard, which we are still working on. Hopefully, we’ll be done by Fall 2020.
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Interior Design on October 4, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Happy Friday! Today, I’m sending us off for the weekend with this wonderful little gem from the island of Rhodes. The home belongs to Jasper Conran, son of Sir Terrence Conran, and like father, like son, it’s just as low key and lovely as Terrence’s home in Provence.
All photos by Magnus Marding. Click here to read more.
Have a great weekend!
Posted in Exterior Design, Garden Design, Projects, Renovation Project on June 5, 2019| Leave a Comment »
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Posted in Entertaining, Garden Design, Outdoor Furniture on May 30, 2019| 1 Comment »
Posted in Garden Design, Gardening, tagged Garden, Jackson Pottery, Planting, Succulents on April 13, 2019| 1 Comment »
One of the planters that needs some attention is this long narrow one that goes on one of my tables.
Yikes, here’s what she looked like before. Pretty sad, huh?
I went to a local grower this morning and grabbed some simple succulents that looked good together. When planting a mix of succulents, I like to take them all out of their pots and remove any excess dirt. Then I place them all on a tray so that they’re easy to grab once planting begins.
For this long planter, I like to place a large more dramatic succulent in the middle, as the focal plant, and and then just add the same succulent on either side for symmetry. Super simple.
Once I was done planting and filling with extra dirt, I added some gravel I had handy, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have any.
Posted in Decor, Exterior Design, Garden Design, Travel on October 29, 2018| 1 Comment »
Don Totu Dimora Storica is an 18th century palazzo turned six bedroom B&B in Puglia. I love how the texture and color of the exterior walls acts as the perfect backdrop for the different varieties of cactus, lavender and other plant life. Super gorgeous and inspiring!
All images from est
Happy Monday!
~ Shannon
Posted in Garden Design, tagged Architecture, Fernando Martos, Garden Design, Landscape Design, Madrid on August 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »
The Long Table 