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LOVE ITALY

October 14, 2010 by the long table

Back Camera

Hilltop garden in Tuscany

As I had mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been able to travel a bit this summer and my absolute favorite trip this summer was to the beautiful country of Italy. I remember an eight-course meal in Florence, a wonderful market in the village of Poppi and a beautiful garden on a Tuscan hilltop.

There were nine total in our group, so a long table with friends around was easily provided. I’m already looking forward to next year! Below are some of my favorite snap shots from the trip.

A Campari & Soda at the Four Seasons, Florence

After a long train ride from Milan, a Campari & soda at the Four Seasons sounded too good to pass up.

Tuscany, & the village of Poppi

A castle in Poppi
Castle in Poppi
food truck at the local market
a gorgeous sunflower
A beautiful garden
A boy with a pet hawk
another lovely garden
another small Tuscan town

Cocktail Hour on the rooftop in Florence

This was such a wonderful hotel in Florence and every evening cocktails on the rooftop made it even more amazing.

Our stay in Florence

a quiet side street
a tourist took this picture, not sure why so tilted?
love the little coffee shops
Lydell & Karla
want one of these
gorgeous

Food & Drink

Of course, the food and drink was amazing. My favorite restaurant was in a small village near Poppi. Once we found it we had to return every night.

Tuscan steak
Antipasto
Gorgeous pizza
An amazing pasta dish
Steak Chianti
Italian espresso

IMG_7610

The group in Florence

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GORGEOUS NAPA

August 20, 2010 by the long table

Last month, the girls and I took some time off to visit friends and family in Southern California. While out there I was able to join my sister for a quick trip up to Napa. It had been about five years since my last visit, and I had forgotten how beautiful it is up there. I really enjoyed all the gardens, the food and of course the wine is yummy too! Below, are a couple of places that we were able to enjoy.

Indian Springs

Indian Springs

Solage

Ma(i)sonry

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JNANE TAMSNA, MOROCCO

June 15, 2010 by the long table

My new travel obsession, Jnane Tamsna in Morocco. A gorgeous hotel just 15 minutes from Marrakech. It’s the creation of Meryanne Loum-Martin with the help of her ethnobotanist husband, Gary Martin. It’s more than just a hotel, it’s a philosophy. “It is about conceiving a place which blends with the soul of the local culture while giving it a fresh perspective. In this sense Jnane is about respect for natural materials, traditions, local communities and the environment.” One can relax by the pool, take a cooking class with hotel chef, Bahija or wander the spice markets of Marrakech. It sounds like an amazing experience!

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THE BOLD STRIPES OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA

June 10, 2010 by the long table

While researching outdoor furniture this season, I keep running across big bold stripes. Very fun and very reminiscent of the French Rivera, (i.e. Alfred Hitchcock’s, To Catch A Thief). It’s sophistication with a bit of playfulness. I found this look at both Target and Ikea.

Target

Target

Target

Ikea

Ikea

Ikea

A great photo of the Rivera in the 50’s

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A PARK IN PARIS

June 4, 2010 by the long table

Watching The French Open this past week has reminded me of my short but wonderful stay in Paris. It was beautiful! The buildings, the food and the parks! I loved the parks! They were tidy, simple and gorgeous yet grand at the same time! We visited one in particular, because I had brought my 3-year-old and 6th month old, and needed an outlet after those long leisurely lunches. It had a beautiful carousel (below), that my 3-year-old just loved.

My sister with my 3-year-old

How can I incorporate this look and feel into my next landscape project?

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A LITTLE INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEKEND

May 29, 2010 by the long table

My inspiration as I head into the weekend is this beautiful garden. It’s simple and serene — a true vacation spot for the summer ahead. Too bad it isn’t mine but it’s something to aspire to…

Have a great weekend!

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Visiting The Antique Rose Emporium

May 20, 2010 by the long table

Being a huge rose fan, I decided to finally visit  The Antique Rose Emporium. It’s located just a bit northeast of San Antonio and the employees know their roses, especially those for our South Texas climate. Some, like the “Highway 290 Pink Buttons”, are perfect for small beds because they will only grow 2 feet tall. In contrast,  the “Cecile Brunner” or the “Dortmund” can grow up to 30 feet (these make excellent hedges). It’s surprising how little care roses actually need once established. I walked away with several plants; one being the “Knockout” rose for my parents’ home. They said it was bullet proof. We shall see.

A beautiful climber

Many grow excellent in containers!

Another climber

I’d rather have roses on my table

than diamonds on my neck.  – Emma Goldman

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5 FABULOUS PLANTERS

April 19, 2010 by the long table

This week I am dedicating my blog to the garden, starting first with my 5 favorite planters for the season! These were taken from Elle Decor and are fabulous! Below, are the planters and several ideas of what to plant in them.

Elizabethan II Planter by Pennoyer Newman

This is modern yet elegant planter would be lovely with a beautiful fern or blue agave.

Kito Planter Basket From Treillage

I love this one because of the natural woven look. I can see a tall topiary or a nice full boxwood in it.

Carlos Pot By Oly

Serene and calming, I see a “Pineapple Guava” or an Agave, like “Whale’s Tongue” in it. Both plants have grey or blue leaves that would be beautiful with this color of pot.

Gratia Square Planter From Design Within Reach

Very modern with a hint of retro. I love it with an ornamental grass, especially one with purple in the leaves. The purple would play off nicely with this color of planter. Or, I could see a “Snake Plant” in it, which is upright and has more structure.

Wood Cross Planter By Accents of France

I have always loved this style of planter for its traditional qualities (timeless), and I think citrus when I see this planter.

Tomorrow, tips on planning a beautiful garden!

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5 TIPS TO CREATING A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN!

April 18, 2010 by the long table

ivy3

Tip 1: Create year-round  beauty by planting evergreen shrubs throughout your garden. This way when the temperature drops, the structure of your garden remains intact!

garden

Tip 2: Eliminate any eye sores and create privacy by planting a hedge

color

Tip 3: Add color for beauty and contrast

fp1

tip 4: Add a focal point

entertain

tip 5: Create an area for relaxation and entertaining

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The Well-Worn Chair

April 16, 2010 by the long table

Axel Vervoordt

I love the idea of that one chair in the home that everyone would love to sit in, kind-of like “grandma’s chair”. It’s worn just in the right places and when you see it, you automatically think “comfort”. You could sit in this chair for hours and when you do — life seems at peace.

There is a photo from the book, Provence Interiors, (below) that I’ve always loved. An older woman sits in a well-worn chair as she has probably done for years. When I see this picture I think how comfy and peaceful this room looks. A very cozy and comfortable room yet not lacking in taste or style.

france

Unfortunately, I am without this type of chair myself and desperately want one. Therefore, I am on the hunt for one, my only criteria — that it’s extremely difficult to get myself out of. Below, are a few that have caught my eye.

Restoration Hardware

Anthropologie

images

by Tom DixonJayson Home & Garden

144-03

by Ralph Lauren

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