Topiaries

Halloween has passed and Daylight savings time has ended at here in the Northeast it's dark by 4:30. And cold. And the leaves are quickly turning brown and falling down.  We haven't yet had a hard freeze, but once that happens, we're done with pretty blooming things until the crocuses start peeping up out of the dirt. It's one reason that we like our evergreens here - at least something has a bit of color outside the window. I am particularly taken with with topiary gardens and harbor a strong desire to grow (sculpt?) one some day. Here are a few inspiration photos...

from Edward Scissorhands

Topiary in Beijing via Hatch: The Design Public Blog, via More Ways to Waste Time

How cute is this? Unfortunately I lost the source...

via BBC

artist Simon Garden

via Black Barn Farm Topiary

Topiary Garden in France

 via My Duck Soup

via Folly Fancier

 Costa Rican topiary via ElleMondo

via The Presurfer

And one for a touch of snowy wonder...

via Flickr

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A Reader's Renovated 175 yr old Church!

I've often admired people who have the foresight to repurpose a building from it's original use and turn it into something new and wonderful. I was very excited to receive an email from a reader who has renovated a 175 year old church in Upperville, VA - transforming it into a beautiful home furnishings & garden shop and interior design studio.

The proprietor, Wanda Crossley, previously owned English Manor Gardens & Interiors in Leesburg VA, which I posted about here. Her new venture is Matthews House and Garden - Isn't the setting spectacular? Love the formal gardens in what was a former churchyard.


The scale of this building with the charming white post fence is so pleasing to the eye.
The interiors are light filled and provide a perfect backdrop for these wonderful interior vignettes. Love the statuary urn on the pine pedestal and the rough hewn table set with china. Such a unique door - the oval inset at the top is a real stand out.
I can see from scanning this picture that I must put Matthews House and Garden on my must-visit list. Located at 9160 John Mosby Hwy in Upperville, VA (540.592.7147) the hours are Tue- Sat 10 to 5, closed on Sunday, and Monday by chance (love that!)
Notice the painting to the left - love the moody image. To me it's reminiscent of the English countryside.
Gorgeous selection of colorful pillows on this daybed.
Here are a few more interior pics. For some reason I had trouble enlarging these. I think the first picture proves that Sunburst mirrors will always be in - especially when placed in such a perfect position as this one.
The following pictures give you an idea of all the hard work and good judgment that went into redesigning this former church. Allelujah for the liberation from this dropped ceiling!

Wanda - thanks so much for reading this blog and for taking the time to send in these pictures. I hope to visit in person someday!!

Modern Planters from 18Karat

We never forgot the first time we saw the 18Karat showroom... This Canadian company sells the simplest things, yet they display them in such an incredibly clever way, the overall effect was just...genius! It's like Pottery Barn but with WAY, WAY more style. Their style is very simple, very organic (a very overused word, we know, but it's very true in this case).

Our favorite things to buy from this line are the modern planters. Oh my goodness, they are simply beautiful! It's the kind of planters you see in very chic and modern restaurants or hotels.

Here are some samples:








18K puts out beautiful catalogs that you can view online. In addition to planters, they also sells fabulous home accessories and dinnerware (we highly recommend the later). You can view the catalog and purchase online at the 18k web site.

Note: Be warned that planters are heavy and very expensive to ship...

Pictures Garden all type of house Part 1

Sample Pictures Garden, its beauty garden designs. see design of garden.