RURAL ENGLAND...Fairy Tale with a happy ending

RURAL ENGLAND...Fairy Tale with a happy ending: "

I believe in fairy tales; magical places where dreams still come true. Of Princesses, Camelot, Knights in shining armor and Mr. Darcy's, England is that place for me

I get lost in thought, wander down unknown paths, turn into a 'peeping tom' (what design lies beyond?). My imagination is on fire, inspiration floods in, and where i find a sense of place.

Care to join me in an England recap? This is a long one.......take a tea, maybe a glass of wine. This is my love story with a place. This happy ending could also be yours.

Castles......thatched cottages.........medieval ruins...........and the fanciful....and do not forget the doors!

And those gardens.........Cottage styled

The formally styled

Mother nature's garden early on a misty morning, off on a woodland walk

Heading deep within where ancient oaks wear green velvet slippers

A matching velvet dress

I always feel safe, the woods are so soft, silent and welcoming

Their habitat is clean, fresh, and tidy. I caught this one cleaning up

Running streams, the churning warns you well in advance

Lichens in mustard, gray, rust and green tones are an indicator of a healthy environment, did you know that? Found in the English countryside, these tender plants will not grow in areas with pollution.

Simple gatherings can make for an informal Spring display

Let's go visiting, these private gardens

First up is Fleur....could one have a better name as a gardener? So many properties are wrapped in ancient stone walls. Her's is particularly lovely with 'pleached' (connects sideways) lime trees.

Just beyond the wall, upon entering, this is your view

Take note of her box hedge

See the owl above the door? It is made of thatch

See the pheasants? Yes, also thatch

Fleur herself sheared the yews (taxus) into shapes......behold the chicken!

Sue's garden......wide entrance with high stone walls. the 'staddle stones' are perfectly clothed in moss

The most endearing resident, look into those melting brown eyes

Front of house. Notice the lack of yew hedged foundation plantings? That would be very rare, most homes have actual 'gardens' at the foundation

British gardens are parceled into 'rooms'. Versus sitting on a deck or patio and having everything within view, you are seduced to meandering and seeking what lies beyond

The ceilings of a 17th c. barn. The intricacy, the muted hand cut wood reveals design and function at it's best

Garden shed

A nation of dogs with a fondness of naming their homes and cottages, LOVED this name

An approach to Lord and Lady Digby's home. The Digby's have opened their grounds to the public, intimate trails, broad reaching views, a profusion of water features, surprises at all turns

Does this not remind you of a scene in Pride and Prejudice where Mr. Darcy comes up from behind?

Rhododendrons and Azaleas only thrive in an acidic soil such as found on the east and west coasts. Illinois gardeners.........try to resist, you are only inviting frustration.

My treasured, long time friends Angela and Ian's garden. Angela is a 'plantswoman', a collector of species, many with historical beginnings, now little known

Angela is the one that inspired me and taught me so much about plants, design and in particular creating an eco-system without your garden to eliminate the need of chemicals. My career path as a garden designer began with the lessons learned from her.

Want to have plants in between the cracks of walls? Choose those that will prosper in the drier condition. Gather up small seeds in a straw, place the straw in the cracks and blow. In many of these instances Mother Nature was the sower

Angela and I always laugh at the differing words between British English and American English.

After a day of lunch, great conversation, wine and dinner, all at their home, she asked if I would like to go into the living room and continue to mooch.

UK = relax US = take advantage of

A beech hedge to the far right. A perfect shrub/tree for our gardens. Thick green glossy leaves in the growing season......winter/early spring lingering copper leaves. Look closely, in the center, Ian's decorative plant supports. Very posh with the ball finials

A view in the summer growing season. Her garden was once featured in Victoria magazine

Do you recognize what is 'dripping' at the end of the limb? if you guessed mistletoe, spot on! Always seeking a proper host to grow on.

An attractive meadow, additionally useful as a habitat for the beneficial insects

A fallen tree is partially left, planted with climbing ivy. This attracts the bugs which provides a feast for the birds

A neighbor of Angela's garden. 'Chiffchaffs' by Mr. Potts. Noticing the naming again and the lichen?

The current issue of 'English Gardens' magazine presents Mr. Pott's idyllic garden

Whenever your property allows for steps and varying levels opt to enhance that natural feature

Cantilevered sheared yews makes a dark background, think of a curtain on the theatre stage; a backdrop for the stars of the show

Aim for the celebration of each season in your garden.

Great color companions

My dearest friend and hostess, Sylvia, and I are combining forces to create a dream trip through the region of Dorset.

Together we are finalizing the details for a memorable journey of garden inspiration, antiquing, floral design, garden design, furniture design origins, creative meals with optional sessions in photography, massage, healing and much more.

Our accommodations are a dream, 17th c. barn recently converted by author/owner Annie Coultas.

As your driver, don't worry, having conducted 15+ English tours, you will be in great hands. With a maximum of twelve, don't wait too long!

fondly,

Debra

debra@scentimentalgardens.com

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patina farm: shutter inspiration...

patina farm: shutter inspiration...: "

Steve and I are planning to start designing our home this weekend, so I've been reviewing my huge stack of images looking for common design elements.

One of the details that I've noticed is that many of the rooms in the images I saved are lacking draperies. It was only until I really started analyzing these rooms that I realized how much I like interior shutters.

Image via Desde my Ventana

I know this seems like an odd thing to be focusing on at this early stage of the design process, but if we decide to use interior shutters on some of our windows I'd like to thicken the walls. I love the way these shutters lay against the inside walls.

image via Desde my Ventana

I like the idea of keeping the walls white and adding a hint of chalky color on the shutters.

image via Desde my Ventana

Since we won't begin building our home for a year or so, I have the luxury of having some time to find a few wonderful antique shutters.

image via Desde my Ventana

I'm leaning toward simple paneled shutters with slightly rustic hardware. Louvered shutters seem a little too fussy.

The walls don't necessarily have to be as thick as the ones in the picture above. We could use folding shutters...

image via Belgian Pearls

image via Belgian Pearls

Most likely we will use interior shutters on just a couple of windows and design the rest of the windows and doors to include exterior shutters.

image from Demeures de Campagne

image from Demeures de Campagne

All of the shutters (inside and outside) will be the gray blue color of the antique shutter I found at Charme d'Antan.

The shutters will provide privacy and black out where ever necessary. Inside, the window treatments will be simple linen draperies on thin iron rods, similar to this image of my favorite steel door.

image from French Country Living

Do you have shutters are your home?

I look forward to reading your comments!

xo

Brooke

If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.

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Artist Spotlight - Anders Moseholm

Artist Spotlight - Anders Moseholm: "

When I first saw Anders Moseholm's paintings while traveling in Denmark, I literally stopped in my tracks. I was mesmerized by his interpretation of interior spaces. Beautiful, stunning interiors of old buildings and libraries, none are specific rooms of course, just bits and pieces of striking architecture redefined.

Anders does not sign his work on the front of the canvas. He prefers you, alone, to enter the painting and be the viewer. In the case of the painting above, he wants you experience the quietness and beauty of the room without being distracted by his signature.

My favorites of course are his interiors. This large, blue painting above will hang in my beach house . It is striking against the all white walls. I love how his work has a wonderful blurriness that makes it seem ethereal.

I also just purchased this small painting titled 'Five Red Pillows' It is a one of his more rare smaller oils. I adore it!

Dave and I had the great pleasure to meet Anders in his studio during our last visit to Denmark. As you can see Anders' work is striking and often larger in scale.

A gorgeous cityscape my brother in law, Jurgen admired.

A rare room of people - lovely.

He is currently showing his work in NYC at Lost City Arts. To learn more about Anders Moseholm and visit his website click HERE. And do tell him Gina said 'Hello'! I know you will enjoy his work as much as I do!

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Gorgeous Stone Shingle Style Home

Gorgeous Stone Shingle Style Home: "

I have always loved the charm of shingle style homes. I love the curving architecture and the all the extraordinary details.

When the homeowners wanted to renovate this 1900’s spectacular home, they called on the great talents of Andrew Reck of Oak Hill Architects.

Let’s have a look inside. The house was formerly owned by celebrity chef Todd English, who installed the stone pizza oven in the kitchen. What a wonderful luxury. Notice the thick chunky legs of the center island. I love the heft and country feel they bring to the kitchen.

Interior Designer, Keith Frederick did a beautiful job with the interiors. I adore this built in banquette. The beautiful shade of blue painted on the back wall of the bookcases is a stunning backdrop to the ironstone. To the right is the transition to living room.

Perhaps my favorite feature of this house is the curved Bath. The tile floor is amazing. I also love when architects thoughtfully place windows beside mirror in Baths. The natural light is much more flattering on your face when you are getting ready. The vanity is gorgeous!

The Library above is truly a work of art! Notice the woodwork and the curved window wells.

Here is a closer view of the Library. Notice the period windows with diamond mullions on the upper half. The woodwork and details in this room are outstanding.

Readers, isn’t this house such a beautiful restoration?? To read more about design and details of this house click HERE. To see more photos and learn more about the exceptional talents of Andrew Reck and Oak Hill Architects click HERE.

(all photos Oak Hill Architects)

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