SPRING HAS SPRUNG . . .

Spring has sprung,

the grass is ris,

I wonder where the flowers is.

     Spring may not officially begin until this Saturday, but I can definitely see, feel and hear it all around me right now. We have been having the most gorgeous weather this past week and with all of the winter rain we received in Southern California, everything is so green.

The birds are definitely enjoying themselves; they’ve been singing and chirping and chasing after each other so much that I find myself drawn to the windows just to watch and vicariously take in their joy. And, despite the lack of attention my courtyard flower containers have received of late (since I refused to venture out into the cold this winter to tend to them), some of my plants are full of buds and actually have flowers growing! Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful?

     Yes, Mother Nature may be wonderful, but she hasn’t done all of my work for me – there is still plenty to do. This week-end would be the ideal time to begin revamping both my courtyard and back patio. 

     With that in mind, I’d like to take you on a mini tour of some of my favorite shops for finding not only beautiful and unique plants for both indoors and out, but also some fabulous containers, accessories, patio furniture, etc. I always leave these places feeling totally inspired.

     First stop, Roger's Gardens of Newport Beach. Let me warn you, this place is huge - 7 acres huge.  When you enter it for the first time it will take your breath away; sometimes it's difficult to focus because there is so much to take in.  Just make sure that you've set aside enough time to visit all of the different garden rooms and walk the full grounds - it's spectacular!
     If you dont' live near enough to physically visit Roger's Gardens, I suggest you visit them online.  You can't purchase online, but it's still a great source of inspiration and definitely worth your time perusing.

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Spring is nature's way

of saying, "Let's party!"

   Robin Williams

"The earth laughs in flowers." e. e. cummings

Gardening requires lots of water -- most of it in the form of perspiration.

                 Lou Erickson

     Next stop, Inner Gardens. They have three different locations in Los Angeles, all with wonderful items.  They are not nearly as large as Rogers Gardens, but still have plenty with which to entice you and get those gardening juices flowing.

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face. "

  Langston Hughes

Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.

                   Elizabeth Murray

             All through the long winter, I dream of my garden.

            On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into

            the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.

                                                       Helen Hayes

Our third and final  stop is Rolling Greens Nursery.  They have two California locations, Culver City and Los Angeles, but Culver City is the only location that is a true nursery.  Their  L.A location is primarily home and garden accessory items mixed in with some great items for the bed, bath and kitchen.  

    

                 "Earth laughs in flower."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." --

                        Dorothy Frances Gurney

That concludes our tour for today . . . you may exit towards the left.

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!!

     In honor of St. Patrick's Day it seems only appropriate that I share with you some beautiful interiors where green is the color of the day. I think I'd prefer to drink up the beauty of these rooms and take a pass on the green beer!

From The Private House by Rose Tarlow

Interior design by Jane J. Marsden Antiques & Interiors

From Interior Color by Design by Jonathan Poore

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Interior design by Charles Faudree

Interior design by Dan Carithers

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Interior design by Rose Tarlow

ONE STEP AT A TIME

     As a young child one of my favorite places to hang out was on the steps that led to the 2nd floor of the old New England home I grew up in. That was where I’d sit to read a book, or do my homework or just look out of the landing's colored glass window and dream of what life had in store for me. It was also where my older sister would create a make-believe schoolroom where I and many of our neighborhood friends would sit, one behind the other, and practice our additions or subtractions, or take in whatever she was teaching that particular day; we thought "playing school" was loads of fun.  I know it probably sounds a bit odd, but a lot of fond childhood memories have their roots in that staircase.
     So it’s not surprising that when I became an adult and was looking to purchase my first house, I naturally gravitated towards those with two stories. How could it ever be a home without a set of stairs? How could I deprive my children of a staircase?

     It’s also not surprising that as an interior designer I place a great amount of importance on the staircase and all of its components. Often a staircase is the focal point in a house and it shouldn’t be treated as simply the way to get from one floor to the next. I think you’ll see from the following photos that I’m not alone in my way of thinking.

Design by Thomas Pheasant

       From The Private House by Rose Tarlow

Source: Unknown

Courtesy of Veranda

Ballustrade by Peter Pennoyer

                                   

Design by Lorna Perez-Caster - LPC Designs