Stella (r) Garden

Stella McCartney's English garden is bliss.  I love the entry court with those fabulous stone urns on pedestals mixed with terracotta planters planted with simple box domes. The wisteria whispering across the front facade and the oil and stone ground surface seem so elegant. There's a lot going on with the salvaged bench and side door but it works in an understated sophistication.

In the rear yard, her husband commissioned a garden dedicated to her in honor of their Anniversary.    The urns are filled with french lavender and double petunias and have been nestled in a sea of spring blooming alliums and tulips.



The copper beech hedge, bay trees and box highlight the Engagement Pool perfectly. Notice the trees in the background. Not even the tree pits have been overlooked.

Elle Decor

I saw these great looking Restoration Hardware wingback chairs in this month's Elle Decor Magazine and wanted to share. Made of teak, they are outdoor friendly and look super comfortable. If you are looking to spruce up your patio, they would be perfectly paired with a couch and coffee table. Place a cozy throw on the back for crisp Fall nights and enjoy the garden at sunset.
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Gwyneth's Garden Goop

Gwyneth Paltrow has a great blog called "goop". She references her travels, ideas and inspirations. Her latest is a catalogue of her recent trip to Venice for the Film Festival. Complete with tastings along the way, it's fabulous. Check out the Pasta al Pomodoro recipe from Hotel Cipriani- basil is in season...harvest from your garden and enjoy! Ya dig?

Hotel Cipriani
Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin,
Giudecca 10,
30133 Venice
+39 (041) 520 7744


Recipes:From the Hotel Cipriani:
Pasta al Pomodoro
Ingredients:


2 lbs mix of regular and cherry tomatoes peeled and roughly chopped. Make sure the tomatoes are as ripe as possible.
2 white onions finely chopped
1 peeled garlic clove
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh unsalted butter
De Cecco Spaghetti
Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt and pepper to taste
Basil

Heat the oil in a casserole dish, add the garlic and brown slightly. When the garlic is golden remove it from the oil
When the tomatoes are cooked, beat with a whisk in order to refine the tomato sauce, adjust the taste and keep warm.

Cook the pasta “al dente” in a large pot of salted water, then drain it and add it to the tomato sauce. Add basil leaves torn by hand, a knob of fresh butter, and a generous sprinkling of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Stir thoroughly and serve immediately, steaming hot.

Moss Garden

With a name like Moss you knew that Kate's wedding (featured in this month's Vogue Magazine)was going to be sensational. The photo shoot featured her beautiful gown, food service and A-list guests. All truly intriguing but what caught my eye was the sensational flower border lining the church where the couple tied the knot. Thickly planted white delphiniums, scabious and daisy were employed to give this effect.





To achieve this look for yourself:
-Rely on all white plantings with subtle hits of light green
-Use plantings that thrive in your plant zone
-Don't be afraid to add your own...ladies mantle, allium, hosta or french tulips
-Think about adding some coniferous plantings to provide structure to the garden off season. I'm thinking a small sequence of box.
-Finally, try to stick with perennials

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DecorVert

In design, I love blurring the line between indoors and out. Here are a couple of ideas to infuse your home with garden inspired delights. This livingroom relies on fresh cuttings stacked on garden books, stone garden statuary, vintage fence tops and rod iron light fixtures to achieve this idea. Ya Dig?

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