A Fresh Coat of Paint

A painting initiative looking to upgrade negative outdoor spaces has been underway at the Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro. Like a giant piece of Fruit Stripe gum, the cheerful colors breathe life into the depleted urban fabric of the existing neighborhood. The potential power of this installation is amazing.

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Gothic is Revived

No need to winter this line of "unidoor" furniture. Studio Job specifically designed these plastic chairs to be used in either an indoor or outdoor setting. Inspired by 19th century Gothic side chairs, they are available in a kaleidoscope of colors. I would arrange them on a modern terrace and plant nearby "bombs" of flowers that perfectly replicate the chair's color. These little jewels would definitely illuminate any patio blues.


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The Grateful Dead

Perennials are deeply discounted at this time of year because they are falling out of season and look "tired". Now is a great time to snatch them up. I look for the varieties that I could potentially prefer "grateful dead" rather than mid-summer exhuberant. Huh? Cone flower, grasses and some hydrangea all donate fabulous texture and dimension to the Fall and Winter landscape while in their dormant state. Why not invest in plantings that look great year round?

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Saving the Season

Recently, I stumbled upon a website that I think is "culinarily" intriguing; www.savingtheseason.com. Dedicated to prolonging the enjoyment of our potagers (or trip to Whole Foods), the site gives instruction on canning foods with complimentary recipes too. I love how it fills a void.... this gives service to the foods that didn't make the initial farm to table feast. The jam recipes look delish and I would love to try her West Sweet Preserves Scotch Marmalade. Sweet or savory, it's bound to be an inspiration if you're in a pickle.

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Kelly's Courtyard

Chic, savvy and widely known for her edgy interiors, Kelly Wearstler is one of my fav designers. Her beautiful coffee table book, HUE is a testament to her fearless command of all color combinations. With great delight she shares photos of her Orangerie within her California Hillcrest Estate. Found under the cover of Peridot are stunning shots of her little oasis. From within the home, the Orangerie is a marvelous backdrop to highlight her individual vignettes.


Outside, it is an unexpected and thrilling maze of terra cotta pots filled with a collection of simple box, poodle box and standard fruit trees. I would die to find a client with this as their inspiration (and believe me, I've tried peddling it)!




The concept itself is cinch. Paint a clutch of all weather pots white and stud with box and standards. The true take away is in the arrangement. The room can constantly change depending on the pot configuration. Line them in an artful allee parallel to a dining table for a dinner party. Pinch them all at the end of a terrace and play with scale as you would a flower arrangement. Or, create a shade garden, an outdoor shower sleeve, pop up children's maze, makeshift scrim or an aisle to a backyard party. The possibilities are endless.

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FRESH 365

Fresh365online.com is a great website for recipes sourcing seasonal produce. The menus are broken down by season (very clever) or category and each dish features beautiful photographs of the finished product(always appreciated). My favs were the delicious veggie taco salad and the warm carrot & quinoa muffins. Whether the produce is coming from your potager or Whole Foods, the meal is bound to be a fresh success.

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Rock Stars and Heavy Metal

....and now for the other stylish fish in the sea. Whether it's Chinese Foo Dog statuary or salvaged iron gates, garden ornament is a great way to add dimension and introduce focal points into your garden. The wire mesh urn is my fav. I'd camouflage it's silhouette with evergreen climbers and plant simple box within. Two of the giant iron obelisk's flanking a prominent entrance would be fun when planted with runner beans, gourds or tomatoes in matching Annabelle hydrangea bombs. Visit the Marvin Gardens website www.marvingardensusa.com- in my opinion, they traffic the best of the gritty good goods.






If you are near NYC, check out the emerging garden decor mecca along Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side. This is a good area to suss out stone statuary and those Foos that you and Rachel Zoe love. Bunny William's shop Treilage should be your headliner and end with Mecox Gardens, an awesome finale. If your feeling an encore (or if I were accompanying you), circle back to Roberta Roller Rabbit to stock up on outdoor table accoutrement.

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