Yard

Looki: I Did It Myself

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Strawberry lemonade never tasted so sweet!

Strawberry lemonade never tasted so sweet!

Ten years ago we remodeled our cute little home, because the duct tape we were using to hold it together was starting to peel. I never really gave too much thought about a front porch—but thank goodness my fabulous architect did! When we got the first round of plans, I loved the front porch. I could hardly wait to be sipping my first cup of coffee while perusing the morning paper on MY front porch. Now, funny thing is it never was MY front porch. It belonged to the skateboards, freebords, roller blades, razor scooters, bikes, the very stinky hockey gear and the random welder (don’t ask). Yes, I have 4 active boys and the front porch was the proof. I needed a space that I could call my own without tripping over all the hazards.

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I decided to clear out all the “gear” and reclaim my space. My first thought was French Country. Maybe a Toile in a cheery yellow for the seat cushions. White and blue for accent pillows. I thought they would go so nicely with 2 wicker chairs that I recently painted black. I headed to Home Goods and wandered the rows of chair cushions and pillows—nothing in yellow, but these coral patterned cushions caught my eye and I never looked back. Next, I found a solid Ralph Lauren ($14.99) pillow and a cream based embroidered with a coral pattern pillow ($16.99).

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The only thing I needed now was some sort of fabric to re-cover the ratty sea grass ottoman. I hit the jackpot when I found this Tommy Hilfiger duvet cover for a whopping $29.99. And, I only needed half of it.

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Once the color scheme was in place, I headed to Summerwinds Nursery to pick out my perfect posies. I have to admit I love walking through the nursery. It’s never a quick trip for me—ahhhh, wandering the aisles. Getting back on track, I loaded up the convertible with a few jumbo packs, a couple of daisies and impatients and a gerber daisy.

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I loved putting it all together. I got the tray from Soltice, the orange vase came from Summerwinds, the bird house was a true find at the Alameda Antique Fair and the watering can was left behind when we bought the house. One of my favorite things on the new front is that old watering can–that doesn’t hold water anymore. I’d like to take credit for putting that gerber daisy in it, but I got the idea from another blog Hoosier Homemade. My only big purchase was the aqua pot and the hydrangea—for just under $70. But, I’m a sucker for hydrangeas and that aqua color was to perfect to pass up.

Impatients and the very stinky hockey gear!

Impatients and the very stinky hockey gear!

Now, it’s been a whole week and all that “gear” has stayed away. OK, one exception has been made—the very stinky hockey gear is staying—but at least it is much neater. And, that I can live with. Sipping my first glass of strawberry lemonade with my feet up on the ottoman was pure heaven. We have spent nearly every evening out there—pure bliss.

My front porch does seem a little on the girlie side, but in my defense I do live with a lot of testosterone and a balance was needed. Now MY universe is balanced!

I’m linking up with Show and Tell Fridays and The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

From Beige to Bright: Backyard Makeover Gets Colorful

Monday, June 28th, 2010

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With a number of summer parties planned, from a graduation to a school fundraiser, Kristin Savini wanted her backyard to look beautiful. But when she gazed outside, “everything was beige and brown.”  She loved her pool. patio and brick fireplace, but her flowerbeds and the cushions on her outdoor furniture  seemed overwhelmingly  “blah.”

4737066453_eaf7da62dc_bSo she called in the pros. First, Steve Gilbert from Willow Glen Home and Garden suggested using the color of the pool as inspiration. He brought in bright turqoise cushions for the furniture and no fewer than 11 ceramic urns. To Kristin, it all looked “elegant and fun.” But that was a lot of urns to plant. So she called in her friend and container gardener Dhelia Fahrner of La Jardiniere.

With the bright cushions and pots, she knew the plants needed to be one thing: saturated with color. “It couldn’t be pale,” she said. At Summerwinds Nursery in Campbell, she and Kristin pulled out bright orange-gold “Easy Does It” standard roses and a big chartreuse ginger plant for height in the middle of some of the taller pots. They also added purples, fuschias 4737702286_689981c562_band oranges with geraniums, lantana, verbena, petunias and alyssum of various heights and textures.

The results were spectacular. Here are some tips for vivid container gardening from La Jardiniere:

1. Before going to the nursery, take measurements of your pots, both width and height, to figure out how many plants are needed to fill each pot and how tall the plants should be to balance the size of the pot. At the nursery, find an empty corner to arrange your chosen plants to see how they would appear together in the pot.

2. Know the sun exposure so you know whether to get sun-loving or shade-loving plants.

4737065369_c6b58609ba_b3. Choose a style — tight, loose, abundant, minimal — to fit your style or the architecture of your home.

4. If you’re planting several pots, purchase some “foundation plants” that are perennial and can last from season to season. Buy colorful annuals in six-packs that are less expensive to replace.

5. Use quality potting soil and fertilizer and water, water, water.

To see what Dhelia did to her own backyard and another project open these:

Dhelia’s Dahlias

Before and After:Spanish Courtyard Gets Makeover

Julia Looking Right - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The Art of Shade

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Kenyan Pattern Curved Shade

Kenyan Pattern Curved Shade

Let’s face it “green” design doesn’t automatically go hand-in-hand with beautiful design.  Green design is vital to our great planet earth, but must it be so utilitarian?   This past October, while attending West Coast Green, I found that not all green design is just about efficient function. We can have style, panache and feel good about it.

Decorative Screens

Decorative Screens

Parasoleil has created wonderful copper panels that can be used for shade, privacy and dare I say, pure for aesthetic enjoyment, and come in three finishes– verdigris, bronze and raw. The patterns are inspired by many different cultures from around the world.  The panels are made from 90% recycled content copper. Although copper was the original material for the panels, now you can get them made in aluminum, acryllic, steel, composite and FSC wood.   Parasoleil crafts these shade partitions in Boulder, Colorado.  The local distributor, Living Green Design Solutions, is located in Fresno, California.

Flanagan Shadow

Flanigan Shadow

My personal favorite in the Flanigan pattern with the verdigris finish.  I’d use it to hide that ugly pool equipment.  The panels are definitely works of art but the best part, in my opinion, are the shade patterns they create.

desiree

Half To Have It in Half Moon Bay

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Chimes from glass bottles.

Chimes from glass bottles.

I recently got a hot tip regarding a shop in Half Moon Bay. HMB is a quaint seaside community, with lovely shops and restaurants.  (FYI–The Flying Fish has amazing fish tacos).  A Lookiloos reader contacted me and said “You must see this place.”   Now,  as you know, it doesn’t take this particular Lookiloo much prodding to get herself over to the coast.   I decided today was the day. I had an early morning photo shoot and nothing the rest of the day, so over the hill I headed.  It couldn’t have been a more gorgeous day.  Temperatures in the low 70’s with a very slight sea breeze, ahhhh….sorry, back on track now.

 

Glass Face Sconces

Glass Face Sconces

Half To Have It is a charming emporium.  They specialize in antiques, furniture, collectibles and wonderful things for the garden.  As you enter the courtyard you are walking on crushed glass and ceramic pottery. (NOTE: Closed-toe shoes would be a recommendation.)  I fell in love with the chimes made from glass bottles and they were quite reasonably price at $27.  And, while we’re on the glass subject…I loved the glass face sconces.  I wish I could have seen them glowing at night.  A bit pricier at $78, but so different and worth it.

A Pig Can Fly!

A Pig Can Fly!

Folk art is charming, fun and so unpretentious.  There is no shortage of it here.  My two favorites would have to be the  flying pig ($125) and the pink flamingos ($295).  I mean how can you go wrong with pigs and flamingos? It’s a no brainer.   Seriously, I’m re-working my backyard living space and one of these WILL end up in my yard.

Soon to be my flamingo...look at that face!

Soon to be my flamingo...look at that face!

So, this is my dilemma….pig or flamingo.  I’d love to hear…so let me know.  I will need to get back over that hill to Half Moon Bay soon just to breathe in the negative ions to counter the stress from the holidays. So,  I will Half To Have It in Half Moon Bay!deseyeleft

Half To Have It

601 Main St.

Half Moon Bay, CA  94019

650.712.5995

Vintage Garden Statuary of Carmel: Just Perfect

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

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While wandering through the sidestreets of Carmel, I came upon a lovely little tudor home — a house that was obviously new, but doing its best to look old. What captured my eye more than the architecture, though, was the vintage garden statuary in the front courtyard. Entwined with flowers and vines, the statues gave this new house had been here a long, long time.

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The courtyard, even on this tiny scale, reminded me a bit of some of the tricks of the famous 18th century English landscape designer “Capability Brown.” Although he was known for his naturalistic landscapes surrounding the finest castles, what I remember most about his work were the little “surprises” found at the end of walkways and curving paths. Brown would often punctuate hidden spots with garden statuary so the wanderer might happen upon something unexpected.  That’s the way I felt as I passed this Carmel gem — a statue here, a bird bath-turned-urn there. carmel statuary 007

And the homeowner also had a sense of whimsey, adding a garden nome here and there.

carmel statuary 011Julia Looking Left - LookiloosCarmel never disappoints. And neither did this lovely little garden.

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CornerStone is a Must See in Sonoma

Thursday, November 26th, 2009
14 foot wind chime

14 foot wind chime

Wandering through CornerStone in Sonoma, I was  drawn to resounding rhythms. It was hypnotic. I made my way across the courtyard to the other side. Stepping across the threshold, I entered PotterGreen and Company and saw the most majestic wind chime. And, yes majestic is the only word to describe it.  The 14 foot chime hung from the massive beam taking center stage.  Priced at $2950. and not having the proper mode of transportation to get it home, I had to pass on this purchase.  Music of the Spheres is the creator of this and other not so large wind chimes.  The prices start around $90 and go up from there.  These chimes are made from 100% domestic materials and they come in 10 different scales. My favorite is the Tenor.

Old Growth Planters

Old Growth Planters

After the spell I was under subsided, I roamed the rest of PotterGreen. There are many treasures from local artists. A lot of eye candy and something for everyone.  They also carry gorgeous redwood planters.  These planters are made from old growth redwood trees. The craftsmanship on the planters is in itself a work of art. Forever Redwood the maker of these beautiful planters, believes in restoration forestry practices.  Restoration forestry is a more conservative forestry practice than sustainable forestry.  Which, I’m thinking is a good good idea.   And,  for all you Lookiloo readers who are interested in purchasing these planters, give Tom Wright a call. He will give you a password to enter online and you’ll get a 10% discount.

deseyeleft

PotterGreen and Co.

23586 Hwy 121

Sonoma, CA

Tom Wright

707.996.8888

Mediterranean With Remodeled Kitchen A Child’s Dream

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Rose Garden Homes Tour-mediterranean
For years as a student at Lincoln High School, Mary Martin would walk down Calaveras Street and fantasize that one day she would live in one of the graceful homes there. Her dream came true four years ago when a classic two-story Spanish-style home with a charming front courtyard came on the market.

She had wondered for years if this particular house was as beautiful on the inside as out. And when she first stepped inside, “I knew this was the one,” Mary said. “It was more stunning that I expected.”

Rose Garden Homes Tour-MediterraneanSaltilo tile floors greeted her in the entryway with a sweeping staircase with curved wrought-iron railings. Two steps down took her to the grand formal living room with plenty of space for the baby grand piano and their whimsical orange and black “Halloween tree” that adorns the front window for the autumn Rose Garden Homes Tour in mid-October.

A rear addition had been added at one point to the 1938 home, opening up the kitchen to a new family room, with a master suite on top. The Martins have just completed a kitchen update.

Michael Martin is in the broadcast industry and has adorned his study and stairwell with his collection of electric guitars with signatures of major bands, including The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith.

rose garden homes tour-MediterraneanOne of Mary’s favorite spots for a little solitude is the lovely balcony off the master bedroom where she often reads or enjoys a cup of coffee while overlooking the lush backyard and swimming pool.Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

To read about the courtyard makeover, click here:

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Before and After: Spanish Courtyard Makeover

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
Courtyard Makeover With Wine Bottle Barrel and Vintage Mirror

Courtyard Makeover With Wine Bottle Barrel and Vintage Mirror

The front courtyard of the lovely Mediterranean home clearly had potential. A charming gateway led to it from the driveway. Two Spanish-style arches lined it heading to the front door, and a lovely picture window from the dining room framed the space.

 
The Problem: But the plantings were dark and overgrown. A big dead tree trunk took up space in the corner. A purple plant hid the window. 
Before Makeoever: Overgrown plant blocks window

Before Makeoever: Overgrown plant blocks window

 
 Worst of all, the homeowner said she never used it.
 
Well, for the Rose Garden Homes Tour in San Jose last weekend, the homeowner was ready to spruce things up.
 
In came Dhelia Fahrner, who has a San Jose seasonal container gardening business called La Jardiniere, to transform it.
 
“Because you enter the front door and walk through the courtyard, I thought it could be such a more welcoming and usable space,” she said.
 
The Solution: To lighten and freshen the shady space, Dhelia decided to stick with white and green, adding blooming azaleas and cyclamen, ferns and moss.  The homeowner also wanted a low-maintenance space, so Dhelia added succulents in several containers, including in abalone shells.
She also wanted to highlight the arched window, both from the outside and the inside, so pulled out the overgrown plant, and added a formal knot garden of box hedges below and a pedestal with a female bust on top.
After: New plantingsfreshen fountain; vintage bust frames window

After: New plantingsfreshen fountain; vintage bust frames window

 
To add interest and a bit of whimsy, she turned an old metal wine bottle barrel on its side and loaded it with pumpkins and moss, which can change with the seasons. (At Christmas, it can be filled with big silver ornaments, or just planted with verigated ground cover.)  A mirror made from a vintage Palladian window  leans against the courtyard fence wall.
 
She removed an old bench and replaced it with a tile console table, and topped it with concrete urns with orchids, the abalone shell succulents, and a tray of drinks. “That will alllow them to serve wine and appetizers in the courtyard if they’re having a party,” Dhelia said.
After:This courtyard is ready for cocktails!

After:This courtyard is ready for cocktails!

Before: A lonely bench sits empty.
Before: A lonely bench sits empty.
 
When they do, this courtyard is ready.Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos
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Rain Turns Remodel into Mud fight!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

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I thought I would give everyone a quick update in the renovation.  With the cottage finished we are focusing our attentions on the garage and main house.  While work is going extremely well (thank you Vinnie Tran, our amazing contractor) Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball with the October storm.  I know everyone in California was aP1010639wash in her glory and while the drought stricken earth needed the rain, we personally could have waited a couple of days.

We were trenching gas and electricity lines and starting to frame the garage when the storm struck. Our backyard resembled Venice with the canals. Actually minus the incredible architecture, charming gondolas, priceless art and, well,  you get the picture.  We were left with just mud.  A lot of mud!

When given lemons you make lemonade; when given mud you make mud-ball fights! The kids and Craig had a blast playing in the mud. I am sure this is just the start of it all.

Stay-tuned.

Lisa.

3642719406_53920d2df1(To follow the rest of the Hinkley Family remodel, go to This Darned House at Lookiloos. )

Theme Party Decorating a Challenge

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Night of the Iguana
The expectations of our guests must have been high. We didn’t just promise a lovely dinner for 12 as part of the party we offered at our children’s school auction. We told them we would transform my backyard and screened porch into a “faraway paradise.”

I should have known immediately that I was over my head. But we gave it our best shot last weekend.

Night of the IguanaOur friends, Amy and Parke Young and Julie and Craig Paulsen and my husband, Chris, and I decided on a south of the border theme and called the party “Night of the Iguana,” inspired by the 1962 film classic starring Richard Burton and Eva Gardner.

In the brochure for the auction, along with “Pacific Coastal Cuisine” and “lizard libations,” this is what we promised:

“Feel the sultry summer heat. Sway with the jungle vibe. Taste exotica. Experience Night of the Iguana. Don’t you wanna?”

(That’s the edited version. One step further and we might have violated Catholic school protocol.)

Night of the IguanaAll I can say is, thank God for Amy. As much as I write about great decor and tabletop settings, I still tend to be all thumbs when I try it myself. (Every year, I swear I’ve got the most uninspired Christmas wreath on the block.)

I knew we would fare OK when Amy came over a couple of weeks before the party with the piece that would set the tone for the party: mosquito netting that used to be over her son’s bed. We instantly thought of those grand safaris — you know, where the elephants are stampeding outside, but inside the mosquito netting, a white-linen table cloth is set with silver.

Night of the IguanaWe started by clearing out the screened porch and putting the seating arrangement on the back lawn for cocktail hour. I dragged an old rug I found at a garage sale from the shed (I could never get the musty smell out of it for inside) and put it on the grass. Parke built a bar from salvage plywood. Amy added palapa grass to the umbrella. Parke strung paper lanterns across the back yard and we lit a fire in the chiminea outside and in the fireplace on the porch, and lit tea lights everywhere.

On the porch, we put a long, plywood tabletop on top of my table to seat 12. We hung the mosquito netting above the table, draping and tacking it up — as if we pulled back the mosquito netting for dinner. (We figured it would be difficult to serve and clear through the netting. That lightbulb moment came to me later.)

Night of the IguanaAnd with boxes of colorful odds and ends from Amy’s basement, plus some potted palms from their yard, I’d say we made a pretty good effort at a “faraway paradise.”

As it is with any party, the key is that everyone have a good time. And with help from Craig’s “lizard libations” I think everyone did. And just today, I received a thank-you note from the couple who treated their friends to our auctioned off evening: “All our guests commented that they had never been served with such attention and flair.” The atmosphere, the letter said, “was wonderful.”

Job done! Chris even said he might be up for it again next year. Hmmm. Theme anyone? 

To take a look at a video of my screened porch before the party, click here.

To look at some professional tabletops, done by floral designer Jose Ibarra, check out these:
Wabi Sabi: Where the Imperfect is Beautiful

Can Lookiloos Pass Wabi Sabi Test?
Floral Chic Mother’s Day