Spring Projects

 Happy first day of spring, and do I ever have some outdoor projects up my sleeve!

I've been patiently waiting until I can start digging in the dirt and make the garden more to my liking.

Unfortunately, the playhouse has to go.

I thought about replacing it with a potting shed, but instead will plant a large olive tree in the corner.

The stepping stones will be replaced with white hydrangeas, while the planting area at the rear will be planted in white roses.

In the right corner of the yard is an elevated stone patio.

Now I wish I had brought our old outdoor sofa and chairs on the roof deck of our City house to put here.

But time for a new look!

So today, I ordered a wicker sofa and two club chairs!

I've had my eye on this style from Pottery Barn for a while, called "Saybrook."  It's a little different than what I've been seeing out there and it goes with the dining chairs that I've had for a few years.

I think it may be phasing out, so I got a deal!

 

I also ordered an outdoor rug.

It's a flat weave eco-friendly rug made from recycled plastic.

I think it will hold up to the elements.

To top it all off, I found a tent!

Not sure if it's going to work, but we'll see...

In the courtyard, I'll add a matching umbrella over the dining table.

New cushions for the dining chairs in navy and white will spruce things up a bit.

I've got my eye on some at Homegoods!

Speaking of Homegoods, I found a few blue floral and textured outdoor pillows last week that will look great on the sofa and club chairs.  

So happy that florals are making a comeback!

I can't wait to create this backyard retreat.  

I envision having coffee on summer mornings and wine on warm summer evenings while enjoying a yard filled with blooming white roses and hydrangeas!

Let the project begin!

Inspired By Roses

I owe my love of roses to my mom.

She also loved roses, collecting rose bushes like baseball cards!

Indeed, her rose garden was amazing!

While she preferred red roses, I prefer white, like the Iceberg Rose above.

I have planted these Icebergs in three homes now, in various forms.

I chose the standard version of Icebergs at our previous home's side yard...

...and New Dawn climbers in the back.

I remember how glorious this arbor was with those pale pink roses!

Just like my mom collected rose bushes, I collected rose paintings and featured them on the stairs in our previous home.


They now live in our garage where I appreciate them every time I park the car!
I just can't part with them, nor will I ever.


A few of my favorite paintings found their way inside our new home.
This one is in the laundry room.
The red roses in a basket remind me of my mom.

 When I created this bouquet years ago, I again was inspired by my mom's love of roses.
She often cut from her garden and created bouquets of mixed colored roses.
I remember how she mixed "Double Delight," "Mr. Lincoln," and her favorite, "Tropicana" to name a few in her collection.
Roses inspired her too, and she passed her love of them to me.
Thanks, Mom!

I'm joining A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday.

Exterior Progress: Paint and Landscape

 This week has been all about landscape--my favorite part of the remodel.

 That's because it is my own design and I get to see my vision come to fruition.

On Monday, 40 white roses, 3 Italian Cypresses, 100 boxwoods and 20 climbing ficus were delivered.

We couldn't plant yet because we had to wait for Tuesday's delivery of 14 olive trees!

 Bright and early on Tuesday morning, literally before sunrise, they arrived!

For the front and side of the house, six Swan Hill multi-branch olive trees were laid out for planting.

 I chose Swan Hill trees because they are non-fruit bearing and disease resistant.

They will be perfect for the San Francisco Marina which gets its share of fog.

 Inside the courtyard, I chose standard Swan Hill trees.  

That means that they grow from a single trunk and can be placed right against the wall.

 As soon as the trees were planted, Martin began planting the boxwood hedge which will border everything.

 What a difference!

Notice the exterior paint is finished too?

 The painters worked non-stop the week before to get it done, knowing the landscape was scheduled to be installed this week.

 The exterior stucco is Benjamin Moore's Chelsea Gray.

The white is a custom match to the new windows and I outlined the interior mullions in black.

 Copper downspouts also were installed prior to planting.

They will patina to a dark copper in a few weeks.

 This morning, I met Martin to finalize the planting.

The three Italian Cypress will punctuate the corner of the house and white Iceberg roses will fill in everywhere else.

 That may seem like a lot of roses, but I feel that to introduce too many different plants in such a small area would create visual chaos.  

Besides, white roses are kind of my signature!

 Finally, the entry is looking like I envisioned.

The copper lights were installed as well, even though they aren't electrified yet.

 The courtyard is looking pretty dramatic with the tall standard trees.

The small plants beneath are "freeway ficus" which eventually will adhere to the wall and create a living green wall behind the trees.  

The trees will eventually be trimmed after they adapt to their new home.

I have plans for a fountain, both in the entry and the courtyard.

It's beginning to look like a home!

This week has been so much fun, not only because I got to play in the dirt, but also have met so many wonderful neighbors who have been so encouraging and complimentary about the remodel.

We can't wait to move in!

Floral Vignettes Around The House

 A trip to the grocery store and a walk through the garden with clippers yielded a few early spring floral vignettes for the house.

Beginning with white hydrangeas in a green earthenware pitcher for the kitchen island.

But wouldn't it look better...

...in the living room?

Fresh lilacs from the garden initially graced the kitchen table...

...but eventually ended up in the living room on the coffee table.

Then there's this pathetic little arrangement straight from the garden of random flowers and succulents on the window sill!

 My favorite floral vignette though is this simple arrangement of multi-colored roses in a confit pot.

I love it in the family room on the pine trunk.

The only problem with fresh flowers is that they don't last long. 

The hydrangeas and lilacs wilted within 24 hours!

In the meantime, moss or preserved boxwood balls provide an everyday solution in between live plants.

I'll just replace with live ivy topiaries or a flowering plant when we entertain.

I love having fresh flowers around the house. Their beautiful color and sweet aroma brighten my day and make our home feel happy and warm!

Don't you agree?

(Posting at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays and at Savvy Southern Style for WOW!)

Iceberg Roses Galore

White Iceberg Roses are the most popular white rose ever, and in my opinion, the most perfect rose!

The standard tree version is one of my favorites. I have them planted along the sunroom window and when the window is open, the aroma is wonderful.

The uniformity of all-white roses is very pleasing to my eye. The boxwood hedge keeps them framed and orderly.

Iceberg roses are a lovely companion to the fountain too.

More standard tree roses in front of the window box, newly planted with boxwood.

Cecile Brunner climbing roses are a riot on the garage arbor.

Someone wants to get out and smell the roses!

What makes the Iceberg rose so perfect?

They are prolific bloomers, blooming all summer long. They are also disease resistant, quite hardy and have a soft, sweet fragrance.

In Asti, my Iceberg roses have been left to their own devices, unattended and unpruned, proving just how hardy they are.

They will grow up to 5 feet, forming a hedge if allowed.

Although they aren't the best for cutting bouquets, I do it anyway. Just having them last for one night by my bedside is a special treat!

I'm joining Laurie at Bargain Hunting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday.