Seeking Stillness

In a fast paced world we quickly lose sight of the restorative quality of stillness. We are so busy working, shopping, entertaining, and caring for others that it's easy to feel guilty to allow ourselves to be still for a moment, to be silent, to "be". One of the most profound and moving experiences during…

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Designing Fall Vignettes

Heart-shaped, golden leaves of a katsura tree in fall

Is the fall interest in your garden limited to the decaying foliage of summer perennials? That can often be the case without some advance planning. Here are a few ideas to help you create vignettes that truly celebrate the season rather than apologize for their demise. Temper The Fire The temptation is to focus on…

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Easy Fall Containers

With my new garden still being firmly in the 'planning and dreaming' stage I decided to plant up a couple of containers to feed my creative spirit and bring some much needed color into the space. Seattle winters are so grey and I knew that would be compounded by the expansive concrete patio, weathered cedar…

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Hide & Seek: Design Tricks from Sudeley Castle

There are so many castles in England  that choosing which ones to take a tour group to can be tricky. All are fascinating in their own way whether their medieval history, tales of renovation or collections of priceless art and most have gardens that are worth a visit but truthfully the only reason I included…

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