Mosaic Magic New Zealand Style

Just when you think you've seen it all….you discover the magical  Giant's House, perched high on a hill in Akaroa, so-named by a small child who declared that the imposing home must belong to a giant since it was so big. Yet the size of the home is modest compared to the imagination of its…

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Unexpected Inspiration from 7000 miles away

What  design ideas can I possibly glean for soggy Seattle from a garden in the driest and coldest part of New Zealand? It turns out, many. Not only that but my visit to Jo Wakelin's garden  at the foot of the Mt. Pisa range in Central Otago is one that has stayed with me, almost…

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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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Pettifers: Lessons in Layering and Color

As much as we all love to visit world-renowned gardens such as Longwood, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter , it's frequently the private gardens that prove to be the highlight of my garden tours. Guests enjoy chatting with the passionate owners and caretakers, learning about a gardens history and hearing about the various challenges that are…

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A visit to St. Fagans, South Wales

When scouting for interesting destinations for my tour guests, I often seek out lesser-known gems that offer unique insights into local history and culture in addition to great gardens. I was struggling for a way to enrich our visit to South Wales that would offer our guests a greater appreciation for the nations past, their…

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