Ever wonder what's behind those brick walls and iron gates of the charmed row houses of Beacon Hill? Now you can take a peek, during the 2009 Beacon Hill Garden Club Tour on Thursday, May 21st! I'm going for sure- why not play hooky and join me? After seeing all the uber-luxurious spaces I may have to repair my ego with a big ol' cocktail at the BEacon Hill Bistro after wards!
And, if you aren't headed to Brimfield this weekend but need an antique fix, take a jaunt out here to JP for the estate sale happening near the monument on Center Street on Saturday. Last year that's where I scored this beauty... you never know!

Even though it's not warm yet, I know spring is here. There are little green things popping up in my garden and last night it was still light out at 7p.m. It makes me excited to spend lots of time outdoors. I adore the concept of indoor/outdoor rooms- either ones that transition from inside to outside with ease (and big open doors) or outdoor rooms that function like indoor rooms. With the fantastic fabrics, furniture and rugs for outdoor usage available today, there's no excuse for ugly patio furniture!
Here's some eye candy:










Images via Point Click Home, House to Home UK, Domino Magazine, Coastal Living, Sunset, Southern Living.

My dad did not like the way his driveway looked paved and so a couple weeks ago he had it "stoned"- tar put down and then stones poured over top. Unlike a loose stone driveway, all the little stones stay in place. I think it looks amazing, and figured it might be something some of you might consider for your own homes!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

(and my brother's new Mini Coop- tres, tres jealous)

Since lots of you loved seeing my mom's insanely gorgeous garden I thought I'd show you the new edition. Sprinkle some seeds and VOILA-- sunflowers that are almost 8 feet tall. The woman could grow rollerskates if she tried hard enough, I swear.

I the summer I love how the lines between indoor living and outdoor living are blurred. In California people live this way year round, but in the east it's a seasonal delicacy that we hoard as long as we can, sitting outside until it's dark knowing that in mere months there will be snow again. It takes a lot of work and dedication into creating a great outdoor living space because let's face it, gardening is not for wimps. Andrew and I have been patting ourselves on the back for getting our hydrangea to bloom--and then we spend the weekend at my parent's house and realize this is not a feat to be celebrated.
I swear, if my mom gets cut she just might bleed Miracle Grow. The woman could pour bleach on plants and they would thank her and grow higher. I did not inherit this "green gene", sadly.







Gardens can also incorporate accessories! My mom places all sorts of finds in hers- a deer skull she found on a walk (which scared my dad when he came home and found it in a bucket of bleach on the kitchen counter), the little creeping plants she planted in between ever single stone on the patio, a little stone pig hiding amongst the hydrangeas, a vintage ceramic piece we found at an antique store now sitting in a small birdbath...


A new career as a landscape designer for my mom? I think so!!!

I think it's here!
After a perfect day (80 degrees and breezy) of working in our garden and sitting by the pond, we grilled out dinner last night and welcomed summer! My mom's amazing steak marinade, a salad with fresh berries and corn on the cob- yum! I just love spending time outside in the summer. If a had a porch big enough, I would definitely put up one of these amazing porch swings, handmade by the women at Penobscot Bay Porch Swings in Maine. Made of sailcloth, they defy the traditional wooden porch swing with style and humor. They even make a cradle version for the little ones to enjoy.

How great is this little number from perennial favorite, Z Gallerie? (Note to them: open one in Boston already!!!!) For under $500 you can create your own luxe backyard cabana reminiscent of something found poolside at the the Viceroy! I love it! And while your at it, pick up some of these adorable cane textured plastic glasses from Cynthia Rowley at Target. They also come in clear and will only set you back $23.99 for a set of 12. Palm Springs in your backyard on the cheap!

I saw a crocus poking it's little head out of the ground yesterday and finally breathed a sigh of relief: spring is here. With that, comes working on my patio and garden! Last year we put in some fencing and a paver patio so we could enjoy as much of the outdoors as we could. I brought up the AMAZING faux-bamboo table and chairs I inherited from my Grandmother (below) and swiped a copper fire pit from my folks. We had about a month of warm weather to enjoy it before it got too cold so I am so looking forward to spending lots of time out there this year!



I have started brainstorming about what I want to do out there, so here are my thoughts:
First, I am spray painting the dining set glossy black. I think it will look sleek and fun with wither black and white cushions or a solid bright color like coral or green. The black and white
ones below are from Ballard, the tall stack is Pottery Barn.


With some help from my green-thumbed Mom I want to put in lots of tall ornamental grasses, shade loving perennials and make it very dramatic and beautiful.



I also want to do some planter gardens in modern zinc planters like these from Restoration.


On the deck I want a cozy, comfy hanging chair. I don't like hammock looking ones, but rattan and wicker ones can either be really uncomfortable (like this white modern IKEA one looks) or really expensive (like the one at left which I LOOOOOVE).

Also on the deck I want to hang a Sunbrella Curtain with a tie back to give us some privacy when sitting up there in said hanging chair. Plus it will give the space an "outdoor living room" feel. These are from Pottery Barn, but JCPenney and Ballard Designs have some gorgeous ones too!


On the table, lots of modern lanterns with candles for outdoor dinner parties by the fire pit. These are from Restoration.


And hanging on the branches of the tree that curves over our little lawn I'd like to finally get this robins egg blue feeder from DWR and put some little votive holders to up the romance quotient!



I can;t wait to get started. I think having some outdoor living space really increases one's happiness factor! If you have only a deck, do some great planter gardens in various height planters! Also, hanging planter boxes on the railings adds a lot of character (I plan to do that as well).

Ahhh, spring!