Garden State Home Renovation

The dreaded ivy vine is toast!  Home Renovation starts

It's not all together unreasonable that as a garden designer I should think about the garden renovation first.

Our Garden State country house is presently undergoing a home renovation.
And while this is not the "Garden Glamour" look you may be accustomed to here--not so pretty, I am going to share the process -- uglies and all.

As everyone who's lived through the experience of a home renovation knows, it's a roller coaster of a ride.

I'll refrain from too much commentary and focus on images, plans for the home design, and garden design, including my plans for a green, "designed" driveway.

I'll share the shopping frustrations, selection of kitchen and dining and bathroom fixtures and design.
The selection of marble for the kitchen counter and island is a comedy of errors unto itself.

Fingers crossed. Hope and dreams are still floating...

Before/Old entrance. Conifer was moved to garden client

The 1960's entrance worked for the former owners -- and us (for a time)  I think it was the Nor'Easter of 2011 that ripped the screen door off!

The problem here is obvious looks-wise.
The other problems included having guests walk up the driveway to the twisty-turney steps.
Decorative pots and plants were baked in the southwest exposure.
Too much paving in the driveway.

Good news: the front lawn is accessorized with a spectacular Kwanzan cherry tree.  Sakura blossoms abound in the spring!  pink snow!

I will preserve that magnificent work of art.
We will thin out in the spring in deference to our neighbors -- and the tree.

The arbor I designed with a tunnel of coral bark maple, Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku,' sided by the cultivar Lady in Red Hydrangeas, hydrangea macrophylla and Knock Out Rose,  http://www.knockoutroses.com/ and fronted with deciduous red twigged dogwoods, cornus alba 'Elegantissima.'  The coral bark leaves are bright light green in spring, golden in fall which blends so elegantly with the deep purple foliage of the hydragea leaves.
All the red bark looks brilliant contrasting with the white snow-- like rubies glistening against ermine.

and with red cardinals accessorizing the borrowed landscape, it's a "Look Book" moment, in a season that most don't look at enough...

wheel barrow now fronts the arbor...

I designed the arbor as a romantic way to get to the back yard.
I don't think most homeowners think of an easy, dedicated, designed way to access the yard.

"Design" is usually the contractor's foundation plants and lawn...

I wanted a transition. A sense of moving from one place -- the street -- into another world.

view of marina below us and NYC skyline beyond

Plus, the drama of the heart-stopping view is enhanced by the framing of the view and stepping out onto center stage: a viewing platform for what my husband calls "24 hours of baywatch!"

Gotham's skyline twinkles at night like a tennis bracelet

And here are a few images of the start of construction:

Coral Bark, rose, hydrangea arbor in anticipation, with screen safeguarding plants. For the first phase!

before front, Kwanzan keeping watch over masons installing new porch

Before

Front walk will be slate and brick. Access from driveway will be lower, closer to front/street area with 2-3 step elevation. Walkway will divide in front of Kwanzan with one side leading over to a new herb garden fronting the new dining room.

Driveway will be straightened. Front garden bed removed.

The shower mirror looking back on it's former home

outdoor shower not so spa-like anymore

Garden ornaments in temporary digs patiently survey the chaos

added covered porch off dining room, facing view. This is where the Japanese soaking tub and massage and yoga will be (besides just sitting). Miles of Sunbrella fabric will sumptiously drape the garden room

       

relocated conifers from front garden beds seem to have survived their move

The roses too, seem happy enough bedding down for the winter in the farm

Flirting with their new neighbors the rose, the pepper plants are still pushing out little gems

And I had the outdoor "comfort facility placed in a garden-like setting :)

First framing of conservatory dining room

The old roof shingles were removed yesterday, with more than a few floating down in the wind like papery birds of prey.  

Stay tuned!

Sunbrella and Garden Design Magazine Host Design Event

As if garden designers needed another reason to spec out Sunbrella® designs. 

We love their quality, craftsmanship.

We adore their inspiring colors and stripes and patterns.

We respect their durability, easy maintenance and protection from the elements. 

That’s a lot to love.

But then…Garden Design Magazine and Sunbrella hosted an informative and stylish fashion show-type event, complete with front row seats at the season’s sneak preview for what’s new.  

Appropriately, the event was held in New York City’s premiere design center, The Decoration and Design Building http://ddbuilding.com/

There was a panel discussion and a slide show that was more like a designers portfolio of successful projects an intimate look at in-home designs that ignited the creative sparks for house and garden. If you don't have their brochure, visit the website.

The panel experts were: Norman Vanamee, editor in chief, Garden Design Magazine, http://www.gardendesign.com/

Lindsey Taylor, Style Director, Garden Design Magazine, and

Gina Wicker, Design and Creative Director, Sunbrella Fabrics. http://www.sunbrella.com/

Panel Experts: Lindsey Taylor (L), Norman Vanamee, Gina Wicker

The introduction of Sunbrella rugs was good news to hear about.  The first collection, The Renaissance, comes in a variety of sizes: runners as small as 2x5’ to squares and octagons up to 11’ and the colors and patterns with sexy, glamorous names such as Mink, Garnet and Ebony are destined to fulfill a spectrum of good garden room designs. 

Wicker pointed out the importance of maintaining floors using Sunbrella rugs. “The gorgeous rugs also serve to reduce heat gain in the house and create a cozy room such as a special breakfast nook.”  The rungs are made with 100% Sunbrella acrylic yarn and contain 50% recycled content from Sunbrella fabric and fiber “waste.”

Wow.  This is one responsible and sustainable, green company.  It’s like learning the prom queen is also the valedictorian AND she volunteers for charity. 

In fact, Sunbrella fabrics are certified by the GREENGUARD Institute’s Children and Schools standard as contributing to healthy indoor air by being a very low-emitting interior product. 

Parent’s can breathe a sigh of relief with this news.

Plus, think about how much the Sunbrella awnings reduce energy consumption. And protect from the sun’s mean aging rays. I tell my garden team and clients, “Remember, the sun is not our friend.”  I learned here that The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends Sunbrella as an aid in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.

This is great news for all you glamour-pusses out there. 

My husband and I are in the middle of a home renovation at our country house in the Garden State and I can promise you, I will be using yard and yards of Sunbrella fabric, draping and billowing around our new outdoor terrace and patio where I will be doing yoga, enjoying a soak in a Japanese tub and repairing the body from all that garden work with healing massages.  Ahhhhh…

Images of a Georgia home using Sunbrella on every surface throughout the house flashed across the screen.  There were a variety of textures and patterns accessorizing window treatments, floors and the patio. A very coordinated ensemble.               

I could see the European design influence Wicker told the audience about -- Sunbrella has a design facility in France -- especially in the grey duppioini pattern.  It truly looked as a created artwork for the space…

A Q&A followed the presentation.  Questions ranged from “How big was the garden property Vanamee showed and could she submit a garden design for a small garden.  The Garden Design Editor said the magazine tries to do all size gardens.

In turn, he asked the audience if they’d read the Garden Design magazine feature design on the renovation the team did for the small backyard townhouse garden at the James Beard House, as an ideal example of a small, er, postage sized, garden.

Here is the slide show in case you misplaced your online bookmark of Garden Design’s delicious, urban landscape work: http://www.gardendesign.com/find/james%20beard%20garden

http://www.jamesbeard.org/

Vanamee encouraged submissions with just five pictures max and a short description – less than a paragraph – more a little story about what happened in terms of the garden design. How the design solved a problem of some sort…

Sunbrella’s Wicker addressed the issue of fabric and textiles.

What type of materials used depends on what part of the country the space is located in, advised Wicker.  She cited flow-through firm foam as example. “It’s perfect for Miami. The South West, not so much.”  “Ultimately, it’s all about how much maintenance your client wants to support,” Wicker added.  

Wicker urged attendees to consider the practical side of the design as well -- Slipcovers can be taken off and put in the washer with bleach. This makes it easier to keep clean and mold free.

Wicker also noted the benefit of Sunbrella’s reversible cushion cover designs.

“Red wine cleans up.  No problem. And the design and use of hydrophobic fiber was created to dry quickly, standing on end.”

Goody bags and snacks and design community chat followed the presentation.  Garden Design Magazine's editor, Norman, was gracious and introduced me to Gina Wicker.  As part of our conversation, I got the chance to tell her how I love using the company’s fabrics as part of my garden designs: on porches and gazebos.  

But also, I got to tell her about one use she said she’d never heard of.  Using a green, black, tan and white striped Sunbrella fabric, I fashioned a box-kite like design around tall, cut birch tree “rods” positioned at four corners of the two bins that make up our compost area.  A white fence backed by landscape fabric surrounds the compost bins, fronted by pretty plants, and topped off with the fabric design “valance” for a look I call a Compost Cabana.  Who says compost is not fashionable. It’s all the rage.

How glamorous!

And thank you, Garden Design Magazine and Sunbrella.  It was a great garden design event. 

Gotham’s Gardening Gurus Go Glamorous-- The New York Times’ Bill Cunningham shines his Evening Hours spotlight on the city’s garden landscape leaders

My, oh my.  It’s been quite a season for some of the best of Gotham’s garden lovers.

Recently, The Style section’s charming cameraman Bill Cunningham -- adored for his keen eye for tasteful style and artful news, led him to feature two of New York City’s more dedicated and talented garden enthusiasts. 

Evening Hours – a veritable who’s who in New York society and philanthropy and A-list over-achievers and all-round do-gooders, recently highlighted Betsy Pinnover Schiff and Linda Yang. And right there, just like that, our garden gals were in the company of that dreamy Alec Baldwin (oooh those dimples!) and Mayor Bloomberg, and David Bush and his newish wife, Lauren Bush Lauren (I just like saying her name!), along with the Lauders (whose rooftop garden Betsy photographed in her last book, “New York City Gardens.” 

Central Park Landscape:

On Sunday, October 16^th The Style page sparkled with Betsy Pinnover Schiff and her book party.  Standing next to Betsy is Cecilia Herbert. 

The two are holding an open copy of Betsy’s latest book, with the rich color photographs on full display.   (And right above is a former boss of mine: Ira Neimark and his latest book, “The Rise of Fashion and Lessons Learned at Bergdorf Goodman.”

http://tiny.cc/9jlq4

Betsy’s sixth book, “Windows on Central Park: The Landscape Revealed” is a gem. 

The photos are like a fantasy as seen from a magical tree house high up in the clouds. 

Only Betsy could manage to secure the keys to the kingdom -- to take readers on an intimate tour of the breathtaking sky-scape views of Central Park, from the majestic homes that ring the world-class park. 

The Olmstead design of Central Park is now part of the homeowners’ decorative arts – a backdrop to their home décor.

It is Betsy’s keen eye, though, that interprets and curates just the right heart-stopping vistas.  She adds a perspective and dimension to the park views that confirm her homage to the park’s landscape as an enduring and compelling work of art.

There are more than 140 photographs showcasing the park in all four seasons, from all four sides.

Notables from Candice Bergen to Giorgio Armani to Donald Trump provide their own love letters about what the park means to them.

It’s all scandalously voyeuristic…

You can purchase the book from Amazon.com: http://tiny.cc/rfl3x

Betsy’s website offers more background information about the book:

http://www.betsysphotos.com/book2.html

Trees

From Mayor Bloomberg’s Million Tree Project: http://www.milliontreesnyc.org 

to tree restoration after the recent storms.

Linda Yang, an ardent, tireless garden expert and garden writer was honored for her association and support of Trees New York, along with Pete Grannis, a former Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

http://tiny.cc/4m5kx

Linda is a smart, fun and talented garden expert who knows a whole lot about trees and gardens.  

We love her.

As a garden writer, Linda has written many books, notably, “City Gardener’s Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Small-Space Gardening”
You can order here: 

http://tiny.cc/qv5s4

I am honored to know and work with both garden gurus. 

I am delighted to showcase their talent and tireless efforts to make our town ever more green and glamorous and beautiful with their garden magic.

Friends of the High Line Metro Hort Tour Explores Garden in the Sky

Let me just get it out there.  This is one sexy garden park.

Not unlike a defining fashion statement in complete simpatico and homage, the couture boutiques and artisanal restaurants that now embrace it like style supplicants, the elevated park can be considered a Manolo on come-hither stilettos; kissing the clouds, embracing the sky-high neighborhoods nearby and flirting with the nearby Hudson River’s majestic vistas.

But would anyone expect anything less dramatic from a city of romantic glamour and garden passion?

Not on your High Life.

The early October evening was an auspicious start for the enthusiastic, over-subscribed Metro Hort tour.

It was rainy, kinda’ gloomy and a bit dark.  It was the beginning of autumn, after all. 

Yet the 65-plus New York Metro-area horticulturists paid no mind to that.

They couldn’t wait to gather at the High Line Park for a much-anticipated garden tour led by the High Line’s expert gardeners.

It’s embarrassing to admit, but this was my first tour of the private/public park. 

I guess you could say I am a “virgin” High Liner.

Rest assured, as any newbie would be, I was critical enough to see if all the hype and press were indeed warranted. 

In fact, I was enchanted, seduced and in love.

With Eden-like abandon, I will return to this garden in the sky so frequently, I hope it becomes second nature…

Sabine checked in the MetroHort gardeners

With hushed, barely concealed eagerness, the “cohort of metro horts” huddled under the Highline overpass, some with umbrellas, some with hoodies, at several access points.  

Mine was 23^rd Street.  MetroHort's Sabine Stetzenbach checked us in.

Soon enough it was announced the garden tour was to begin. 

There is a palpable thrill climbing the steps up, up, up to --- to who knows what kind of garden paradise in the clouds. 

Friends of the High Line Gardener Maeve Turner

Our group’s masterful garden guide was Maeve Turner: she is articulate, knowledgeable, personable and oozes pride of place about her Park.   

Standing on a curvaceous park bench to talk to the cohort metrohorts, xx provided a quick, broad overview of the High Line’s story – the miracle of how the park got made.

It was a decades-long odyssey.  But community fortitude and love and a pursuit of preserving an unique historical, mise en place ultimately came resulted in success.

In fact, post Metro Hort tour, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation announced plans to help fund the final segment of the Highline to the tune of $20 million – on top of the $15 million they already donated: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/nyregion/20-million-gift-to-high-line-park.html

Wowsy – that is some fashion statement!

Gardener Maeve Turner told us about the landscape architect: Javier Thorer Fuller and Piet Oldolf, noted Dutch landscape architect who provided the garden design and planting elements. Piet borrows from Midwest or prairie landscapes to design public gardens to incredible accolades.  

Maeve also noted that Kilco does all the plantings in NYC Parks and here too. Including the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the 9/11 Memorial. 

Our tour started at Section 7. The Highline needs more name monikers.

These section number/metrics sounds too like Area 51ish.

We journeyed up nine blocks to Gansevoort – 20^th to 30^th Street.

Everything is astonishing here. The plantings, the hardscapes, the design, the maintenance challenges and solutions – all guidance for urban gardens everywhere.

The Highline is undoubtedly sensory overload: the expansive sky (that city dwellers too often do not observe), the shimmering lights of the city, the trees, the variety of perennials, the spare hardscapes, mixed in with the history and the future and the sublime bliss of unlimited achievement and possibilities.

The utility of the elevated railroad tracks have been thoughtfully preserved – and incorporated in a creative, artistic way.  The tracks run throughout the park in a marked, subdued, elegant way.  The pathways undulate.

Not surprisingly, the Piet Oldof design uses a lot of self-seeding perennials and grasses.

The High Line’s garden sections or rooms, are charmingly labeled with names like the Meadow and the Chelsea Thicket.

The Chelsea Thicket provides a tunnel-like effect across the park’s path.

The drama is further amplified when the plantings seem to span the space between the buildings’ beckoning outreach.    

The verdant lawn area is sod, stretching green and lush like the first putting green at the country club.  

Gardener Maeve Turner says the urban park guests just can’t resist sitting or sunning on blankets there, like so many lawn jockeys.   

There is tiered, redeemed teak seating next to the lawn, ideal for reading, sitting and enjoying entertainment events.

Love the Vitex chaste tree there too.  

There is a charming, whimsical design element feature that includes a giant Frame, backed by a pretty big garden seat.  It was explained that for so long everyone took pictures of the Highline – a defining neighborhood streetscape.

So the concept is one of turning the tables, if you will. Visitors can now view the throbbing cityscape below and beyond, within the frame.  

The plantings include juniper, amelalchier – (that had some apple rust) and lots of native plants.

The entire plant list is available on the Highline web site

Gardener Maeve Turner said the Highline is really like a giant container garden. 

Sweet. And yet so apropos for an urban garden!

“There is the ‘Bridge freezes first affect in winter,” said Maeve  when referring to the park’s unique challenges.

And it’s extremely hot in the summer.  

Extreme weather is the norm despite the moderating influence of the Hudson. 

Harsh conditions are punctuated by the city’s concrete and oh-so-near buildings' radiant body heat. 

There is crushed gravel and sand and filter fabrics below the inches of soil for a sandy, loamy soil structure; 7% of the water runoff flows into the beds and so far there has been no flooding.

The Park leaves the seed heads on the perennials throughout the winter (birds like rose hips and hyssop) and cut it all in the spring – further contributing to a way too busy spring season. 

Maeve noted because the Highline Park is so new and unique, it’s all a learning process.

It is all rather amazing to learn there are only seven full time gardeners, three seasonal gardeners and two interns.  Thank goodness there are 75 volunteers. 

Sign up to be a garden volunteer. 

And say hello to my smart, lovely, talented garden friend, Pat Jonas, who volunteers as a Friend of the High Line.

All the MetroHorts met back at the starting point and chatted up the highlights of the High Line garden tour and many headed out for cocktails to further talk about – gardens and plants. How glamorous!

www.thehighline.org