The Garden State Home Renovation Tips and Design Review

It seems there will be no gift of a completed home renovation project in time for Christmas. 

Work goes on for phase one.

That includes windows and French doors in the dining room and master bedroom suite, new roof (take that Nor’easters!), insulation, (getting some much needed warmth inside now that the weather is turning winter cold), and the first part of front porch frame and mason work, as well as the back porch addition off the dining room and next to the existing terrace.  This is where the Japanese soaking tub and yoga will be. And chairs for contemplation… And star gazing.

Here is where the Sunbrella fabric drapes will frame the view and offer privacy and shade.

roses watch the their new home companion

roofers start

  

start of loft

There is noodles of wiring meticulously threaded throughout the house by Harold, a darling, tidy electrician.
And there are miles of silver foil sheaths peeking out and twinkling behind the framing, knowing they will soon be hidden away, and what looks like plastic garbage bags channeling an amusement park tunnel attraction but is in fact part of the HVAC.

Once most of the framing and flooring was up, we could see we needed two windows that could open—positioned on either side of the center square window on the water side of the loft room perched over the new dining room.

In the areas where there was existing house: upstairs where the bedrooms and bathrooms are, we had to move all the "stuff" that was in the rooms and lined the walls. 
This was no small task; especially as all the house items and furniture from the living room and kitchen and garden room have already been moved to the garage. 
There is no place left to put the stuff!

We moved the upstairs room items to one side and put a drop cloth over the stuff.

The French door with soon-to-be-Juliet balcony was installed to my great delight.  How perfect it will be to wake up with light streaming into a new expanded bedroom and to enjoy the glistening water views and New York skyline and stately sailboats and frisky sunfish sailboats and cruise ships sailing hopefully to exotic ports from New York Harbor -- and our gardens below.  

We also wanted to offer our overnight guests more of the water and skyline and garden view too.  It was almost like one would have to peek through a squinted or squished viewfinder with the previous windows. Now there is a big, wide square happy window. 

The house, having been originally built in the 1960’s placed all the important rooms on the back side or southwest side of the house in order to safeguard the integrity of the windows from storms, especially the wicked Nor’easters that angrily whip through with impudence every season.  We’ve been told the windows back then just couldn’t sustain the winds and beating rain.

Now, the technology and window designs allow us to get creative with shapes and sizes and positioning. 

We selected the floor for the dining room.  It is comprised of 20x20 tiles – grayish/bluish with striations of coppery brownish.  Small copper squares will be placed artistically throughout the tiled floor area as accents.  This will accessorize the copper topped table to giddy design magazine-worthy heights!  The exciting part of this is the transition tiles I found to lead from the wood kitchen and living room floor to the dining room tile.  This transition tile is appropriately named Opulence.  Oooohh!  It looks like jewelry with tiny glass squares of dazzling copper, cinnamon, silvery-gray and saffron colored tile.  Perfect.  

I am finalizing the outdoor front walk, driveway and front herb garden designs. 

My design request - to be scaled for front porch

I forwarded the image of the front porch design to the masons via the architect – see here -  but they said the design was too big and if they were to do it would cost us $1,000 more to cut the bluestone and brick to scaled size. Further, they said the labor to put the bricks between the slate would require more money.  I suggested they stay within the budget parameters and provide a design opportunity that is close to the look we wanted without costing more. 


The design compromise that was emailed was a random bluestone patter -- too dizzying to work with the clean, straight-on walk design I envision and designed.  After some phone consultation, the mason brothers came over to meet and lay out my suggested alternative design concept, using 16" bluestone.  On the diagonal/diamond-shaped.  With bricks around the sides.  ^:^ Sounds pretty familiar? It worked for me!

The front steps will be 12" bluestone, framed by brick.    

We try to stay focused on the progress. We try to stay out of the dust.  We try not to think about the loss of privacy or the lack of space to put anything.  Thank goodness we have the Gotham apartment to live in during the week.  And my mother's welcoming condo down the street. On the water. We need to get away from all this plus the noise and mud and …

What I wasn’t prepared for is the lack of GC communication and the problems it’s caused. 

Santa should prepare for coal in stockings this year…

Coming up will be installation of the kitchen cabinets, making the template for the kitchen counters and island that will be used to cut the most beautiful marble this side of heaven.

The marble looks like the Caribbean Sea or the sky.  With stars and clouds.  I literally hugged it  when I came upon it. I knew it was for us!  

It took too long to find the cuts we coveted. But we prevailed.
It will look so dreamy mirroring and reflecting the water of the bay and the wide berth of sky behind and framing.

And the front door needs to go in. Right after they finish the front porch.

The siding will go up next week. We chose a bluish grayish shingle that will blend with the water beyond.  The color and style will also work with the existing brick siding on one part of the house that we will whitewash so that we achieve a kind of French country house effect.

We continue. 

So much of a home renovation is hope, tears, and attention to detail.  I advise all homeowners to over-manage. Do not allow anyone to take the reins or to think they control or selectively control the project. It must be very clear at the outset who is the client and how the relationship and process will proceed.  So much time is spent on the materials and design. When in fact, so much of the project is really about the chemistry found in the relationship between the architect and GC and the homeowner/client.
There is more than enough challenges and stress to go around. Be sure to partner with someone who shares your values and character as well as your style and vision.
Do not trust anyone with your budget.  The trust is too often misplaced.  Go over the numbers yourselves and then together with the GC manager. Sadly, professionalism can be in the eye of the doer.
Homeowners are so busy with their work and family lives that more often than not they do rely on the GC for that oversight management they are being paid for.  However they make mistakes.  Sometimes bad ones.

I also recommend having constant email and text updates. That’s worked very well for us.  Weekly meetings – not so much.  The meetings should be more than requests for money.  They should include design review before work is to begin in the areas next in the work flow schedule.  While we only had two change orders, we might have been able to realize the need for different windows if we had walked around once the part of the construction was completed to a point to see what was emerging. 
Take notes and write meeting reports to share with key decision makers.
Review and review and confirm.

The meetings should also foster a sense of team, shared responsibility and commitment and pride…

Weather plays a big role in home renovation in locales where there are four seasons.  Outside of getting the work done in the ideal temperature-kissed late spring through fall time period, there are still rainstorms.
And given climate change - - (yes, Virginia, there IS climate change!) there will be more wild swings in weather patterns including this year's hurricane, tornado, and earthquake. So I suggest looking to the weather channel's long-range forecast when planning the work schedule.  It's a good arrow in the quiver. And it's a good way to plan to use the teams for inside tasks when inclement weather prevents outdoor work.

Securing permits is also a time and schedule challenge that needs to be managed.

Take lots of pictures - before - and as the project progresses.

Have fun. Enjoy the path to a soon-to-be new style

More to come with completion of the house, phase one.  Then on to the the garden and driveway designs.

So You Think You Know Why We Need Trees?

Harvest to Holiday Container Garden Design

H2 Oh!  Harvest to Holiday

 I hope your Thanksgiving holiday celebration was filled with love—family and real food and sharing. 

And soon-to-be-happy memories.

Mother and I cooked up a storm with her homemade bread, fresh turkey and trimmings – and all to supplement my Thanksgiving raffle-winning, gourmet Thanksgiving dinner for six from Sickles Market, Little Silver, in the Garden State.

More on that delicious homegrown culinary elegance in my next post.

Here I will say the pumpkin bisque soup and the spicy, southwest inspired cranberry corn relish were amazing and the talk of the table.

The weather in the Northeast, New York metro area was sublime. 

It felt like September – balmy in the high 60’s – and in some locales, tipping to the 70’s.  A record-breaker in many places.

It was energizing weekend to work in the garden and change out the containers from Harvest to Holiday.

While, it did feel a tad odd to press red holiday ribbons and sparkly silver balls next to the winter pansies J  

it was an ideal weekend to compost the mums and pumpkins  – (hello squash blossoms next year) 

and to visit the nurseries to select plants and accessories for the holiday compositions for the containers.

I am privileged to work for a number of spectacular, garden design clients.  I can’t do enough for them.

One client is dedicated to a white and green garden color design. 

Over time, I’ve introduced silver and steely blue plants for a cool elegance.

I figured a sparkly silver sparkle could only add to the garden glamour of the spring topiary and custom white planters from Pennoyer and Newman distinctive garden pots: 

http://www.pennoyernewman.com/

Topiary view from front door & walk towards double white marble & grass parking courts

Two smaller planter across the driveway from front door punctuates garden bed separating checkerboard parking courts 

I kept the Holiday container decorations focus on the plants at another client where the color design is a seasonal red.

The nandina plants that border the front walk turn a brilliant crimson soon after the fall. (Spring they are a light green and summer they are dark green)

Years ago I chose the garden room’s color palette to complete the serene Mediterranean stucco house and walk.

The red sparkle and bows are just fancy enough to jazz up the red pansies and dwarf Alberta spruce.

No screaming Santas, or blow up snowmen.  No abundance of lights that use up energy or make a yard look like an airport runway.  The garden art whispers Happy Holidays with nature’s plants and ornaments in a refined, elegant and glamorous way.

Keep the focus on family and friends… 

More holiday garden cheer to come.  It’s the start of a spectacular season!

Cheers. 

Sickles Market Launches Bespoke Garden & Food Tours: First Foray to Longwood Gardens

When you think about it, it’s more than serendipity that the launch of the Garden State’s

family-owned and managed Sickles Market’s new garden and food travel tour initiative was to travel to a first-class American garden family destination: Longwood Gardens.
In fact award-winning Sickles was recently named The Garden State's Family Business of the Year:  

http://sicklesmarket.com/page/sicklesmarket-named-new-jersey-family-business-year-rothman-institute-entrepreneurship

The inaugural journey to what once was the du Pont family’s extraordinary display gardens and is now a world-class botanic garden and horticulture center, was a much-anticipated garden tour. 

Too good to miss, I took the early bird Seastreak ferry from Gotham, our weekday nest, back to the Garden state for this! 

The early morning was glowing, the city winked good day.  

It was a splendid welcome at Sickles Market in Little Silver.  A smiling Bob Sickles welcomed guests in front of the luxury bus inviting all to enjoy the gourmet breakfast in the green house.  (but really, have you ever seen Bob not happy-looking? Must be all that green plant and good food love that is part of the Sickles charm) 

Like leaving on a very special class trip, the signing in hellos and good mornings were all a part of the anticipation.

But with a breakfast buffet of Sickles baked muffins, fruit and goody food bags for the bus trip, the buzz surpasses anything that ol’ school mascot could've ever dreamed about.  

Mother enjoying the Sickles breakfast buffet

Soon enough, the bus left the early morning’s sun kissed, misty Sickles’ farmland and we headed south to Longwood Gardens.

Along the way, Bob Sickles formally welcomed the tour guests, explaining how the new garden and tour initiative is the family businesses’ new business enterprise.  He explained they are trying something new – in an effort to amplify Sickles’ as the place to turn to for food and gardens.  His vision includes trips to Sicily next year, Vermont, the Biltmore in North Carolina, New York City and Paris and Williambsburg and ….

The thrill factor rose by more than a few degrees.  Heads were nodding and faces were grinning about his description of visiting food markets, restaurants, cooking, wine and cheese tastings -- and fun!

Kirsty welcomes guests on the bus

Bob introduced Kirsty Dougherty, the recently appointed Sickle’s Director of Tours and Training.  

Kirsty is glass of champagne: effervescent and full of happy memories soon-to-be.

A veritable Christmas stocking: meaning -- the first and best part of the celebration -- and always a tidy surpise.

It turns out this Australian native came to the Garden State by way of Buenos Aires after falling in love with a Jersey boy.  Sweet.

And that accent!  I teased her that she could read the phone book and I’d be happy just listening.

But this seasoned travel expert, garden designer and plants pro is an expert professional. 

With a business plan firmly in hand and approval by Bob, the first of a few tours were approved:  Longwood Gardens for the Mum Festival, followed up by the visit there for the Holiday Christmas display.
The new "Sickles Market on the Road Tours" business is a natural extension of Sickles as the leading authority of all things food and garden.

As the luxury bus and it’s happy driver whisked the guests south, Kirsty explained the day’s logistics and options.  There was to be docent-led group tours and lunch and lots of free time. A short Longwood video played to visually introduce the guests to the charms of the Garden. 

Kirsty introduced her associate Natale Siclare, garden guru, who it seems is more than a Longwood expert – he is a Longwood lover, having been seduced by the family garden’s charms long ago.

I share his indulgence.

I have written about this garden author Lidz  and spoke about her book authoritative and have visited the Longwood Gardens in summer. http://gardenglamour-duchessdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/09/horticultural-society-of-new-york.html

Yet this visit was special.

The day was blessed by a glorious Indian summer warmth and sunshine. 

The garden gods were smiling.

With a relaxed, courteous, customer focused and professional style, the tour progressed throughout the day.

Sickles guests were treated to a guide-led tour of a few of Longwood Garden’s famous display gardens. 

Longwood Garden Guide: John Bertram

Magic.  John Bertram was our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.  He was so much fun too.  We had to tease him about his family "tree" and the possibility of being related to the famous Bertram horticulture   family.  But he dispelled any such connection.  

He guided us with anecdotes and history, especially through the Thomas Church-designed open-air Theater Garden http://tclf.org/content/thomas-church
The fountains were working, and very dramatic accompanied by the taiko drumming.   

Mother and Longwood Garden Guide: John Bertram

Lunch was a treat especially in the Garden's restaurant with its edible food ingredients grown on premise at Longwood.  Delicious.

Mother and I had the great good fortune to dine with Kirsty and learn more about her travel and tour background and vision for Sickles tour business.

After lunch, Sickles tour guests had more than a few options to pursue: Moderated guided tours through the indoor Mum horticultural display led by Natale and Bob, Sickles staff, or Kirsty’s photography walking tips tour. 

Two passionate plant & food aficionados: Me (L) & Kirsty Dougherty, Sickles

There were the inescapable oohs and ahhs seeing the world- record holding display of mums (It’s said only the French or Japanese could torture their plants like this!)

This is a record breaker

I noted to a few fellow attendees despite the “common notation associates with mums, they remain the official flower of the Japanese royal family! 

My tip: Don’t throw out the mum display after Thanksgiving.  Hold on to them or put into the compost cabana.

Soon enough, we were exploring the garden on our own preferred tour.    ‘

Afterwards, Mother and I walked out and sat in the sun overlooking the Fountain Garden (felt so Gstaadish!) before moving to the Topiary Garden.

Mother headed to the gift shop and I headed to the Italianate garden, which was the acknowledged furthest garden room from the conservatory. 

No matter, it wasn’t far at all walking in the splendid afternoon, basking in the gardens.  Plus I got to stick my head into the place that once was the du Pont’s family home while I was seeking directions to the Italian garden.

No McMansion, the du Pont residence is still gorgeous, elegant and yet so simple.

A covered arch walkway led the du Ponts and their guests through to a garden-like indoor sitting area.  Not much has changed since the du Ponts lived there… 

Back out onto the Garden grounds, I was enchanted by the naturalistic, waving beauty of this far side of Longwood, in contrast to the sculpted, designed gardens on the other side.

Grasses, huge, architectural trees and undulating garden rooms gave way to soaring vistas made all the more splendid by the season’s crimson, gold and red fashion. 

I loved the seating here, positioned as they were, looking out beyond to that magical vista beyond.  I saw a couple canoodling – almost lost in the distant foliage.  Garden and nature are romantic.  

Onward to the Italian garden…

While the fountains had just been turned off for the season – there was no denying the mystical, secret charm of this garden.  There are lawns, pools, walks and elevated viewing bridges with looks out to the Italian garden and to the pond/lake behind it.

A not so far walk brought me back past the perennial garden beds to the theater garden with it’s soaring fountains accompanied by the throbbing, syncopated taiko drumming.

Back on the bus all were chatting up and swapping their garden experiences.

I thought, this is why people with a passion choose to join a tour – we want to share our discoveries and curiosities and love with those who do too.

We were in garden bliss.

Bob thanked everyone, recapped the day, saying this wonderful experience was just the tip of what was to come.  Food and garden tours would be carefully chose and “Sicklized” and then said the two magic words: wine and cheese!  

And then, just like that, we were transported to an on board Mediterranean café of sorts.

Kirsty & Ryan, Sickles on-board sommeliers!

With Bob as sommelier and wine guru and Kirsty and xx pouring white and red to better amplify the rich, tasty cheese and nuts, we learned about the food and wine provenance.  This was a perfect accessory accompaniment to the garden tour!  A communal café on board our bus.   

Then just when one can’t think it could get any more sublime, Kirsty announces there is a raffle. 

As I turn to Mother to lament we’d never won a thing since that atlas years ago a card party.  Before I could complete my tale of woe, I hear my name! 

I won, I won! 

I was astounded and blurted out I was just saying I’d never won anything since that stupid atlas! That brought the bus guests’ laughing uproariously.

“But wait, What did I win?!” I asked.

I was just too excited to win anything! 

Turns out, I won a complete gourmet Sickles Thanksgiving dinner for six people – all the trimmings! 

What a dream!  And because our Garden state home is in home renovation hell – I have no kitchen – so this is a huge miracle. 

I still can’t believe it.

This was one fairy tale of a garden trip. Sickles really knows how to do an elegant, interesting garden and food tour. They made learning fun and memorable. We met fantastic and fun people on the tour.  We are looking forward to spending time together on future tours with our new mutual friends.

And I am pinching myself about the gourmet Thanksgiving dinner! Can you believe the garden sprites – er Sickles – delivered food love like this?

Cheers.

Next up:  Sickles Gourmet dinner review

And The Longwood Gardens Holiday tour, December 7^th.  This is going to be an all-out glam tour!

Cheers.

Thank you to Bob, Tori, Kirsty, Karen, Ryan, and the entire Sickles team.