linenandlavender.blogspot.com: olive tree

Showing posts with label olive tree. Show all posts

"If you build it. . .

...they will come."

I think the magical thing about gardens is that they take on a life of their own.

I mean, all I really did was put together a few plants, flowers and trees...and now I have this haven — this oasis in the middle of the city. I was really struck by this fact today. –All I had to do was set the stage and they arrived.

The French doors of my studio are open and I am sitting at my desk looking out to the fountain, I can see most of the garden from here.

The day started sunny, then a rogue rain cloud passed over and shared a bit of moisture with us.

This fellow was caught in the midst of it as he was taking his morning bath. As the rain showered down, he remained, continuing his grooming. (I think he considered himself pretty fortunate.)

Before I knew it, the sun was out again and the visitors increased.

Butterflies, bumblebees and long-legged wasps stopped by.

Hummingbirds and songbirds came to say hello and to peruse the blossoms or to take a rest on the garden bench.

In fact, it almost seemed as though an announcement went out:

"Hey! She's got her camera out today

at 1720, stop by if you want some

exposure." (This is L.A. after all.)

Truth be told, when I created this garden, I didn't really think about the "wildlife" it might attract. I love flowers and trees and designing spaces for people to enjoy and that's what I was thinking about mostly.

That's why it seems such a huge side benefit and almost, well . . . "flattering" really.
Each time a new creature comes to call -or moves in- it is thrilling. It's like nature is giving a nod of approval to something I initiated. And really, that's all I did.

I am still in awe at the miracle of it all. –Just plant a seed and a beautiful flower will grow there one day. –Just stick that little sapling in the ground and one day you will be lounging in the shade of a mighty tree.

There is such a peace and serenity that comes from nature — a connection to the Divine at the ready.

In creating this little snippet of it here, I have reaped far more than I have sown, that much is for sure.

Planting a garden is like knocking on Heaven's door and what has opened up to me is far more than I had ever imagined.

all images by LeAnn, l&l at home, our garden

"I once had a sparrow..." - Henry David Thoreau excerpt - Walden - as seen on linenandlavender net - http://www.linenandlavender.blogspot.com/2012/04/if-you-build-it.html - and - http://www.linenandlavender.blogspot.com/p/inspired-qu...

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Spring

Inspiration to begin again.

images via Côté Sud

linen & lavender

More inspiration:

The Way We Live Alfresco

Country

Garden

The French Country Garden

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What date is it?

Iron and glass doors, view to patio garden via Côte Maison Francaise, edited by lb for linen & lavender

I've been so busy renovating our house and designing for friends, I've lost track of the days. Where did September go? It doesn't help that California is having a record heat wave. In some places as high as 113 degrees –(that's 45 degrees celsius to many of you.) Here near the beach it feels much more like a temperate summer day...beautiful clear blue skies and a little breeze swaying the olive tree outside my window.

This can't last forever, though. I'm sure the winter rains will find their way to us soon enough. In the meantime, I'm headed out to make the most of this amazing ~~summer~~ autumn day while I can.

—Carpe diem!

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image via: Maison Francaise

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Extending the olive branch~

I'm taking a few moments today to reflect on this emblem of peace...sending good will and healing thoughts out to all human beings on our planet. "...Let all beings be happy, loved, and peaceful."

More:

Global Peace Makers - Seven Practices

Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End

a book by Deepak Choprah

image 1 via Maisons Côté Sud

image 2 via Peace is the Way

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The grays have it!

Côté Sud Dec 07-Jan08, magnificent chandelier, edited by lb for (l&l)

I've been visiting my parents for a few days. My mom is re-doing her guest bedroom and discussions of paint color have been on-going since I arrived.

Baroque Headboard via Campagne edited by lb for (l&l)

Of course color is relative and never the same from one location to the next. So, although we began with some of the exact tones of a blue gray I've used in California, we are working to hone in on just the right values here in the Idaho light and in relationship to everything else going on in the room.

I've found that just the word "gray" can put some people off from using it in their decor. This may be because the word gray (grey) has long been associated with looking sick, tired or just plain old. It is also an adjective we use to describe a dismal day or something that is faded, dull and worn. Even a gloomy mood is characterized as "gray."

So it's understandable, then, that some may be put off by the very mention of the word as part of their decorating scheme. However, I've found that -as with most everything in life- it comes down to balance and perspective. Upon closer inspection (a new perspective) one sees that gray is actually prevalent throughout nature.

Jardins du Botrain via Jardins Maisons, edited by lb for (l&l)

He is the workhorse, the behind-the-scenes element quietly pulling everything together. If you are skeptical, I challenge you to take a closer look. Notice the gray in nature and see what it does to balance and bring out the beautiful qualities of all the hues. If blended into the hue, it gives a richness and depth that the hue alone wouldn't have. And juxtaposing it with other colors offers balance, respite for the eye and structure to the whole scheme.

Olive tree via Jardins-Maisons, edited by lb for (l&l)

Take the olive tree outside my studio here. Its colors mesh well with the gray browns and dusty slate of the stone walls. This tree, with its silver-gray leaves and mushroom-y gray bark is a feature in my garden and beautiful all on its own, however, it also plays an important "supporting role" if you will. Its gray, muted tones offer contrast and highlight the bright greens of the foxtail and the maiden hair ferns and other plants nearby. It's the balancing act I spoke of...and one aspect would not be nearly as beautiful -or as interesting- without the other.

l&l at home: Australian Fern by lb for (l&l)

Pierre du XVIII Jardins-Maisons edited by lb for (l&l)

I've long embraced grays because they are so prevalent in the ancient stone villas and other elements found in the countrysides of Europe that I love so much; not to mention the pewter and zinc metals that I adore. To me, grays are anything but dull and ordinary. Rather, they are distinguished and classic, imparting an elegant, timeless appeal to any design scheme. —Now, these rogue grays in my hair. . . well, that's another story. (Sigh.)

Amazing hand-crafted floors made by artisans in Italy. Browse their website for other inspiring works...

I Vassalletti Maestri Artigiani in Toscana

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Photo credits in order of appearance:

1-Cote Sud Dec07-Jan08; 2-Campagne Magazine; 3-Jardins du Botrain, JM; 4-Jardin Maison; 5-Australian fern, my garden; 6-Pierre Du XVIII, JM; 7-Maisons Cote Ouest; 8-Cote Est Juin-Aout 2001; 9-Cote Sud Aout-Sept 03; 19-Cote Maison; 11-Cote Sud Dec03-Jan04; 12-Cote Sud Fev-Mar05; 13-Cote Sud Dec02-Jan03; 14-Cote Est June-Aout03; 15-Cote Sud Fev-Mar06; 16-Cote Sud Fev-Mar 2006; 17-iceberg roses and lavender, my garden; 18-Cote Sud, Dec02-Jan03; 19-Cote Sud; 20-Cote Ouest, Fev-Mar 05; 21-Ville Giardini Sept 2009; 22-Cote Sud, Avril-Mai 2005; 23&24-Vassalletti Maestri