White.....

We have a major winter storm headed my way so white will probably be the "color" I will be seeing a lot of ...These small white rooms are stunning. Stay safe everyone...a lot of us will be "riding the storm out"....

Winter on the Homefront

Winter on the HomefrontJanuary 29, 2011
This is a brief break in our vacation gardening photos just to let you know that life continues in the garden even during the winter.  Last year we did not get the snowfall we needed during the winter and as expected the growing season was not as good as it could have been.  This year has been a bit different.  While we were away during most of the month of

Nate Berkus

Love him, his designs and his show !!!

Waterfall at Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida

Waterfall at Busch GardensTampa, FloridaDecember 22, 2010
Theme parks are full of ideas that can be scaled down for use in the home garden.  A waterfall is always a welcomed addition to any home garden water feature.  Pictured is a larger waterfall at Busch Gardens that could easily be scaled down for the home garden.  It's it lovely?

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Gator Pond at Busch Gardens

Gator Pond at Busch GardensDecember 16, 2010
When we first visited the resort where we ended up buying a vacation home I thought the cutesy warning signs about not feeding or antagonizing the alligators were meant to add a bit of humour.  By the end of that first trip in 2009 I realized the alligators were very much real.  We bought in March of 2010 but didn't see our new vacation home until May

Powder Puff Plant (Calliandra haematocephala)

Powder Puff Plant (Calliandra haematocephala)December 16, 2010

As we were wandering through Busch Gardens I couldn't help but notice the Powder Puff Plant (Calliandra haematocephala).  The leaves reminded me of Mimosa (sensitive fern) so I just had to touch them.  They don't fold up like Mimosa does but they were still quite pretty.  The Powder Puff Plant was planted to form a barrier between

Bamboo Fence

Bamboo Fence at Busch GardensDecember 16, 2010
During our visit to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida I noticed the effective use of bamboo as a living screen and bamboo sticks as camouflage screening.  Bamboo grows quickly and rather tall making it ideal for use as a living privacy screening not only from side views but also views from taller adjacent buildings.   It can help as a sound barrier as

Cozy !

These rooms are very stylish yet give off a nice cozy vibe....

Need a Nook? DIY

This time of year I dream of having a nook............a place for curling up with a favorite book. Some homes are born with them, many can be created

Under a staircase

Empty space under the stairs? Can the wall be opened up?

A living room turret turned conversation nook

An add-on

A favorite B & B in Norfolk England

Possibilities here are endless......extend it out further and add a mini banquette or set in a living room + custom settee.

A friends dining room. All of the cabinetry was an addition. Have a beautiful view and a blank wall? This could be custom fabricated to your space.

A selling feature in the SEARS home. Imagine today ordering a home through a catalogue?

This is an add on

.

Who would not want to dine in these nooks at a restaurant?

An attic conversion. Behind the arches will be a bedroom nook........I really could not show the "after" the decoration was too disturbing, trust me!

Have an unused closet? Remove the doors and use your imagination

Most nooks will be found in bed chambers. As you will see many are additions in some form

Devote a space, add curtains, bed........instant!  Love differentiating the space with horizontal stripes

The back half of the room was chosen for the addition of a built in bed and for additional closets

OH MY!  How did Mr. Darcy get here?!     Hmmmmmm, must be the romantic ambiance a nook instills

I believe Mr. Darcy would approve.........

Or perhaps this one?

Well, back to reality.........this is doable

Did I see this on Sissy's blog?

Easy! But here is what i would do; create much more depth in the book cases which would nestle the bed even further. Then having niches/open shelving inside the cases would eliminate the need for bedside tables if articulating sconces were added.  (ps....Sharon?)  

LOVE these articulating sconces!

Desk in center with bump-out, see it? A true nook would have some cabinetry coming forward and the desk nestled inwards but I felt this image could spur inspiration

Yes, in the garden..........who does not need a moment of calm in a secluded spot, nestled away from all else?

Would love to hear your thoughts.........send a picture if you have a nook, we can inspire each other

                                                              

At the Chicago shop, SG Grand. for details contact us here or email: bart@sggrand.com