Wisteria

This townhouse is impossibly lovely with its floral decoration by Mother Nature. Wisteria is pretty wild when left to its own devices so this vine must have had some help from a landscape design expert who trained it well. via

Terracing at its BEST

Lovely treatment of a hillside.

For Sale: This Gorgeous Landscape

I photographed this gorgeous landscape on Thursday at a Realtor Open House near me. This 18-acre offering has wonderful mature plantings and distant views. I arrived to tour the house and grounds after a morning of rain and a sky appeared with enough blue to patch a sailor's pants, one of my mother's favorite sayings. 

Wisteria and Outdoor Furniture

My wisteria was beautiful for a while until big halestone pellets destroyed the blossoms in a storm a couple of weeks ago. The setting above is gorgeous. I love the stone wall and the tiny patio. I see a base for an umbrella to shade the sitters from the hot sun while dining. It's so nice to be outdoors this time of year. My project for the day has turned in to my project for the week. Cleaning out and rearranging my closet has is a long overdue chore and I've just started chipping away at the iceberg. But it is quite satisfying to see that progress is being made. photo source

Cotswold Cottage: Burford UK

I shall be in England all day tomorrow for the Royal Wedding. I haven't been glued to the TV leading up to it but I got up early for Charles and Diana and will do the same for Harry and Megan. I started watching SUITS from the very beginning in 2011 and have seen every episode so I'm a long-time fan of the bride. I just heard on the news this morning that Charles is walking her down the isle and I think he is a fabulous choice. My dilemma is what channel to watch. BBC America might be the winner but I'll probably keep switching around until I find my favorite hosts. Maybe I'll even bake some scones today to have with my morning coffee, or should I switch to tea for this occasion? Nope. I'm a coffee girl. photo source

Rolling Garden Bench in Pea Green

One of my most popular posts ever was on a rolling garden bench I have in one of my out of print English gardening books. See the post here. This one above with the slats is nice too and I like the paint color from England. 

But this rolling bench remains as 'The Garden Bench of My Dreams'.

Antique Planter with Tulips

Could anything be pretier? Just look at the size of those trimmed evergreens on either side of the magnificent planter. The size of this copper vessel is amazing and the patina is wonderful. Love this photo!!!via

Modern Farmhouse: Anne Decker Architects

I like it.

Love the interior too.

You are in for a treat, click on this link to see much more, inside and out. Enjoy. 

Gordon Beall Photography

A Dusting of Snow

This is the perfect amount of snow. Just a dusting is my favorite. The vines and topiaries look beautiful out side this mansion, almost as if they are covered in powdered sugar. via The groundhog saw his shadow this week so we can expect more winter weather and probably more snow in the next six weeks.

Alastair Matchett: Rectory and Garden Renovation Cotswolds UK

After half a century of decline, a Cotswolds house was crying out for salvation.

Be still my heart.

When Alastair Matchett bought the Gloucestershire rectory, one wing was not in use; the roof needed replacing; the flagstones needed re-laying or replacing; re-plumbing, re-wiring, and replastering were needed throughout. But he did it all with designer charm. Photo: SIMON BROWN

Read the article in The Telegraph and see one more photo here.

Charming Clapboard Cottage

I looked and looked but could not find a link for getting inside this charmer. It looks lived in and loved with perfectly imperfect landscaping. I would get rid of the shrubs across the front foundation that are hiding the house. If the foundation is unattractive, I would plant something lower. Maybe these can be severely trimmed, but boxwood would be better. Enjoy this lovely Wednesday. xo via

My readers are wonderful. Read the comments. Interior photos found and they are wonderful. HERE

Path of Pebbles and Brick

This path makes my heart sing! It is so charming and old fashioned. It has stood the test of time and has aged beautifully within this lovely walled garden. Do want! via

Gorgeous House and Setting

Simply wonderful house in the perfect setting. The addition on the right would be perfect for me. Have a great weekend. via

Inside and Outside Simultaneously

I love French doors that open out but you have to consider deep snow if you live in the Northeast. This setting is stunning and I am sure the interior is too. via

Courtyard Garden w/ Raised Beds

I love this kitchen and herb garden close to the house, don't you? via SPECIAL NOTE: Please keep your pets inside during the total eclipse tomorrow. They don't know not to look at the sun.

This is the epitome of an English Country Garden.

Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden, from the archives of Country Life, by Judith B. Tankard (May 2011). photo source

New "old" Farmhouse w/ Extraordinary Gardens

Want to see more?

How about the interior of the house?

More photos of the outside too?

If the answer is YES, click HERE.

Wonderful Garden Design Ideas

Glimpsed through an archway or an open doorway, a well-placed sculpture draws the eye to distant reaches, making a garden feel larger and more mysterious. Above: Photograph by Tony Hisgett via Wikimedia.

As long as you are building a wall, why not add a window? I love this idea! Above: Clematis overhanging a metal grille work window between the tower lawn and the rose garden. Photograph by Jonathan Buckley courtesy of Virago. For more, see Required Reading: Vita Sackville-West’s Sissinghurst.

These were my two favorite photos from the article with many more photos. Have a great weekend and enjoy the last full month of summer. Happy gardening. xo

1829 Restored Farm in Virginia

‘Revival’ of an 1829 Virginia farm. Mark Finlay Architects. Mark Finlay photo in Garden and Gun Magazine. I cannot tell you how much I love this! via

Small House Big Gardens

I love the brick paths leading to the porch and gardens. The yard, surrounded by hedges, divides the lawn from the cutting garden. How very nice. Love! via The house looks nice too and very manageable.