a tale of two gardens

Spring has really sprung around here!

I’m not sure if you remember,

 because this was a while ago,

but my neighbor Nancy had her garden

photographed for Country Gardens Magazine…

about four years ago.

Well, it’s finally being featured in this month’s issue! 

Yes, she’s now officially

the queen of the hill, haha!

It’s funny because originally

we thought they were going to highlight her

amazing she shed

but instead they focused their story on

the beautiful sloped hillside in her back yard.

I think the article turned out great,

and I’m sure Nancy’s garden has changed

a lot over the last four years!

Maybe we can share some 

updated photos soon!

Just about a mile down the street from me

is the home of my dear friend Marion

who has her own amazing secret garden that

just keeps evolving as time goes by.

Over the years, her magical garden has

become a little outdoor oasis...

In fact, it’s so fabulous

that it was just one of six gardens to be highlighted

on the Sherman Gardens annual tour a few weeks ago.

Marion’s love of antiques and her

eye for European style really come through

in her garden.

As we sat in her kitchen having coffee,

we had a prime view of the side yard,

its fountain and all the little feathered friends

that make her garden come alive.

Marion favors plants that attract

butterflies and pretty birds.

This is one of the two paintings of the garden

that were created by artists during the tour.

Pretty garden urns planted with succulents.

Life imitates art,

or in this case, vise versa.

Plein air painting in the secret garden.

Marion found these antique gates at

a flea market in Pasadena...

and now they mark the entrance to her

alfresco dining area.

A lovely shady spot.

A peek at the garden tour guide book.

And of course, the ever charming little Dante

enjoys every inch of the secret garden as well!

 ciao! fabiana

outdoor entertaining, French style

A few key ingredients for entertaining like a true connoisseur, from our lovely Marion Hartwich of European Flair Interior Design and Fabric Studio and seen in French Style Magazine this month.

ciao! fabiana

chinoiserie in the powder room

Using the powder room at Marion's 

can be quite a visual adventure, lol!

It contains a fun collection of chinoiserie 

and other sentimental treasures.

The fleur de lys sconces are from

 her childhood home in Cologne, Germany. 

Marion’s husband proposed to her 

in the living room 

of her parents' home 

where these sconces originally hung. 

 The adventure continues, 

when Marion and I go antiquing next week!

ciao! fabiana 

black and white and french all over

This little cottage kitchen is 

full of French personality, 

and I love how the color palette 

was kept a simple black and white. 

Isn't this Ralph Lauren wallpaper fabulously chic?

 Marion also has interesting collections, 

including antique keys, black and white transferware,

 pewter, silver and cute little Eiffel tower souvenirs.

A collection of mini Eiffel towers

are displayed on the window sill.

A corner etagere filled with personal treasures.

 

 

Sentimental keys.

A great blend of silver and pewter.

A darling painting by Marion.

A handy and fun way to hold umbrellas. 

A great mix.

Wouldn't you love to have 

your morning coffee here?

Mon ami, Marion

And for more on black and white, click here. 

ciao! fabiana

beautiful flowers from a friend

Created with a little European Flair!

do something amazing today! 

ciao,  fabiana

the secret garden

A little house, with a secret garden. 

I drive by this house everyday. 

On occasion, when I walk or bike by, 

and I'm always delighted to get an up close look 

into the the world behind 

the picket fence and over-sized shrubs. 

Now this little garden has a name, 

The Nest. 

And, The Nest's creator, Marion,

 has become a friend. 

Isn't that grand?

ciao! fabiana