Serenity in the Garden

Uncommon Goods is on the search for garden sculptures, planters, bird houses and other accessories for an outdoor space. So they have launched their first design challenge of 2013 – the Garden Décor Design Challenge .   If you have a design for those with a green thumb or a lover of the outdoors, they want to see it! UncommonGoods, an online retailer that specializes in handmade, eco- friendly and uniquely designed gifts and accessories. GRAND PRIZE: $500 cash + an UncommonGoods vendor contract RUNNERS UP: All runners up will receive a critique of their work from the guest judges, as well as tips for marketing and growing your business. Additionally, the UncommonGoods buying team will be happy to review your full portfolio and may consider adding the work submitted to the UncommonGoods website in the future.   DEADLINE: January 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM ET   You can submit your great sculptures, pots, birdhouses and other origi...

photo by Brian Auer at Fineartblog Thank You, Pantone! I have been waiting for the design and fashion world to celebrate the color Green. We need this color right now. In a stress-filled, war-torn world, Green can calm us. Desirable Emerald Green traits:  fresh, pure, radiant, lush, healing.   This year, the  color is of growing things with more than a hint of hope. Pantone selected this jewel tone for 2013 because the company believes Green promotes balance and harmony and inspires well-being. Emerald as a precious stone has been valued throughout centuries for promoting good health, prosperity, and renewal. It is associated with Venus, the goddess of love, and in some cultures, an emerald stone is believed to heal diseases of the eye and heart. photo by Myu Myu on Flikr Did you know that patients in a waiting room that had real plants or at least featured posters of plants experienced less anxiety and stress than patients in a ro...

I will be giving a one day class at the New York Botanical Garden on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.  10:00 - 3:30 pm ( with a break for lunch)   I will be revealing captivating design ideas for Creating Gardens of Serenity . Johnsen Landscapes & Pools These classes are so much fun and everyone always has high praise for the material I present. I aim to share the insights and secrets from various ancient traditions and modern landscapes and show how you can use them in your garden.   Johnsen Landscapes & Pools      You must register with the Continuing Education Department on line at the New York Botanical Garden. Click here for that link. Here is what the NY Botanical Garden wrote about me last year. CLICK HERE .   

  If Nature is your Teacher your Soul will awaken ~ Paracelsus   Have you ever experienced a moment when the wafting fragrance of flower blossoms captured your attention and lifted you away? Or when the birdsong around you was louder than the chatter in your head? This exquisite moment of 'stop time' can occur anywhere - while you bask in the warm morning sun or even while hurrying to your car. You may have stopped and looked around, enjoyed the trilling of the birds and felt a connection, for that brief instance, to the green world.         That moment of awareness can become a more regular occurrence in your life if you study the web of Creation that occurs in a garden. Just as a wine connoisseur learns to relishes that first sip on his tongue; you can learn to savor a flower, a rock or even a breeze.         Gardening and wine are very similar; although not essential to life, they enrich...

  Jewel tones are rich colors that resemble gemstones including emerald green ( 2013 color of the year),amethyst purple, ruby red, topaz yellow, sapphire blue, tourmaline green, and turquoise blue. A jewel tone is bold and lends an air of distinction to a space. They bring a scintillating 'Pop' to a garden.  Complimentary jewel tones like amethyst purple and topaz yellow are especially popular. Jewel tones look great indoors as well...I love this painting and chairs below... But too much saturation can be overwhelming...You must temper your exuberance a little.... I mean, isn't the table above a little intense? Richness can lead to burn out... Fire Spinner Ice Plant But you can get away with lots of jewel tones when you use plants that fall into this category... Smoke Bush   The smoke Bush Royal Pueple or Velvet Cloak fits in this category.   Jeweltone bouquet   Spello, Italy ...

San Diego - Martin Luther King Park, Peter Walker    To make a point, repeat yourself... This is certainly true in a landscape, no matter what the size.   Steps are the best example of a repeating element in a garden. Steps can make a strong, repetitive statement... They can be rustic:   (The Japanese gardeners knew it all) (johnsen landscapes & pools - www.johnsenlandscapes.com ) They can be modern: Steps Paul Banguy Deliberate repetition in an outdoor setting makes a visual point and creates order which calms us immensely. Ordered vs. chaos - most of us would choose ordered ...  repeating plans, stepping stones, pavers, planters and more can create unity and rhythm...we like that. Here are some examples of repeating elements outdoors - there are so many. Try it at home - get a bunch of anything and line them up!             (Naumkeag, S...