Tour Alison Roman’s Plant-Filled Brooklyn Paradise

This blog post compiles a list of 23 notable gardens across the United States, offering descriptions and unique characteristics for each. The article emphasizes the beauty and diversity of botanical gardens and landscaped estates, encouraging readers to visit these locations for relaxation and enjoyment. It notes that some gardens might have temporary closures due to health concerns, advising visitors to check their status. The featured gardens include the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, Texas, known for its year-round floral displays, 60-foot waterfall, and koi ponds, as well as its Jingu House Café. Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix showcases over 20,000 varieties of cacti, succulents, and herbs against the Sonoran Desert's red rocks. The United States Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C., is highlighted as a 'museum with a difference,' housing living artifacts from across the globe within its conservatory, rose garden, and other sections. Golden Gate Park in San Francisco offers expansive landscapes including ten lakes and various trees, suitable for activities like pedal boating and wildlife observation. Further down the list, the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis features a 14-acre Japanese Garden, multiple conservatories like the Climatron, and a diverse collection of plants. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is recognized for its iconic conservatory with a soaring glass roof and an extensive collection that appeals to all ages. The Topiary Garden in Columbus, Ohio, provides a unique experience as a living recreation of George Seurat's painting, 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.' The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, is celebrated for its 50 acres of colorful and themed gardens, including a Rose Garden, Cherry Tree Walk, and educational spaces. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina, offers seasonal blooms from cherry trees in spring to hydrangeas in summer, spread across its historic gardens, arboretum, and native plant sections. The Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon, is praised for its tranquil environment, moss-covered paths, and koi ponds, offering a peaceful retreat. Maine's Asticou Azalea Garden, part of a land and garden preserve, is noted for its beautiful azalea displays reflecting in pond waters. Maui's Garden Of Eden in Hawaii presents a lush tropical setting with palm trees and blooming foliage overlooking the ocean, spanning 26 acres of trails. Bloedel Reserve in Bainbridge Island, Washington, covers 150 acres of woodlands and gardens, with a focus on conservation and mental well-being through nature. Indiana's Quilt Gardens in Elkhart County blend gardening with art, featuring massive flower gardens and quilt murals along the Heritage Trail. The Huntsville Botanical Gardens in Alabama provide 112 acres of diverse displays, including the Damson Aquatic Garden and a Fern Glade. Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., is a historic estate with beautiful gardens like the South Lawn and Orangery. Kauai's Limahuli Garden in Hawaii is set in a valley with ancient lava rock terraces, showcasing ferns, vines, and endangered plants. The Central Park Conservancy Garden in New York City is the park's only formal garden, featuring a grand entrance and a Wisteria Pergola. Boston's Public Garden, established in 1837, is America's first public botanical garden, maintaining Victorian traditions with diverse plants and monuments. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, offers stunning gardens including an Azalea Garden and Rose Garden against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Texas boasts picturesque glades and seasonal plantings, while the Chicago Botanical Garden, spanning 385 acres, includes 27 display gardens and natural areas. Finally, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, provides narrated tram tours and butterfly gardens, admired by glass artists for its beauty. #BotanicalGardens #TravelDestinations #NatureExploration #LandscapedEstates #FloralDisplays #USATourism #OutdoorActivities

Achieving a magazine-worthy urban garden is often more complex than simply purchasing plants and placing them in unprepared soil. This process involves multiple facets such as excavation, grading, drainage, masonry, fencing, irrigation, lighting, and soil amendment before any planting occurs, and necessitates selecting the appropriate plants for their specific locations. Alice S. Marcus Krieg, co-founder of Groundworks, a Brooklyn-based garden design-build firm established in 2001 with Carmen DeVito, notes that clients often present magazine images of gardens, unaware that these designs may be unsuitable for a Brooklyn climate, like those from Southern California. Many Brooklyn homeowners desire a lush green lawn, but Krieg points out that lawns are high-maintenance, requiring full sun, frequent mowing (every seven to ten days), and substantial water and fertilizer. Groundworks addresses these challenges through a structured process. An initial consultation focuses on understanding client desires and intended use for the space. Subsequently, the team presents three garden layout options with estimated costs. Once a design is chosen, a budget set, and an agreement signed, the installation phase begins. Groundworks manages all aspects of the project, including subcontracting masonry and carpentry, overseeing installation, and personally handling soil preparation and planting. Following installation, they offer ongoing maintenance services or provide a monthly to-do list for clients who prefer a hands-on approach. A significant portion of their work, approximately 65%, involves rear yards of row houses in Brooklyn. This type of project presents unique challenges, as all materials—from fencing and pavers to soil and plants—must be manually transported through the house, increasing labor and delivery costs, which often exceed client expectations. Structural elements represent a substantial part of the cost. For example, fencing for a typical 20-foot-by-40-foot backyard, a common initial client request, can range from $5,000 to $7,000 for cedar stockade and up to $20,000 for high-end ipé horizontal slat fencing. A comprehensive garden project, including fencing, a patio or deck, soil, plants, lighting, and irrigation, can reach mid-five figures, with some brownstone garden projects totaling up to $60,000. Plant material typically constitutes only about 10% of this overall cost. Despite these figures, cost-saving strategies exist. Krieg highlights that many clients inherit existing gardens with valuable but unmaintained elements such as old lilacs, roses, or viburnums. Groundworks assesses these existing plants, pruning and editing them to become focal points, emphasizing that in small urban gardens, each plant must be carefully selected to maximize its contribution. Economical plant choices that thrive year-round are preferred over those that require frequent replacement. For the dappled shade common in Brooklyn backyards, Groundworks recommends plants such as rhododendrons, pieris, climbing hydrangea, and low-growing ornamental grasses like carex and sedge for ground cover. Hardy, shade-tolerant camellias are suggested for floral displays, producing rose-like blooms in spring and fall. Creative solutions for budget-conscious designs include "limbing up" existing trees to expose their trunks and building decks or patios around them, or adding an ipé wood lip to an inexpensive fence to create a custom appearance. Groundworks also utilizes faux turf for children’s play areas, describing it as a high-end product made from recycled, permeable materials with subtle coloration. While costing $25 to $35 per square foot, it offers a 15-year lifespan, negating the annual struggles associated with natural lawns. Krieg and DeVito often encounter homeowners who have attempted to create attractive and functional outdoor spaces themselves, only to find the process more challenging than anticipated. The firm’s decades of knowledge and experience are presented as a solution for those seeking professional assistance with their backyard projects. #GardenDesign #BackyardGardens #UrbanGardening #LandscapeDesign #GroundworksInc #BrooklynGardens #HomeImprovement #OutdoorLiving #FauxTurf

Devocion, a farm-to-table coffee roaster and café, has opened its newest outpost in downtown Brooklyn, drawing inspiration from its Bogota roots. The design, a collaboration with New York-based LOT Office for Architecture, seamlessly blends Brooklyn and Colombian aesthetics to create a unique and calming space in a busy urban environment. The 1,700 sq ft cafe, located within a new building development, features 18 ft floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring an abundance of natural light throughout the day. A central highlight of the cafe's interior is an eye-catching coffee bar counter, finished with a sleek black marble top and elegant wood paneling. Adjacent to this, a raised central island provides ample seating and is adorned with a vibrant, jungle-like array of foliage, contributing to the indoor garden theme. The floor is covered in marigold tiles, featuring a simple yet dynamic black and white pattern, which complements the perforated concrete block partitions that define different areas within the space. According to Leo Trampoukis of LOT Architecture, the design concept translates abstract ideas related to Devocion's origins into a communal space. This approach allows for contextual uniqueness in each location, incorporating elements like lush nature, informal seating arrangements, and a prominent coffee counter. The material palette emphasizes warmth and raw textures, creating an inviting atmosphere. Attention to detail is evident throughout the cafe. Custom-designed furniture and cabinets were crafted by Colombian artisans using local wood, a deliberate choice to honor Devocion's heritage. The indoor garden is particularly impressive, featuring 35 different plant varieties, including mango, ficus, fish tail palm, and starfruit trees, carefully selected to evoke an indigenous, tropical feel. This extensive botanical integration creates a truly immersive and natural environment, offering patrons a momentary escape from the urban hustle. The combination of carefully chosen materials, bespoke furniture, and a rich plant selection collectively reinforces Devocion's brand identity and provides a distinctive experience for its customers. The project exemplifies a successful integration of cultural roots with contemporary architectural design to create a functional yet aesthetically rich commercial space. #BrooklynCoffeeShop #IndoorGarden #ArchitecturalDesign #CafeInterior #ColombianCulture #LOTOfficeForArchitecture #DevocionCoffee #UrbanOasis #SustainableDesign

Architectural and interior design duo Arya and Michael Martin, founders of Studio OSKLO, have spent three years meticulously crafting their biophilic home in the Hollywood Hills. Their design philosophy focuses on integrating nature and minimalist aesthetics, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The property, located in the exclusive Doheny Estates, features an earthy color palette and natural materials, harmonizing with the surrounding granite hillside. The home incorporates elements typical of 1960s and 1970s Los Angeles architecture, such as architectural columns that conceal a series of interconnecting terraces accessible from every living space. A central atrium with a second-floor overlook brings greenery into the heart of the home, complemented by walls of rift oak and matte plaster detailing. Large retracting glass panels and expansive corridors create an open atmosphere, offering views of black olive trees, grasses, and aged stepping stones. The exterior uses white and cream tones to soften the columns, which are exposed to direct sunlight. Hinoki-inspired wooden paneling wraps the second-floor terraces to provide privacy. A limestone promenade leads to a zero-edge pool, a private dining garden with a fireplace, and a granite rock formation inspired by the luxury hotel Amangiri in Utah. Inside, the plasterwork is predominantly white, with exceptions in the taupe cloakroom and the oak-paneled TV room. The sitting room features a fireplace carved from a two-ton block of Paloma limestone, assembled on-site by 16 men. The kitchen boasts Calacatta Paonazzo marble, lending a vintage feel to the contemporary space, while a Calacatta gold marble bar adds warmth. Each bedroom is designed with a unique palette to enhance personality. The interiors are furnished with a rich mix of textures, including boucle, velvet, mohair, and linen. Irani carpets, inherited from Arya’s family, blend seamlessly with pieces by notable designers like Vladimir Kagan, Gio Ponti, and Rick Owens. The couple also incorporated collectibles from their travels to Madrid, São Paulo, and Marrakech, creating a curated global aesthetic. Many furniture pieces were custom-made by Studio OSKLO, characterized by gentle abstract shapes and textures. Accessories from Tokyo, sourced during their trips to Japan in 2021 and 2022, contribute an Eastern influence to the Los Angeles views. Pottery, 19th-century bronzes, and clay objects are artfully displayed on built-ins, shelving, and tabletops. The dining room features a Tamara de Lempicka artwork, and a 1960s-era bronze bust adorns the second-floor hallway, reflecting the Martins’ personal tastes and careful attention to every detail in their home. #BiophilicDesign #HollywoodHills #StudioOSKLO #MinimalistInteriors #NaturalMaterials #EarthyPalette #LuxuryHomes #CustomFurniture #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesigners

Rylan Clark, host of 'Strictly – It Takes Two', offered a detailed look into his extensive garden located at his Essex residence. The outdoor area, perfect for social gatherings, was featured in a series of Instagram Stories as Clark observed snowfall. The garden encompasses a substantial terrace and patio, furnished with a black central table and an additional seating arrangement adjacent to a manicured lawn. To ensure comfort across all seasons, a patio heater is installed, complemented by a barbecue and umbrellas for summer events. Further within the garden, another covered seating space is visible. Clark's social media updates, shared with his 1.5 million Instagram followers, captured the snowy landscape and a subsequent photo of a sunset over the trees and gardens bordering his property. The garden's design has drawn comparisons to the 'Love Island' villa due to its spacious entertaining areas and sophisticated lighting. This includes multi-coloured spotlights along the perimeter fence and light strips that cast a neon pink glow on the white patio walls. Beyond the garden, Clark's home features an indoor swimming pool, which was utilized during his 33rd birthday celebration in October, and the iconic Celebrity Big Brother chair from his 2013 victory. The entrance to his home, as previously showcased, is grand, featuring a black glossy front door flanked by frosted glass panels and large black candle lanterns. Celebrity florists Early Hours Ltd were responsible for a festive Christmas display above the front door. Clark, following his separation from Dan Neal after six years of marriage, now resides in the property alone. The couple had previously undertaken a renovation, transforming the bungalow into an Instagram-worthy residence. The article highlights the property's design elements and its suitability for both private enjoyment and entertaining guests. #RylanClark #CelebrityHome #GardenDesign #OutdoorLiving #EssexHome #HomeDecor #LuxuryGarden #EntertainmentSpace

Designer Wesley Moon's Park Avenue apartment, shared with fashion executive Salvatore Malleo, is a testament to blending classical grandeur with modern sensibilities. The two-bedroom prewar apartment, initially a 'plain white box,' underwent a studs-out renovation to infuse it with a rich sense of history and luxurious detail. Moon drew inspiration from the Vatican's grand architecture and diverse stone work, aiming to create a contemporary interpretation of classical aesthetics. This approach manifests in the lavish use of geological materials throughout the 1,750-square-foot space, such as Byzantine pink onyx doors in the primary bedroom and book-matched opera d’arte marble in the powder room. The apartment’s ‘Carrie Bradshaw moment’ refers to the meticulously designed dressing room, further emphasizing the blend of style and personal expression. The kitchen, once a stark 1977 renovation by I.M. Pei featuring white Formica, has been reimagined with Patagonia granite countertops and coffee-hued cerused oak walls, offering a warm and sophisticated atmosphere for Moon, an espresso martini enthusiast, and Malleo, who enjoys cooking. Despite having lived in the apartment for only a year since its renovation during the pandemic, the space exudes a high degree of collectedness. This is achieved through a profusion of art and objects spanning different styles and eras, all unified by Moon’s personal aesthetic philosophy: buying what he loves and believing that diverse pieces will coalesce harmoniously, a principle inherited from his upbringing on a Georgia farm. The dining room features a custom de Gournay wallpaper, painted on gold leaf with matte pigments, depicting the palatial Palermo church Maria Santissima del Carmelo, significant to Malleo’s family. Illuminated by an Eve Kaplan gilded ceramic chandelier, the scene achieves a remarkable three-dimensional quality. In contrast, the adjacent living area showcases a large-scale watercolor by Kelly Falzone Inouye, depicting a scene from the film '9 to 5,' celebrating Moon's idol, Dolly Parton, whose black-and-white Lego portrait also adorns the library. Moon's design expertise lies in his ability to navigate the subtle boundary between maximalism and almost-maximalism, characterized by unique customizations. He demonstrates this by showcasing the fringy backside of a Holland & Sherry drapery textile instead of its embroidered face. The marble fireplace mantel is transformed into an architectural showpiece with Art Deco-inspired molding embossed in python scales and finished in turquoise, a collaboration with Benjamin Wiener. A replica of a Dutch master’s portrait of Elizabeth I above the hearth is uniquely fragmented by artist Michael Mapes, incorporating an image of Moon's grandmother (also named Elizabeth), symbolizing the designer's distinctive approach to classical disruption. Other notable design elements include gilded wall panels in the living room inspired by Paris’s Restaurant Le Gabriel, ombré drapes by Rosemary Hallgarten in the primary bedroom, and a golden ceiling mural by MJ Atelier in the library. The gallery space features fluted, burnished plaster walls, providing a textured yet neutral backdrop for art, complemented by velvet knot stools by Neta Tesler and a Robert Polidori photograph. The powder room, despite its small size, is a lavish display of geological gems, including book-matched opera d’arte marble and a custom solid-onyx basin. The primary bedroom is upholstered in luxurious textiles from Fortuny, Toyine Sellers, and Jim Thompson, with an 18th-century tapestry headboard embellished with gold paint by Jane Henry. The guest bathroom also boasts a thoughtful mix of materials, such as Ondulare Rosso marble and black Kyoto wall tiles by Artistic Tile, alongside a 1950s Osvaldo Borsani mirror, demonstrating Moon's comprehensive attention to detail and ability to create a harmonious, yet richly layered, living environment. #InteriorDesign #LuxuryApartment #ParkAvenue #WesleyMoon #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDesign #CustomDesign #NewYorkCity

This article highlights Anne Hathaway's former balcony garden in NYC, emphasizing its modern design for privacy, shade, and patio coverage. The garden, landscaped by Jeffrey Erb Landscape Design, is situated in a historic Neo-Georgian property and serves as an example of how small urban spaces can be transformed into leafy retreats. The author, Jennifer Ebert, praises the use of a covered arbor or pergola, which she describes as magical at dusk when adorned with scented plants or lights. These structures are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, offering essential shade and privacy, aspects often underestimated. The article then delves into expert advice on implementing pergolas and arbors. Garden designer Charlotte Rowe suggests that these structures are primarily for shade, not rain shelter, and their optimal placement depends on the layout of the outdoor living area and the homeowner's specific needs. Another garden designer, Katrina Kieffer-Wells, notes that pergolas with shade sails are versatile, suitable for both sunny and shady spots, depending on usage times. For south-facing gardens, a partially enclosed pergola can create a tranquil retreat from the sun. In shade gardens, they can become cozy nighttime features with ambient lighting and hanging drapes. Beyond structures, the article addresses privacy planting, especially crucial in urban settings with high-rise neighbors. It recommends building planters along the outer edges of a rooftop garden, allowing for a mix of taller trees for privacy and smaller shrubs and annuals for color. Alternatively, faux planters offer a low-maintenance option for adding color, easily slotted over railings and secured against wind. The article includes a 'Shop the look' section, suggesting various products to achieve a similar aesthetic. This includes decorative screens for privacy and stylish outdoor shading solutions like beach umbrellas and shade sail canopies. These temporary structures can create an enclosed, intimate space for dining and entertaining, offering ample shade and dappled sunlight, thereby extending the living space outdoors. The overall focus is on creating sophisticated and functional outdoor living areas, drawing inspiration from celebrity homes. #AnneHathaway #CelebrityHomes #UrbanGardens #BalconyGardens #PatioDesign #PergolaIdeas #PrivacyPlanting #OutdoorLiving #HomeAndGarden

This article explores a historic 1920s double-wide townhouse on the Upper East Side of New York City, which served as the 47th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The clients purchased the entire building after attending the show house, initiating a gut renovation led by Francis Nicdao, principal designer and chief creative officer of Pembrooke & Ives, and Stephanie Sarkies-Schabot, the firm's managing director of decorating. The renovation, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to create a family home capable of displaying a vast, museum-quality art and antique collection without feeling overly formal. The design achieved a balance between contemporary cleanliness and traditional detailing, respecting the building's historical character. The entryway features checkerboard marble flooring and a spectacular spiral staircase connecting five of the six levels, designed to facilitate a smooth transition to vertical living. The living room, expansive due to the home's double-wide layout, is furnished with collectible design pieces and art, creating a grand and impactful atmosphere. Gold accents add a glamorous edge to a soft color palette. The combined breakfast and family room functions as the home's hub, with a custom back-to-back sofa dividing dining and lounge areas. This space, which opens into the kitchen, incorporates rich textures and blue hues, overlooked by Ralph Goings's artwork, _Tom’s Diner_. The kitchen, located on the entry floor, was designed for high functionality and ease of maintenance, with easily cleanable surfaces and ample counter space. Its blue island and barstools create a cohesive connection with the adjacent breakfast room. The wine cellar and wet bar, located in the basement and dining room respectively, demonstrate that even lower-level spaces can be glamorous, featuring specialty lighting for the wine display and a high-gloss blue paint with a mirrored backsplash in the wet bar. The primary suite, one of seven bedrooms, offers a dreamy ambiance with pink details and natural light enhancing its glow. The unique layout connects the bedroom to a walk-in closet and bathroom through a windowed corridor along the back facade. A guest bedroom provides a relaxing retreat with a neutral color palette, plush carpeting, embroidered drapery, a custom upholstered headboard, and a high-gloss wall finish. The primary bathroom integrates decorative lighting as a focal point, with a stunning chandelier and sconces, alongside symmetrical design and stone detailing for a luxurious and modern feel. Finally, the backyard patio, designed by landscape architect Luciano Guibbilei, serves as a “zen-like enclave” in the city, covering approximately 1,500 square feet and featuring a mural by artist Annie Morris, providing a serene outdoor escape. #NewYorkCity #TownhouseRenovation #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #HistoricPreservation #ArtCollection #PembrookeAndIves #KipsBayShowHouse #HomeDecor

In densely populated urban environments like New York City, where ground-level green spaces are scarce, rooftop gardens, terraces, and balconies present a significant opportunity to create vital green oases. With over 40,000 acres of potential rooftop space in NYC alone, these elevated areas can be transformed into private, calming retreats that offer a respite from the frenetic pace of city life. This transformation not only enhances personal well-being but also contributes to urban biodiversity and sustainability. New York-based landscape designer Dima Rumiantcev emphasizes a philosophy of boldness and celebration of available space when approaching urban gardening projects. His design process begins by understanding the client's current use of their outdoor area and their aspirations for its future use. This client-centric approach ensures that the garden design is deeply personal and reflects the homeowner's lifestyle, whether they seek a private shield from the city's hustle or an open, entertaining space that maximizes spectacular views. Rumiantcev aims to create urban gardens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also low-maintenance, sustainable, and capable of thriving for years to come. Functional and practical considerations are integral to the design process. Lighting is crucial, as many city dwellers enjoy their outdoor spaces primarily at night. The unique challenges of urban rooftop environments, such as the US hardiness zone, sun exposure, strong winds, and fluctuating temperatures, must also be meticulously accounted for. Rumiantcev, the founder of the award-winning DiMastery Studio, brings a deep understanding of horticulture and landscape architecture to his projects, combining creativity with expertise to craft stunning and sustainable gardens. Creating mindful and meditative spaces is a core aspect of Rumiantcev's vision. He views outdoor spaces as an extension of the home, offering an invaluable connection to nature in an otherwise concrete jungle. Observing plants, insects, and butterflies from one's home can provide moments of joy and relaxation, helping to alleviate daily stress and foster a sense of security and connection to the natural world. To enhance this experience, Rumiantcev often incorporates sensory elements such as vibrant colors, fragrant plants, and even edible plants like herbs, strawberries, and tomatoes, which provide a grounding connection to nature through taste and cultivation. When it comes to planting ideas for urban rooftops and terraces, Rumiantcev adopts a "thriller, filler, and spiller" strategy. The "thriller" acts as a focal point, typically a large shrub or tree, while "filler" plants add bulk and texture, and "spiller" plants cascade over the container edges, softening the overall composition. Native plants are his preferred choice due to their resilience and ecological value, but non-invasive exotic plants are also considered when necessary to achieve a desired aesthetic. Plants must be hardy enough to withstand harsh urban conditions, including frozen winters, scorching summers, and strong winds, which are common in New York City's "wind tunnels." Examples of recommended plants include resilient and long-lasting perennials like _Echinacea purpurea_ (purple coneflower) and _Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’_ (hummingbird mint), which provide color from summer to fall and attract pollinators. Ornamental grasses, such as _Hakonechloa macra_ (Japanese forest grass) and _Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Ha Ha Tonka’_ (little bluestem), are ideal for adding texture, privacy, and visual interest, especially with their seasonal color changes. For trees, the compact and hardy coral bark Japanese Maple (_Acer Palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’_) is a standout choice due to its striking foliage and ability to tolerate urban conditions. Beyond aesthetics, supporting urban wildlife is a crucial environmental benefit of rooftop gardens. Rumiantcev advises incorporating wildlife-friendly garden ideas, such as leaving flower seedheads intact and delaying cutting back grasses to provide food and shelter for beneficial insects and birds. Adding late-season, nectar-rich flowering plants supports migratory species like hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Even small additions, such as fennel plants, can provide habitats for specific species, contributing to local biodiversity. Weight restrictions are a primary concern for rooftop gardens, and structural engineers should be consulted. Lightweight materials like fiberglass planters and natural clay pebbles at the bottom of pots can help manage weight. While container-grown plants have a limited lifespan compared to those in the ground, proper irrigation, root pruning, and regular feeding can extend their vitality. #UrbanGardening #RooftopGardens #LandscapeDesign #NewYorkCity #Biodiversity #SustainableGardening #ContainerGardening #MindfulLiving #NativePlants

The Elizabeth Street Garden in Manhattan’s Little Italy is a community green space distinguished by its collection of sculptures and architectural salvage, curated by gallery owner Allan Reiver. In 1991, Reiver initiated the transformation of a vacant lot into this vibrant garden, incorporating unique items acquired from various locations across the United States, many originating from lavish Gilded Age estates. Among these artifacts is an ornate iron gazebo, which has historical connections to Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned American landscape architect. Frederick Law Olmsted is widely recognized for his landscape designs, including New York City’s Central Park, Delaware Park in Buffalo, and the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Following his death in 1903, his sons, John and Frederick Jr., continued his legacy under the name Olmsted Brothers. One of their early projects involved designing gardens for the Burrwood Estate in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. This estate belonged to Walter Jennings, a director and secretary of the Standard Oil Company, and featured buildings designed by Carrere & Hastings, known for their work on structures like the Standard Oil Building and the New York Public Library. The Burrwood Estate, established in 1898, was a Georgian mansion with fifty rooms, adorned with luxurious elements such as Tiffany windows, imported marble mantels, and decorative wood paneling. The estate’s 400-acre grounds offered views of the Long Island Sound and comprised farmland and formal gardens meticulously designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Mrs. Jennings, an avid horticulturist, frequently hosted flower shows and allowed her gardens to be used for events by organizations such as the Nassau County Horticultural Society. The gardens featured various statues, fountains, stone walls, and picturesque vistas, including the large iron gazebo now located in the Elizabeth Street Garden. This gazebo served as a central feature at Burrwood, positioned among trees and bushes, and framing two sculptures in a grassy clearing. Joseph Reiver, Allan Reiver's son, noted that the gazebo is now a popular site for events, including weddings, which generate revenue to support the Elizabeth Street Garden. The gazebo was among the initial pieces placed by Allan Reiver during the garden's early development, offering visitors a shaded retreat. Nearby, a pair of marble columns, also salvaged from the Burrwood Estate, complement the gazebo. While some sources have referred to the gazebo as a replica, documents from the garden assert its authenticity. Since 2013, the Elizabeth Street Garden has been managed by volunteers under the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Elizabeth Street Garden (ESG). The garden's future is currently uncertain due to a proposal to construct affordable housing on its site. The non-profit is engaged in a legal dispute to preserve the space, and efforts are underway to raise funds for its legal defense. The garden remains accessible to the public throughout the year, with specific operating hours from Wednesday to Sunday. #ElizabethStreetGarden #GildedAge #FrederickLawOlmsted #BurrwoodEstate #CommunityGarden #NewYorkCity #LongIsland #ArchitecturalSalvage #UrbanGreenSpace

Good Morning America host Robin Roberts recently provided her fans with a glimpse into the sophisticated garden of her Connecticut residence through an Instagram post. The shared photograph showcased a serene corner of her backyard, characterized by a white picket fence and a comfortable hammock, suggesting a perfect spot for relaxation. This area is further enhanced by a vibrant flower bed enveloped in lush greenery, ensuring a high degree of privacy for Roberts and her partner, Amber Laign. The property also features a meticulously maintained lawn and a distinct seating area, which had previously appeared in videos posted by the star in May. Roberts' Connecticut home served as her primary workspace for co-hosting GMA remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown. The residence is designed with an open-plan living room that seamlessly transitions into a wood-paneled kitchen, a setting frequently seen during her segments on the show. The interior of the house incorporates numerous personal touches, including custom cushions adorned with images of Robin and Amber. During the lockdown, Roberts also broadcasted from her basement, which is notable for its vivid blue walls and a contemporary sideboard displaying various photographs. In March, at the onset of the pandemic, Robin offered a virtual tour of her newly established 'screening room' within her home office setup. In a video shared on Twitter, she humorously described her morning commute as merely "heading downstairs." Adding to the delight of her viewers, Roberts introduced her pet dog, Lukas, during this tour. Beyond her Connecticut abode, the 59-year-old television personality also owns a vacation home in Key West's old town. This holiday retreat boasts two bedrooms and includes a swimming pool. Robin and Amber commemorated their 15th anniversary in July, with Roberts sharing celebratory photos on Instagram. These included an image of a thoughtful gift she had given Amber: a pair of personalized crystal champagne glasses accompanied by a bottle of champagne. #RobinRoberts #CelebrityHomes #HomeGarden #Connecticut #GMAHost #ZenGarden #HomeDecor #COVID19Lockdown #AmberLaign

The San Francisco Bay Area is currently experiencing a spectacular spring superbloom, a direct result of the past winter's extensive rainfall. This natural phenomenon has transformed gardens, backyards, parks, and even roadside medians across California, including San Francisco and the Wine Country, into vibrant displays of wildflowers. This guide highlights 15 notable gardens throughout the Bay Area where visitors can experience this floral abundance, featuring a diverse range of plant life and garden styles. Among the featured locations is Blake Garden in Kensington, part of UC Berkeley, which offers a unique ambiance reminiscent of a secluded estate. San Mateo's Central Park and Japanese Garden is celebrated for its cherry blossoms, pagoda, koi pond, and tea house, providing a serene Japanese-inspired experience. In San Francisco, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park stands out as a Victorian greenhouse housing tropical, aquatic, and carnivorous plants that are consistently in bloom. Filoli Historic House and Garden in Woodside boasts meticulously maintained spring floral displays across its extensive grounds. The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek invites guests to enjoy roses, salvia, waterfalls, and a children's garden, making it an ideal spot for a picnic. Oakland's The Gardens at Lake Merritt showcase a variety of rhododendrons, lilies, palms, bonsai, and succulents. The Hayward Japanese Gardens in Hayward offer an authentic experience with its traditional Japanese wood and stone architecture, ponds, and pavilions. The historic Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has been a popular attraction since 1894, known for its cherry blossoms, ponds, and pagodas. Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross provides a peaceful setting in the Ross Valley with flowering trees and beds, and uniquely welcomes dogs on-leash. The Martha Walker Garden in Napa focuses on native habitats, featuring redwood forests, oak woodlands, and environments designed for birds and butterflies. San Jose's Municipal Rose Garden, often called “America’s Best Rose Garden,” covers 5 acres and displays nearly 200 varieties of roses. The Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden Park in Berkeley is a 10-acre natural space dedicated to native California blooms, shrubs, and trees. Walnut Creek is also home to the Ruth Bancroft Garden, which specializes in a global collection of sculptural and drought-tolerant plants. The San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park, allows visitors to see the end of the magnolia season or the beginning of spring blooms from 10 different climate zones, with free access for city residents. Finally, the Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen features plants from temperate East Asia and coastal California, offering tranquil paths and picnic spots in the Sonoma County hills. These gardens collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the Bay Area's floral diversity and beauty, especially vibrant during the spring superbloom. #BayAreaGardens #SpringFlowers #SuperbloomCalifornia #BotanicalGardens #CaliforniaNature #OutdoorActivities #TravelGuide #FlowerSeason

The article showcases three distinct Atlanta backyards, each transformed into a unique oasis through meticulous design and personal touches, offering inspiration for creating stunning outdoor spaces. The first, a "Pocket Garden" in Virginia-Highland, belongs to Rob Lamy, who has cultivated it for over 30 years. This garden emphasizes form, texture, and various shades of green, prioritizing leafy foliage over colorful blooms. Lamy, with help from landscape designer Paula Refi, developed a skill for pairing monochromatic plants with contrasting textures, such as ferns alongside fatsia and leopard plant, accented by white-blooming plants like gardenias and hydrangeas. Art, in the form of metal sculptures and paintings on the garage, provides color. Lamy's dedication to detail is evident in his hand-laid pebble pathways. His approach highlights how a small space can be transformed into a detailed and tranquil retreat. The second featured garden, the "Secret Garden" of Vicky and George Neuhauser near West Paces Ferry Road, is a "stone sanctuary" carved into a granite hillside. When the Neuhausers purchased their home, they discovered an exposed vein of granite, which Vicky painstakingly unearthed and repurposed to create pathways, steps, borders, benches, and a charming garden house. This garden’s design was organically driven by the natural terrain. The radiant heat from the stone encourages diverse plant life, including azaleas, peonies, hellebores, Japanese maples, and various perennials. This elevated retreat offers a striking contrast to the more formal gardens below, which include a traditional basket-weave brick patio, a slate-and-turf checkerboard leading to a rectangular swimming pool, and boxwood-hedged beds framing PeeGee hydrangeas. A pergola draped with Confederate jasmine and a tea olive hedge provides a shady respite. At the top of the hill, Vicky designed a Cotswolds-style garden house with solid stone walls and a cedar shakes roof, featuring a wide window shelf that functions as a wet bar, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. The third space is Bob and Margaret Reiser’s "Art Garden" in Brookhaven, which feels more like a public park due to its expansive nature and numerous art installations. Their garden draws inspiration from world-renowned public gardens and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG), where Bob is a lifetime trustee. Margaret, who serves on the board of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, collaborated with landscape designer Jane Bath to create an English cottage garden filled with roses, ornamental shrubs, and colorful perennials. The backyard is divided into three distinct sections by wrought-iron fencing and elevation changes. A lawn transitions to a terraced swimming pool and pool house, where a contemporary kinetic metal sculpture by California-based artist John Tyler adds a dynamic artistic element. This area is framed by azaleas, spireas, and a raised garden of antique roses. The Reisers transformed an ivy-infested forest beyond their original backyard into a woodland walk, clearing the ivy and planting an extensive collection of Japanese maples, shade plants like hostas and ferns, and native wildflowers with the assistance of Tim Gartland of Hamilton Land Services and an ABG curator. The garden's crowning feature is a labyrinth outlined with grasses and ground covers, inspired by Chartres Cathedral, which Bob walks daily. This article, originally published in the Summer 2018 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, highlights diverse approaches to creating beautiful and functional backyard spaces, emphasizing personal interests and natural elements. #PocketGarden #SecretGarden #ArtGarden #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorSpaces #AtlantaGardens #VirginiaHighland #WestPacesFerry #Brookhaven #GardenInspiration

Patrick Blanc, a botanist renowned for over 30 years of creating vertical gardens, has transformed Parisian walls, most notably at the Jean Nouvel–designed Quai Branly museum. One family, the Dimanches, has the unique privilege of experiencing Blanc's vertical gardens within their own living space. Blanc, identifiable by his distinctive style, has cultivated a reputation as an urban garden guru, utilizing a trademark top-down irrigation system and three decades of botanical research across three continents. His portfolio includes creations for the Pershing Hall hotel, the Fondation Cartier in Paris, the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, various boutiques, and restaurants. Following the grand opening of the Jean Nouvel–designed Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, featuring an 8,600-square-foot facade with 15,000 plants, Blanc has seen an influx of large-scale commissions. Blanc's journey began with residential projects, starting with his own apartment in Créteil, on the outskirts of Paris, which he transformed into a tropical rainforest. While major commissions later became his focus, some homeowners successfully convinced him to create outdoor vertical gardens, aiming to introduce a 'rural' element into their urban environments. However, his expertise in indoor vertical gardens, particularly with low-light plants, remained largely untapped until 2004. This changed when Jean-Marc Dimanche contacted Blanc with an idea for a 20-by-23-foot interior wall in his 4,400-square-foot home, then under construction in the Left Bank’s 14th arrondissement. Dimanche recounts Blanc's enthusiastic response, signaling the start of their collaborative adventure. Two years later, the Dimanches' home now features a lush forest canopy, a living canvas comprising approximately 150 tropical, low-light plant species harmoniously arranged. The vertical garden transitions from a field of texture at the base to arcs of violet and amber flowers, culminating in an overhang of trees near the ceiling, creating a sheltering forest effect. This living element seamlessly integrates with the home's raw architectural features, such as concrete and metal beams, and a transparent glass elevator, as well as the family's personal belongings, including country-kitchen stools, orchids, and worn leather armchairs. Jean-Marc Dimanche finds the overall effect to be very calming. The Dimanches' move from a renovated longère outside Rambouillet to their new Parisian home represented a significant lifestyle shift. Vivette Dimanche emphasizes that their house is not merely conceptual but embodies 'le vivant, le vécu' — the living, the lived experience. Given Paris's high population density, Blanc's plant walls offer a solution to integrate nature into the urban fabric without negating the city's structure. Blanc aims to extend his work beyond homes and museums to less aesthetically pleasing urban locations like parking lots, public housing, and train stations, areas where living things are unexpected. He asserts that his plant walls are not a critique of urban life but an effort to reconcile it with nature, creating spaces that foster a connection between the urban environment and the natural world. #VerticalGarden #PatrickBlanc #IndoorGarden #UrbanGreenery #HomeDesign #ParisianLiving #BiophilicDesign #InteriorPlants #LivingWalls

Actress and farmer Isabella Rossellini, in collaboration with architect Pietro Cicognani, has transformed a dilapidated 1830s barn in Bellport, Long Island, into a highly original rural home that defies conventional design norms. Rossellini's home is one of 18 projects featured in Cicognani's new book, 'Pietro Cicognani Architecture and Design,' highlighting their unique and playful approach to architecture and interior design. The property, originally a series of three barns, centers around a grassy 'piazza,' a feature designed by Cicognani that evokes an Italian feel while also reminding Rossellini of her Swedish heritage due to the buildings' red color. This unconventional layout was born from Rossellini's desire for a home that prioritized space and lifestyle over traditional room allocations, drawing inspiration from her previous experience living in a loft. The collaboration between Rossellini and Cicognani is characterized by their shared willingness to make daring and creative choices, moving away from rigid architectural conventions. The interior of the barn reflects Rossellini's eclectic personality and passion for the animal kingdom and circus themes. The expansive 35-foot-long barn's lower floor functions as a living area, filled with a quixotic collection of art and curios. Among family photographs and film stills, items such as a large banner depicting a snake charmer and a rearing horse from a movie set serve as focal points. The floor in this area is innovatively painted plywood, designed to mimic a rug, further illustrating the home's playful and original aesthetic. A low wooden shelving unit informally displays a collection of books and framed photographs. The sleeping quarters are located in the hayloft, accessible via vintage airplane steps sourced by Cicognani. This rustic bedroom features large windows that offer ample natural light and verdant views, with simple muslin curtains providing privacy. The largest barn space serves as a creative laboratory for Rossellini's movie and theater pieces, functioning as both a workshop and a sleeping area. The cottage on the property has been converted into a kitchen, dining room, and guest bedroom with a bathroom, while a third barn was specifically designed by Pietro to house a pool and sauna. Rossellini, a graduate in animal behavior and operator of a 30-acre farm, integrates the needs of her animals into her daily life, rising early to care for them and teaching about the value of wool. The home is a direct manifestation of her lifelong dream of living a rustic, animal-centric life, characterized by spontaneous interactions with her farm animals, such as sheep occasionally stampeding into the house. The design narrative of Rossellini's home is one of thoughtful unconventionality, where every element contributes to a deeply personal and vibrant living space. #CelebrityHome #BarnConversion #LongIslandDesign #PietroCicognani #EclecticInteriors #RusticModern #AnimalThemedDecor #UniqueArchitecture #CreativeLiving

Lauren Piscione, an interior designer, embraces a 'wabi-sabi' design philosophy, prioritizing unique, imperfect, and meaningful objects in her home and for clients. Her aesthetic focuses on organic materials, visible wear and tear, and a layered, dimensional feel that avoids being overly matched. Piscione's journey into interior design began after a stint in fashion PR and event design, where she realized her passion for creating living spaces. She founded LP Creative in 2019, emphasizing designs that allow clients to evolve their style over time without feeling constrained by a rigid aesthetic. Piscione's Los Angeles home, located among a canopy of trees, reflects her design principles. She specifically sought a residence with abundant natural light and surrounding greenery, describing the challenging climb to her apartment as worthwhile due to its tree-top elevation. Upon discovering the rental, she was drawn to its inherent character, including a purple exterior, vaulted ceilings, a sunken tub/shower combination, and a riverstone fireplace. While limited by rental constraints, Piscione personalized the space by updating cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom and applying specialty paint finishes to create a faux Venetian plaster effect, achieving her desired wabi-sabi look with readily available materials like Lowe's faux cement finish. Her home showcases a collection of art and objects from artists and makers she has encountered throughout her career, such as Taylor Kibby, Otherside Objects, and Minjae Kim. These pieces are not merely decorative but hold personal significance, symbolizing her professional growth and relationships. She values items that patina over time, like antique Japanese Boro textiles, which display visible history and imperfections. Plants are also integral to her design, treated as sculptural art, with a preference for dynamic, 'suessical' floral arrangements from florists like Isa Isa Floral. Piscione encourages an investigative approach to design, seeking out pieces with unique geometries and shapes that spark conversation, such as a ceramic stool by Eny Lee Parker or a chair from Otherside Objects. She actively engages with emerging artists in the Los Angeles community and frequently connects with makers directly through platforms like Instagram to commission custom pieces. She also highlights Etsy as a valuable resource for unique finds, including Moroccan mats and Japanese textiles, often securing favorable deals by building personal relationships with sellers. During the pandemic, Piscione adapted her home to accommodate her growing business. She repurposed a kitchen nook into a functional workspace by enlisting a carpenter to create a custom cubby system for her fabric, wood, and stone samples, addressing the need for organized storage in a lived-in environment. She maintains a tangible reference library of design magazines like *Architectural Digest* and *Elle Decor*, viewing them as an offline version of Pinterest for inspiration on new projects. Her home also features inviting outdoor spaces, including a back patio with seating and planters, and a front patio transformed into an outdoor dining area with found chairs and a Heather Taylor Home tablecloth, fostering a lifestyle integrated with nature. #InteriorDesign #WabiSabi #HomeTour #LosAngelesInteriors #LaurenPiscione #LPCreative #ArtisticDecor #SustainableDesign #RentalDecor

The concept of 'skyfarming,' which involves cultivating food vertically rather than horizontally, is moving beyond the realm of science fiction and into practical application. This is exemplified by a 9-meter tall food garden currently under construction in London for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, the UK's premier garden exhibition. This innovative structure features one wall dedicated entirely to plants and the other to solar photovoltaic panels. These panels are crucial for powering the water pumps that circulate water from a borehole through a hydroponic growing system, demonstrating a sustainable approach to urban agriculture. Inside the tower, alongside a staircase, are designated greenhouse areas for plant propagation and a compost chute for waste management. The plant-covered wall is adorned with large window boxes, accommodating a variety of edible plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and nasturtiums. This design was conceived by landscape architect Patrick Collins and architect Laurie Chetwood for the B&Q-sponsored garden. Adjacent to the window boxes is a wall featuring herbs like thyme, chamomile, and oregano, which thrive when regularly clipped, highlighting the aesthetic and practical benefits of such a system. While acknowledging that a 9-meter tower is not a typical addition to a city garden, Chetwood emphasizes that the Chelsea Flower Show serves as a platform for grand, inspirational ideas. The goal is to present concepts that, while ambitious in scale, contain practical elements that individuals can adapt for their own smaller gardens. Collins reinforces this message, stating that the garden aims to illustrate that anyone can grow their own vegetables, even with limited space like a window box. The garden's focus on edibility extends to all its components, including the trees. Vertically trimmed lime trees produce flowers suitable for herbal tea, and mulberry trees offer crunchy berries. Collins points out that while 90% of global food comes from just 20 plant species, the world hosts hundreds of edible plants. The B&Q Garden aims to showcase this diversity, featuring less common edibles like *Stevia rebaudiana*, a plant known for its sweet taste and potential as a sugar substitute. An interesting feature of the garden is an 'insect hotel' with 90 'bedrooms' designed by schoolchildren. This playful element carries a serious message: to encourage people to establish ecological habitats within their gardens. The decline in insect populations, often described as 'getting hammered,' underscores the importance of creating environments where these creatures can thrive. The architects and designers behind this project express a strong belief in the importance of fostering urban food production, particularly in cities like London, where food security can be a concern. The project serves as an inspiration for city dwellers to engage in gardening, regardless of the size of their available space. #ChelseaFlowerShow #VerticalGarden #Skyfarming #Hydroponics #UrbanGardening #SustainableLiving #EdiblePlants #InsectHotel #FoodSecurity