A Simple Nest

Hanging Vases

Oooooo....I would love to do something like this on my back patio.  I was thinking of doing summer lights...maybe made to look like flowers or something using christmas lights.  But this is so beautiful.  See even more beautiful hanging vases right here.  Found Via Design Mom.

Garden Books

I do believe watching and reading too much period pieces set in Victorian and Empire period England has effected me lately.  I want to sew white flowing dresses and night gowns with lace.  I want tea parties (herbal of course)  I want rose bushes, box wood, and fountains.

Gardens are on my mind a lot recently.  Maybe because of the extra attention I'm having to give to mine in this heat.  The library and bookstore have both left me wanting for formal garden books.

Creating Small Formal Gardens by Roy Strong.  Published in '95, this is a rare book, out of print.  Yet very unique in that it's the only book I can seem to find that's specifically for small/formal gardens.  It has very good reviews, and although the list price was 19.99 originally, you'd be hard pressed to find one less than four times that amount.  This just makes me want it more, ha! 

Creative Vegetable Gardening by Joy Larkom.  A good balance between beautiful inspirational photos and informative know-how.  

English Gardens in the Twentieth Century by Tim Richardson.  Haven't seen the actual book, and would take a guess that it's mostly lovely pictures rather than a how to book.  But it would be so nice to look through. 

Formal Garden Design, by Robin Williams.  (No not THAT one.)  This book is thick with inspiration and learning.  It covers many garden styles as well.  Probably the most versatile, yet worthwhile garden design book I've come across in my search. 

And last but not least, The Cooks Herb Garden.  This book again has great pictures and information.  It has plenty of recipes I'd like to try, and explains the best usage for each herb.  This is a small book and would make a great gift, especially when paired with some potted herbs! 

Giant Chess

I think it would be a blast to have a giant chess set!  The giant chairs are fun too, I once found a giant rocking chair sitting at the apartment complex across the street from me.  It was only there a few days, but it was fun to rock with a few friends at a time.  It reminds me of the Big World on Mario Bros 3. 

A chess set that takes up the entire back yard looks tacky to me though.  If I ever have an enormous garden it's having a special chess area.  Oh...and water garden with fountains and goldfish....and a maze would be nice...hahaha.  I want a castle garden! Ha!  (Of course I love formal gardens)

Picture 1 taken at Winnetu Resort in Martha's Vinyard.  Via Michaelj1's flickr.

Picture 2 taken from the George Hotel showing Chollerford Bridge and the North Tyne via Geograph

Water Gardens

 

Is there anything more serene than a water garden in the summer?  I look forward to being a home owner some day so I can build my own!  I tend to be drawn to semi-formal styles.  Weathered and full of life, but symmetrical and structured, like the first photo.  Which is your favorite?

source unknown

from Ponds By Design

from Aqua Escape Inc

from Apartment Therapy

from Water Garden Guide

At The Library: The New Terrarium

Have you ever checked out a book that you love so much you had to go buy it?  I'm thinking I might have to get this one.  The New Terrarium, by Tovah Martin is chock full of gorgeous images of all kinds of terrariums.  The information is very thorough without getting boring.  It is perfect for a beginner even if you've never grown a single living thing, but also great for a veteran gardener who wants to try something new. 

Not only does he describe how to go about creating your own terrarium, but also covers subjects such as the history of terrariums, each type of venue (case), what kinds of plants work in which case, how to care for the case as well as the plants, discusses many different types of plants, and includes projects and case studies.  I was also thrilled to find a list of resources in the back since finding a store that carries something like a wardian case or cloche was beyond my knowledge.

An excerpt from the introduction about terrariums:

If you live in the city but want to be close to nature, you need a terrarium.  If you find yourself in the country but with no time to step outdoors, you need a terrarium.  If you are confined to an office fifty hours a week, a terrarium can be your connection with nature.  And if your home decor needs a little extra green in it, try a terrarium.  Quite simply, terrariums are the solution for bringing all the benefits of botany and you together. 

I truly believe that having some green around the house brings and calming effect, a happy feeling to the occupants. Besides tidiness it is the thing that makes the biggest difference to my mood in a room if the plants are healthy and beautiful.  I'm glad I picked this up on a whim when looking for books to learn about growing herbs.  :)

Terrariums

I've been reading this book from the library about terrariums.  What a great read!  I'll do a review tomorrow.  I'm totally inspired to make my own terrarium, and as per usual for me went internet browsing for design inspiration.  Here's a mix of the traditional, along with some quirky and unique terrarium ideas.  This could be such a fun hobby if I can work on changing the color of my thumbs.  Hey!  Maybe a terrarium is  the cure.

 

A traditional cloche is my favorite kind of terrarium.  Everything under a cloche seems so special...even sacred almost.  It reminds me of the magic flower on Beauty and the Beast.  They aren't just for tiny ecosystems, but food (especially beautiful baked goods), found objects (rocks, shells), and other object d'art. It's a 3d frame for the table top!  #1 found via Abby Goes Design Scouting, #2 via Saucy Sprinkles

I would love a wardian case, like this one from H. Potter

The Copenhagen Terrariums by Roost would be such a statement.  Unfortunately I'd have to save up for these beauties $130-$170. 

I love the dinosaurs in the terrariums made by Courney at Two Straight Lines. Great for a kids room, as long as he's old enough not to dig it up.  Kids love having something of their own to take care of, and what a magical world this is.  Great teaching opportunity too.

How clever is this light bulb mini terrarium?  Get the how-to here.

Terrarium Ornaments!  Teeny Tiny!  From Alynnwise' Etsy shop.

Ooooooooo....This would be so lovely on my tiny nightstand.  I can't get enough of the mini's!  This one's made from a vintage perfume bottle by The Clasp of Isis

I love the little tiny settlements in these moss terrariums.

 

These cloches are so very lovely and old world looking.

This handmade drop is such a treasure!

Now every glass object I look at I think....terrarium!  Do you have a terrarium?  What kind of venue do you host your little lovelies in?

Herb Garden

I bought the seeds and soil to plant my first herb garden.  Since I'm renting and don't know if I'll be moving, I decided a potted garden would be best.  So of course I scoured the internet for potted herb garden inspiration!  I prefer  a wide handel-less basket or old crate, but finding one of those quick is slim.  The terracotta pots are timeless go with every style and are "neutral", so I'll probably stick with that.

1. Terracotta trio from Real Simple

2. tin bucket from Marie Claire

3. lined up in a row from Apartment Therapy via Sara's Fab Day

4. Crate from The Telegraph

5.  Stacked containers from Houseplants for you

6. white pots from Zimbeo

7. Baskets from A Garden Place

Silverware Plant Markers

I love garden signs made from silverware!   Design Sponge highlighted these beautiful ones made by Monkeys Always Look for only $8 on Etsy.  Crap I've Made recently made a tutorial for this adorable craft!  I can't wait to try it out myself with the herb garden I'm planning on putting together this spring! 

Image via Design Sponge