Out And About: Gambs Seconde Nature, Paris

I first spotted and was drawn to Gambs from across a Paris street while exploring the city on foot.  Its amazing window display and selection of vases, lighting and botanicals were spellbinding.  Only upon entering the store, did I realize that the exhibited plants weren't real.  Never had I seen such realistic faux botanicals.  Merchandised among super cool lighting and home accessories,  in avant-garde vases these botanicals were a sight to behold.  Take a look at yet another favorite Parisian retail experience:

So would you fake it (when it comes to flowers) if they looked this good?!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

My most recent color obsession inspired the "theme" for this year's planters.  Take a look at how combining coleus, potato vine, and clover creates an interesting medley of burgundies and chartreuses.

It's been a week or two since we did the planting, and already, our  wrought iron containers are nicely filling and overflowing with this summer's textures and colors.

What are your favorite garden plant hues?

I'm In A Dark Mood

Lately, I've been drawn to dark detailing in interior spaces, gardens and even fashion.  Not to worry, I'm not depressed,  just appreciating the contrast and depth that burgundies and blacks give their surroundings.  Take a look at just why I'm in dark mood...

Our garden has taken on a deep palette as a result of my dark mood.  To see more of this recent color obsession click here and stay posted for photos of this summer's garden planters.

What kind of mood are you in?!

From Box To Vase: Arranging Flowers

Yesterday morning I was at the Boston Flower Market selecting flowers for a friend's graduation celebration.   I wanted the arrangements to be classical with a touch of whimsy since both adults and children will be attending the party.  The flowers I decided upon were peonies, cockscombs and pincushion proteas.  The peonies represented the classic element, while the rest brought on the whimsical.  Take a look at how they turned out:

I'm looking forward to honoring the graduation tonight.  Congratulations.

Color Obsession

I recently took this photo of a succulent and have since become mildly obsessed with it's color and texture.   So much so that it has inspired the "theme" for my planters.  I most often planted 'yellow'...no surprise there.  This year, however,  I'm mixing burgundy and chartreuse by combining coleus, potato vine and clover.  Take a look at some inspiring 'pin's and watch for photos of the planters on Facebook.

What color (s) are you obsessed with?  I'd love to know.  To reference pin sources check out  Pinterest.