The challenge was to create something both dog friendly and attractive to gaze out upon, as well as versatile for dining and entertaining.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Almost anything will grow in southern Italy's food-obsessed Puglia region, but it's also sleepy and set in its ways. Enter chef Giorgia Goggi
Inspiring gardens from the pages of Vogue Living.
Had lunch at De Librije on Saturday (lunch/dinner are the same menu). The restaurant is inside of a glass ceiling courtyard inside the hotel. Little bit of a maze, but given the history of the building, makes sense. The room is split into two sides by the cold kitchen (snack, apps, desserts). One side is the main dining room and the other contains the chef tables. The hot kitchen is next to the chef tables. There is also a lounge to hang in for coffee/tea. I added the marigold caviar to my menu, did both desserts, and did the 'high
When we moved in to the tiny house last August, our design plans for our edible courtyard were vast, and immediate. It would be a riot of color and flavor
What's On at Nancarrow - Farm Suppers, Sunday Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Feasts
For their historic home in the enclave of Clifton in Bristol, UK, an energetic couple wanted an informal landscape where their grandchildren and dogs could
75 Howard Street South | Howard Street South Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth NR30 2PU, England
Governor Macquarie once worked from the historic terraces that are now dining rooms. Eat among the sandstone or under the Japanese maples, with food by a chef whose resume includes Michelin-starred Tokyo restaurants.
Behind an unassuming brownstone in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill, a double-wide lot is home to a sprawling garden and a pair of unusually beautiful garden sh
Form meets function in Niki Jabbour’s new book Groundbreaking Food Gardens where she provides innovative solutions to include an edible garden without abandoning design and aesthetics. See 5 insights from her book including ideas for water-wise and shaded gardens.
Exploring the villages of Lesbos was one of the highlights during my visit. Here’s a photo tour through the top ten to get you inspired.
Create a private sanctuary in your yard with inspiration from these beautiful courtyard garden designs.
Experience the beloved Tarifa vibe inside Kook Hotel. On a stretch of undeveloped land, we got the rare opportunity to create a new atmosphere in the hotel scene.
So, how to make the most of your townhouse courtyard? Here are some courtyard garden ideas and top tips for cultivating a compact garden space that supports
With a centre courtyard garden that connects with almost every room of the house, this home oozes California-style indoor/outdoor living...
Often all it takes is one image that sets my mind to thinking. The simple outdoor courtyard below was one of the inspiration photos I collected when I was imagining my outdoor space. This image from Martha Stewart has the simplicity of design and the vibe of the European country lifestyle I admire. Making such a space in our own yard would be my intention. One designated for outdoor dining or early morning cups of coffee. The rear of our home has just such a space that I though would convert nicely to this idea of a French courtyard. I had piles of cobblestones just waiting for me to use them, and so this weekend it all came together. Although I started the project on Saturday, and did a lot of back breaking handwork and digging, Mr. Maison Decor came to the rescue on Sunday with his dump truck and skid steer and made my dreams come true very quickly! He has an excavation business and its super handy at times like these to have this equipment and knowledge of how to set the stone and all that. He first removed the grass that was growing in the courtyard area. We leveled out a space in front of one of the stone walls to create a dedicated grilling area. This would be the grill station, and hubs would put down the two large slabs of blue stone for the grill to rest upon. This is me supervising hubby. He was doing an amazing job! By the end of the day we had set up a cobblestone courtyard that we had leveled out so we could set up our dining table. Then we put down a weed barrier fabric and on top of that the tiny pea gravel was sprinkled over that. The bluestone was perfect for the grill and my two large black urns were dragged over to their new spot. I have taken those urns everywhere I go! One was even in front of my old shop. We worked our butts off and today Colin and I are going to level out the pea gravel a bit more and put the dining table into position. Its a big step forward in the courtyard project, but still more things have to happen. A pair of French doors that lead to the back yard will have to be installed, as well as another wall trellis for the big blank backside of the house. Only one window is on the north side of the house out here so it feels awkward. One trellis has been installed and I think I need to put up one more.....I am back out into the yard to plant some lavender and add some mortar behind the cobbles to secure them. One more thing that is headed to the courtyard! I found it on Craigslist and it is an antique garden arbor. Woo Hoo! Not exactly sure where I am putting it, but I am picking it up today! Look for another exciting courtyard post tomorrow!! At least I am excited, lol. Its the little things in life that get me that way.
To Fez! And this is where we stayed - the delightful Riad Lune et Soleil. This is a classic riad with gorgeous orange trees in the garden, beautiful zellige tiling, a big collection of antique bits of building, and five pet tortoises!
Industrial finishes of polished concrete recycled bricks and hardwood give this courtyard project an urban feel. Designed for clients with a brief to create a highly functional space for entertaining. Particular attention has been given to luxury inclusions such as LED garden lighting, outdoor heating, operable pergolas, off form BBQ bench with outdoor bar fridge, […]
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 While snow closed down the DC area, and a cold front moved into Florida, we flew via Dallas to the city of Leon, Mexico. Undoubtedly because of the swine flu, we had to fill out a form declaring we were healthy, and pass a computer monitor that showed our body temperature. An SUV with cold beers was waiting to drive us the 1-1/2 hours to San Miguel de Allende in the Mexico Heartland. Passed through a dry rocky landscape, then forested hills before driving into the mountains. The car had to back up the street of the hotel, because it was blocked at the main square end. We checked into Hotel Posada Carmina, with our room just off a small courtyard. Kent in hotel courtyard In the room, two bottles of water labeled "Cecelia & Drew Wedding" awaited us, along with a note inviting us to dinner with the bride's family. Since rain was predicted for the rest of the week, we decided to do a bit of sightseeing while the sun was out. Right outside the hotel door, we could see the towers of the Gothic parish church, La Parroquia. La Parroquia towers Originally built in colonial style in 1683, the church was given a facelift in 1880 by self-trained mason Ceferino Gutierrez who was inspired by postcards of French Gothic cathedrals. La Parroquia (Since he didn't know what the back of a Gothic cathedral looked like, it was done Mexican-style.) The clock tower of San Rafael stood just beyond La Parroquia, San Rafael clock tower and they both faced the main plaza of El Jardin ("the garden"). A darling little square with fountains, El Jardin fountain a gazebo, wrought-iron benches and pruned trees. El Jardin Nearby, a Starbucks! Starbucks Next was the Templo de Inmaculada Concepcion (Church of the Immaculate Conception), with its dome that Ceferino Gutierrez modeled after the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Church of the Immaculate Conception We continued walking the cobblestoned streets of San Miguel Kent in a little plaza until we reached the Casa Cardo, a hacienda rented by the Tanaka family. Kent knew Stuart from their high school days in Japan, where, although they attended different high schools, they became golfing buddies. Later after college, Kent & Stuart shared living quarters, and Kent was there when Stuart met his wife Cheryl. Kent & Stuart have kept in touch, and whenever travels took one near the home of the other, they would plan a golf outing. Stuart & Cher's oldest child, Cecelia, was marrying Drew, whose parents live half the year in Portland, OR and the other half here in San Miguel. Thus, we were here for the wedding. (The legal ceremony was performed in New York City where the couple currently reside.) Casa Cardo was well-appointed, fully furnished with a grand piano, stained glass, and etched glass lighting fixtures. Casa Cardo lamp fixture There was an inner courtyard Inner courtyard leading to a study and one bedroom, and three bedrooms lined one side of the main courtyard, which also had a small pool. Main courtyard A veranda led to the living areas and kitchen. Veranda We had cocktails on the rooftop terrace, and dinner of a local-style chicken soup and fish tacos. Sonja practiced applying wedding make-up on her big sister, Cecelia. Sonja and Cecelia Thursday, February 11, 2010 Another beautiful day! View from hotel window Main courtyard of the hotel Door to the hotel Most of San Miguel was like this - doorways in flat walls led to beautiful courtyards. Today was our day to sightsee. Casa de Allende (the house of Allende) was the birthplace of Ignacio Allende, a War of Independence leader and hero. Casa de Allende It is now the regional museum - a school field trip destination. We explored inside La Parroquia - Prayer charms here the robe of a statue is pinned with prayer charms and photos. In the Church of San Rafael, a near life-size sculpture group of the crucifixion on Mount Calvary. Near life-size crucifixion scene Another peek at El Jardin. El Jardin A few blocks farther brought us to Templo de Tercado Orden (Church of the Third Order). Templo de Tercado Orden Next to that was the Templo de San Francisco (Church of St. Francis) with its ornate Churriguersque facade. Templo de San Francisco Plaza de Allende contained an equestrian statue of Ignacio Allende. Plaza de Allende Next the markets. Chayote Prickly pear cactus pads Then the Mercado de Artesanias (Artisans Market). Punched tin lanterns Hand-embroidered items Our next stop was the Biblioteca (library) that carries books in Spanish and English, and has an intimate courtyard cafe. Biblioteca courtyard A couple of artists Artists at work were painting the Oratorio de San Felipe de Neri (Church of St. Philip of Neri). Oratorio de San Felipe de Neri Passed the Teatro Angela Peralta (named for the Mexican soprano who gave the first performance here), Teatro Angela Peralta where high school students were gathered. In Bellas Artes, a branch of the Palacio Bellas Artes in Mexico City, there was an exhibit of decorated petit fours. Petit four as art The Bellas Artes courtyard gave us a great view of the dome of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Bellas Artes courtyard Our lunch included tortilla chips with pico de gallo (chopped tomato, onion, cilantro with a bit of lime juice) and a spicy brown salsa, and cantalope and cucumber topped with cayenne. Lunch extras Our main entrees were Cecina (a marinated beef left to dry in the sun) and Molcajetes (served in a heated bowl made from basalt, which kept the food simmering) with fish. We detoured to Casa Cardo to get information on my tour to the Monarch butterfly preserve, only to learn the tour was canceled. Continued through the shady Parque Benito Juarez, where a large flower and plant sale was in progress. Found the Lavaderos Publicos (public laundry), where one woman was taking advantage of the spring-fed laundry tubs. Lavaderos Publicos Climbed a steep hill past the Casa de la Cultura with its clock tower, to reach the Church of El Charro, before heading back to our hotel for showers and a siesta. Casa de la Cultura That evening we went to dinner with Cheryl's Rockford College (IL) friends at La Posadita, only a couple doors from our hotel. At night it was too breezy and cool to eat out on the rooftop terrace. Friday, February 12, 2010 Since I was not taking the all-day tour to see the Monarchs, we found other things to do. And the weather was holding out - no rain! Made an appointment to see the Mask Museum, and walked, or rather climbed, there. Tamiko climbing the hill The Mask Museum is the hobby of the owner of a bed & breakfast, and it contains over 500 masks. You could not photograph in the museum, but you could in the shop where he sells his overflow masks! Tamiko in the mask shop A favorite! The bed & breakfast was filled with Mexican folk art, and had fountains and courtyards. Bed & Breakfast courtyard Stairway niches for more masks Next we went on a hunt for tickets to a concert of a tenor singer, thinking we would join the Rockford College group early that evening. No tickets to be found at five diferent locations including the church where the concert was to be held. Cobblestoned streets of San Miguel, and a mounted police officer. Mounted police on cobblestoned street Finally we visited Instituto Allende, a college of the arts that also offers Spanish courses. Toured their galleries. There was a beautiful courtyard, Instituto Allende courtyard Instituto Allende Mural and a restaurant and coffee bar. Instituto Allende coffee bar Back to the hotel for showers and a siesta, before going to a restaurant in town for the Welcome and Rehearsal Dinner. Drew & Cecelia (she is wearing one of her creations) Open bar cocktails with a three-man band for entertainment. Musicians Later, a lone guitarists played as we had dinner. Dinner set-up After dinner, there were more drinks at the Sunset Bar on a rooftop. Saturday, February 13, 2010 Another gorgeous day! This time we took a taxi to El Charco del Ingenio/Jardin Botanico (botanical garden). We were on a plateau in the mountains, with dried grasses and cacti and small trees scattered about. El Charco del Ingenio/Jardin Botanico Cane Cholla Cactus Nopal (a prickly pear variety) Cactus Kent in the Agave Garden A succulent Some kind of brainy cactus Golden Barrel Cactus Conservatory of Mexican Plants Opuntia microdasys Water Garden Kent on the reservoir dam Center railing washed out - do not cross! Reservoir dam Holy Cross of El Charco Watermill ruins El Charco, a spring-fed pool in the canyon View of San Miguel Pipe Organ Cactus Cactus Garden We caught another taxi to take us to the Fabrica la Aurora just outside of town. This former textile mill has been turned into galleries, artist studios,shops, and restaurants. Hmm, where is the center of gravity? Cala Lilies Looms still sit in the galleries After showers and a siesta, we readied to be transported by trolley to the wedding at Casa Cardo. While Drew had a half-dozen Best Men, Cecelia had her sister, Sonja, and brother, Michael, as the Bridesmaid and Bridesman. Sonja and Michael Stuart and Cecelia Drew & Cecelia Cecelia & Drew After the cerremony, there were cocktails on the rooftop terrace as Mariachis played. Mariachi Band Cecelia & Drew Cecelia designs her own hats and shoes Cheryl and Kent Stuart and Kent Kent & Tamiko Luminaria Hearth Table setting Sunday, February 14, 2010 The rain had held off for the entire wedding stay! As we were leaving, saw this man with his firewood-laden burros: Burros in town Goodbye, San Miguel! San Miquel de Allende
