image via atlanta homes mag This post is for my new friend Jo, who made me explore this possibility again! An entrance says so much...

Last Fall, I built a porch swing bed for my mother-in-law. I documented the process and posted the tutorial here on our blog. We've heard from a lot of people who have used it to make their own swing, which is awesome! But we've also been asked if we had plans for our original swing which was a different design, and was actually the one my mother-in-law ended up with. I built it long before we started this blog, which means I didn't document the process or take and pictures of being built.

The circular driveway is usually reserved for use on large properties with generally large, often grand, homes. We feature a diverse collection of home and driveway styles here.

An Atlanta landscape designer finds kindred spirits with clients who share a passion for horses and the rolling nature of Virginia’s hunt country

With an engineering degree, and horticulture, you know I've invented a Garden Design Equation, moons ago. Yes, good gardens are math. . Will do a long post about the Garden Design Equation, but not today. Promise, you will love the Garden Design Equation, and totally 'get' it. Have taught it in my college classes and seminars losing no one yet. . Living in our new American Farmhouse Architecture home, ca. 1900, for a total of 3 nites, the Garden Design Equation beckons. . Blessedly no gardening has been done here for decades, Poverty is a Great Preserver, indeed. Why is this good? Not a lot to 'undo'. . Focal point on axis, below. Vanishing Threshold. Focal points must be sited as focal points from more than a single direction. This type of focal point, urn above, is one of the best. Do you know why? Needs no planting. Low maintenance. Let your garden leverage your life. Your garden works for you, not the reverse. . From the outside, below, first impression, your garden must tell me who you are, this garden does. . But my narrative, above, has skipped some of the 1st elements of the Garden Design Formula. . Focal point siting is often 'obvious' but must wait until 'flow' around the property is managed. Flow for cars, and walking, maintenance, and larger spaces, a gator/golf cart. . Do you see what else is obvious when creating flow? Turf is included in 'flow' equal to a gravel path-drive-terrace. . This garden, below, is designed for low maintenance too. Did you already spot that? The tractor can easily do its job, and the evergreens need once/year attention, no irrigation needed, no chemicals, no fertilizers. . Had to laugh when I saw this pic, it's exactly where my Garden Design Equation is percolating at our new home. Flow. . Drive & Parking Court, below. Had already told Beloved I will design a gravel drive, gravel parking court, gravel paths, with boxwoods and Tara Turf. . The Garden Design Equation formula at work. Historic too. In the greatest of ironies, I studied historic gardens across Europe for 2+ decades learning how to design a garden with 'plants'. What was truly learned is flow, repetition, rooms, axis, max pollinator habitat......etc. Oddly, too, I've had this idea, below, in mind for the area with my above ground propane tank. Cannot wait for the before/after shots of my propane tank. Who knew such delights could be had? Adore taking the worst a garden offers and turning it into use and beauty. Big effect, below, little input. Been done thousands of times across the centuries, and will be done again at our new home. Copy. NEVER worry about copying. Each site is unique, making each iteration new/fresh. Again, the Garden Design Equation, and why it works. Your garden is unique, and the brain cells you apply enhance every effect. Gratuitous, below, if you know anything about Historic Garden Design. . And, of course, I will copy it too. Daffodils . Notice something else about all these pics? Deer proof. Luckily my new bathroom needs a 'tweak'. And, there is a window overlooking the new orchard/rose arbor. This is exactly how my tub will site, at its window. Single story, our American Farmhouse, is quite long. 3 days here, I know for sure, both front/back doors will have their own set of work shoes/shovels/pruners/wheelbarrow/hats. . A garden must leverage your time. . Garden & Be Well, XO Tara . Pics via Cote De Texas, from Elle Decor.

Enjoy blooms all season long with our best container garden ideas and plant suggestions. Find beautiful inspirations to adorn your porches and patios.

Mountain Majesty a long driveway winds through woods before emerging to unveil a stone house nestled into the pastoral landscape of White Post, Virginia.

Sq. Ft.: 2,796 | Bedrooms: 3-4 | Bathrooms: 4

First, I want to thank you for all your birthday wishes for Dan ! I can't tell you how much he loved reading your comments, emails a...

Saving for a financial goal is so fulfilling. Setting a financial goal, saving over the years... What dream are you saving for?

The front yard is the buyer's first impression of your home and it colors their experience of the rest of the house.