Wonderland as a Muse for Exceptional Garden DesignGardens are a really important theme in the whole Alice Muse Week here at the BYDesign Blog. Alice spends much of her time outdoors at tea parties, or roaming though gardens with the Queen of Hearts. Indeed Wonderland itself seems to be one big garden. From a design perspective, what we are pulling out of the garden vibe is playful proportion – oversized flowers and animals, playful and strange proportions that can impact furniture or interior design, lots of great soft flower colors and textures, flamingo and other feathers, playful fern fiddleheads, topiaries. I also like the Tim Burtonesque tendrils, vines, trees and thornbushes in his version of Alice, which gives the story a little darkness, a touch of danger and atmosphere, and gets us away from the sickly sweetness that, to me, is more for a kids room, and infinitely less interesting. What follows is a short slideshow of whimsical and beautiful gardens that remind me of Alice. It’s just a down payment, there is certainly so much more out there. If you find something yourself, please share! Hope you enjoy! Shine On! Braxton
I'm actually taking the day off today...happy 11-11-11!! Does anyone else think this day is just too cool to pass up the chance to celebrate? The fact that it falls on Fri. just makes it irresistible. But, I didn't want to leave you high and dry so....I found some rather random, yet inspiring, transparent design. Let's begin with conservatories/greenhouses.....A room with glass walls and a glass roof, the conservatory originated in the 16th century when wealthy landowners wished to grow citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, after returning from visits to warmer climates where such fruits grew naturally. The 19th century was the golden age of the conservatory in England. With the English love of gardening, and new technologies in glass and heating, the greenhouse became ubiquitous in the English countryside. Okay, so this is actually a poolhouse not a greenhouse, but clearly the inspiration is there. Moving on the aquariums. I've never been a big fan of fish tanks/aquariums in private homes, something about seeing those fish swimming back and forth, back and forth, just seems sad. The following aquariums, however, are more like fancy resort hotels....for fish. On to ice hotels....made of snow, sculpted blocks of ice, and steel framing, ice hotels are indeed temporary. In this Swedish Ice Hotel even the glassware in the bar is made from ice. Sub-freezing temperatures are required during construction and operation of ice hotels. For obvious reasons each hotel must be reconstructed every year of it's operation. This is actually an ice chapel. Notice the fur throws on the seating. Just for fun, just because it's Friday.....beautiful ice sculptures! Man, people are truly amazing. My favorite thing I've seen all week. Charming!! Braxton and I have had a thing for multiple 1's ever since college...not sure why, but we always take them as a good sign. What could be a better sign than 11-11-11? Have a beautiful weekend. YANCEY
A roundup of classic and modern dishes to celebrate the season—from gumbo to bisque and everything in between
Here are 37 small garden ideas to redesign your outdoor space:
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
Here we present you the most amazing DIY projects for your garden improvement. You can find various interesting and creative projects, that will inspire
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
Step inside a beautiful Florida home with a sporting heart that blends indoor and outdoor living
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
Not Included: Ottoman Toss Pillows Features Motion type: Stationary Volume: 38.8 cu ft (1.1 m3)
MODERN SCREEN BLOCK PRIVACY SCREENS AND MORE I mentioned yesterday that our landscaping was in need of an overhaul. While our extremely overgrown yard is not ideal, one thing is does provide is privacy, and Braxton and I really really love our privacy. We have super nice neighbors, we sure do, but I don't want to engage in a conversation every time I go into the back yard...sometimes I just want to read a magazine on the patio in peace, or have a moonlit cocktail with my husband, sometimes I even work out side. Ahhhh privacy! If we do decide to cut back (or down) some of our trees and shrubs we will have to replace some of them with a privacy screen. Check out these gorgeous ones! It's a holiday weekend here in the States...B. and I will be hanging out on the patio (in private!), going for a hike on the Parkway, and perhaps taking in a movie...who's seen Dark Shadows? I'll see you back here on Tuesday. Have a beautiful and safe Memorial Day weekend! yancey
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
Our Montage Braxton Set I Collection is a gorgeous set for your backyard. It's a very compact 42\" square table with 4 pieces sturdy chairs which can be use for generations. The collection has been made from the finest solid teakwood, process in kiln dried and well-built by skillful carpenter full machinery. The teak color will blend with the environment of your backyard naturally. Add cushion for comfort and spend the evening with the company of family and friend. Cushion is optional.
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
Decorating with an Industrial Victorian aka Steampunk Story Love the Steampunk story! Since it’s an alternative historical story, as in a history that never happened except in the imaginations of writers, designers, artists, directors, and dreamers, this story can be a lot of things to a lot of people. Mostly I think of it as having historical reference rooted in Victorian/Edwardian times, but with steam based technology and scientific and industrial elements. In the picture above, which rocks!, (what a bedroom!), this doesn’t even reference heavy Victorian, but more of a modern/Roman bath juxt with some steampunk elements – see the dreamy lamps on each side of the bed, with perhaps a touch of Victorian/steampunk in the headboard. It also reminds me of Dinotopia, which is very steampunk in my mind. So, lots of ways to tell this story. In digging into my archives on the subject, and pulling some new images from Google, I’ve broken Steampunk into 3 style stories: Theatrical – which is very over the top, Victorian/Industrial – which reference both stories individually or in combination, and Modern – which shows elements of steampunk to rock a more contemporary and eclectic story. Again, lots of ways to tell the story from extreme to subtle. Hope you enjoy! Shine On! Braxton Let's Start with the high octane Theatrical Steampunk Style... City Hall Station in NYC- hidden away for years... Moving on to Victorian/Industrial Steampunk Styling... Love the combination of the black ironwork and brick here Finally, the Modern Steampunk, or Steampunk Lite... Metal Industrial cart in Modern setting Bookcase, portraits and art covering walls and spiral staircase Industrial/modern cocktail table rocks with a B/W color story This wall art seems punky to me- cool juxt The bricks and skylight tell an industrial story Metal table seems bridge like with steel trusses Room divider and floor tell an industrial story Cocktail table is spot on Sofa rocks the story Red metal table, ceiling lamp is mechanical, and juxt of wing back and fireplace with modern elements Fun color blast in this industrial table on wheels Headboard and over sized portraits seem steampunk to me Very industrial but clean/modern Metal adjustable sawhorse desks, with mechanical lighting and classical Greek key rug Hello Restoration Hardware. Dig the over sized portrait as part of the story!. Industrial stools are great, love the contrast against the white, with the dark table Ceiling beams with metal construction touch on Steampunk Metal architectural shelving, chairs and metal/butchers block table here Piping/plumbing hack with bold splash of blue Like the doors closing behind Get Smart, our story ends. What do you think of Steampunk in Home Decor?
The actresses spacious garden, which features stunning views of the Los Angeles basin, looks like the perfect place for the film star to go when she needs some privacy.
A tropical garden design style is all about the density of planting. Tropical plants are mostly about the leaves rather than the flowers; many have glossy, and often quite large, leaves with patt
Modern Home desinged by Braxton Werner and Paul Field in Strait Lane neighborhood inside Preston Hollow.
Take a tour of this waterfront dream home of designer Erika Powell
Manna Sandwiches: A divine mystery with a devoted local following
Drinks on the patio anyone? The term patio culture is synonymous with the post WW11 suburbanization of america. Patio culture, like suburbia itself, has some negative connotations in modern society...such as the lack of racial integration (definitely bad), the reliance on the automobile ( in fact suburbia owes its very existence to the auto and modern highway system), sprawling shopping centers and homogeny. Suburban living, or the rise of the middle class, contributed to the economic boom of the mid century. The middle class suburban house wife embraced the modern conveniences which were suddenly available to her...dishwashers, clothes washer and dryers, vacuum cleaners and prepared foods, leaving her with more time for shopping for the household, socializing (backyard cookout anyone?), and driving the kids around. Let's check out some pics I've found of MCM patios and landscaping. Suburban homeowners in the 50's and 60's wanted a seamless look between the inside and out...thus landscaping tended to be simple. The blousy english style garden of the early 20'th century gave way to a simple and affordable style which included brightly colored flowers such as dahlias, hollyhock, carnations, and hybrid tea roses. A MCM landscape requires a clean unobstructed view of the house. Shrubs and flowers were kept trimmed, neat and low to the ground. A mid century modern yard would not include the following: stackable concrete walls, vinyl fencing, ornate front doors (please back away from those horrible "etched" glass/plastic doors so popular today), enclosing a car port (embrace these, they are fantastic!), white lattice archways with vines growing up it (or anything else cute or country), and the ubiquitous (in our neighborhood, anyway) one piece plastic molded mail box. Sadly, Braxton and I don't happen to live in a MCM house. We decorated the entire inside of the house in our beloved modern style, but the outside is all country cottage, which suits the neighborhood. What do you think of modern landscaping? I assume most people prefer an english (overgrown) style of garden, but I'm really getting into the clean manicured look of the modern yard. Perhaps one day. Have a beautiful weekend everyone! yancey
MODERN LANDSCAPING - WHEN STYLES COLLIDE As much as I would love to live in a modern house...we don't. Ours was originally a log cabin built over 100 yrs. ago, renovated in the early 20th century then again in the early 1970's, then once again (by us) in the 90's. When we moved here the yard was fairly simple...a maple or two...a fruit tree here and there...simple shrubbery around the house...and lots of grass. Fifteen (or so) years ago, we decided to "spruce up" the place by planting lots of trees, a circle of bushes in the back yard, a lovely pear tree in the front yard, and a hedge of holly bushes around our property. Now, the whole thing is waaay over grown, as in, about to rise up and choke us to death. I really really want modern landscaping this time! The question is...will modern landscaping seem out of place with our simple cottage? I actually could see something like this working with our house (minus the balls) . The simplicity of the design allows for the house to be the focal point. The slope of our yard would make this pretty impossible. Love the gravel/stone driveway...this we could do! Have you noticed that almost every one of these yards is landscaped with rock and/or stones? Notice the privacy screen on the right? We'll talk about those tomorrow. Done! I am definitely incorporating some river rocks into our new landscaping...and stepping stones. Are you listening Braxton? I found a traditional house with modern landscaping! It can be done! What do you guys think of the juxtaposition of a traditional home and modern landscaping? Yes or no? Have a beautiful day. yancey
Part stable, part entertaining space, this versatile structure has become a family's weekend retreat
A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
November 18, 2015 Last Saturday, a drizzly, cool day, I returned to the West Austin neighborhood of Rollingwood to see how the waterwise garden at city hall had fared over the summer. Designed by Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden, … Read More
My Paradise!
