The Green Monster: 2009

Monday, October 26, 2009

LET IT GROW, LET IT GROW, LET IT GROW

I recently had the opportunity to revisit a project completed late January and SHAZAAM MOTHER NATURE ACTION had done her magic. The two photos to the left will give you an idea of the transformation: "before" and "after" (eight months later).

My clients had their second baby a few weeks after I completed the installation- and so you can imagine the deadline baring

down on me while I did the design, prep and coordinating.

I really wanted to get it ready- "baby ready" which means,

they would have access to a beautiful space as an escape to find

tranquility and comfort. The yard is small, enclosed by a fence which bisects the duplex property. The grass was non-existent- worn down to the dirt with a smattering of weeds popping out of the ground and cracked cement. Their large dog really had the run of the space, hence you had to be vigilant- watch your step or find a nice surprise underfoot! The existing shrubs were much hated and I was told, "Everything can go!"

The owner of the property was exceedingly kind where she worked with her tenant to insure a shared budget which was fair and equitable. Her only stipulation: WATER WISE... WATER CONSERVATION!

Perfect! Immediate reaction on my part... minimize water consumption which means I would design with drought tolerant plants, comfy "grass" area for children will be small... all of which must match the style of the house.

With the passage of time and the wonders of mother nature, the end result:

happy family, happy dog, happy owner.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

FLOWERS, FLOWERS EVERYWHERE... and not a drop to drink

Just at the Culver City farmer's market where my son Lennox who is just a hair past three years old, spent fifteen minutes gracefully gliding his hands and fingers over the flowers being sold at

the flower vendors booth. He was like a human bee- hovering and flittering above the bunches. He has always loved flowers- barely able to walk, he would automatically put his nose into a flower for a smell. It is such a glorious event to witness... his attraction to nature, beauty and scents!

I recently had to wade through boxes of archived "belongings" in our garage. Apparently the small leak in the roof disintegrated over time into a major problem where I was aghast to discovered water damage. I held my breath as I opened up boxes and bins hoping my photographs, prints and negatives were okay.

Every box I opened was like Pandora's Box... memories came gushing out the flood gate! I ended up spending so much time inspecting and dallying in nostalgia. Crazy!

While looking at the photographs (safe and undamaged!!!) from my commitment ceremony to Nikki (Sept. 16, 2001), I suddenly focused on the images of flowers... centerpieces and petals strewn on the red velvet cake. Wow... because my whole philosophy of design and landscaping has always been about "less is more"... xeriscaping and conservation. If I had it all to do over again, the flowers would literally be off the table! What was I thinking back then???

WEDDINGS... the whole process of putting one together can be daunting at best. And all the best intentions and efforts to NOT succumb to "tradition" and expectations, seem to fail. Even being budget conscious- the flowers are a major expense.

We trudged to the flower mart downtown and bought all our flowers... transported them the caterer's walk-in refrigerator (a huge favor- thank you Dickenson West!) where they could be stored. Four precious girlfriends helped create centerpieces, arrangements, etc., for the ceremony. Everything about the flowers revolved around them being delicate, precious and time expiratory/exhaustion. Oh lord, nothing worse than a droopy Dahlia!

These creations were amazing- set prominently on each guest table and decorated the caterer's food tables. At the end of the night all the centerpieces and tall arrangements were spoken for and went home never to be seen again. I speculate... a few more days of life, then they were thrown out... and all that was left, an empty glass bowl. Ouch!

All these images sweep over me as I watched Lennox loving the colours, the variety of shapes and sizes, texture and configuration of FLOWER petals- that perhaps I could somehow inform him of alternatives. No... I NEED to teach him of alternatives:

succulents... cacti, ornamental grasses... which can rival any richly red or eye popping orange cut flower centerpiece or restaurant decoration. There's drip system, living green walls, rain water capture, composting... worm casting, native plants and drought tolerant plants from all over the world which could be wonderful front lawn and planting bed additions.

Ohhh, if I ever had it to do all over again... it would be different... it would be GREEN with the steadfast philosophy of "renewable." Green weddings... GREEN LOVE!