Up-cycled wood patio surround

    Contemporary Patio by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Growsgreen Landscape Design

This patio surround is made entirely from up-cycled wood and has an artistic bent with it's uneven lengths. Although I might have opted for a more uniform color on the upper part, I like the fact that there are peep holes. They let you see some greenery and makes the wall less confining. 

If this deck/patio were mine, I would add a variety of tall and short grasses to the bottom half of the surround. Grasses would add an element of sound and Zen to the space. There is nothing more relaxing that hearing grasses waving in the wind and the symmetry of the evenly spaced tall and short grasses would give it a very uniform and zen look.  Add some soft candlelight on the table and you have all the ingredients for a very romantic evening. 

These are the grasses I have in my front garden. They only get the plumes in the Fall when the temperature drops but I can see them waving from inside my home and it's so beautiful. Very peaceful. 

xo Tracey  

Flower Shop in Singapore

A chalkboard painted work station, up-cycled wine crates and re-cycled vases are the staples of this eco-friendly flower shop called Daughters by Floral Magic located in Singapore. Having a chalkboard work station makes it easy to label the drawers and the up-cycled wine crates are perfect for displaying their recycled bottles and jars come vases. I really love the idea of the chalkboard work station so you know what that means...something is going to be painted soon! 

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Fresh Herbs + Rosemary infused Olive oil

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I love fresh herbs. They add so much flavor to your food and they smell wonderful. They also make a great gift when simply packaged in brown paper. The next time you're invited to someone's home for supper why not give a gift of some home made rosemary infused olive oil and some fresh rosemary. I know I would love to receive some!

Here's a simple recipe for rosemary infused olive oil by eCurry.

Enjoy!!

xo Tracey

Potted Plants with Punch

My sister in law Luisa has the knack of making everything look great. It doesn't matter what it is, it's going to look fabulous once her hands have touched it. I have witnessed this many times - one of my favorites being when Luisa crafted tiny little rosettes out of smoked salmon for a Christmas ordoeuvre. Given my cooking skills or lack thereof, I was beyond wowed. 

This morning I called my brother up and said I was coming over. When I arrived Luisa was creating her potted plant arrangements and once again, I was gobsmacked (wowed for those of you who don't speak British!). For someone who generally prides herself on out of the box thinking, I have definitely succumbed to...dare I say it....ho hum arrangements for my front entrance. I will have to remedy that next year. In the mean time here are a few of Luisa's flower arrangements which I hope will offer you some inspiration. 

Close up of the purple flower - isn't it beautiful!

Zinc pots totally make this green with a smidge of red arrangement pop (close up shot). 

This the same arrangement but taken farther back and from the other side. That tall plant looks like an alien. 

Here's my favorite - the lasagna plant. I'm sorry you can't see the pretty purply flowers around the base. I was too happy to pose the plant and forgot to take one from the side. You can see a couple of them peeping out on the bottom left. 

Happy Gardening!!

All photos taken by Tracey MacKenzie