Part 2, Designing, Gardening and Walking

To kick off Part 2 of our Cassina Garden Club Tour, 

we will start with the Curacao House. It is located at East Beach,

on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

Rescued from "the wrecking ball" in 2010, this enchanting property features a garden with a magazine-worthy makeover resulting in a resort-style retreat that is both gracious and sophisticated. Thoughtfully designed, the garden incorporates an outdoor kitchen and screened lanai, surrounding a lush and inviting pool, resplendent with the soothing murmurs of rippling water. Visible from every room in the house and guest house, the walled design ensures a private oasis and provides a backdrop of seasonal color and iconic sounds of rustling palms which envelop the property.

I wish I could take you inside this home. It is my idea of a 

perfect vacation home! We were able to walk through

the main living area, but "no pictures were allowed."

But how gorgeous is this pool area!

They had a wonderful garage apartment with this beautiful bougainvillea 

growing on the trellis facing the pool area.

I have a large container of succulents, but mine have never grown this big!

On the side of the garage was this lovely raised garden bed. 

Our next stop was the Aiken House. 

Built in 1925, this historic Island home and guest house are surrounded by breathtaking gardens and stunning views. Situated on the St. Simons Sound, this oceanfront estate welcomes visitors into an elegant courtyard of ancient oaks and decades old camellias with benches tucked in for visitors to find quiet respite. Paths of established plantings and palms lead friends to the expansive veranda to enjoy the sprawling lawn and magnificent terracotta pots of seasonal color that have adorned the patio since its beginning nearly a century ago.

This was a large property and every area was landscaped to perfection.

The garage had these beautiful trellises with a guest suite above.

There were artist at many of the homes and they were busy painting

away in their gorgeous surroundings!

The front of this home was beautiful, but the ocean view was breathtaking! 

The oceanfront area was large and had several of these beautiful bronze

sculptures. This one looked so real we kept waiting for him to move!

Our third stop was called Family Affair. 

You find this garden full of laughter and child’s play as you enter a garden where kids never run out of things to discover! A play gym, a sandbox, and a pool are tucked into this beautiful garden with stunning views of the Retreat Club Golf Course. The generous terrace provides indoor-outdoor living for this busy young family all the while keeping an eye on their active family. This garden maximizes space and incorporates active areas for play, while creating gardens for reflection and relaxation. Who knew one space could do so much?

This home had a fence to keep the young children and pets from

the swimming pool area.

There was a screen porch and outdoor cooking are to the left of the pool. 

I wish I could get my container pots to look as great as these do! 

This back and side yard backed up to the Island Club golf course.

Not to be left out, the children had a great play area. 

We were asked to not take pictures of the exterior of this home, so we
will start pool side at the Cottage on the Green.
What a delight to discover this cozy cottage tucked among extensive plantings and well-designed gardens. Meander through robust sustainable native plantings of hydrangea, agapanthus, and olive trees complemented by handsome pots overflowing with delightful plantings of seasonal color. Round the corner of the property to find expansive views and a pond creating the perfect setting for the pool. The Mediterranean garden features citrus trees and an herb garden all within view from the back terrace. Find the owners’ children’s garden and potting bench as you exit the property…a true gardener’s delight!

Now this is what relaxing by the pool should look like! 

If you get hungry, you can always dine Al Fresco! 

If you get tired of relaxing and dining, you can always go fishing! 

Right outside the back door, you can find everything you need....

...to make your garden bloom! 

How easy is it to eat healthy, when you can step outside and put together
a fresh salad! 

Our last stop is The Beach House. Located just steps from the beach (and we mean steps), this unique and charming oceanfront beach house showcases a garden nestled among the most challenging of Mother Nature’s micro-climates: salt air and scorching sun. This compact garden provides the owners with seasonal color and has been planted with the harsh salt-climate in mind. An enjoyable and whimsical garden, the plantings present visitors who profess not to have a green thumb with numerous ideas of heat/drought tolerant plants which can enhance any garden or landscape.

This last house holds such very special memories for me. For thirty plus
years I spent so many wonderful holidays and special occasions here 
with the past owners and the large group of friends that were often 
stopping by. We affectionately referred to this house as The Big Chill"
house. Friends came by car or beach walk, because there was always
a party going on! 

I can remember back when the previous owners brought in a number 
of palm trees. They were very young trees, but the new owner gets to 
enjoy them at their full grown best!

The new owners have done a beautiful job of landscaping the area.
This shot is facing towards the ocean, but it did not capture 
all of the incredible view.

These stairs lead up to the back of the house. There is a porch where
you can sit on the swing and look south and watch a storm approach. 
It is a great place to relax rain or shine.

Many an islander or visitor has spent a Sunday night or Ga/Fl game 
around this fire pit! 

This house even comes with a private beach. No being washed 
away by the tide coming in here!

The new owners did a complete remodel, but kept the exterior very much
like it was originally. The first time I visited here, the house was a 
one level beach cottage. Over the years It has been jacked up with additional
porches and levels added. It is exactly what I think "a beach house"
should look like! This year marks the home's 100th birthday! 
I hope you have enjoyed the Garden Walk Tour 2019

source: Debbie's pictures, information and pictures from the Cassina Garden Club.

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