Designing, Gardening and Walking

The Gardening Girls and I headed South, in April, to enjoy the

Cassina Garden Club's Garden Walk, on Saint Simons Island, Georgia. 

This year's tour had six fabulous garden's. I took so many pictures,

 that I am going to share them in several blog posts. 

I am going to start out with the house they called

                                           The Village Bungalow

Home of one of the Island’s “tree spirits", discover a tranquil garden 

which provides an "outdoor room" and beckons all who enter the property. 

Nestled in “The Village” of St. Simons, this garden captivates visitors 

with the exacting attention to detail and the charming utilization of space

in this compact garden. Stroll through this property to find a plethora 

of whimsical birdhouses created by the homeowner, 

a potting shed that is both delightful and practical, 

and an abundant herb garden. This garden and home provided 

the backdrop to the film "Christmas on the Coast", 

and will provide further enjoyment to all who experience it!*

This tree spirit welcomed us! 

To find out more about the Tree Spirits, Click Here

Love this patio area! 

One of the owner's many bird houses.

Many ideas for container gardens were on the tour. 

You can find little bits of humor around every corner! 

I wish we had time to sit a spell.

Tucked in this corner was an outdoor grill ready for the hamburgers! 

Even the grill area is beautifully landscaped!

A great sun room was inside this house. Look at those pillows!

Most of the homes do not let you go inside, but this one let 

us walk through the main level. I am so glad they did! 

This floor plan was open with the kitchen, living and dining all 

in one area. The sun room was off the living area. 

Such a nice coastal feel in the dining area. 

Heading back outside we found a swing with more great pillows! 

Herbs ready for cooking! 

Of course on the island you would have a "Shrimp" plant, it is 

the one on the back left. 

I love this potting shed. What a great collection of pottery vases! 

Another view of the potting shed.

You also need a place to keep your gardening tools!

This spot was called the plant hospital. When plants need special 

attention they visit here for awhile. 

Fence decorating!

Everywhere you look there is something unique.

Another spot to sit, rest and reflect on God's beauty. 

These fabulous window boxes end our tour.

I loved this home and garden the best, so I started our tour with it. 

But I will be back soon, to show you the rest of the wonderful gardens. 

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. ”Alfred Austin

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

Click on the title of the post in Coral (at the top) to view this post online. You can see recent posts, other blogs I like, my archives and the links I post on the right sidebar. Some things do not translate as well in email. If you see there is a problem just click over. It is a more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you so much for following my blog. There is also a sign-up link available to receive this blog by email and another one to sign up for my newsletter Southern~Design~Style.. 

Spring Tour of Homes 2019 for a Good Cause

This past Saturday was a fun Tour of Homes 

here in Gainesville, Georgia.

But more important it was for an excellent cause.

Click here to find out about

Our tour started at a design studio that was in

a restored 1925 Cottage

It is exciting to see the offices of three young entrepreneurs'.  

A description of each home is included at this link

Since this was at the beginning of our tour,

I didn't realize we could take pictures, 

until we got to the downstairs. It was a precious

house and I hate I don't have pictures of the

upstairs to share.

Our first stop was a home originally built in 1940. 

I especially enjoyed seeing their downstairs. 

It is comfortable without a basement feel.

A 1940 Cottage

Our second stop was the home of Maggie Griffin, a designer,

and one of the sponsors of the tour. 

I grew up the Longstreet Hills neighborhood 

and have watch this home change owners over the years.

What a fabulous face lift Maggie has given her home.  

A 1945 Cottage

Our third house on the tour was a 1963 Mid Century Modern.

This home belonged to House Dressing Interiors, Elizabeth Thompson. 

I think everyone on the tour had arrived at this house at the same time

that we did. It was crowded, so I was not able to get

pictures. But I do have this one of her kitchen.

I wish I had more, because this was a excellent example of renovating

a house, but still keeping the integrity of the original home.

a 1963 Mid Century Modern

A 1972 Transitional was up next. This home had a very

eclectic feel and fabulous art work from Caroline Nix Galleries. 

The home previously had a Mediterranean feel

 with an earth tone exterior. It has been updated 

with a new white exterior that has changed the entire

look of the home.

A1972 Transitional

Next up is a 1990 Traditional. This home was updated

three years ago. It has beautiful traditional accents and furnishings.

But I think I would spend all my time out on this wonderful porch! 

A 1990 Traditional

Elizabeth Thompson and House Dressing Interiors help take

this traditional home and create a modern twist 

to the interiors. So many great furnishings and 

the owners personalities are present in this home.

A 2001 Tradtional

This 2016 Cape Cod is a fabulous home on Lake Lanier.

It is ideal for a large family gatherings

with plenty of room for entertaining, very formal

or very casual. Many family heirlooms have 

been passed down to make this home special!

A 2016 Cape Cod

A 2017 Modern Farmhouse is the last home on our tour. 

This open floorplan offers exceptional views of

the Chattahoochee Golf Course. Perfect for easy

living and entertaining you feel welcome as soon

as you walk in the front door! 

A 2017 Modern Farmhouse

The flowers in all of the homes on the tour were provided by

The Fresh Bloom. A new experience for Gainesville shoppers!

About The Fresh Bloom

Click on the title of the post in Coral (at the top) to view this post online. You can see recent posts, other blogs I like, my archives and the links I post on the right sidebar. Some things do not translate as well in email. If you see there is a problem just click over. It is a more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you so much for following my blog. There is also a sign-up link available to receive this blog by email and another one to sign up for my newsletter Southern~Design~Style.. 

*Sometimes this blog platform gives me a great big headache! 

It will not let me test my links today, so if they do not work,

I sincerely apologize!

source: Debbie Jacobs Design, Maggie Griffin Design, House Dressing Interiors,

Gainesville Tour of Homes

"Something's Gotta Give" the Interior Design

I recently watched "Something's Gotta Give" again. Have you ever seen a movie and 

felt like a house was an actual character in the movie? You find yourself 

watching the house more than the actors? 

That is the way I feel when I see Something's Gotta Give staring Diane Keaton,

Jack Nicholson, Amanda Peet and Keanu Reeves. 

Beth Rubino, the set decorator, said "The house was like one of the main characters

in the movie. Designers' phones were ringing off the hook after it's release

in 2003 wanting their homes to look just like this beautiful house located 

in Southampton, NY.

It is amazing how the house and interiors have stood the test of time over the

past sixteen years. It is not gray and isn't an open concept, but I think anyone 

would be thrilled to live in this home! 

Diane Keaton is in the foyer above.

The painting, behind Erica played by Diane and Harry played by Jack, in the foyer is by Kenton Nelson

Jack Nicholson collects art and he suggested that they use the "beach art of 

Edward Henry Potthast. A reproduction of his Rockaway Beach is shown above 

the mantle.

The sofas in the family room look white with a blue welt cord, but they are actually a very pale blue linen. The rug  is a blue and white stripe dhurrie. The original rug was an antique that was to large (70 feet!) for the room, so they cut it in half and sewed it together. In the pictures you can see that the stripes don't match. You can find a similar looking rug at Aspen Carpet Designs

As we tour the house, you will see that bookshelves are scattered around the house.

In the movie, Erica, the character Diane Keaton plays is a writer.

Here you can get a feel for the size of the family room. 

The fabric used for the slip-covered dining chairs is by Lee Jofa's (Bordeaux Toile) 

It has been discontinued. 

Above is a picture of the Lee Jofa's (Bordeaux Toile) You could get a similar 

look with a linen print. 

Out of all the rooms in this house, it is the kitchen that has created the most buzz and

biggest request to duplicate it. So many of the same features are still being used today!

The counter tops are actually painted  wood made to look like soapstone. Like all of the rooms in the movie, it was built on a sound stage. There is a lot of smoke and mirrors 

in the movie industry! 

I am including this shot of Harry, in his casual attire, so you can see that this is

really a white kitchen. 

In the Master Bedroom we find another wonderful beach art painting from artist,

Kenton Nelson and more bookcases.

I love this picture. It shows so much of Diane's character, Erica's personality! 

Erica does all of her writing at her desk in the Master Bedroom bay area.

The pool area is off the family room.

The back of the house leading down to the ocean.

If you have never seen "Something's Gotta Give," I strongly recommend that you do! 

The chemistry between these two actors is unbelievable, the appeal of the house

can't be denied, but it is just an all around feel good movie!

Click on the title of the post in Coral (at the top) to view this post online. You can see recent posts, other blogs I like, my archives and the links I post on the right sidebar. Some things do not translate as well in email. If you see there is a problem just click over. It is a more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you so much for following my blog. There is also a sign-up link available to receive this blog by email and another one to sign up for my newsletter Southern~Design~Style.. 

Sources: Hooked on Houses, Architectural Digest, Between Naps on the Porch, Cote de Texas, 

Linda Merrill