Can you picture yourself sitting around the custom stainless steel fire pit on a chilly California night? This cozy sitting area is surrounded by plantings of oakleaf hydrangea, loropetalum and a variety of pittosporum. Two gravel paths lead one from the gravel sitting area to a secret garden path along the back of the property. Subtle landscape lighting makes this a magical space

In My Sister’s Garden-A Wistful Romp through a Drought Resistant Oasis "Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens One of the great things about growing up on a farm in the boondocks is that your tribe is your family. We five siblings were as thick as thieves as we climbed trees, worked the fields, pulled fences, drove tractors, branded cattle, and planted the spring garden. We played, we quarreled, and we dug in the dirt together. By the time May arrived, we ached to get our hands grubby in the vegetable patch. Waiting for the vegetables to sprout and be harvested taught us patience and responsibility. Of course, Mom’s beautiful flower gardens would already be abloom by this time of year getting us into constant trouble because we were forever picking bouquets not only for her, but, for teachers, 4-H leaders, and Sunday masses. As we grew into adults, our love of the earth grew as well. Following in the big shoes of my Father, my brother continued the family tradition of being a farmer and has one of the most beautiful vineyards in the county. Our Mother’s love of gardening instructed the gardens of her girls. Recently I walked with my sister Debbie through her eclectic garden. There is a saying that “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl.” With Deb, she’s never left the land where we were born. She is a country cowgirl through and through. She’s always adorned with her cowboy hat, rodeo belt buckle, and boots! She hunts, fishes, grows her food, and would have relished being a pioneer in the 1870’s. Debbie and her husband are the ultimate recyclers and re-purposers. With their barnyard of adopted animals-pigs, goats, donkeys, chickens, even Texas long horns at one time, all the weeds and garden cuttings feed the animals and the manure is then recycled back to the garden. They collect rooftop rain runoff in used wine barrels then pipe it to a storage tank to help with summer watering. It’s never enough, but every drop helps. Their garden art includes rusted plows, wooden swings, a plethora of homemade birdhouses, multiple fountains made from found objects, wagon wheels, antlers, the cutest country chicken coop you ever did see, and a sleeping shed outfitted with a bear hide, antique fishing gear, pinecones, and found treasures of every sort. From their patio they watch the wildlife on their hillside property-deer, bobcats, raccoons, turkeys, skunks, and the occasional mountain lion. It’s a playful, restful garden setting, albeit with a watchful eye for the rattlesnakes that enjoy this oasis as well. What I love about Debbie’s garden is how it reflects her unique personality, her love of the land, and her admiration for the history of the Wild West. As we ambled around the property with her happy dogs in the lead, the songbirds sang, a bevy of butterflies delicately landed on her flowers, and the koi in the pond swam to the surface to greet me. This time together immersed in this sustainable landscape nurtured my soul and brought our childhood memories to vivid life. Although we grow the same plants, shrubs, trees, and succulents in both of our yards, our designs and esthetics are completely different. And that’s the beauty of creating a garden, making it your own special paradise where you can find peace, tranquility, and restoration in tandem with the wild kingdom. TIPS TO CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE PLAYGROUND ⎫ Don’t over-think it! Make lists of everything you enjoy in a garden then do it. ⎫ Be conservation conscious as well as considerate of nature. ⎫ Be creative. Think swathes, angles, circles, and flow. There is nothing more boring than a box. ⎫ The hardscape must include natural materials: rocks, gravel, barn wood, shells, or anything meaningful to you. ⎫ Instead of buying art, repurpose childhood toys, old sinks, even a commode overflowing with flowers can be comical. ⎫ Be playful. When you are going to spend time in the outdoors, you want to enjoy yourself. Allow your personality to shine. ⎫ Add surprises, secret gardens, hedged rooms, anything that will enhance the whimsical and magical element to your garden experience. ⎫ Lead to a focal point or view with meandering paths, walkways, and trails. ⎫ Invite the pollinators; bees, butterflies, and birds by providing housing, nectar flowers, protection, fountains, and ponds. ⎫ Mix it up. For a drought resistant garden, consider an array of beautiful succulents, cactus, lavender, bulbs, iris, daylily, geraniums, and other plants that will add color, texture, form, and structure, yet require little maintenance and minimal water. ⎫ A potager, pots, or area designated for edibles and herbs is a must have. There is nothing better than picking your dinner from your own property. ⎫ Benches, swings, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and places to unwind, watch the clouds, savor sunsets, and marvel at the stars make your garden your home. ` What’s so fun about our family gardening experience is the sharing that we all do in giving each other clips, snips, cuttings, bulbs, and volunteers. We grow the same specimens and as we stroll and admire our handiwork, we can’t remember who gave what to whom first. As I said farewell to my sister, she handed me a hand-painted tin filled with blooming echeveria from clippings I had given her a few years before. We shared a laugh. Little did I know this would be the last walk with my sister. She died just a few days before this article was published. She would have loved to have seen her passion in print. Debbie may you garden in the heavens. The circle of life continues. Happy Trails to you, Debbie. Until we meet again... Read more: https://www.lam orindaweekly.com/archive/issue1006/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian.html Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/313702488/My-Sister-s-Garden-Digging-Deep-With-Cynthia-Brian Radio Broadcast: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/92459/porn-alarm-effective-apologies-in-my-sisters-garden Press Pass: http://vapresspass.com/2016/05/24/in-my-sisters-garden-a-wistful-romp-through-a-drought-resistant-oasis-by-cynthia-brian/ ©2016 Cynthia Brian The Goddess Gardener Starstyle® Productions, llc Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Keywords: Debbie’s garden my sister’s garden, a cowboy western garden, drought resistant plants, cynthia brian, lamorinda weekly, starstyle, goddess gardener.

Combining two colors in this kitchens works magic. The base cabinets are slab doors in beech wood the upper cabinets are a high lacquer finish in white. Add stainless glass doors and appliances, glass tile back splash and wow! Don't forget the beautiful quartz counter top with a waterfall edge for some drama. Photographs by Mike Kaskel.

The South of France is represented in this absolutely beautiful terrace, which overlooks the property's tennis court. The back terrace is a magical garden elegantly dominated by lemon trees, yellow, white and red roses. A large wooden table is pleasantly paired with a chandelier handmade by artisans, ideal for an al fresco dinner with friends and family. Not to mention its stellar views of the Pacific Ocean. Or, if the homeowners prefer to enjoy this handsome space in a more low-key fashion, an outdoor lunch or a late-afternoon cocktail would be equally enjoyable.

Sophisticated and tranquil master bath suite remodel. Soft greige and whites are soothing and little glints from polished nickel hardware and fixtures add elegance.

Image by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Stone and Marble Bathroom Elements. Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Those antique stone elements used in creating the crème de la crème of award winning bathrooms could be used today in rendering your humble bathroom into a magical indoor dreamscape equivalent to having your own exotic travel destination just a few step away from bed. Allow yourself a full body and mind therapy that will let you unwind and escape from life's constraints and worries for an ephemeral period that will feel like an eternity... From our antique marble and stone sinks, specialty reclaimed shower stones, floors and counter vanities, all our stone creations are guaranteed to give your bathroom a unique composition and arcane feel. Our stone elements are considered by many high profile designers and architects a badge of honor that helps them achieve an overall creative design vision for your house.

Sprawling Cali Ranch has it all! Get ready to enjoy the outdoors just as much as the indoors. Enter on a charming walkway w/ lush lanscape, crowned by white birch trees, lighting, and defining balusters. Soak in the tranquility n’ privacy of your own sparkling pool and spa trimmed w/ natural stone, baja shelf, pebble tech, and remote equipment access. Relax near the pool for outdoor dining w/separate covered seating. Landscaping lighting creates a magical nights. Prepare meals and spend quality family & friend time in your kitchen. White shaker style cabinetry w/ glass lighted displays, statement granite counters, large island w/ breakfast bar! SS faucet and sink, high end built-in dishwasher, double oven, builtin microwave, and 6- burner cook top with hood. Cozy up by the brick stone fireplace to experience Simi’s motto: ''Relax and Slow Down''. XL den in the back w/custom ceiling lighting perfect for a home theater. Flowing floorplan with 4 bdrs! M.bdrm with private bth. Organic hall bth w/slate flooring and wood vanity. Newer dual pane windows, and so much more. Enjoy a simpler, pace of life and begin your new chapter in this one of a kind home at 1830 Pope Ave! Outdoor dining, parks, hiking trails, parks, shops, schools and more!

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.

This contemporary kitchen and bar remodel in Pleasanton gave the homeowner the storage space and open feel they needed. The lowered ceiling was removed to give the kitchen more height and let more light in. Rift White Oak with a vertical grain was chosen for the cabinets to add to the height and contemporary feel of the space. Caesarstone, Nougat was chosen for the countertops- the light wood paired with the lighter counter tops is the perfect fit. A contemporary waterfall edge detail finishes the side of the counter perfectly to really achieve the contemporary look. The backsplash is a back painted glass slab, the paint color is Kelly Moore Soft Blue, KM5032-1. The hardware is a 2 inch finger pull from Top Knobs in brushed satin nickel. The client's favorite storage accessory is the Hafele Magic Corner 2 installed to maximize storage space in the corner of the kitchen. The new timeless, contemporary design is exactly the direction the client had envisioned their space.

HomeHarvest designed and installed this magical urban back yard garden. We built curving cedar raised beds, red wood benches, a bluestone patio, a water feature, fabricated a custom metal found object grape trellis, and planted a wide variety of edibles and ornamentals.

Landscape lighting for a client in Mississauga Ontario with a magical property. The pond and layout were just delightful. This project included outdoor lighting for both the front and back of the property, with an emphasis on textured lighting. A combination of solid copper and solid brass fixtures were used, suiting the organic nature of the landscape design.

Image by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Stone and Marble Bathroom Elements. Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Those antique stone elements used in creating the crème de la crème of award winning bathrooms could be used today in rendering your humble bathroom into a magical indoor dreamscape equivalent to having your own exotic travel destination just a few step away from bed. Allow yourself a full body and mind therapy that will let you unwind and escape from life's constraints and worries for an ephemeral period that will feel like an eternity... From our antique marble and stone sinks, specialty reclaimed shower stones, floors and counter vanities, all our stone creations are guaranteed to give your bathroom a unique composition and arcane feel. Our stone elements are considered by many high profile designers and architects a badge of honor that helps them achieve an overall creative design vision for your house.

The French seem to be born with the skill of effortless style, that “Je ne Sais Quoi”. Its ability to go above description is where its magic truly lies. This kitchen provides a stunning balance between sophistication and modernism, incorporating bold new elements such as the waterfall edge, unlined faucet, and large format back-splash that blends seamlessly with the sophisticated look of the inset cabinetry and Lacanche range to provide a chic and stylish palette. Everything seems natural, we have incorporated the old with the new and letting unique pieces complement one another and stand together, rather than “matching ”

Image by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Stone and Marble Bathroom Elements. Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Those antique stone elements used in creating the crème de la crème of award winning bathrooms could be used today in rendering your humble bathroom into a magical indoor dreamscape equivalent to having your own exotic travel destination just a few step away from bed. Allow yourself a full body and mind therapy that will let you unwind and escape from life's constraints and worries for an ephemeral period that will feel like an eternity... From our antique marble and stone sinks, specialty reclaimed shower stones, floors and counter vanities, all our stone creations are guaranteed to give your bathroom a unique composition and arcane feel. Our stone elements are considered by many high profile designers and architects a badge of honor that helps them achieve an overall creative design vision for your house.

Sprawling Cali Ranch has it all! Get ready to enjoy the outdoors just as much as the indoors. Enter on a charming walkway w/ lush lanscape, crowned by white birch trees, lighting, and defining balusters. Soak in the tranquility n’ privacy of your own sparkling pool and spa trimmed w/ natural stone, baja shelf, pebble tech, and remote equipment access. Relax near the pool for outdoor dining w/separate covered seating. Landscaping lighting creates a magical nights. Prepare meals and spend quality family & friend time in your kitchen. White shaker style cabinetry w/ glass lighted displays, statement granite counters, large island w/ breakfast bar! SS faucet and sink, high end built-in dishwasher, double oven, builtin microwave, and 6- burner cook top with hood. Cozy up by the brick stone fireplace to experience Simi’s motto: ''Relax and Slow Down''. XL den in the back w/custom ceiling lighting perfect for a home theater. Flowing floorplan with 4 bdrs! M.bdrm with private bth. Organic hall bth w/slate flooring and wood vanity. Newer dual pane windows, and so much more. Enjoy a simpler, pace of life and begin your new chapter in this one of a kind home at 1830 Pope Ave! Outdoor dining, parks, hiking trails, parks, shops, schools and more!

This home was designed for a general contractor and his wife. The contractor, retiring after years of experience in the building industry, had a vision of entertaining and family in mind. The home finished around 8,800 square feet. The exterior is stunningly grand covered with multicolored brick, large wrought iron entry fixtures, six bay garage and an over-sized double-entry iron and glass door. The back view, though striking as the front, also has a very warm, European feel.

To the manor born… or at least it will feel like it in this elegant yet easygoing French Country home designed by Visbeen Architects with a busy family who wants the best of the past and the present in mind. Drawn from both French and English traditional architecture, this two-story 5,463-square-foot home is a pleasing and timeless blend of two perennially popular styles. Driving up the circular driveway, the home’s front façade impresses with its distinctive details, including a covered porch, iron and stone accents, a roofline with multiple peaks, large windows and its central turret capping two bay windows. The back is no less eye-catching, with a series of large central windows on all three floors overlooking the backyard, two private balconies and both a covered second-floor screen porch and an open-air main-level patio perfect for al fresco entertaining. There’s magic on the inside too. The expansive 2,900-square-foot main level revolves around a welcoming two-story foyer with a grand curved staircase that leads into the rest of the luxurious yet not excessive floor plan. Highlights of the public spaces on the left include a spacious two-story light-filled living room with a wall of windows overlooking the backyard and a fireplace, an adjacent dining room perfect for entertaining with its own deck, and a open-plan kitchen with central island, convenient home management area and walk-in pantry. A nearby screened porch is the perfect place for enjoying outdoors meals bug-free. Private rooms are concentrated on the first-floor’s right side, with a secluded master suite that includes spa-like bath with his and her vanities and a large tub as well as a private balcony, large walk-in closet and secluded nearby study/office. Upstairs, another 1,100 square feet of living space is designed with family living in mind, including two bedrooms, each with private bath and large closet, and a convenient kids study with peaked ceiling overlooking the street. The central circular staircase leads to another 1,800 square-feet in the lower level, with a large family room with kitchen /bar, a guest bedroom suite, a handy exercise area and access to a nearby covered patio. Photographer: Brad Gillette

Oak cabinets with arched, raised panel detail have been replaced with custom built cabinetry to maximize the efficiency of this space. The high-gloss white upper cabinetry and hand-detailed, gray textured lower cabinetry from Bench Made are paired with aluminum and glass, creating a space that is filled with light and style, as it plays with contrasting elements of light and dark. The balance of black and white continues with the countertops, with a white solid surface against the wall contrasting with the Absolute Black granite with a honed finish from Sims-Lohman on the island. The cabinetry hardware, by Blum, provides a stainless, linear detail that’s repeated in the appliances and mimicked again on the elongated kitchen sink, from Cincinnati-based Create Good Sinks. The Grohe Essence adds an industrial touch, with a pull down faucet for added flexibility. The faucet really stands out thanks to the backsplash, a custom back-painted glass panel, illuminated by Haefele under-cabinet lighting. The lighting plan for this kitchen was an upgrade, too, with recessed lighting by Halo with Sorra LED bulbs and a pendant light over the island from Axis Lighting. Lighting controls are automated as well, thanks to M Alan Associates Inc. The brightness isn’t only due to the upgraded lighting, but to the daylight let in through the new Marvin Window. The Marvin Awning window offers the clean lines that a space like this begs for. The top-hinged operation keeps this window, flanked by upper cabinetry, from being awkward. It was the ideal choice since it can easily be opened for a breath of fresh air. With hinges at the top, it even adds additional airflow during a light rain. You’d expect that a kitchen this spectacular and well-thought-out would have appliances to match and this space does not disappoint. Tisdel Distributing sourced the appliances, including a new Subzero refrigerator. The induction range in the island and built-in microwave are from Wolf. An ice maker from Scotsman rounds out the appliance package. This new space includes appliances that are much larger than what it held before. How is that even possible? That’s the magic touch that an architect can bring to a project like this. It may have seemed like a simple upgrade and appliance swap, but this vision here delivered so much more. The icing on the cake might be the coffee nook, extending the kitchen by repeating the lower cabinetry and white solid surface countertop. It’s highlighted by a chartreuse upper cabinet for a striking splash of color, a jolt of caffeine for the eyes, energizing this entire space through pigment and performance.