A modern steel mesh fence contrasts with spring growth of Cotoneaster multiflorus http://annacaitlinphotography.com/

Tuftex Casablanca pattern carpet

The bedroom window is like a picture on the wall, a city scape framed by silk, sheer drapery. The city is always there, yet it is shrouded and softened at night. With no peeping toms high up on the 16th floor, we sleep with the skyline floating into our dreams. Belltown Condo Remodel, Seattle, WA. Belltown Design. Photography by Paula McHugh

Toni Waterman
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized cottage u-shaped eat-in kitchen idea in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances

Close up of Ripplefold drapery heading
Minimalist sunroom photo in Atlanta

Eexcellent UV protection while maintaining your view of the outdoors, our translucent Designer Screen Shades are available in sturdy and easy-to-clean fabrics—a perfect roller screen shade for your patio or sunroom.

Cottage home design photo in St Louis

Eclectic powder room photo in Charlotte

Masland Tristan stair runner fabricated in New Rochelle
Example of a classic staircase design in New York

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.

Photo Credit: N. Leonard
Large elegant enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor family room photo in New York with a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and blue walls

The model Altea offers a wide range of possibilities with its different sized modules. It has a patented Soft-back system, which makes it very comfortable for everybody. The recliner option is electric and slides forward so it can be placed next to the wall. This sofa can come upholstered in a variety of colored and patterned fabrics or leather. The frame of the Altea is crafted from pine wood and MDF construction making it very durable. All Fama products use a webbing system for suspension and support instead of the old spring design that will sag over time. Attached to the bottom of the sofa are chrome-finished, metal, or black-finished wooden leg supports that allow the sofa to maintain its low profile look. Dimensions: Customizable We deliver Nationwide! Visit our showroom at: Famaliving San Diego 401 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Questions? Ready to purchase? Tel. 1-619-900-7674 sandiego@famaliving.com

Jess Downer & Renata Stone, Big Bear Photo Co.
Example of an eclectic hallway design in Salt Lake City

Inspiration for a transitional family room remodel in New York

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows before and after pictures of master bathroom remodel including the following: - 12 x 24 shower wall tile (gray) with 1/3 offset layout pattern. - 12 x 24 bathroom floor tile (taupe) with 1/3 offset layout pattern. - Tile shower niche / box - Granite (River White) floating seat / bench - 2" x 2" mosaic shower floor tile - Semi-custom dark wood dual sink vanity recessed panel dual sink vanity with recessed panel doors. - Granite vanity counter / backsplash (Riiver White) - Moen chrome plumbing fixtures and hardware accessories - Kohler rectangular under mount sinks - Kohler one-piece elongated seat - Frameless sliding glass door - Kichler brushed metal vanity mirrors - Frameless sliding glass door - Kichler brushed metal vanity mirrors

Statuario Altissimo Polished delivers the most exclusive Italian marble look distinguished by its clean whites and fine gray veining. Dramatic and elegant, set your space apart with this refined beauty.

18" x 48" holds 4 bottles - $1099.00 24" x 48" holds 8 bottles - $1369.00 48" x 48" holds up to 16 bottles - $2,255.00 Custom wine racks available up to 48" x 96" Translucent and Non-Translucent stones available. Stones are thin cut DesignerStone Panels.

Mid-sized mountain style living room photo in Grand Rapids with no tv

Inspiration for an eclectic powder room remodel in Charlotte