Making Greenery Centerpieces

This past Sunday I had a chance to attend a free seminar put on by Pear Tree Cottage in Vienna, VA. Amy Strunk, a landscape designer with Merrifield Garden Center, led a very informative, step-by-step class on the principles of arranging greenery. Check out the gorgeous urn the woman next to me in the white shirt/green sweater used as her container. I'm fairly sure it is one she purchased at Pear Tree.
I brought a vintage, aluminum ice bucket to the seminar. Here are some helpful tips from Amy:(1) There are 2 types of floral foam: wet and dry. (we used wet foam for this project)
(2) Wet foam has small holes on one side and those should be placed face down.
(3) Start with your base greenery first, arranging it so it will establish a good background. Keep in mind that odd numbers of branches, etc, work best.
(4) After you establish the base, begin to add the next layer throughout the whole arrangment. I think in the past I focused too much on sections and not enough on the whole arrangement.(5) Ask yourself, "Where will the texture and interest come from in the arrangement?" As you can see in the pic above, I have two layers in and now need to move on to add some layers of color and interest.
Here are pics of three completed arrangements - I think they look great!
One participant brought a second container, this fab turquoise vase from Crate & Barrel. Amy volunteered to create an arrangement for it.
Here it is; simple and stunning. Keeping in mind the mod aesthetic of the vase, Amy used only 3 types of greenery - dark green evergreen, a chartreuse colored green and the third one, with little pinecones, for interest. My ice bucket is off to the right with red berries and a few other things added to it. A huge thanks to Amy for all the great tips and to Frances Brayshaw, the owner of Pear Tree Cottage, for continuing to offer these great design events! Washingtonian magazine ranked Pear Tree Cottage as one of the best shops in Northern Virginina. Agree!
Also, if you live in the DC area, Tudor Place in Georgetown is holding it's annual Holiday Wreath Making workshop Friday Dec. 4th and Dec. 11th, 10 am or 2pm and Saturday Dec. 5th at 10 am or 1 pm. (the Sat. 10 am class may already be booked.) I'm going to the Dec 4th 10 am session this year - pictured above is the boxwood wreath I made last year. All the greenery is freshly cut and the historic setting is wonderful!

A Family Vestibule

The Charityworks GreenHouse ended a few weeks ago but the eye candy continues! Designed by Miriam Dillon and Rebecca Foley of Custom Design Concepts Architecture + Interiors, the family vestibule is comprised of a mudroom, laundry room and powder room that are stylish, functional and eco-conscious. The reclaimed wood in a herringbone pattern on the wall echoes the hardwood floors in other parts of the home. I think the pendant lights and the choice of a settee, as opposed to a built-in bench, creates a more furnished feel to this very practical space. (all photography by Gordon Beall, posted with permission)
Love the whimsical touches and those houndstooth checked wellies in the cubby!
In the hallway that leads from the garage into the house, an antiqued mirror is surrounded with bordered sections of wallpaper. There's also a console table in this space and a chandelier made from reclaimed French oak wine barrel staves. (in the left corner of the pic)
The powder room is narrow and I think the inset cabinet solution is very effective - providing ample counter space on either side of the sink. The sink is made from cast iron that is 93% recycled and reclaimed and the tiles are 70% recycled glass.
The laundry room also takes advantage of every inch of space, including a narrow counter that runs behind the sink. One of my favorite features is the lift-up cabinet doors that provide concealed storage for laundry products, household cleaners, etc.

Ok, now after doing this post do I really have to go down to my dark, basement laundry room and put the wash in the dryer?!

Part 2: Inside Matthews House and Garden

The love affair with Matthews House and Garden continues! If you read this blog you know that one of my favorite things to do is visit design stores and this is absolutely one of my favorites! All the furniture, artwork and accessories are more than equal to the charming and inspiring architecture of this renovated 175 year old church.
Even on a gray, rainy day the quality of the light is beautiful. One of my favorite pieces of furniture was the high backed sofa with the nail head trim - very stylish and comfortable.
The store is full of interesting tablescapes and vignettes. This one is a reminder of the powerful effect of grouping similar objects together. Love the mix of squash and pears in the compote.

A simple, beatiful vase serves as an adornment to this marble topped table.
Ablsolutely loved this wooden urn with lid. Off to the left is the former alter of the church, now a stunning alcove with peaked ceilings.
Visit Matthews and you might be tempted to spend an afternoon "testing" these chairs while you read a book from the beautiful cabinet.

What I love about this random display of letters is that there are "almost" words in it. Everytime I look at it I think of the words - yes- and -dance-!

My photo of this green tray doesn't do it justice. There was a raised texture to the design and the combination of colors is beautiful. In the peak of the building there is a carved wooden medallion painted in soft colors.
The door to this former church is off to the right of this picture. As you enter the light flooded space, you can look straight ahead out to the gardens. Passing through the archway to the left, you enter the main store with it's soaring ceilings. While we were there I heard a number of visitors exclaim, "wow" as they walked in.

An antique Swedish rain barrel is repurposed as a coffee table.
More of Kevin Chadwick's horse themed trays. I purchased the calligraphy inspired horse but I love these colorful, graffic designs too!


Wanda, Sharon and Kevin were the most wonderful hosts as evidenced by this gorgeous luncheon table. The beautiful, moody painting above is by Kevin.
Two different quiches, two delicious salads and two wonderful desserts (yes, we tried both!)
Here is Wanda Crossley, the creative talent behind Matthews House and Garden. It was such a pleasure to meet Wanda and learn more about her career as both an interior designer and landscape designer. The D.C. area is so lucky now to have Matthews House and Garden on the scene. Can't wait to visit at Christmas time!
9160 John Mosby Hwy in Upperville, VA (540.592.7147) Tue- Sat 10 to 5

A Personal Visit to the Renovated Church: Matthews House & Garden

Yesterday was a dreamy day, full of beautiful design, incredible food and interesting people. Honestly, I felt like I should pinch myself. Do you remember the post on the 175 yr old renovated church in Upperville, VA that is home to Matthews House and Garden? Well, yesterday two friends and I had a chance to visit, tour the store and design studio, and enjoy lunch and conversation with three very creative people! Thank you Wanda, Sharon and Kevin! Wanda Crossley, the proprietor, was kind enough to let me take photos of her design studio/cottage located next to the church. Check out the reflection in this mirror and you'll get a sense of the light, ethereal feel of the space.This large window anchors one end of the cottage and looks out onto the pea gravel entry to the store. I think the contrast in scales between the urn and the bureau is perfection - pushing it to the limit and creating a dramatic focal point in this window.
To the right is the sitting area, with shelves from Staples built-in for a custom look. The floors have a pale, white washed finish and have a very interesting back story. Wanda had them made from all the old wood church pews that didn't sell - planing down the wood and creating floor boards!
A view from the sitting area toward the entry door that is located past the dining table. I believe this is Mr. Timothy (you can see his brother in the distance), who, by the way, are so well matched to the decor. The coffee table is antiqued mirror. I love the button detailing on the skirt of this sofa.
When you enter the studio you immediately notice this beautiful cabinet to your left and this incredible Moira clock ahead of you to the right.
You can see the full picture of the clock reflected in the mirror in the first picture. So beautiful with its aging painted face.
Double chandeliers hang from the peaked ceiling. All the ceiling and walls have been white washed as well, creating a seamless envelope with the pale flooring.
The studio is filled with beautiful arwork. I was really so enamored with everything that I didn't take enough photos, including missing an opportunity to take a picture of an oversized 18th century painting!

Here are some close-ups of the shelves, full of personal items that make this space so special.

A vignette of white located atop a stainless steel cabinet. Below, a beautiful light filled corner with an antique, oval mirror.

Here's the outside from earlier in the year when they were in the midst of landscaping. The window in the front is the one with the urn.
My next post will be all about the store and the incredible things you'll find at Matthews House & Garden. I was thrilled to purchase this piece - an original design from Kevin Chadwick. Kevin is a former DC based illustrator who has now ventured into fabric and furniture design and has launched a series of plates and trays featuring horses. Looking forward to the next post and sharing more from our wonderful visit!

House & Home's New Free Online TV - A Basement Makeover

Click here to watch House & Home's premier episode of H&H Online TV. (***If you get a message that says access denied, just click again on that statement and the show will load.)

This 13 minute show features:

Senior Editor Meg Crossley's bright and budget conscious renovation of her basement. Her reno was featured on the cover of their most recent Before & After special publication.

DIY & Thrifter Michael Penney turns mirrors into chalkboards. I think he makes a good point for using a mirror for a chalkboard since it's already framed.

Food Editor Claire Tansey shares her favorite pastry recipe.

I know this post sounds like an infommercial for House & Home but after the depressing news of Met Home's demise, it's great to see this well respected magazine broadening their brand and hopefully their online advertising revenue. So click away and support H & H's new online TV!

- This is my personal opinion and I do not receive any form of compensation for this endorsement.

It's Official - Hoard Your Old Magazines!

I'm sure you've already heard - Metropolitan Home is closing. Their last issue is Dec 2009. It has been a few years since I've read Metropolitan Home but the news is still disheartening.

Here is the future I imagine: A network of private interior design "Magazine Libraries" where you knock on a door, pay your entrance fee, and are handed your white gloves. You then sit and read as many issues as possible before your "admission time" has expired. These relics of the past - paper magazines - are treasured...

Bleak, I know, but I'm not going to recycle anymore of my magazines. I will be hoarding...