Hope that you are all good.
I wish I could say that I was – I am currently tucked up in bed with a double ear infection. Yup, I am almost completely deaf, which, with three children has advantages and disadvantages…
But as I sit in bed, one of things that has really cheered me up is this early December light and yesterday, when I ventured gingerly downstairs, this is what greeted me…
The very best of Northern California’s light hitting the table with it’s long low beams – so beautiful.
And looking at color in various lights is what I have spent much of the last month or so doing. One very pleasurable wing of Green Plum Design is working as a color consultant.
Yes, I can spot the difference between Benjamin Moore’s Brewster and Templeton Gray at a hundred yards. Which is probably why Kate and Kevin’s craftsman home first caught my eye.
Color.
The house paint ( Kelly Moore’s French Quarter and trim in Swiss Coffee ) and the plants all work so beautifully together to create a sea of grey greens, citrines and the odd hint of a muted red.
Kate’s brilliant choice of plants looks effortless. ( I know it wasn’t, I saw the much considered original plan for the garden )
They blend so well together – the greeny-grey euphorbias…
And the hint of tangy yellow-green in the kangaroo paw…
The gorgeous silvery dymondia grass…
The cone bush with a beautiful splash of pinky red…
The soft and fluffy mexican feather grass…
So delicate and wonderful in the morning light…
And the cotton lavender’s yellow popping out so well against the green…
All set beautifully against the soothing grey color of her home.
So here’s the humbling bit – Kate and Kevin only moved into this house in 2008 and at that point had one baby and one on the way AND Kate works….
Just to get a measure of this achievement, here’s what it looked like when they moved in…
And now again…
Yup…Kate is one impressive woman and as well as quite possibly copying her garden plan, I also take my hat off to her, Kevin and the family!
And now, another home that caught my eye back in the Summer when the garden was in full bloom…
Christie’s beautiful shingled craftsman is another great example of how the planting at the front works so beautifully with the house…
Just take a look at the way her Eastern Redbud guards, shades, and shields her house, it is quite stunning…
From the front, you can just peek at house through the gaps…
If you shimmy to the side a little, you can see a gorgeous wisteria running along her porch, hanging lazily over some gently swaying Mexican Feather Grass…
Here’s one more of the Mexican Grass – SOOO beautiful – frothy, soft and delicate – I just love it. Christie says that it has multiplied a lot all by itself.
And then, if you venture up the steps, you come onto a beautifully proportioned porch with a comfy place to sit and rock and watch the world…
The front door leaps out at you with fabulous color, contrasting nicely with the green trim…
And generous pots of succulents dot the steps…
I could have photographed this house all day – Christie has made her home and garden into a magical place that just draws you in.
So big, big thank you to Kate, Kevin and Christie for allowing me to photograph their gorgeous houses. They are an inspiration.
So that’s it from me. As I sit in bed, I feel quite cheered by looking at all those photographs.
Back soon, hopefully with both ears working!
See you soon,
Ros
ps Welcome to all those people who have hopped over from Sarah’s lovely Beach Cottage.
pps If you have a friend or someone who you think might enjoy my blog, just send me their email address to roswyatt@greenplumdesign.com and I will add them to the list.
That rocking chair has my name on it…
I am with you there – looks so inviting. xx