Hot New Project: Pomerantz residence

Name: Christopher J. Grubb
Title: President
Firm name: Arch Interiors
Project location: Los Angeles, CA

How did you first connect with this client?
This project came as a referral from another client we had done an interior/exterior project for.

What were the client’s primary desires for the garden?
Foremost, the client wanted a family entertaining area defined by a stunning pergola. We agreed the pergola should be done in such a way that the kitchen, dining room and family room could open up and make the indoor/outdoor living experience seamless. Second, the client also desired a custom outdoor cooking area, complete with a barbeque, warming burners and stainless steel cabinetry. Lastly, they requested a grassy play area for their expanding family. We paid special attention in adding the trellis work that architecturally tied in with the home and added privacy and a sense of intimacy to the back yard.

Any interesting obstacles to achieving the dream?
The primary obstacle was securing as much grass area as possible.

What are your favorite elements of the garden?
The view from the inside of the home brings all of the ‘greenery’ into the space, continuing the seamless indoor/outdoor experience. The garden also features landscape lighting for nighttime to create the same effect.

What does the client say now that the project is done?
They are thrilled with the end result and love watching their children play, entertaining and dining al fresco.

Book Worm: Cotswold Houses

To be released in March of 2009, Cotswold Houses: Stone Houses and Interiors From the English Countryside, a new title from Rizzoli and written by Nicholas Mander, profiles signature houses and their landscapes and interiors from the region, with photos are taken from Country Life magazine.

From the introduction: “The Cotswold Manor House and its setting assumed iconic status in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At its most potent, it became a symbol of Edwardian nationalism, of the enduring values of ‘Old English’ civilization itself, and of the unquestioned legitimacy of a benevolent gentry class whose values were rooted in the land. This ideal was fostered from the start by Country Life, which was founded in 1897, and the magazine occupies a central place as a pioneer interpreter and forceful advocate of the Cotswold house and its landscape.”

Kids’ Stuff: Subaru Adopt a School Garden Program

The National Gardening Association (NGA) is pleased to announce the 2009 Subaru Adopt a School Garden Program. Funded by a generous grant from the Subaru of America Foundation, Inc., nine schools in southern New Jersey will be selected to receive technical assistance, horticultural and garden education consultation, and $1,000 in materials and funding to lay the foundation for their garden program.

"The Subaru Adopt a School Garden Program is a natural fit for Subaru, given its dedication and commitment to environmental initiatives," said Tom Doll, president of Subaru of America Foundation, Inc. "Providing our youth with opportunities to explore and learn about the importance of being environmental stewards is a key priority in our philanthropic activities."

"There is no doubt that gardens are powerful educational tools, providing opportunities for children to experience the natural world as they develop academic skills and gain first-hand knowledge that leads to healthy and sustainable lifestyles," says Mike Metallo, president of the National Gardening Association. "We have a responsibility to our children to give them opportunities to engage with nature in a safe setting. School gardening programs can help children understand where their food comes from, what impact their decisions have on the world's resources and the world's climate, and how they can live sustainability. This makes garden programs so important for young people."

Elementary, middle, and high schools serving low to middle income students located in the following southern New Jersey counties are eligible: Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, with preference given to Burlington and Camden Counties. Educators should be planning to use the garden to teach students life skills, reinforce academics, develop environmental stewardship, and encourage students to make positive choices for themselves and the planet. Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2009, and award winners will be announced by March 1, 2009. For full details and to download an application, please visit kidsgardening.org/grants.asp

Get Involved: Wave Hill Crisis

One of the Garden Design community’s most beloved public gardens, Wave Hill, is at risk for losing significant government funding. Let Governor Paterson know how important institutions like Wave Hill are to you and urge him not to cut this critical funding.

A proposed 55% cut to the state's Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums (ZBGA) program would seriously compromise New York's zoological and botanical resources. From the Bronx to Niagara Falls, living museums will suffer tremendously—and the immediate impact on local economies will be severe.

Please take a moment of your time and send this important email urging Governor Paterson to maintain this critical source of funding for New York State's living museums.

Click on this link and supply your name and address, and copy the text below. http://wavehill.c.topica.com/maamHVWabM9p5bL8ftAcafpN3l/

Subject: Please Maintain Funding for New York's Living Museums!

Topic (select from drop-down menu): The Economic Crisis

E-mail body: As someone who cares about the environment, conservation, education and economic development, and who realizes the value of tourism to our state, I urge you to continue investments in New York's "living museums." Governor Paterson’s Executive Budget released on December 16, 2008, proposes to cut the Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums (ZBGA) program from $9 million to $4 million–a 55% cut–in this fiscal year. It also proposes to completely eliminate the program in the next fiscal year! If this proposal is passed by the NYS Legislature, it will destroy a program that has provided consistent and steadily increasing support for Wave Hill and its fellow living museums for over 30 years. From Niagara Falls to the Bronx, Oyster Bay to Syracuse, living museums will suffer, and the immediate impact on local economies will be severe. Living museums not only help conserve endangered species and address the impact of climate change, they also generate millions of dollars each year for state and local economies by providing jobs and supporting local businesses. In addition, they educate and inspire thousands of teachers and millions of children, and develop new generations of environmental stewards. Even during this fiscal downturn, millions of citizens are visiting environmental sanctuaries–and these numbers are growing as people are staying closer to home. Increased visitation means increased expenses as demand for these services rises. The state faces some challenging fiscal realities but it is imperative that we protect and preserve New York's natural environment. At the same time, it is critical to protect our tourism dollars and our economy. Please continue your investment in living museums and support full funding of the ZBGA program!

Wave Hill
West 249th Street and Independence Ave., Bronx, NY 10471-2899 718.549.3200
wavehill.org

Engagements: Two to Talk

Two of Garden Design’s all-time favorite contributors are set to speak at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Metro Hort Group’s 13th Annual Plant-O-Rama. Sign up for the January 27, 2009 symposium and enjoy these among other exciting lectures:

*9:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. Keynote Talk by Dan Hinkley
“Sensational, Safe, Sustainable: Good Plants for a Good Zone 6.” Acclaimed plant explorer Dan Hinkley examines garden-worthy plants that don’t escape garden boundaries and wisely use resources. Dan last spoke at Plant-O-Rama in 1998—11 years later he offers an update on how to surround ourselves with inspired landscapes.

*1 – 2 p.m. Keynote talk by Ken Druse
“Secrets Revealed! Planthropology: the Myths, Mysteries and Miracles of Our Garden Favorites,” In a wide-ranging talk based on his new book, Ken Druse describes explorers past and present racing across the globe like Indiana Jones in search of rare specimens; the dynamics of fragrant plants and memory; how plants in art initiated a social movement; and plant patterns that mimic seashells and the stars of the Milky Way.

The symposium is free for Metro Hort Group members, BBG staff, and BBG volunteers; all others $40 at door. Symposium events take place in the BBG auditorium. No preregistration is necessary, but seating is first come and limited to 300 per talk. For additional information and a full schedule of Plant-O-Rama events, please call 718-623-7298 or visit bbg.org/plant-o-rama