In Progress: Kips Bay 2009 Decorator Show House

Jacqueline Togneri of Plant Specialists has been keeping me posted on progress at the Kips Bay Show House. "(Friday) morning we installed the Christmas Palms at the show house," she writes. "We had to unload the truck on Madison Avenue and push the trees a block north to the building entrance. Watching our crew push the palm trees down Madison Avenue is one of those things you see 'only in New York'. I think we turned a few heads!"

On The Road: Stella McCartney Los Angeles

Another fine garden by Jon Goldstein--just had to share it with you all! Jon worked with fashion designer Stella McCartney's London and New York teams, and after learning about Stella’s likes and dislikes, made her Los Angeles space a soft soothing garden in her trademark white flowers with an occasional pastel. "There was a very lovely topiary iron horse which I planted," says Jon. "Now all of the shop girls have nick named her Bessie. The garden is unique in that it has a private feeling and a great little greenhouse and back rose arbor which gives the clients a relaxing place to look at and be in while trying on Stella’s latest and greatest collections. It is very refreshing to find that Stella is so committed to her garden, and to using gardens and their green benefits as the ultimate fashion accessory."

Just Now: West Week 5

During West Week, our publisher Diane Turner hosted a party with Stephen Block of Inner Gardens as his Melrose Ave. location a block from the Pacific Design Center. Our managing editor Leigh Ann Ledford spent time talking with guest Amelia Lima, a landscape architect based in San Diego, and her son Philippe.

On The Road: The Dearden-Cranston Garden

Our next stop was at the home of Robin Dearden and Bryan Cranston who plays Walter White in the AMC drama series Breaking Bad, whose attention to remodeling every part of the landscape has paid off with a cohesive, party-friendly garden, designed by Jon Goldstein. Their guests at an outdoor dinner tomorrow night will be seated in the back yard around an 8-person table next to a (built-in grill) and fire-pit. The outdoor kitchen and dining room are book-ended by a pool on one side and a park-like lawn and tree with a tree house on the other. The front part of the garden is an enclosed courtyard space with a waterfall fountain designed by Cranston himself. Steps away, a small pergola supports a hammock—a perfect place for a nap with the sound of trickling water nearby.

On The Road: The MacLachlan Garden

Leigh Ann and I spent the day with landscape designer Jon Goldstein yesterday. Jon was an amazing host and showed us projects all over Los Angeles. Our first stop was at actor Kyle MacLachlan’s (Twin Peaks, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives) house, whose eclectic garden includes lush perennials in the front (especially love the delphiniums), a view of an incredible stand of bamboo from off the lawn in the back, and back patio (“the blue room”) and a pool defined by lava rock.

Do It: Fordhook Farm Open Days

Coming up in just a few days, the Garden Conservancy's "Awakening of the Garden Celebration" will be held at Burpee’s Fordhook Farm, 105 New Britain Road, Doylestown, PA. Visitors will get a glimpse of the exquisite gardens in early spring form, and the April 3rd & 4th event will also offer attendees an opportunity to participate in a seed sowing workshop, plant sale, guided tours and lectures. Simon Crawford and George Ball will be the featured speakers.

Just Now: West Week 4

I just saw the bench that I want. And I can't have it! There are only 7 in the world, and at a cool 10K, right out of my price range. But this indoor-outdoor piece designed by Jon Goulder for Living Edge is the ultimate functional sculpture, created from plywood hoops. The Living Edge showroom is new at the PDC, and I'm excited to see what pieces they bring from Australia in the coming years.