Nicholson-Hardie is an old & bold Dallas legend. This 4 time winner of the Best of Big D-Garden Shop is an inspiration destination for year round indoor/outdoor gardening & home design. Gift & garden - it's shear heaven! See the article & the complete list of the Best of Big D 2018 "Founded in 1899, Nicholson-Hardie is the oldest garden shop in Dallas, and it has the know-how that comes with that title. Between its deep selection and a staff that’s all green thumbs, don’t be surprised if you walk out with a fun and unexpected purchase." |
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We had to take some time out of our week to visit the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch at the Dallas Arboretum this year. You don't need children to go for this "photo op". It is an amazing display of 75,000 pumpkins crafted into seemingly endless walkways, a village and fall botanical color. There are giant pumpkins & tiny ones made into garlands with corn husks. Our favorite was the Cinderella carriage with hay & husk horses. Everyone seemed to have a camera! Several quinceanera photo shoots were taking advantage of the incredible display of autumn. There were princesses of all ages.
It's an unbelievable sight and a must see for young and old. There are tram tours that are driven by guides who make it a great experience for those who don't want to walk the distance. An outdoor cafe that serves brats on the patio to help you get the all-around October feel of the space. To end our tour of a beautiful visit, we headed northwest on the trails to enjoy the fountains, waterfalls and view of White Rock Lake. Enjoy autumn in it's greatest setting. It doesn't last long around here! http://www.dallasarboretum.org/visit/seasonal-festivals-events/pumpkin-patch ![]()
Patricia's elegant style is extraordinary -- but only looks effortless. Through design editing, her home evolved into simplistic grandeur. She creates a distinct continuity that flows throughout the house.
Not one to boast, her humble attitude makes her a better curator of luxury than most. European architectural pieces give it old world style. Being a first generation Italian-American, classic style is in her DNA. The outdoor space lends itself to a formal garden with a beachy undertow. Patricia designed it much like the interior -- classic yet very casual. The devil maybe in the details, but this style is heavenly!
Rustic furniture is made elegant by adding gold and glitz.
Restoration Hardware chairs with slipcovers add a relaxed mood to this space.
Marble, wood, brass & steel are old world elements.
Slate grey piping elevates the look on this slipcover.
Older steamer trunk and crystal decanters help to find that medium space between rustic and elegant.
Drapery continuity should be noticed throughout the house.
More of that coastal presence in the Master. Unassuming Custom Headboard With Vintage Linens
Office/jewelry studio has a casual, comfortable feel.
Less is more when it comes to style. Simplicity is the key to success.
Modern touches keep this elegant space from being stuffy.
Cane, wing chair given the "Patricia treatment" with a European, grain sack.
Velveteen replaces tattered leather seats.
This grouping includes a miniature, pastoral book. Her design sense unites curious pieces.
The galvanized pot rack, made by Patricia's husband, utilizes this unique space.
Pet mattresses made of cream linen & white trim are inside her cupboards.
Patricia updated these chairs with a coat of paint on the fabric and wood.
Elegant & organic - poolside
Outdoor rooms are defined by statuary and plantings.
![]() Historic McKinney is the perfect location for garden weddings. Large yards or small gardens can equally accommodate an outdoor celebration. It can be a labor of love for a homeowner and a bride & groom. Instead of investing in a commercial venue, many families are opting to revitalize their own yards for these special occasions. This garden's extraordinary transformation went from average to over the moon. This project developed with many months of planning, patience, & being surrounded by friends and professionals. Oh and not to mention some serious nail biting! Some yards can be DIY projects while others may require architects & contractors. We all know our limits in time & budgets. Planning ahead is everything. It can be something as easy as a can of paint & recovering furniture cushions, to building a fancy courtyard with fountains, lighting, fencing & big trees. There are many resources (thank you Pinterest!) to help design the look you want. So plan early! See our prior post to help you get started with planning your event Garden Parties Allen and Fairview, Texas have bumper crops of sunflowers this year, planted just off Hwy 75. Police presence has been necessary to guard the fields to keep trespassers from crossing the yellow police tape. Sunflowers being a cash crop, should not be compromised by photographers & intruders damaging flowers by trying the get "the shot". Who would have ever expected a farmer would have to go to such drastic measures? This is not Fort Knox; these are sunflowers on private property. I took pictures along with other photo buffs, but I did not brush a petal through the process. Would you like somebody to come into your yard and take your shrubs?
Bluebonnets have become rare on roadsides, so photo ops have shifted to other flowers. I understand how irresistible the sea of sunflowers can be, but it is paramount to have "hands off" respect & appreciation for the flower, the field and the farmer. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/collin/Trespassers-are-trampling-familys-sunflower-farm-212702861.html To see some of the photos from the local contest on McKinney's Town Square Buzz, https://www.facebook.com/TownSquareBuzz?fref=ts ![]() McKinney is divided by Hwy 75. East is Old McKinney, the original town's center. West McKinney has planned developments that were originally farms & ranches. As with all towns that grow fast, the original side of town has maintained its "Mayberry" attitude. It has small developments but most of the east side homes are individual & independently built. Many older homes are being sold to newcomers & we are seeing a great change. East McKinney is being revitalized for a new generation. What has been seen as "old", is new again through a changing demographic. The historic square has changed to meet the needs of younger, hipper families who are looking for that urban/suburban oasis. A little something for everyone! With growth comes growing pains. New visions for old homes sometimes makes change difficult. The double edged sword of change, means those of us who have been here a longtime have to adapt. The freedom to express unique ideas about your home is what makes living here so special. We have the unexpected at every turn; bold colors, wildy yards, chain link, picket & iron fences (in the front yard), artistic sculptures, vintage structures & "in-town" farms, not to mention aviaries, greenhouses, & chicken coops! We thrive on making our homes our own. The love of our community is what makes East Siders "Unique by Nature"! See the CNN Money article http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/best-places/2012/snapshots/PL4845744.html Every gardener will tell you their garden is a work in progress. No matter how fabulous or needy & weedy, we all believe it can be more. I have neglected mine for about four years and it shows. I have rescued 2 puppies. After the first one was a couple years old, along came another puppy. Love the puppies, but they have made my entire back yard a hot mess. The puppies are big now and have outgrown digging holes where plants stood and taking sticks and old basketballs and whipping the tops off flowers. This is the year to change things and take back my space.
I am eternally swapping seeds, seedlings and bulbs with friends and neighbors. Most gardeners are happy to share their wealth of garden goods. Just yesterday, while I was out, a friend dropped off several pots of plants she thinned out from her own garden. She left me names and instructions about the nature of the plants, so I could determine the best planting place for them. I have received and planted some very invasive plants and regretted their rapid garden take-over. Free doesn't mean it works. I am an organic gardener and prefer to keep it that way. I don't judge those who are not organic, but once it hits my yard, that is how it will be grown. Take caution in your choices to make sure it works for you. I am currently splitting my favorites and replanting them to create new spots and this year has started to look like a good year to get back in gear. The weather has been very cool and rainy for North Texas and I have taken advantage of this great weeding and seeding season. Never miss a good gardening opportunity. How fortunate for me, my favorite organic gardener is coming to McKinney. Steve Diver of Austin, Texas is having a seminar at Diggin' It this Saturday. "Organic Backyard Gardening" is worth the time and $10. Steve Diver's passion for organic gardening makes you want to do more and he shows how simple it is to go organic. See ya Saturday! The photo above is from Tracey Collins' garden last year...my goal is to have this look. http://thedigginitshop.blogspot.com/2013/04/organic-backyard-gardening-with-steve.html ![]() If you didn't make the McKinney Garden Tour, well, your luck has changed. I had the opportunity to do some sewing for Fredda Perkins as she was preparing her home for the garden tour. It's not like she couldn't sew her own pillows and mattress covers (she has made more pillows than me!), but she ran out of time...and the desire to work with oil cloth. I would like to share the photos of her pink Victorian and it's garden, located in Historic McKinney. A home like this is rare, as is Fredda's talent and vision that she turned into reality. Enjoy - there are surprises around every corner! |
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AuthorsWe are all worthy of feeling satisfied about where we are in our homes. Our approach to the adventure is as important as the results. The journey of finding our design ideals shifts with seasons & people passing through our lives. We are more likely to enjoy the creative process when things are made easy and How To Love Your Home's passion for finding & sharing tools, tips, & triumphs is here for simplifying the journey to a commonsense approach to homemaking & design! Archives
January 2019
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