It’s time for another garden inspired by fashion, and once again, I have found something that I think is really fun by my new favorite fashion illustrator – goodyfinch at Can’t not Know.   Really, almost all of my inspirations lately are coming from this amazing artist.  This one is titled  Christian Dior 08 and I think it evokes a mid century feeling with an Asian, south beach touch.   Don’t you think?  For some reason I feel like this girl lives in Copenhagen and visits Tivoli Gardens for afternoon walks with her chi-poo (cross between a chihuahua and poodle). Would you agree?

by Can’t Not Know

Lighting is the first things that comes to mind. I kind of think this collection of lighting for an imaginary garden might just be my favorite of all time.

From the Top, a vintage Verner Panton Flower Pot Lamp….I think a series of these would be most exciting.  A bit of a hunt, but worth it.  This picture came from the Furniture Store Blog.   Event lighting or just for some summer fun, these fish bowl lanterns capture the colors of our girl (from Luna Bazaar) .  I think they would be perfect draped over a sparkling pool.  At the bottom (for around the pool edge and sitting areas)  the La Lune light complete with its Spanish moss lampshade that I found over on Gaspard Live.

This is how I would hang the lanterns…. Lots of them…

Spirit Lantern Festival, Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh by photojenni

Because she seems so euro chic, I imagine her in a modern home – though not today modern…really, mid century (it’s the hat right?).   Her garden should be textural and sophisticated like this one.

Image by Photo: Steven Gunther found at Sunset Magazine.

Ok, from the top….that awesome image of Agave americana is from G Living – a totally cool blog about green living.  The Agave and the Trumpet vine would be my planting focal points in a sea of textural interest. The stackable planters and the one with the metal base (bottom left) are both available from from Nova 68.

The bamboo parasols (which are made of water proof fabric) are from Jedi Creations. I have mentioned the  awesome spindle planters before, but was reminded of them when I saw them again at Modern Design Interior. And finally, the trumpet vine image (Campsis) was taken by clione

She is missing furniture…I am looking for a sleek white metal bamboo inspired set with a sofa that looks like this chair that I saw at Girl Meets Glamour,  (available from an amazing looking store in Atlanta called Pieces) but haven’t found it….seems I have seen something like it somewhere though…

Anyway, What do you think?  Love this garden? What would you add?

I am researching ideas for my next version of Can You Make This Into A Garden…but I am giving you a sneak preview because I just can’t help myself. I once again picked a Fashion illustration by Can’t Not Know (a favorite of mine) and coming up with my garden I came across the Strange Wonderful Things website. Strange Wonderful Things is an Ebay shop that sells really interesting and rare plants – most of which I have never seen before.
Do you think it is possible that this dress design wasn’t inspired by these flowers? I am in awe of the colors and wish that some of these were currently available to buy. If you are into the unique and extraordinary, then you should take a look at some of the other offerings.

So you have a sneak peek at what is coming…I have lots of ideas to share, but if you have something you think would be great in this ladies’ garden…let me know and I will work to include it!

Plants pictured: Turquoise Ixia, Ixia viridiflora from South Africa
Turquoise Puya, Puya berteroniana from Chile and
“Fiesta” Bomarea from Ecuador

I love the fresh summer vibe of this little garden. The kids are out of school, I am thinking about summer relaxing (though – I don’t actually end up ever relaxing) and this garden seems perfect.

Garden design by Molly Wood Garden Design.

Seibert and Rice, makers of beautiful terracotta pots for the garden, have created the interesting American line. The American line is a collection of terracotta garden pots created by a variety of top American designers and artists. One of the designers that was commissioned is famed interior designer Charlotte Moss. I love seeing what inspires designers and how they take the inspiration, internalize it and create something new. Charlotte was inspired by the fretwork of the Pagoda at Chanteloup in France’s Loire Valley. The Chinese fretwork patterns and ideograms that embellish the pagoda, represent love, wisdom, and friendship. I love how Charlotte took this inspiration and worked them into a pretty planter.
Each of the other pieces in the collection is similarly interesting as their creators and well worth checking out. Reading through them all, I am contemplating what I would use for inspiration should I ever be asked to create something like this…..what would be your muse?

Sandra Miller is a remarkable photographer. Her images are a vivid colorful collection and perusing them feels like a walk through a designers dream candy shop. Making her photography even more remarkable, is the fact that Sandra considered legally blind. Her own garden is an inspiring place, obviously created by an artist and a plant, color and animal lover. It is a place that is uniquely her own and I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.

Are you fascinated by the unique, the exotic, the strikingly different? I love discovering and exploring new things, so Plantwerkz, a blog created to catalog all architecturally interesting plants, is fun place for me to visit. When I travel, I always notice the plants around me and the differences from what is familiar to me. Perusing Plantwerkz collection has me longing for trips to new places for the sole reason of checking out new trees, flowers and shrubs. (Maybe in my next life I will be a plant hunter?)

Anyway, there are some amazing things to discover … it is a website well worth checking out.

Ancient dracena tree forest

Baobab tree in Madagascar.