Design*Sponge » outdoor

flowers a-z: k is for kangaroo paw

SarahB — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:00:38 +0000

Greetings from the flower alphabet think tank! This week, I thought to feature a quirky little bloom that is primarily used as an accompaniment in arrangements. “K” is for kangaroo paw! You can see the fuzzy paw-like flower above, nestled in among other friendly blooms. A native of Australia, the kangaroo paw got its name in the most literal way — it has a downy feel (like fur!) and is shaped like the paws of that beloved marsupial. Kangaroo paw are relatively easy to grow — they like full sun and good drainage — and are often found in xeriscape gardens in southern California and similar climes. Despite their exotic provenance, many flower shops and plant stores carry these flowers.

In the image above, you can see the ends of each bud open up to reveal the tiny “fingers” of the paw. Kangaroo paw come in a range of earth tones — green, red, orange, yellow and brown — and often have subtle “painted” two-tone colors. This variety is a beautiful gray shade with a hint of rose pink on the stem and base. For the arrangement that follows, I selected flowers inspired by the peachy pink secondary tone.

Stay with me after the jump, as I demonstrate an eclectic arrangement project utilizing this week’s strange and beautiful bloom! — Sarah

CLICK HERE for the rest of the post (and more pictures) after the jump!

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gadgets for green thumbs

Grace Bonney — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:53 +0000

While it may seem depressingly gloomy outside today (too gray for gardening), I’m always hopeful that spring will return (Monday was such a cruel tease) and bring back some signs of life. The tree behind our building is starting to bud and show signs of blooming, so I was excited that Kate’s new post at MyLifeScoop was all about gadgets, tools and accessories that make gardening easier. Both Kate and I have terrible track records with plants, so here’s hoping that these gizmos will turn both our black thumbs green. And if all else fails, there are always faux ferns.

Click here to check out Kate’s tips on everything from self-watering pots to plant sensors and humane pest control. xo, grace

PS: How adorable are those strawberry pockets below?

we like it wild: san francisco flower & garden show

StudioChoo — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:00:30 +0000

We were so very excited when the ladies from Star Apple Edible Gardens invited us to participate in their Modern Homestead display this week at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. This exhibit is a great example of how you can incorporate edibles and homesteading gear seamlessly into your landscape without sacrificing looks. Stefani and Leslie interpreted the show’s “Life in a California Garden” theme by creating a 5,000-square-foot display complete with “house” and chicken coop, eco-friendly furniture designs, hexagon beehive, floral designs by us and some really awesome gardening ideas.

We’ll be at the show on Saturday to check out the fabulous chef seminars (including Alice Waters!), jam-making and edible-gardening demonstrations and tons of new gardening products and ideas. This is the perfect rainy-weekend activity for you lucky Bay Area folks! We’ve also included instructions for putting together our simple freesia box arrangement and lots of great gardening links! -Studio Choo

CLICK HERE for the rest of the post after the jump!

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before & after: ariel’s lamp terrarium + lia’s lamps

Kate Pruitt — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:00:31 +0000

I have a weakness for this type of prism light, and I was really excited when the first repurpose project using a similar style came our way last year. This chandelier-turned-terrarium from Ariel is so clever, and I love its dramatically large scale. Not only do the paned panels recall the look of traditional terrariums, but the piece also includes a convenient door — originally for changing lightbulbs — which is perfect for the occasional rearrangement of the plants and rocks. I don’t know why I never thought of this idea before, but I’m certainly on the hunt for one of these now. Thanks for sharing, Ariel! — Kate

Have a Before & After you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)

If you visit thrift stores with any regularity, you know that brass or “faux” brass lamps are a dime a dozen. I love their shape, but sometimes the shiny brass can be a little overkill. Enter this amazing project from Lia Fagan, vintage upcycler extraordinaire. She found these lamp bases and shades at different thrift shops for a steal, then decided to unify the two with a coat of paint and an amazing tribal-print fabric.

The bold textile is perfect for the dramatic scale of the shades, and I love the cream bases. For how little they cost, these look like brand new designer pieces, which is a testament to Lia’s skills. You can see more of Lia’s revamped designs, including tons of great lamps, on her site Mod Pieces. Amazing work, Lia!

flowers a-z: “e” is for echeveria, eryngium and eustoma

SarahB — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:00:06 +0000

Welcome back, Alphabet Florists! Just to mix it up a bit, I thought I would feature three different “e” flowers this week: echeveria (succulents), eryngium (thistle) and eustoma (lisianthus). Now, I grant you, I am bending the rules ever so slightly by using the Latin names for these relatively common blooms and plants and highlighting multiple elements in one post. But the beautiful thing is that this allows us to create a whole tablescape! First, I will spend a brief moment with each individual “e” and then on to a little “how-to,” incorporating each of them. — Sarah

Echeveria (succulents)
Succulents in the echeveria genus are native to a region from Mexico to northwestern South America. They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors and can survive in many climates, although they do best in dry, even drought-prone soil. As a cut plant, they are wonderful for creating spare and unusual tablescapes or even for “planting” in a terrarium. For a quick decorative accent, just place a few succulents in a simple, clear glass bowl. You can add soil and “plant” them in the bowl, and add a tuft of reindeer moss or anything that strikes your fancy. In this post, I simply selected a range of colors and shapes and placed them artfully on a ceramic tray.

Eryngium (thistle)
You may have seen me use thistle a few times here in my postings. I find it so interesting and versatile and particularly appropriate as we approach the winter months. It feels somehow like a flower that might grow in snowy Narnia! Although many people think of thistle as being unique to Scotland, some form of it can be found in just about every region of the globe. It ranges in hue from silvery gray to bright blue, and despite its “unfriendly” appearance, some species are even utilized as a vegetable! Apparently the roots and leaves of certain varieties are edible . . . BUT please do not try this at home :)

CLICK HERE for the rest of the post after the jump!

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modular plant system

Grace Bonney — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:00:24 +0000

I’m all about good, traditional terra cotta planters. They’re my go-to choice for planting just about anything, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. And these seriously sleek modular planters from Urban Nature are pretty awesome. Each of these units is available separately, so you can build and shape them to any size or construction you like. They’d be beautiful used in a line as a natural chandelier (combined with candles) or even more stunning used in long strands as a room divider. Whether grouped in large amounts or used as a small bronze bowl on its own, they’re such a beautiful way to display succulents and your favorite plants. Click here to check out the full collection online (and their wide range of finish options) and shop for your favorite pieces (components range from $15 to $95). xo, grace