Small Possibilities

Small, often elevated outdoor spaces can present quite a challenge ~ I find that those who take a little time to ponder the incredible possibilities and plan with the conventional and non-conventional of garden themes and accessories can (and do) create real magic, little gems..each one, a tiny oasis, sometimes up in the sky, often as if spilling the contents of tiny flats, apartments and lots into the open....

Marie Claire Maison, one of my favourite magazines, presents this fabulous collection of such little gems...

 

You CAN give your little balcony the feeling of lush, green abadon by using all manner of climbers....proceed to spice up your greenery with vibrant colour...here, the glass and metal accessories create a rustic, feminine theme...so cozy and comforting, don't you think?

Here, the illusion of height comes from a sort of cage built around the small space ~ cleverly, the cage is then used to suspend plant containers - this gives the space added dimension - as do plants of different height.

I love this space - in fact, I think this photo shows two separate gardens (sort of like allotments, :)...the one in front is modern, minimalist, zen...immediately to the right begins a more traditional, romantic little space with climbers and cedar partitions...

Wow, serenity and peace....the water features in the back (I have two in my garden, yaaaay!) provide soothing sound, I am sure...again, plants of different size, texture and shade of green provide virtually endless interest for the eye without being garish...

Now, go shapen your green thumb!

oxox

AJ

PS: Super giveway coming up - you will love it, promise!

All photos: Marie Claire Maison

Mono No Aware (3)

If you follow my blog, you know that I have previously posted on the philosophy and esthetic of

Mono No Aware

...sometimes described as the "aaaahh-ness' of things", the concept celebrates the ephemeral, passing nature of all that surrounds us and the bitter-sweet feelings which accompany the realization that nothing is permanent.

I identify very closely with this philosophy. Observing flowers, and their faces as they morph over time, gives me a chance to experience the esthetic and the feelings which accompany it in an accelerated state - the several days which represent the life-span of a cut flower...

 

I must admit that I have always had a very difficult time throwing away faded flowers - to me, they are still very beautiful (if a little smelly)....but returning them to nature is part of the process and I accept that. When the weather outside is warm, I often lay my faded flowers in the corner of the garden so they rest in a place they came from....

The photos you see here, all taken by me, are of tulips in the later stages of their cut life....

I think they are still very beautiful, in a mature, ephemeral way, don't you agree?

I think it's important that, from time to time, we look at the details, we bring our eyes and noses closer to the objects around us, that we experience the 'aaaahh-ness" of things....

All photos by AJJ

The Secret Life of Flowers

When the sun fills my garden with colour, I spend a lot of time listening to flowers and trying to capture their
beauty with my camera....
..they have secret lives, you know....I come very close to them so I know a little about them..
~they have personalities, strengths and weaknesses...joys and disappointments...when we are not watching, they engage in lively conversations....

Bring your ear a little closer...they may share their secrets with you too....



All photos by AJ