VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 28.2.13 : imagecourtesynotesondesign.tumblr   March will be upon us shortly--tomorrow, and boy I am overjoyed to stroll through the garden each m...

imagecourtesynotesondesign.tumblr   March will be upon us shortly--tomorrow, and boy am I overjoyed to stroll through the garden each morning to find new treasures previously hidden under a blanket of snow.  The promise of container-pots overflowing with bulbs, pansies, and sedums keeps me optimistic that perhaps there is a 'master plan' and that I may be a part of it.  This, and all the new plans for the shade garden keeps me going for yet another season.  Hurray for warmer days!!

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 27.2.13 : imagecourtesyathoughtfuleyeblog home of reed krakoff There's something about days of endless rains that makes lounging in bed...

imagecourtesyathoughtfuleyeblog home of reed krakoff There's something about days of endless rains that makes lounging in bed seem just right.  Long nights of dreaming seems also appropriate, knowing that in a week or two the chirps of the early birds will rouse all of us at five or six, and the needs of the garden will be paramount.  The tiny heads of new crocuses announce that spring is here--or rapidly approaching, and for this I am glad. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: The SATURDAY POST 23.2.13 : imagesourceunknown The biggest shout-out to all blog readers residing in Russia, who've been so supportive of my efforts; they rank in...

imagesourceunknown The biggest shout-out to all blog readers residing in Russia, who've been so supportive of my efforts; they rank in number just behind US readers.  I know very little about these devout peeps other than they've consistently read every post since the blog's inception almost two years.  Glad that you're enjoying VT's on the other side of the world; thanks!! The WEEKEND Soundtrack:  LINDA's NIKOGDA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Xh_9o8KaE

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 22.2.13 : imagecourtesyarchipile.tumblr Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life...

imagecourtesyarchipile.tumblr Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever. --Isak Dinesen

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 21.2.13 : imagecourtesyvintageandchicblog It is not length of life, but depth of life. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

imagecourtesyvintageandchicblog It is not length of life, but depth of life. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 20.2.13 : imagesourceunknown Nobody gets to live backward.  Look ahead, that is where the future lies. --Ann Landers

imagesourceunknown Nobody gets to live backward.  Look ahead, that is where the future lies. --Ann Landers

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 19.2.13 : imagesourceunknown We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. --Winston Churchill

imagesourceunknown We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. --Winston Churchill

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 18.2.13 : imagecourtesynotesondesign.tumblr People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest. --George Matthew Allen

imagecourtesynotesondesign.tumblr People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest. --George Matthew Allen

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: THE SATURDAY POST 17.2.13 : designjeffreybilhuber imagecourtesycoloroutsidethelinesblog Deceptive, Mother Nature was.  Friday's day-time was about 60 followed by ...

designjeffreybilhuber imagecourtesycoloroutsidethelinesblog Deceptive, Mother Nature was.  Friday's day-time was about 60 followed by a wintry mix of light rain at 38.  Running for cover at 7pm, jacket-less and shivering, I knew that I had been 'had.'  This weekend I'll take no chances and have assembled an array of wool sweaters in every color (to match my changing mood), and all the over-coats stand at ready.  I'm patiently waiting for 'Secrecy' by my 2nd favorite British writer--Rupert Thomson--to hit the bookstands, and then I'll stay buried in its pages, only surfacing for a late supper.  His narrative is spellbinding, disturbing, and unforgettable; and I expect nothing more than the same from Mr Thomson whose previous books are a must-read!!  Happy Saturday to all . . .

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: (VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peep... : (VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 15.2.13 : imagecourtesythegardenerseden.com If the [snow] fall has been heavy, ...

imagecourtesynortherncaliforniadirtdujour.com Noticing each change as it occurs is a key element in learning how to make your garden attractive in winter.  Another is actually to record, season by season, variations in the time things happen.  After a few years you will find you know your garden--and, if you are a countryman, the lane and fields surrounding it--as well as you know your best friend. Rosemary Verey "The Garden In Winter"

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 15.2.13 : imagecourtesythegardenerseden.com If the [snow] fall has been heavy, the contours of the garden are transformed.  Each shrub is quite...

imagecourtesythegardenerseden.com If the [snow] fall has been heavy, the contours of the garden are transformed.  Each shrub is quite enveloped, each tree sagging with its unaccustomed burden.  This protective blanket safeguards previous plants from sharp attacks of forst and cold; far better that they should stay covered than that the snow should melt too quickly, leaving the sap to freeze in the stems.  But this advantage is secondary to the beauty of the garden under the snow. Rosemary Verey "The Garden In Winter"

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VALENTINE'S DAY 2013 : drawingoftheday43 bydanielhorowitz viaflavorwire Wishing everyone all the love and happiness in the world, from the bottom of my hea...

drawingoftheday43 bydanielhorowitz viaflavorwire Wishing everyone all the love and happiness in the world, from the bottom of my heart. Happy Valentines's Day.

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 13.2.13 : imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr Then there are those glorious days when the ground is covered with snow.  I admit I love snow pa...

imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr Then there are those glorious days when the ground is covered with snow.  I admit I love snow particularly for the moments when, with a clear conscience, I can stay indoors and watch from inside--it is beautiful even when the snow is falling thickly and I am seeing the garden through a veil. Rosemary Verey "The Garden In Winter"

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 12.2.13 : imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr In winter, rainy days enrich the color of even quite ordinary things in my garden.  When water l...

imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr In winter, rainy days enrich the color of even quite ordinary things in my garden.  When water lies in puddles on irregular paving, sodden dark brown leaves attract the eye.  On the acanthus the deep green leaves glisten.  The garden seats become deeper gray; when they dry they are silvery in the sunlight.  Saturated with rain, my stone walls change color too, their lichen and moss darker and more prominent. Rosemary Verey "The Garden In Winter"

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 11.2.13 : imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr A garden in winter is the absolute test of the true gardener.  Fair-weather gardeners are to gar...

imagecourtesylittlesecretgarden.tumblr A garden in winter is the absolute test of the true gardener.  Fair-weather gardeners are to gardens what interior decorators are to building--they only know half the story.  True gardening is as much about the bones of the garden as its planning; true architecture is as much about the form and structure of a building as its rooms.  If your garden looks good in winter, you belong to a select band capable of bending nature to its will.  If you master the worst that winter can throw at you--ice, snow, wind without remorse--you will have a sense of conquest. Rosemary Verey "The Garden In Winter"

sourceofphotounknown Peeps, I confess to a new pleasure, one that happened again and again; and I liked it.  Yes, I did.  At first I was leery, and somewhat reluctant to engage; and in my usual way unwilling to commit.  Mild interest did give way to 'I like,' and then strong enthusiasm outdid itself and became fascination.  Narrowly defined modes of existence collapsed beneath the weight of candy-spun tulle, and prejudices withered when touched by shimmery silk. The sight of the corset proved irresistible, and contented sighs grew louder and remained longer when gazing upon miles of feathery and glittery creations in the shapes of this and that. I was hooked!  Like some who fall for young, fresh skin and the smell of strawberry bubble-gum, or others who probe the darker side a la Foucault; or yet others who remain stranded at the shore gazing on the lighter shade of pale.  Seems we heard it all before and then again--this we know.  For could i...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 8.2.13 : imagecourtesyathoughtfuleyeblog Restraint is an admirable quality, and should be encouraged; especially in these times when ' turning ...

imagecourtesyathoughtfuleyeblog Restraint is an admirable quality, and should be encouraged; especially in these times when ' turning up the volume ' through the addition of luxe designer pillows, collection(s) of objects, yet another 'focal' point, the debatable necessity of a bigger, bolder conversation piece, and such, has become increasingly easier through marathon on-line sales where every and anything can be had at the touch of the mouse. Sometimes the eye, and the mind, just needs a moment or two to simply rest from sensory overload.   Today's visual treat offers just that (and much, much more).  Happy Friday to all . . . 

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 6.2.13 : imagecourtesyhabituallychicblog designlorenzocastillo Undoubtedly, I would vote this bath (design by Lorenzo Castillo) as the mos...

imagecourtesyhabituallychicblog designlorenzocastillo Undoubtedly, I would vote this bath (designed by Lorenzo Castillo) as the most beautiful of any year.

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 5.2.13 : imagecourtesymondedeshommes.tumblr Today I'm hitting the stacks in search of garden layouts which should have been book-marked earlier ...

imagecourtesymondedeshommes.tumblr Today I'm hitting the stacks in search of garden layouts which should have been book-marked earlier with yellow stickies but weren't, and memory fades so quickly.  Perhaps I should tear and file in folders, scan and save in albums, pick and Pinterest, yet I stubbornly cling to the folded and creased page of the late-night magazine which can be slipped under the pillow as sleep approaches without any fanfare, and in the morning all is forgotten.  This year, I keep promising myself, will be different, more organized and more focused; yet, urgency can be delayed for another couple of months.  Yes, this can all wait until spring-cleaning demands it.

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 4.2.13 : imagecourtesytheblackworkshop.tumblr It's Monday and we've got to get back into work-mode again.  Seems silly to moan about what a dra...

imagecourtesytheblackworkshop.tumblr It's Monday and we've got to get back into work-mode again.  Seems silly to moan about what a drag it is/the long hours/so much responsibilities compounded by extraneous demands from the boss/lack of respect for our contributions/the stress of rush-hour or getting to the day-care, etc etc, when the reality is that we need to work.  If not for the money, then for the opportunity we get to interact with the rest of society in a mutually rewarding environment.  Who amongst us would rather veg yet another day in front of the super-sized television screen/spend yet another day at the mall in search of bargains and some sense of fulfillment/attend yet another fundraiser-luncheon, or worse yet, peruse the employment vacancies yet another time. None, I reckon. Get up, get dressed, and join the world!!

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: THE SUNDAY POST 3.2.13 : photofernandoporto viaindigenousdialogues.tumblr Irregardless of whatever you choose to act, or not, the destruction of the Amazon Fo...

photofernandoporto viaindigenousdialogues.tumblr Irregardless of whatever you choose to act, or not, the destruction of the Amazon Forest will shortly commence. Whatever your decision may be after learning of this, future generations will weep in anguish because of our shared indifference, our continued ennui, our sustained reluctance to confront the unending devastation of our besieged planet.  And all of this, or that, could have been avoided by simply standing up and saying--ENOUGH!! Kurt Cobain seemed to have summed up the present day perspective vis-a-vis our environment quite succinctly, through the lyrics of the pivotal Nirvana song, Smells Like Teen Spirit; thus:   Here we are now, entertain us . . . And like an overcrowded theatre of unsatisfied viewers whose blank gaze beholds everything, yet comprehends nothing, the planet and its resources have been pressed into service in order to fill an unending and bottomless void deep within our psyche(s).  Le...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: THE SATURDAY POST 2.2.13 : imagecourtesydesigntravellerblogspot "One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter." -Henry David Thorea...

imagecourtesydesigntravellerblogspot "One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter." -Henry David Thoreau

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VT 1.2.13 : imagecourtesybrillanteinteriorsblog Last week's search for new material unearthed some treasures, such as today's visual treat where the...

imagecourtesybrillanteinteriorsblog Last week's search for new material unearthed some treasures, such as today's visual treat where the juxtaposition of modern and antique is masterful, and the scenic murals are worthy of an Oscar (or its design equivalent).   Also aptly demonstrated is further proof that pattern placed next to pattern(s) does work quite splendidly, and that not all decorators are created equal;  a few, we've now come to realize, just simply ROCK!!   It's Friday, and with snow falling everywhere this morning, I'm sleeping in through lunchtime.