DECORATING THE GARDENS

                        When very good friends send emails to me that say "check this out", I usually pay attention. My friend Christine, of Shutters fame... the woman who has possibly the best taste in the world when it comes to decorating, sent me this simple cryptic message. There were addresses to 3 nurseries fairly close by. Being a most perfect day, cloudy with chance of drizzle (perfect for me...if you know me), and my husband having the day off, we hopped in the car for an adventure.

I am taking you along to visit one of these nurseries...Calgo Gardens, a most amazing place. If possible, it is both incredibly whimsical and extremely tranquil.

Because the owners, Penny and Mark Estomin were so gracious as to allow me to take pictures, I have this great opportunity to share some of their ideas with you.

The living wreaths are just beautiful, and something that I am going to want to include on one of the porches of our house. I was so taken by them until I saw this potting shed...

and the concept of a living roof blew me away! I fell madly in love with not only the idea, but the shed itself. All of the color, and the path leading to it, and those pots hanging on the walls...simply fantastic!

The only reason that I didn't bring home any of the statuary was because I couldn't make up my mind. I love, love, love the planter that is half a head, and have a spot in mind for it, and I am still on the hunt for a Buddha which I am hoping the one in the upper right hand photo is still there when I go back... I believe he is "the one" for me.

The granite benches and tables made me want to linger. Can you imagine sitting on one of these to take in the beautiful gardens?

I fell for this vignette of the chairs, glass topped table and outdoor chandelier above. This is in front of their rebuilt farm house, which I was lucky enough to have seen inside and I will have pictures for you to see in another post.

This is another porch, and there were so many details that took my breath away...like the carved pillars...

 it seemed that where ever there was an opportunity for an artistic detail, it was not ignored. 

Be it a birdhouse topped swing, or a front porch with pillars based in the most fabulous mosaics. This is not a place you want to stop by for a moment, but an hours worthy spot to be sure not to miss anything.

Even this antique wash tub that will look amazing with something growing in it...ferns maybe? I had to include it for Brenda of Cozy Little House blog because she knows the decorative value of a vintage tub.

Not only were there pots in every shade you could possibly want, but I also really liked the granite pillar showing N,S,E and W. 

I have come away from my experience at Calgo Gardens with a new sense of wonder and awe. There are so many wonderful ideas that I would like to emulate...

and so many things that I would like to look at again. The pictures that I have shown today, are just a few from the porches and outside. There will be another post including pictures of the inside of the farmhouse, and then there is a gift shop...a very large and very unique gift shop. You have to come back to see those pictures because I guarantee that you will be amazed...I was!!

This post is being linked to The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays, Scenic Sundays, Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday, and Between Naps on the porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

♥, Susan

 

Comments

[Sallie (FullTime-Life)]

Wonderful place! I love whimsy. Thanks for sharing -- and thanks to the owners for allowing you to take pictures. Fun post, great ideas!.

[Jenna Ericson]

Calgo Gardens looks like a very magical place indeed. You'll have to show me when I'm home this month.
Love the buddha, too. I think that it will look lovely anywhere in our garden.

[Brenda Kula]

I can tell I would really like these folks! I do love the planted roofs. I've seen them before. Why not, I say? I would love to have been with you.
Brenda

[Judy]

Thanks for sharing. I do really like the wreaths and potting shed too.

[christine]

Great! Now I can't wait for your post on the Farmhouse! I adore Calgo. Can't wait to go next week for my Summer plants...and who am I kidding the gift shop too!

[Pat in New York]

Calgo Gardens looks like a fabulous place to shop and get all kinds of decorating inspiration, Susan. I love the living wreaths, the mosaic columns and the cute swing. Looking forward to seeing your other photos.

[Leslie's Garden]

How lucky you are to have such a fabulous place to get that one of a kind item for the garden! I'm sure it was hard to drag yourself away! I love the living wreaths.

[Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook]

I love that place! Love the whimsy and the colors. The potting shed is awesome! I could spend an entire day there.

[dotsie (aka podso)]

Wow it does look like an amazing place...so much to see and admire!

[A Garden of Threads]

Looks like a fabulous place to visit. I agree, love the potting shed, so cute.

[Snap]

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful place. I wouldn't know where to start (or stop)!!!!

[Valerie]

Living walls and roofs is quite a big trend right now. I loved the colourful pots. V

[Lavender Cottage]

I could go crazy shopping in a place like this. The roof top garden is exciting and a hot topic with speakers and writers.
The big blue containers are on my wish list.
Judith

[My Little Home and Garden]

That garden centre is certainly full of ideas. What a good tip your friend gave you to visit it. It sounds like you had fun, Susan.
-Karen

[Vee]

So much whimsy that I'm sure your eye didn't know where to land! Very neat shop and one that I know I'd enjoy visiting.

[Stephanie]

I would love to check this place out. It looks so beautiful and the potting shed roof is the best!

[Sally]

What a nice place. I see stuff I'd like to buy. Those living wreaths are such a good idea. I love your blues.

Happy Blue Monday, Susan.

[Pie]

Beautiful photos.

My Blue Monday.

[Riet]

What a beautiful place. I cpould spend hours there and buy so much I couldn't carry it home. :)))So many gorgeous things.
Happy BM

[heather @ new house, new home, new life.]

Looks like a great place to visit and linger and get tons of ideas. I absolutely love, love, love the living wreath with the heucheras - what a terrific idea other than the usual succulents. May have to find it's way into my garden somehow.

[Karen @ away for the weekend]

I think I could happily get lost in this shop for hours!

[Mary]

Oh I could linger, long, & drool in a spot like this! It would be harmful to my checkbook but wonderful for my mental health! ADORE the potting shed with planted roof and those mosaic columns!!!

[Emily]

Hi Susan, Those living wreathing are beautiful and I may have to look into doing one of those myself. The cottage is charming and what a really topic for conversation. Thanks for taking us on the tour, I've found so much inspiration in your post.
Have a great week.

~Emily
The French Hutch

[Lavender Dreams]

Aren't those living wreaths amazing! I bet they would do well in Florida where the humidity is always so high. Love getting ideas like this!

[Robin]

What beautiful and unique things they have at this store. I would love to see you do one of those living wreaths so you could share the process with us! And a living roottop too! Who would have thought? Looking forward to the inside.

Robin
Robin Flies South

[Joy]

Very pretty!! What a unique place. Happy Blue Monday ;)

[Anne]

This is a beautiful and interesting place and I love your post. I am anxious to see more photos of the farm house. Enjoy your week and thanks for the fun share!

[Lorrie]

What a fun place to visit! Thanks for taking us along.

[Kelly @ DTTDidc]

Wow, Calgo Gardens is just bursting with inspiration! So many wonderful things to see and ideas to try in your own garden. The living wreaths are beautiful, and the shed with the living roof is so charming.

Hope the Buddha is waiting there for you when you go back :-)

[SwedishCornerDownUnder...Pernilla]

Such a lovely place :) HBM!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving sweet comment!
Greetings from Australia
~Pernilla

[Pondside]

All of your photos illustrate just how much fun one can have in the garden. Thanks for passing along some great ideas!

[QMM]

Oh wow I love those kinds of places. They are everywhere where I live. Some of the things in my garden are about to just fall apart and I love them that way. Glad I found your new spot.
QMM

[Leah H.]

Great shots! Beautiful place..

Visiting for Blue Monday- hope you can stop by:)

http://dsahmblogs.com/2012/04/my-made-in-philippines-slide-sandals.html

[Melody]

Oh so wonderful! Can't wait to see more.

[jenny]

~love the photos and the dreamy descriptions~
Looking forward to more!

[Melody]

Hi again Susan! Just popped in to invite ya see my What-not post....you'll like my aluminum what-not's 8o)
Just click pics for closer look.

[Carol]

I love all those colorful pots!

[Jessica Cassidy]

beautiful garden full of beautiful flowers :-) Dropping by from last weeks BM

[William Gulliver]

I had a fun tour by just looking at your photos! Everything was lovely! I felt like I was roaming a beautiful side of the planet. I was thrilled to see the pillars, especially the mosaic one. The color combination of the pieces put together is one of a kind. The curved one kind of has that design usually used in the Imperial Period and the pots are so lovely! But the green roof is what caught my attention the most. I can see the cactus growing on it and the colors mixing all together. =)