Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Springtime Plants...

Our dogwood tree.
I think it is finally safe to say that spring is here, along with April showers!  This time of year is the best in Northcrest.  The neighborhood comes alive with tons of flowering plants, especially famous for our plethora or azaleas and dogwood trees!  The mature, tree-lined streets are gorgeous and I never feel like I'm here in the city.  Here are just a few quick pictures of our yard right now...


Pink Camellia Bushes.



Some Azaleas and Camellias.  I would love to trim this area so it is not so overgrown, anyone have any tips?


We have so many projects lined up for spring...among them is working on a new mailbox and small planting bed underneath.  There is a lovely hydrangea bush by the mailbox and a nicely shaped boxwood so I am hoping to plant some color and texture below them next to our new mailbox.  We are also getting close to installing our Crestview Door Light Kit.  Can't wait to get it in and let go of the glass door (which sadly, and not unlike the carpet, Pizmo will really miss!).

*Anyone have tips on trimming roses?  We have a couple (very old) roses at the street and I would love to trim them to maximize their blooms.  I also need tips on trimming back and shaping some overgrown azaleas, hydrangea, and other flowering bushes!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

russel wright and Manitoga

When most think of Russel Wright it immediately brings to mind dinnerware.  Although Wright's background was theatre design and sculpture, we most often think of him as the king of modern dinnerware.  His "American Modern" dinnerware line was originally produced in 1939, and the design is still pretty fresh today. 
(American Modern Dinnerware, circa 1939)

(Casual Line, circa 1946)

In 1942 he left New York City and bought a property in the Hudson River Valley that he named Manitoga.  Manitoga has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.  Here are some exterior shots.  It is amazing how much it is camouflaged into the surroundings...

Here are vintage pictures taken when Wright lived there.  I can't wrap my head around the scale of the dining room compared to that tree!
The gardens are amazing...we hope to one day trade in our kudzu garden out back for a lush tiered landscape and water feature like this. 
For more information and pictures, visit http://www.russelwrightcenter.org/