In 2024, coastal garden ideas have emerged as a significant trend, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional planting schemes. With gardens facing challenges such as strong winds, rising temperatures, and heavy rainfall, designers are increasingly turning towards storm-resilient coastal plants. This shift is notably showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where designer Lucy Mitchell aims to introduce enthusiasts to tough and tolerant plants capable of withstanding the turbulent weather patterns experienced in the UK. The spotlight on these resilient coastal plants aligns with the growing popularity of Nordic coastal gardens on social media platforms, offering ample inspiration to infuse seaside magic into outdoor spaces.
To bring the coastal charm to your garden, consider the following ideas. First, opt for coastal-inspired plants that can withstand poor soil quality, blustery winds, and salty air. A gravel garden can provide an elegant and storm-resistant alternative to traditional planting while creating a windbreak that helps protect delicate plants from harsh weather conditions. Ensure there’s a comfortable seating area to fully enjoy the transformed space, and add a water feature to evoke the soothing ambiance of the seaside. Raised beds offer a practical solution for managing challenging soil conditions. Incorporate beach-inspired elements to add a playful touch to the coastal theme. Finally, don’t forget to include ornamental grasses, such as the helictotrichon sempervirens, to introduce movement and texture while preventing soil erosion.
According to The Wildlife Trusts, plants with fibrous root systems, like grasses, are crucial for preventing soil erosion in gardens with poor, light soil. The helictotrichon sempervirens, with its tightly rolled, blue-grey leaves, stands out as an excellent choice for a coastal garden, requiring minimal maintenance as an evergreen. As garden enthusiasts embrace the coastal trend, incorporating resilient plants and thoughtful design elements can transform outdoor spaces into havens of seaside magic.
In the summer of 2001, Robin Johnson and Jim Thaman, a couple from the United States, stumbled upon the charming village of Cajarc in southwestern France during their European vacation. The picturesque town in the heart of the Lot Valley region captivated them, leading them to contemplate the idea of living there. A year later, they turned that dream into reality, choosing to semi-retire and start anew in Cajarc. For Johnson, an artist, and Thaman, a woodworker and musician, the allure of the town lay in its beauty, vibrant local scene, and intriguing characters. Continue reading “This US Couple Bought a House in France for $36,000 and It Completely Changed Their Lives” »
Janet Pulcho has emerged as a prominent artist celebrated for her remarkable larger-than-life watercolor paintings, a testament to her deep appreciation for the vibrant beauty found in nature. With an impressive following of over 266,000 on Instagram, Pulcho’s popularity is a reflection of the widespread admiration for her meticulous attention to detail. Her floral masterpieces skillfully capture the essence of flowers and plants, showcasing an extraordinary dedication Continue reading “Larger-Than-Life Floral Watercolor Paintings Capture the Colorful Beauty of Nature” »
Nestled on the western shore of Lake Bomoseen in Vermont, the A-Frame Cabin is a captivating architectural gem designed by Birdseye and constructed by Silver Maple Construction. The residence boasts a strategic placement that maximizes both panoramic views and direct access to the lake. The main gable structure, characterized by expansive floor-to-ceiling glass, emphasizes eastern lake views and culminates in an open deck leading seamlessly to a private boat dock. The project ingeniously divides the living spaces into two sections. The primary living area encompasses essential elements like the entry mudroom, Continue reading “A Vermont A-Frame Cabin Zigzags to Gain Those Water Views” »
Nestled in the serene surroundings of upstate New York, this $1.9 million home on 85 Haights Cross Road in Chappaqua is a breathtaking architectural gem that transcends the ordinary. Constructed in 1969 and designed by the renowned architect John Koster, this wood-clad residence was commissioned by the Mechner family and has undergone meticulous preservation and enhancement by its present owners. Situated atop one of the highest viewpoints in Chappaqua, Continue reading “This $1.9M Home With a Domed Oasis Is Out of This World” »
Arizona is set to make history with the construction of the first solar-covered canal in the United States. The ambitious project stems from a ground-breaking agreement between the Gila River Indian Community and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The solar-covered canal is designed to generate renewable energy by installing solar photovoltaic shades along a 305-meter stretch of the 1-10 Level Top canal. Positioned facing upwards, these panels harness the abundant sunlight in Arizona while also acting as a barrier to reduce water evaporation in the arid state. Continue reading “Arizona is Building the First Solar Canal in the US. What are They and How do They Work?” »
Meet Juanita Mengel and her five-year-old dilute tortoiseshell cat, Lola-Pearl, an inspiring human-cat amputee duo making a difference through animal therapy. Each morning, Juanita carefully tends to her prosthetic leg, ensuring it is warmed for comfort before embarking on their day of bringing joy and comfort to others. Lola-Pearl, missing her left hind leg, mirrors this routine, highlighting their unique bond and shared experience of overcoming physical challenges.
As one of approximately 200 therapy cat teams registered in the US through Pet Partners, Juanita, and Lola-Pearl participate in animal-assisted therapy, visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Pet Partners, a non-profit organization, facilitates volunteer teams like theirs, fostering the positive impact of specially selected and trained animals. While therapy dogs are more widely known, therapy cats like Lola-Pearl introduce a captivating “shock factor” to their interventions, encouraging unique connections and conversations. Taylor Chastain Griffin, the national director of animal-assisted interventions advancement at Pet Partners, emphasizes the need for more research on therapy cats, highlighting their potential to inspire human connections in unconventional ways.
Juanita knew Lola-Pearl was destined for therapy work due to her innate ability to connect with people. Lola-Pearl’s intuitive nature shines during visits to support groups, where she brings smiles and comfort to attendees. Lola-Pearl, adopted by Juanita after overcoming her own physical challenges, represents one of seven felines in Juanita’s life, most of whom share disabilities. Through their shared journey, Juanita and Lola-Pearl exemplify the healing power of the human-animal bond, proving that overcoming adversity together can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling experience for both the giver and receiver in the realm of animal therapy.
The fusion of thread painting and the Japanese art of Kintsugi on vintage plates by artists Katerina Marchenko and Artashes Sardarian is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration. The artists seamlessly blend Marchenko’s delicate embroidery on tulle with Sardarian’s expertise in Kintsugi, creating enchanting mixed-media pieces. Using vintage plates as their canvas, the duo employs a combination of materials, including embroidery thread and gold, to produce intricate works of art. In these creations, Marchenko’s embroidered eyes and hands emerge through punctured holes in the ceramic, forming a delicate dance between fragility and resilience. Sardarian skilfully applies the ancient technique of Kintsugi, fusing the shattered pieces together with gold, and turning the brokenness into a beautiful mosaic.
The artistic collaboration extends beyond the physical realm, as Sardarian poetically expresses, “From brokenness to beauty: just like these plates, even shattered souls can be mended with the gold of kindness.” Marchenko adds depth to the narrative on her Instagram, interpreting the collection as a metaphor for rejuvenating the old and forgotten. Her thread painting not only breathes new life into the vintage plates but also serves as a portal into a world of change and new possibilities. The branches surrounding the fragmented ceramics symbolize the transformative power of breaking through the boundaries of time, embodying a narrative of resilience, beauty, and the potential for renewal.
Normann Copenhagen has introduced the Mat collection, a series of chairs crafted from sustainable materials such as hemp and eelgrass, signaling the brand’s initial venture into the realm of bio-based plastics. The collection, a collaboration with design duo Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, was unveiled during Stockholm Design Week. The hemp chair, derived from the stems of the cannabis plant, and the eelgrass chair, a combination of hemp and marine plant fibers, showcase the brand’s dedication to innovative production methods as a part of its commitment to sustainability. The development of these plant-based chairs, which replace injection-molded plastic with biodegradable materials, aligns with a zero-waste approach, allowing manufacturing offcuts and old chairs to be reused in the production process.
The Mat chairs represent the culmination of a decades-long journey, with Peter Hiort-Lorenzen, co-founder of Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, expressing his initial interest in plant fibers as a substitute for plastic in the late 1990s. The hemp material developed in collaboration with Normann Copenhagen stands out for its durability, responsible sourcing, and enhanced aesthetic appeal, marking a significant advancement from earlier prototypes. The collaboration with hemp specialists from the Danish Technological Institute underscores the commitment to sustainable practices, as the chair shells are produced from hemp stems, often considered waste products from farms. The incorporation of a unique blend of fibers and a bio-based binder ensures recyclability, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility throughout the lifecycle of the product.
