terrain

Imagine for a minute that you're me. You're driving along on the outskirts of Philly totally unfamiliar with the area, and you see this sign. You hesitate for a second... wonder if you're dreaming, and then find yourself shouting STOP THE CAR! Could this be the infamous terrarium store in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, you ask? Are we in Glen Mills, PA? Why yes, as a matter of fact we are.

Soooo... to make a long story short I ended up at terrain completely, and 100% by accident. Or maybe not?  If I were in the market for patio chairs these would be perfect, paired with my black Woodard tables. Let me just mention that I acquired my Woodard patio sets from the previous homeowner during her "Estate Sale." I restored them to classic black (from canary yellow), and have been enjoying them poolside, ever since. 

Photo credit: Terrain Website

As I have been admiring terrain on Pinterest, and on the website for quite sometime, I was in a dream state as I walked through the place. I love this design in a pedestal-style vessel with moss visible from all angles. 

Photo credit: Terrain Website

An interesting modern design with wispy oxalis triangularis aka purple shamrock tucked into a bed of moss.

My only purchase :( was a pair of terrarium tweezers, which will come in handy for my own creations. I guess?

Chalk walls are all the rage due in part to their versatility, and organic appearance. How fun is this "Dirt" menu with a variety of selections including lobster compost, all the way from Maine? While on the subject of chalk walls, I recently had the honor of meeting Erin Gates (interior designer and blogger) who was just featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. Her fabulous blog, Elements of Style Blog shows pictures of her design studio fully equipped with a chalk wall. I would love to do that in my own studio someday.

Happy Terrarium Making...L.

LONGWOOD GARDENS

Blue Poppy

On my recent visit to Philly for another a capella performance, we drove out to the historic Brandywine Valley, in Southeastern Pennsylvania to see the beautiful Longwood Gardens.

The East Conservatory was designed with a park-like setting. It had large pristine-grassed areas with gorgeous Pride-of-Tenerife flowers on display. The scale of these flowers was impressive.

The Silver Garden in the West Conservatory was a tribute to the indigenous plants that grow in the Mediterranean and Desert regions. It was a room-sized terrarium of sorts with varieties of succulents, and cacti growing in abundance.

Anthurium

The Exhibition Hall in the Main Conservatory houses this huge sunken floor creating a beautiful reflective garden. 

The water-filled floor helps to provide a humid environment to support the needs of the plants that live here.

Although the weather was ideal on this particular day, it was a bit early in the season to be able to fully appreciate the outdoor gardens. The happy garden lovers aka willing participants.

Until next time...L.