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Hardscaping 101: Raised Garden Beds

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Don't let bad soil stop you from planting an edible garden. The solution? Raised garden beds. An effective and easy solution for less-than-ideal soil conditions, increase yield and reduce the work. It's no wonder raised garden beds are the kitchen gardener's secret weapon.

Are raised beds the right solution for your edible garden? Read on for everything you need to know:

Art Luna Kitchen Garden, Gardenista  

Above: Not to be confused with garden planters or containers, raised garden beds have no bottoms. They are four-sided frames to hold above-ground mounds of soil in place. Open to the ground underneath, raised beds offer excellent drainage and don't prevent plant roots from stretching out underneath. Photograph via Pam Rownak.

What are the benefits of raised garden beds?

  • Instant soil improvement. Faced with clay-ridden soil, or other less than-ideal conditions? Rather than spending many seasons trying to amend the soil, you can create a near-perfect growing environment instantly with raised beds. Place the bed right on top of the ground and fill the frame with a nutrient-rich soil blend. With loose and accessible soil, it is easy to maintain good growing conditions.
  • Higher yields. Many gardeners say raised garden beds produce up to two times as much as ground beds. Why? Plants grow better in loose, rich soil in which roots penetrate easily. Good aeration and drainage are additional benefits. Raised beds prevent soil compaction and keep nutrient-rich soil amendments in place, concentrated on the plants they are meant to feed. This also enables dense planting, giving rise to more plants in a smaller area than in ground beds.
  • Longer growing season. When soil is above ground it stays warmer and better drained. Add a cold frame and extend the growing season even more (see Hardscaping 101: Cold Frames).  

Daylesford Organics Kitchen Garden Willow Raised Beds, Gardenista  

Above: Raised garden beds in the kitchen gardens of Daylesford Organic have sides of woven willow. See Garden Must-Have: Woven Willow Fences and Trellises for more inspiration.

  • Space efficiency. A great choice for the urban farmer, most raised beds are from 3 to 4 feet wide, good for small spaces and a size that enables you to reach plants without stepping in. Also, because the gardener works from adjacent paths, all the space in the bed can be devoted to planting.
  • Plant protection. You plants are safe from the threat of wayward feet of people and pets.
  • Pest barrier. Raised beds offer a strong defense against plant-eating pests such as slugs and snails. Tall sides thwart non-burrowing critters, and barriers—such as hardware cloth—can be placed underneath to keep burrowing, root-eating pests at bay. 
  • Fewer weeds. In densely planted beds, weeds have little room to grow. It is also common to place weed barrier fabric under a bed. And, if weeds do sneak into the raised bed neighborhood, the loose soil makes it easy to remove them. 
  • Accessibility.  Gardening above ground minimizes bending and, potentially, gardener's backaches. The bed's sides can be designed so you can sit on them while maintaining and harvesting crops.
  • Aesthetics. An added architectural element, raised beds add an appealing geometry to a garden. They can be used to create symmetry, boundaries, and focal points. 

Sheila Narusawa Wellfleet Garden Raised Bed, Gardenista

Above: At her Cape Cod home, architect Sheila Bonnell designed a raised garden bed in an outdoor nook conveniently located near the kitchen. The walls are made with stones left over from the construction of indoor fireplaces. For more, see Architect Visit: A Kitchen Garden on Cape Cod. Photograph by Matthew Williams

Is there an ideal size for a raised garden bed?

Several factors dictate size, including soil conditions, space limitations, and considerations of physical comfort.

Length and Width. When figuring the dimensions of the raised bed frame, first consider a garden's space constraints (don't forget to leave room to walk around the bed). Second, assess your reach. It is vital to be able to reach the center of the bed from either side to avoid stepping on the bed, which compresses the soil. For most people, this means limiting the width to about 4 feet. If your bed is only accessible from one side, limit the width to a maximum of 3 feet. Length is limited only by the size of your garden and by building materials.

Height. Most raised beds range from 6 to 12 inches, with some as high as 36 inches. In general, the worse the underlying soil, the deeper you will want a bed to maximize the amount of good soil available to plants. And, more depth means more room for roots to grow. Deeper beds hold more soil and, thus, more moisture, reducing watering needs. Remember that the taller the sides, the more pressure the weight of the soil places on them. You may need to compensate with thicker wood or cross supports to prevent the wood from bowing.  

Art Luna Raised Garden Bed, Gardenista

Above: Santa Monica-based landscape designer Art Luna considers the raised garden bed to be the essential ingredient of any kitchen garden. Luna's beds are often 24 inches high, offering several benefits (in addition to giving plants room to grow). The design is attractive, and practical because it's a comfortable height for a gardener who wants to sit on the edge of the bed while weeding. Photograph via Pam Rownak.

For more of Art's kitchen garden tips, see Ask the Expert: How to Create a Beautiful Edible Garden

What is the best material for raised beds? 

Raised beds are traditionally made using naturally rot-resistant cedar. But, honestly you can build the bed wall with almost any material that will contain the soil, including stone, woven willow, and concrete. For vegetable and herb gardens it is important to avoid using pressure-treated lumber, which can leach heavy metals into the soil. Untreated, naturally rot-resistant lumber is the gold standard of building materials.

Stained Raised Garden Beds, Gardenista  

Above: We admire stained and painted raised beds in gardens, such as Victoria Skoglund's black raised beds. Be sure to use eco-friendly stains and paints that are safe to use on edible beds (for more detail see our 5 Favorite Eco Friendly Stains). Photograph courtesy of Victoria Skoglund.

Kathleen Ferguson Concrete Raised Garden Bed, Gardenista

Above: Concrete used as raised garden bed walls in a kitchen garden by Kathleen Ferguson Landscapes.

Can I make my own raised garden beds?

A raised garden bed is an easy DIY project. Essentially you build a bottomless box. Google "DIY raised garden bed" and you can choose from among dozens of projects. A few of our favorites include: Martha Stewart's How to Build a Raised Garden Bed, and Organic Gardening's Five Raised Beds with instructions for using a variety of frame materials from wattle to concrete to logs.

Courtney Klein Raised Garden Beds, Gardenista  

Above: DIY raised bed. Before getting started, you will need a level, sunny site. Soil preparation is vital. See the tips below. Photograph by Jamie Beck.

Are pre-made raised garden beds available? 

Farmer D Raised Garden Bed Kit, Gardenista

For the hammer-averse, plenty of pre-made kits are available including the Farmer D Organics Rectangular Raised Garden Bed Kit made of FSC-certified red cedar. It measures 3 by 6 feet and is $199.95 at Williams Sonoma. Two smaller-sized square kits are also available. For more options, see 5 Favorites: Raised Beds for the Garden.

Raised Garden Bed Tips: 

  • To prevent compaction, don't step or lean on the soil in your raised bed.
  • The best plants to grow in raised beds are those with shallow roots: vegetables, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, berry bushes, and even small shrubs.

Raised Garden Beds withTrellis, Gardenista

Above: Edge your beds with copper tape. It repels slugs and creates a finished, tailored look. See The Ultimate Kitchen Garden for more tips. Photograph via Art Luna Garden

  • To calculate how much soil you will need for your bed, consider that a 10-inch-deep, 3-by-6-foot bed needs 15 cubic feet of soil. 
  • Revitalize your soil regularly with compost and soil amendments to preserve vitality. Crops will take up all the nutrients during a season or two. Planting cover crops and green manures when the bed is not in use also helps keep the soil fertile.
  • Plant with close spacing over the entire surface. This creates a leafy canopy to shade the bed, moderating soil temperature and conserving moisture. It minimizes space for weeds to grow. 

Terraced Raised Garden Beds, Gardenista

Above: Vertical supports in raised garden beds provide more growing space. 

  • Choose a site for your raised beds with maximum sun exposure. If you have a choice, try orienting the long side facing south to ensure that the plants in the bed get equal amounts of sunlight.
  • In larger gardens, when using multiple raised beds, pay attention to spacing. If you use a wheelbarrow, be sure to make the paths between beds wide enough. Same goes for lawn mowers. 
  • Consider spreading gravel, crushed shells, or wood chips over the paths between your raised garden beds and you won't track in dirt and mud after working or harvesting your beds. 

Explore our full collection of Kitchen Garden Features to whet your appetite. 

If you're designing a raised bed garden, for more inspiration see:

  See more Garden Design stories ; Gardenista

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Design Sleuth: Stacked Raised Beds for the Garden

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Small spaces demand clever solutions. If you have a tiny garden plot, stacked raised beds will make the most of your square footage. Here's a clever design solution for making the most of a tight corner in the garden:

  Stacked tiered raised garden beds; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Pinterest. (Can you help us track down the original source?)

If you stack raised garden beds, you can grow different sorts of plants on each tier. Reserve the top tier for vines and climbers that like to spill over the side. Or put scented plants at nose level.

Tiered stacked raised beds ; Gardenista

Above: A compact square Tiered Raised Bed with four compartments for plants measures 3 feet by 3 feet; £137 from Littlewoods. For US gardeners, a Tiered Cedar Raised Bed with three levels measures 4 by 4 feet square and is $99 from Amazon.

Designing a spring garden? For more inspiration, see:

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Outbuilding of the Week: A 323-Square-Foot Backyard Guest House (and Storage Shed)

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Dark colors create glamorous garden backdrops (as illustrated by our recent posts on black fences, concrete steps, and raised flower beds). The latest proof is a tiny studio on the outskirts of Amsterdam, clad in 2,000 shingles stained black.

Located in a backyard in Bussum, 18 miles from Amsterdam, the studio recalls historic barns and sheds of the Dutch countryside. And yet, in its geometry, glass windows, and cantilevered roof, it is undeniably modern. And clever. Amsterdam-based architect Serge Schoemaker put every inch to use, with the modern shed serving as office, accommodation for overnight guests, and bicycle storage. Read on to see the floorplan for the 323-square-foot shed.

Photography via Serge Schoemaker.

black shingled facade of garden office by serge shoemaker architects via gardenista

Above: Two thousand black-stained cedar shingles envelop the building and extend to the roof, to provide a quiet and dramatic backdrop for the backyard's lawn and trees. A black Series 7 Chair from Arne Jacobsen ($627 from Design Within Reach) punctuates an all-birch interior, mirroring the exterior palette.  
gray-Garden-Studio-bussum-Serge-Schoemaker-gardenista.

Above: The 2,000 shingles were cut, sanded, and stained by hand.

facade of dutch garden studio by serge schoemaker architects via gardenista

Above: Faced with the design challenge of a narrow and long garden, the architects devised an elongated trapezoid footprint, and rotated the structure, so the longest side is at the edge of the lot.  
birch interior of garden shed turned office on gardenista

Above: A desk overlooks a stretch of lawn that leads to the main house. The interiors furnishings include a built-in bench (which doubles as a cot), a floating desk, and concealed storage, roomy enough for four bikes. 

window and black shingles of garden office by serge shoemaker architects via gardenista

Above: The smooth glass and irregular surface of the structure's shingles make an interesting study of contrasts.
back entrance of garden studio by serge shoemaker via gardenista

Above: A view of a second entrance, in back, with full-height windows. Meticulous measurements were required to install the full-length glass panes, which do not meet at a perpendicular angle.

blueprint of garden studio interior by serge shoemaker architects via gardenista

Above: A blueprint of the interior shows bicycle storage and office space.

blueprint of main house and garden studio via gardenista

Above: The lot, from a bird's perspective, shows the garden studio in relationship to the main house.  

Want instant glamor in the garden? Black is the answer:

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Waxed Cotton: Everyday Needs Garden Bag

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Waxed cotton. Are there any two nicer words in the English language? From New Zealand-based Everyday Needs, here's a gardener's bucket bag destined to become a classic:

waxed cotton garden bag everyday needs ; Gardenista

Above: A waxed cotton Gardening Bag has a webbed handle and pockets to hold tools or a spool of twine. A collaboration between Everyday Needs and New Zealand-based design house Deadly Ponies, the bag is $95 NZD (about $74 USD).

waxed cotton garden bag everyday needs ; Gardenista

Above: The gardening bag is about 10 inches in diameter and comes in two colors, green and plum (shown).

Obsessed with waxed canvas (hello, Julie)? For more of our favorite canvas bags, see:

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Trending on Remodelista: Kitchen Secrets

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Julie asks: "Have you ever met a kitchen that didn't stand ready for an upgrade of some sort?" This week the Remodelista team works through your kitchen design to-do list. Gut renovation? Check. Wood-handled whisk? Check. Well-organized pantry? We feel inner peace coming on:

Elizabeth Roberts kitchen white countertop ; Gardenista

Above: Architect Elizabeth Roberts tackles a massive 3,500-square-foot industrial loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a pair of creatives (she's a sculptor; he writes cookbooks). Meredith reports that the big kitchen is human-friendly, even with a commodious island cooktop and an office workspace. See more in A Kitchen for a Cookbook Author and a Sculptor, Williamsburg Edition.

before after renovation of small home in london on Remodelista

Above: Before and after. Or...night and day.  London-based travel editor Isabel Blunden renovates down to the studs in Tiny House Overhaul, a four-part Rehab Diary.

Scissor sconces kitchen ; Gardenista

Above: Why hello, black scissor sconces. What long arms you have...

lavastone countertops kitchen ; Gardenista

Above: Countertop trend alert: lava stone. Durable, pricy, are they the answer? Janet lays out everything you wanted to know about lava stone countertops but were afraid to ask in this week's Remodeling 101.  

 

Mina No Ie Restaurant in Melbourne, a report from Petite Passport's Pauline Egge on Remodelista

Above: First stop, Melbourne. In a series of travel columns, we ID the best places to eat, sleep, and shop for good design.

Looking for easy, practical fixes for your kitchen? See our' favorite plastic-free storage containers, wood-handled tools, and trash bins. And, to browse the entire Remodelista lineup, head here.

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Current Obsessions: Weekend Wish List

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Here's a look at a few things we're loving this week: 

Florist Thierry Boutemy at home in Brussels ; Gardenista

  • Above: A Frenchman at home in Brussels, Sofia Coppola's wedding florist Thierry Boutemy dishes ("big events taking up a huge amount of flowers make me sad") to Coffeeklatch. Photograph by Bart Kiggen.

Rip+Tan, Jenni Kayne Fermentation | Gardenista

Frick Garden Russell Page ; Garden

Curb Appeal DIY Boot Scraper ; Gardenista

GlowPear Urban Gardening, Self-Watering | Gardenista

Instagram and Pinterest Pick of the Week

Gardenista Instagram Pick of the Week: @abranca

  • Above: We're enjoying a look through the lens of a Brooklyn-based photographer (@abranca). 
  • If you're spending January in California, like us, have a look at Twiggs Floral Studio's Winter board to get a glimpse at a white winter. 

To read more recent posts, see our Cook's Kitchen issue and don't miss Remodelista's week of Kitchen Secrets

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Garden Visit: At Home with LA Artist Kelly Lamb

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Not many people can lay claim to living on a historic 4.5-acre estate in the heart of Los Angeles with fabulous views of the city. An artist, decorator, and objects designer who defies classification, Kelly Lamb is lucky enough to do so, albeit in renovated stables. Perched on a hill in Silver Lake, the estate is the Paramour Mansion, built in 1923 for silent movie star Antonio Moreno and his heiress wife. In the decades following its Twenties glory, it served as a convent and later as a school for wayward girls, until it was purchased in 1998 by philanthropist and interior designer Dana Hollister.

A New York transplant, Lamb moved into her studio four years ago and loves living in a building with such a history, not to mention an enchanted setting. She confides, "The view is insane and the main grounds and gardens are spectacular. Some days it's amazingly magical and serene." The downside?  "Movies are shot here, and it can suddenly turn into the back lot of a film studio with Porta Potties outside my back door and studio gaffers yelling all day." But as Lamb concedes, "It's always exciting." For more on the artist and designer, visit Kelly Lamb.

Photography by Laure Joliet.

Above: Surrounded by a walled courtyard, Kelly's studio is on the ground floor of the former stables and her living quarters are upstairs. Kelly renovated the patio and put in the brick terrace. The octagonal ottomans are custom Kelly designs made of indoor/outdoor fabric, and each has wheels and a detachable Velcro loop at the bottom so it can easily be rolled around. 

Above: Kelly Lamb in the arched entryway to her studio where she and a small crew work on her geometric ceramics and other prototypes for her line of products—see Kelly Lamb.

Kelly Lamb garden studio staircase ; Gardenista

Above: The staircase that leads to her living quarters above the studio is lined with Lamb's Geo Planters ($260 apiece).

Above: A Roche Bobois leather sofa in the living area where Lamb also has her desk.  On the floor is a cast bronze disco ball made by Lamb, who early on became interested in the geodesic form—which explains her faceted ceramics line. An admirer of Buckminster Fuller, she says, "I have always been inspired by sacred geometry and how it unfolds into so may different beautiful shapes."

Above: The chalkboard painted front door has a To Do list scribbled on it. To the right is a trio of Lamb's hand-blown colored Glass Lights with a custom metal finish. (She used to blow glass when she lived in New York.) Hanging from the ceiling is one of Lamb's Moon Pendants made from ceramic with glossy glaze on a bronze chain with a crystal at the bottom.

Above: Lamb's desk overlooks thee courtyard. The glass balls are color samples for her lighting line. On display throughout are collections and pieces of glass, crystal, and bronze. Lamb notes that she likes the mix of natural organics shapes alongside geometric forms. 

Above: The kitchen and dining area is anchored by a table with marble top.

Above: A faceted white serving bowl, vase, and tea cups from Lamb's signature line of ceramics.  

Above : A view from the kitchen into the living area. Two horns found at a flea market are displayed on the cabinet beside a cardboard prototype with silver leaf on it. The painting is an early California landscape from the twenties.

Above: An inspired answer to window treatment: a Window Veil made by Lamb from Swarovski crystals and metal chains. 

Above: The view of Hollywood on one side and Downtown on the other. 

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For more of our favorite LA gardens, see:

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Table of Contents: Secret Gardens

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Do you peek over fences? Do you wonder what's behind a garden gate? This week we'll satisfy your curiosity (and ours) by exploring secret gardens. We'll explain the curb appeal of ivy-covered walls, visit a hidden garden enclave in Warsaw, and solve a marijuana mystery.

Table of Contents: Secret Gardens ; Gardenista

Above: What's behind the green door? See Celia's Garden: At Home with an English Artist and Her Chickens. Photograph by Jim Powell for Gardenista.

Monday

Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden string lights fire pit ; Gardenista

Above: Actor Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy to Grey's Anatomy fans) lives in Malibu in a house designed in the late 1960s by Frank Gehry, with a 21st century garden by designer Scott Schrader. See the Before & After garden in this week's Designer Visit.

Tuesday

faux-potted-jade-plant-gardenista

Above: Are faux plants fake? Michelle says no; in this week's 10 Easy Pieces she takes a stand in support of faux plants that are eerily lifelike (except they never die).

Wednesday 

Vertical garden plant wall Hotel Amour Paris ; Gardenista

Above: Walls of live green plants banish winter blues. In this week's Roundup, we've found 13 vertical wall gardens that bring the garden indoors.

Marijuana greenhouse garden growing guide ; Gardenista

Above: Grow your own? Four states have decriminalized the use of recreational marijuana; nine states (plus Guam) have legalized medicinal marijuana. What is the best kind of marijuana plant to grow at home (indoors or out)? Learn everything you wanted to know about growing marijuana in this week's plant Growing Guide.

Thursday

Michelle's picket fence ; Gardenista

Above: Are you planning to install or replace a fence this spring? We'll be dishing out fence facts in this week's Hardscaping 101.

Friday

Stone outbuilding Belgium AABE ; Gardenista

Above: A glass extension on a stone farmhouse in the Belgian countryside looks magical in a snowstorm. See more in our Outbuilding of the Week post.

The editors at Remodelista are enjoying an Italian Idyll this week. Catch up with them here.

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Before and After: A Malibu Garden for Grey's Anatomy Star Patrick Dempsey

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By the time Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey bought a $7 million Malibu home that Frank Gehry designed in 1968, garden designer Scott Shrader already had created gardens to connect the minimalist dwelling to the landscape. But when the Dempsey family arrived—with three children, dogs, chickens, rabbits, and miniature donkeys—adjustments were in order.

After the Dempseys bought the five-acre property in 2010, they asked West Hollywood-based designer Shrader (who had worked for the previous owners) to add a kitchen garden—Dempsey's wife, Jillian, is an organic gardener—an outdoor kitchen and dining area, and lawns for the children to play. 

Photography via Scott Shrader except where noted.

Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden gates driveway cobblestone ; Gardenista

Above: Garden designer Shrader added cobblestone courtyards for the previous owners, spa developers Alex and Sue Glasscock.

Frank Gehry Tin House Malibu Patrick Dempsey Garden ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Roger Davies.

When Shrader re-graded the property, replaced an asphalt driveway, and planted olive trees.

Patrick Dempsey Malibu house garden doorway ; Gardenista

Above: A dramatic pivot door connects the house to the front courtyard. For more on pivot doors, see Architectural Detail: Pivot Door Roundup on Remodelista.
Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden family houseplants ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Le Blog Mademoiselle.

Dempsey, twin sons Sullivan and Darby, and members of the family menagerie in the living room.

Before

Patrick Dempsey Frank Gehry Tin House Malibu ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Art Info

Gehry designed a 4,000-square-foot house for California abstract artist Ronald Davis, who used it as both home and studio. Davis now lives in Taos, New Mexico.

Ronald Davis house Malibu Frank Gehry ; Gardenista

Above: When Davis lived in the house, it had an asphalt driveway and minimal landscaping. Photograph via Iron Davis.

After

Patrick Dempsey Malibu  raised beds edible kitchen garden Airstream ; Gardenista

Above: The Glasscocks kept horses. For the Dempsey family, Schrader replaced the riding ring with a raised-bed kitchen garden.
Patrick Dempsey Malibu raised bed vegetable edible kitchen garden Airstream ; Gardenista

Above: Dempsey's wife, Jillian, grows vegetables and flowers in the organic edible garden.

Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden stone staircase ; Gardenista

Above: Recycled concrete walls and pea gravel terraces connect the house to an outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden string lights fire pit ; Gardenista

Above: A fire pit and an outdoor kitchen at the base of the staircase.

Patrick Dempsey Malibu Garden outdoor dining ; Gardenista

Above: A woven wicker canopy shades a dining area.
Patrick Dempsey Malibu garden succulents ; Gardenista

Above: Succulents and native plants populate low-water garden garden beds along the fence.

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Has January put you in the mood for California dreaming? Here are more of our favorite Southern California gardens:

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From Italy with Love: Raw and Rustic Planters from Flò

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When it comes to planters, I gravitate towards organic vessels made from rustic materials that mimic my plants' natural habitat. So it is not surprising that these rough-hewn vases and plant trays from Italy caught my eye while I was browsing at ABC Carpet and Home recently. Each is handmade by Flò, a company started by celebrated Bolognese florist Annalisa Lo Porto, who developed these pots to complement her own arrangements: 

Flo Italian ceramic pots and planters ; Gardenista

Above: Unglazed and raw, the ceramic vessels conjure the elemental beauty of the Italian countryside.

Flo Ceramic tray natural low square at ABC Carpet and Home, Gardenista

Above: Flò's Low-Sided Ceramic Tray (available at ABC Carpet and Home in natural or black colors) measures 1 foot square by 1.18 inches; $85. 

Flo Ceramic tray natural rectangle at ABC Carpet and Home,  Gardenista

Above: A Hand-Formed Ceramic Tray in natural (also available in black) measures 10 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches; $65.

Flo Ceramic vase in black at ABC Carpet and Home, Gardenista

Above: Here shown in black, this Ceramic Vase is also available in natural; $55.

 

Flo Ceramic tray natural square at ABC Carpet and Home,  gardenista

Above: Also available in black, a Ceramic Tray measures approximately 1 foot square by 4 inches high; $130.

Flo Ceramic black pot at ABC Carpet and Home, Gardenista

Above: Flò's Large Pot in black has 7.9-inch diameter: $175.

map Flo Flori, Bologna, Gardenista

Above: If you travel to Bologna, it's worth a visit to Flò's showroom and shop. See the full range of ceramics at Flò (where a limited selection of items is available to buy online—alas, in Italy only).

For more ways to capture the rustic romance of Italy, see:

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Garden Visit: Hidden in Plain Sight in Warsaw

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Hidden in plain sight, fairytale gardens surround a cluster of tiny wooden bungalows on a side street in central Warsaw. But the gardens' future is uncertain. The Finnish houses, built in 1945, are under siege. Their story is an unusual one: 

The story starts 70 years ago when the government of Finland, ordered to pay World War II reparations, financed construction of dozens of prefab houses, designed as temporary housing for the engineers, architects, and planners who were rebuilding the bombed-out city of Warsaw. Over the years, the central city grew up around the enclave; nowadays gray concrete complexes and a multi-land highway serve as a backdrop to the neighborhood.

Today only 27 of the original houses remain standing in the Jazdów neighborhood. The others were razed, over time, and the survivors also could disappear soon, if city officials' plans to develop the site prevails over residents' and preservationists' efforts to save the enclave. For more about the fight to preserve the Finnish Houses, see Domki Fińskie.

We discovered the gardens of the hidden Finnish houses via Warsaw-based design studio This is Paper, which recently used the Finnish houses as a charming set to showcase a line of gardening products:

Warsaw's Hidden Secret Garden Finnish Houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via This is Paper.

A black Grocery String Bag made of linen is handwoven in northeastern Poland and also is available in white or natural; 20€ from This is Paper. (For more of our favorite string bags, see 10 Easy Pieces: Woven String Bags for Groceries.)

  Warsaw's Hidden Secret Garden Finnish Houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Agnieszkabielecka.

Many of today's tenants are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original occupants.

Warsaw's Hidden Secret Garden Finnish Houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Jacek Wajszczak via Domki Fińskie.

A ground cover of saxifrage, also known as creeping strawberry, forms a dense carpet and spreads via runners that root a few inches away from the original plant.

Warsaw Finnish Houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via This is Paper.

A Copper Watering Can is 60€ from This is Paper.

Hidden Warsaw secret garden Finnish houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Monika via Flickr.

All the Finnish cottages have steeply pitched roofs.

Warsaw's Hidden Secret Garden Finnish Houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Jacek Wajszczak via Domki Fińskie.

  Hidden secret garden Warsaw Finnish houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via This is Paper.

A brass Mist Sprayer is 25€ from This is Paper.

Hidden Warsaw secret gardens Finnish houses ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Jacek Wajsczcak via Domski Fińskie.

Stained black, a fence surrounds the enclave. For more of our favorite dark fences, see Trend Alert: Black Fences

For more of our favorite secret gardens, see:

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10 Easy Pieces: Eerily Lifelike Faux Plants for the Home

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Please, don't call them fake. The other day I asked Julie how long she has had a vase of faux olive branches on her kitchen shelf. "I don't know, a few years?" she said. Unlike bunches of expensive live branches that soon die, faux greenery lasts as long as you want.

We've found 10 faux stems that are so eerily lifelike you may catch yourself trying to change the water in the vase:

faux olive branches Julie Carlson Remodelista editor house ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Julie's faux olive branches look live except for one thing: the leaves never curl up and die. To inspect them more closely, see Design Sleuth: A Low-Maintenance Olive Branch Arrangement.

Leafy Branches

Faux olive branches ; Gardenista

Above: A dozen 23.5-inch-long polyester Olive Branches is $99.90 from Earth Flora. For a larger display, a 49-inch Olive Branch made of plastic, wire stems, and bendable tubing (so you can create a life-life arrangement) is $39.50 from Pottery Barn.

Faux budding willow branch ; Gardenista

Above: A harbinger of spring, a faux Greenhouse Budding Willow Branch is 52 inches long; $58.99 from Wayfair.

Faux-eucalyptus-branch- gardenista

Above: A 12-inch faux Short Stem Eucalyptus branch is £2.75 and a Tall Green Eucalyptus Spray is £2.99 from Withycombe Fair.

Twig Moss faux branch ; Gardenista

Above: Covered with "very realistic moss" made of fabric, a 4-foot long Twig Moss branch is £11 from The Olive Tree Shop.

Artificial privet branch ; Gardenista

Above: Sold in boxes of 24 branches, Artificial Privet Sprays are £39.84 from Triangle Nursery.

Chinese privet berries faux branch stem ; Gardenista

Above: To tuck in among the privet branches: a branch of faux Chinese Privet Berries (30 inches long); $24 apiece from West Elm.

Flowering Branches

Faux branch cherry blossoms ; Gardenista

Above: A 51-inch-long Faux Cherry Blossom Branch made of plastic and polyester on wire is $34.50 from Pottery Barn.

pink faux cherry blossom terrain ; Gardenista

Above: A pink Silk Cherry Blossom Spray (made of plastic, wire, and polysilk) is 58 inches long. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading; $18 from Terrain.

Faux double cherry blossom stem ; Gardenista

Above: Measuring 4 feet long, a Double Cherry Blossom Stem is made of polyester, plastic, and wire; $34.95 from Crate & Barrel.

Artificial hops branch bough ; Gardenista

Above: A branch of Artificial Hops is £8 from John Lewis.

Faux pincushion stem ; Gardenista

Above: A 24-inch Faux Pincushion Stem made of polyester, plastic, and wire is $14 from West Elm.

Ready to arrange some greenery to banish the winter blues? See:

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Steal This Look: An Industrial Greenhouse Kitchen

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Turin-based landscape architect studio Giardino Segreto installed a fully equipped kitchen inside a steel and glass greenhouse. The result is our dream kitchen. We're inspired by how it elegantly unites indoors and out to create a romantic retreat to prepare garden-to-table meals.

Not in possession of a villa? If your kitchen opens out to a garden, you're on your way. Here's how to recreate the look with a high-low mix of industrial appliances:

steal-this-look-greenhouse-kitchen-gardenista

Above: Local Italian artisans designed the custom greenhouse. Evoke a similar atmosphere with an all-white palette. See 10 Easy Pieces: Architects' White Exterior Paint Picks. If you must have your own bespoke greenhouse, inquire with Chelsea Flower Show favorite Hartley Botanic and French manufacturer of ironwork greenhouses Serres d'Antan.  

  hanging globe pendant in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: A Hanging Globe Pendant from Home Depot, in white glass, provides diffused ambient light. Available in three sizes, a pendant with a 12.5-inch diameter is $67.60.   

chaise lounge on gardenista's steal this look: greenhouse kitchen

Above: The Vera Chaise in powder-coated steel is made in Italy, and available in three finishes: white, brown, and gray. The latter, available at Hotel Restaurant Supply, is $765. To purchase the lounge in white, contact the manufacturer Emu Americas.  

steal-this-look-greenhouse-kitchen-gardenista

Above: The galley kitchen is all practicality, with space-saving appliances, a wall organizer, and industrial finishes.  The designers also manage to soften and add romance with a neutral palette and natural light. 

 

budget german industrial faucet in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: With a solid all-brass body, pull-out spray, and under $300—could this be the faucet you've been looking for? Made in Germany, from Hansgrohe, the Interaktiv S-One Handle Kitchen Faucet is $282.29 at All Modern.

ikea oven on gardenista's steal this look: greenhouse kitchen

Above: The Framtid Self-Cleaning Oven from Ikea, with round dials and a flat-front Tyda handle is $899. Ikea also carries the pulls in various lengths, 13 inches and 5 7/16 inches. Install them on other appliances and cabinets to create a uniform industrial style throughout the kitchen.

vipp modular cabinets in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: A splurge: Danish brand Vipp, known for its pedal trash bins, carries a line of glamorous cabinetry available in black or white stainless steel and in modular customizable configurations. To start the design process, visit the Copenhagen concept store or go online to window shop case studies.

compact countertop gas stove  in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: A Smeg Classic Design drop-in gas cooktop ($699) is a compact 24 inches wide. 

ikea gerundtal rail system  in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: Ikea's counter-saving Grundtal Rail System stores utensils and cookware in tidy displays and at arm's reach. The Rail is available in three lengths, 15 3/4 inches, 23 1/4 inches, and 31 1/2 inches, at prices ranging from $6.99 to $9.99. We're longtime admirers of the system's flexibility; see Ultimate Budget Storage: 10 Kitchens with Ikea's Grundtal Rail System.

s hooks from ikea to steal this look on gardenista

Above: Organize your wall and keep utensils and cookware off the counter with a pack of 10 S-Hooks (99 cents) from Ikea.

 

ikea wire basket on gardenista's steal this look: greenhouse kitchen

Above: Also from Ikea, a hanging Wire Basket, perfect for herb pots, is $2.99.

silicone spatula in an industrial greenhouse kitchen on gardenista

Above: Achieve a palette of white and lime with a few kitchen utensils and accessories in green. A Kitchen Craft Colour Works Silicone Ladle, $14.99 on Amazon, brightens the backsplash and cabinets.

lacquered serving tray on gardenista's steal this look: greenhouse kitchen

Above: A 14-by-19-inch Serving Tray in lacquered satin is $33 from Etsy seller Gleaming Renditions.  

steal-this-look-greenhouse-kitchen-gardenista

Above: La dolce vita: an all-white deck and chaise lounge complete a serene kitchen idyll. 

For more of our favorite garden-style kitchens, peruse:

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Growing Guide: 11 Essential Tips to Grow Your Own Marijuana

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Marijuana has momentum. Are you keeping score? In the US, four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use (Alaska's law takes effect next month), 10 states allow medicinal use, a slew of others have lessened legal penalties, and the New York Times has exhorted the federal government to repeal a 40-year ban on "a substance far less dangerous than alcohol."

Here are 10 tips to grow your own marijuana and maximize potency of the plant's active ingredient, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol):

Marijuana greenhouse garden growing guide ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Agroweed.

1. Know your limits. State law varies when it comes to the legal amount of marijuana you can grow. For instance, in Alaska and Colorado, you can grow up to six plants for your own use. In Washington, you can only grow backyard marijuana for a medical use. In Oregon, personal growing is limited to four plants at a time—and only for medical use.

2. Grow the right type of marijuana. The two main types of cannabis are C. sativa and C. indica. Growers cross them to create hybrid strains. Sativa plants, which can reach heights of 20 feet, are best grown outdoors. Indica plants, which are shorter and bushier, grow better indoors.

Marijuana farmers' market ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Huffington Post.

3. Start with high-quality marijuana seeds. For a list of reputable seed banks, see High Times (which reviews cannabis seed banks and publishes a list of the top purveyors).

4. Start seeds indoors. Soak seeds for 24 hours before sowing them in potting soil. After marijuana seedlings reach a height of 6 inches and have multiple leaves, transplant them to a permanent garden site. For more on starting seeds, see Gardening 101: How to Sprout a Seed.

Marijuana growing guide how to dry buds ; Gardenista

Above: After harvest, marijuana buds are hung to dry. Photograph via Marijuana Growers HQ.

5. Plant in full sun. Marijuana plants like sunlight; if you grow marijuana outdoors, a garden bed with southern exposure that provides several hours of sunlight per day is ideal. If you grow marijuana indoors, use a grow light.

6. Plant in rich soil. Marijuana requires nutrients. Fertilize your plant if it has yellow leaves (needs nitrogen), curling leaves (needs phosphate), or spotted leaves (needs potassium).

Marijuana grow your own for sale growing guide ; Gardenista

Above: Marijuana for sale at the Seattle Cannabis Market. Photograph by Linda Thomas.

7. Ask an expert. In states where marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use, visit a marijuana farmers' market to get advice from other growers. For instance, in Seattle, the Northwest Cannabis Market is America's only daily marijuana farmers' market  with (two locations). 

8. Keep it warm. Marijuana is a warm-weather plant; transplant it outdoors after the last frost date. A marijuana plant will be happiest in a climate where the temperature fluctuates between 64 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Og Kush Marijuana buds for sale ; Gardenista

Above: For sale for medicinal purposes, marijuana buds of a variety called Og Kush. Photograph via LA Times.

9. Provide support. Marijuana is a bushy plant. Like a tomato plant, it will benefit from being caged or trained against a trellis.

Marijuana buds for sale Gupta Kush ; Gardenista

Above: Photograph via Helping Hands Dispensary.

10. Cull male plants. If female and male plants grow together, female plants will devote energy to seed production, diluting THC potency. Female plants develop flower clusters that become buds; male plants produce green clusters at leaf joints.

11. Harvest and process correctly. After a majority of the hairlike pistils on a marijuana bud darken and curl, it is ready to harvest. Cut off branches, trim leaves, and hang stems upside down; when dry, clip off buds to cure in jars.

For more inspiration, see The World's Most Scenic Marijuana Farm. If you plan to sprout seeds, see DIY: Seed Sprouting Newspaper Pots.

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Vines Gone Wild: 10 Rooms with Creeping Greenery

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What better backdrop to banish winter than an indoor jungle? Here are 10 of our favorite rooms where vines and climbers cover the walls like art:

Vertical garden plant wall Hotel Amour Paris ; Gardenista

Above: The courtyard restaurant at Paris' Hotel Amour. Aptly named. Photograph via Lostncheeseland via Flickr.

Passion flower vine in kitchen shelves ; Gardenista

Above: A passionflower tendril wants to help with the dishes. Photograph via Bringing Nature Home.

Vertical garden plant wall Design Files ; Gardenista

Above: A green backdrop warms a workspace. Photograph via The Design Files.

Axel Vervoodt Belgian vertical wall living garden; Gardenista

Above: Belgian designer Axel Vervoodt is at home with vines on the walls and trees in the house. Photograph via Elle Decor.

vertical-wall-garden-australia- brimble-gardenista

Above: A bathroom at Butterland, a former butter factory in Australia that's now home to florist Katie Marx. Photograph by Luisa Brimble.

Recycled pallet wall garden ; Gardenista

Above: In Amsterdam, recycled pallets painted white create a corner garden with plants including blue fern, hedera, and japhrolepis. Photograph via En Estado de Rachel.

Vertical wall indoor vines La Sirenuse ; Gardenista

Above: Indoor vines at La Sirenuse in Positano.

Black and white Scandi orangery potting shed with vine and sink ; Gardenista

Above: Swedish designer and entrepreneur Agneta Enzel's orangery, which she uses as a potting shed and family space. Photograph by Sandra Pettersson.

Indoor vines vertical garden Moroccan rug ; Gardenista

Above: Alvar Aalto's studio in Helsinki, Finland where indoor vines make themselves at home, via Blood and Champagne.

Vertical garden living wall butterfly chairs ; Gardenista

Above: Still life with butterfly chairs via Vtwonen.

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Test Drive: Which Cut Flowers Last Longest?

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Some flowers were never meant to be cut, withering to nothing as soon as they are plucked. Others, it seems, are oblivious to being severed from their original stem. Want to know which flowers create the longest lasting bouquets? I put some favorites to the test, with surprising results:

Photography by Justine Hand for Gardenista.

DAY 1

Longest Lastest Spring Blooms, all flowers long, day 1, Gardenista

Above: My lab, set up in a cool, dark corner of the house, included the following fresh flowers from Winston Flowers and Garden (L to R): hyacinth, narcissus, sweet pea, grape hyacinth, lilac, ranunculus, and a cherry branch.

longest lasting spring blooms day 1, Gardenista

Above: After giving my flowers a fresh cut, I placed each in its own water, where it could enjoy its favored temperature. For example, woody stems such as lilacs prefer slightly warmer water, while most others prefer cool. Note that woody stems also benefit from being cut or shaved at a very long angle. Some people swear by smashing or scoring woody stems to allow for maximum water intake. I chose a cherry branch whose buds were still tight.

Longest Lasting Spring Blooms-sweet-pea-day-1-Gardenista

Above: A close up on fresh sweetpeas.

Longest Lasting Spring Blooms-narcissus-day-1-Gardenista

Above: I bought two narcissus stems, one in full bloom and one that was just coming out.

longest lasting spring blooms, ranunculus, Gardenista

Above: I started with a ranunculus in almost full bloom, because it has been my experience that unlike a tulip or a rose, after being cut a ranunculus will open only slightly. Buds like the ones shown here will not open in water.

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Tulips-Day-1-2-Gardenista

Above: I'd heard that tulips last longest when placed in ice water so I decided to put this theory to the test by dividing my tulips into regular cool water (L) and ice water (R).

DAY 2

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Day-2-Gardenista

Above: For the purposes of my experiment, I changed the water every day to keep my blooms as fresh as possible. Here on day two, everything's still looking good.

DAY 4

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Sweet-Peas-Day-4-Gardenista

Above: By day four, I began to lose some of my more delicate specimens. Here, my sweet peas are beginning to wilt.

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Lilacs-Day-4-Gardenista

Above: I particularly enjoy the sweet scent of lilacs in the home, but even when cut from the branches in my very own yard, they never seem to last more than a few days. By diligently shaving the stems and replacing the water each day, I was hoping to extend their shelf life. Alas, by day four, these were also starting to fade.

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Narcissus-Day-4-Gardenista

Above: My fully open narcissus also started to wither, but the tight bud was just starting to open.

Longest Lastest Spring Blooms, Cherry, Day 4, gardenista

Above: Tight on day one, my cherry blossoms were opening quite nicely by day four.

Longest Lastest Spring Blooms, tulips, day 4

Above: By day four, I noticed only a slight difference between ones in the ice versus the regular water. Perhaps they are a bit brighter?

Longest Lastest Spring Blooms, Hyacinths, Day 4, Gardenista

Above: Still going strong, the hyacinths on day four are drooping only due to the weight of their blooms. If you don't like this look, you can simply cut the stems a bit shorter.

DAYS 5-8

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Day-6-Gardenista

Above: Though the ranunculus gave out on day five, on day seven the two different hyacinths, tulips, and the cherry were still hanging in there. The tulips and grape hyacinths were gone by day six. The regular hyacinths lasted two days longer, but I tossed them by day eight.

DAY 10

Longest-Lasting-Spring-Flowers-Cherry-Day-7-Gardenista

Above: The winner! Here is my cherry branch on day ten. It actually hung around another four days. At two weeks, this guy was definitely the longest lasting bloom in the bunch. 

Obviously results may vary. In a bouquet I bought a couple of weeks ago, my sweet peas lasted almost a week. A cherry branch that I bought for a friend last week is already starting to fade (but she did not change the water). 

My takeaway is that freshness is key.

  • If you can't harvest flowers from your own garden, try to buy them as locally as possible. Ask your florist or grocer where the flowers came from or try to buy what is in season in your area right now.
  • Find a florist you trust. Though I have had some success with less reputable flower shops and grocery stores, it's really luck of the draw. For the most consistent results, I opt for florists whom I know take great pride in the quality of their product.
  • Fresh, cool water (except for woody stems) changed often also seems to help. 

Want more tips for extending the life of your flowers? Erin experimented with popular preservatives in the water in Tried and Tested: How to Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer, while I recently explored How to Make A Vase of Flowers Last a Week

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Hardscaping 101: Design Guide for Fences (Height, Styles, and Cost)

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Wondering where to start when it comes to fencing? If you're planning to build, design, or install a fence, start with our Fence Design Guide:

We've explored the pros and cons and design details of picket fences, hog wire, wrought iron, painted fences, and deer fencingMaybe privacy is your greatest concern. Or deer proofing. Or matching the style of your house. 

For fence facts and prices—and design tips to maximize curb appeal—we've rounded up 10 of our most popular fence posts: 

trend alert: black fences | gardenista

Above: An elegant fence. Yes, if it's black. See our favorite dark backdrops in Trend Alert: Black Fences.

How high should a fence be? For privacy, make it 5 or 6 feet tall. If you're installing it to add curb appeal and don't care about privacy, a fence that's from 2 to 3 feet high will draw the eye and frame a view.

Curb Appeal black horizontal slat fencing ; Gardenista

Above: Make a small yard look more expansive with a horizontal slat fence. See our favorite examples in Fence Fashion: 11 Ways to Add Curb Appeal with Horizontal Stripes.

Ornamental Aluminum Fencing, Gardenista

Above: Wrought iron, the ultimate in fence materials, is stately, strong, and secure. And pricy. Get the details in Hardscaping 101: Wrought Iron Fencing.

paint colors ; Gardenista

Above: Before the 20th century, ironwork was not black. Find out what color the Sissinghurst Castle gates (and other British iron fences) were painted in Victorian times in Paint Colors for Iron Fences and Gates.

  Green stained fence ; Gardenista

Above: If you install a wooden fence, you can stain it instead of painting it. For more ideas, see Curb Appeal: Wooden Slat Fences.

8 Favorite Exterior Stain Colors, Gardenista

Above: Looking for the perfect color of stain? See our favorites in Palette & Paints: 8 Colorful Exterior Stains.

Nantucket cottage with picket fence in Siasconset via Gardenista

Above: For a New England seaside cottage look, nothing beats a picket fence. See our favorites in 10 Picket Fences That Remind Us of Summer.

Heritage Fencing picket fence styles ; Gardenista

Above: Shopping for a picket fence? Find out everything you need to know about picket fence styles, heights, and prices in Hardscaping 101: Picket Fences.

10 Easy Pieces: Instant Fencing ; Gardenista

Above: For a quick fix, try panels or rolled bamboo fencing or other instant fences. See our favorite choices in 10 Easy Pieces: Instant Fences.

Hardscaping 101: Hog Wire Fences | Gardenista

Above: An attractive option for a tight budget is a hog wire fence. Hog wire keeps varmints out and keeps costs low. For tips on how to install one to keep deer away, see Hardscaping 101: Hog Wire.

Elegant deer proof fencing edible kitchen garden Hamptons ; Gardenista

Above: Hamptons-based garden designer Lisa Bynon designs stylish deerproof fences for kitchen gardens. She reveals her secrets in The Landscape Designer is In: Elegant Deer Fencing, Hamptons Edition.

For more of our Hardscaping 101 guides to fences, see:

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Architect Visit: A Hidden Japanese Garden

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In a dense residential neighborhood in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, mA-Style Architects decided to keep the focus tight. Rather than designing a home that offered expansive views of neighboring city houses, the architects created a private green landscape for the Green Edge House.

The architects designed floating exterior walls to block the view of the surrounding neighborhood and serve as a backdrop for a rock garden that surrounds the house.

Every room inside the one-story house opens onto the greenery that lies between the glazed interior walls and the floating exterior walls. By designing a green space to run around the edge of the house, instead of by installing an interior courtyard, the architects were able to maintain some of the interior privacy lost with traditional courtyard designs.

(See The Cult of the Courtyard for ten homes that bring the outdoors in.)

Photography by Nacasa and Partners, Inc.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Seen from the outside, the exterior wall floats above the ground, bringing light into the home from below.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Slender trees fit between the exterior white wall and the glazed glass walls of the interior structure.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: From the inside, looking out, the white exterior walls create a gallery-like space to showcase plantings that encircle the house.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Across the expanse of birch flooring, the home's garden flanks both sides of a central room.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Glass doors allow access to the perimeter garden.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: The view from the street.

For more, see:

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N.B.: This is an update of a post originally published January 29, 2014.

 

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Outdoor Lighting: Tiny Tin Tabletop Lanterns

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We wanted these these tiny tin garden lanterns the instant we spotted them at London-based Saudade, a purveyor of Portuguese goods that owner Pedro da Costa Felgueiras brings back from "deep corners of secret Portugal."

The handmade lanterns are a perfect size to sit on an outdoor dining table or to light up a front stoop or staircase at night:

Tin oil garden lantern ; Gardenista

Above: A tin Conical Garden Lantern burns oil and is 4 inches high; £12.

  Tin oil garden lantern ; Gardenista

Above: Also available, a round Cylindrical Garden Lantern is £12.

  Tin oil garden lantern ; Gardenista

Above: Made in Portugal, a tin Candle Snuffer is £7.50.

If you're looking for outdoor lanterns, see more of our favorites:

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Glass Houses: A Magical Belgian Bed and Breakfast, $170 a Night

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Belgian architect Bruno Erpicum transformed a small stone outbuilding, creating a glass-walled, one-bedroom bed and breakfast in the Belgian countryside. Maison Roly rents for $170 a night (also available is an adjacent six-bedroom farmhouse.) For more rental details, see Airbnb.

Erpicum updated the outbuilding by adding steel sheets to the existing structure to create a mezzanine floor. He extended the steel sheets to the outdoors, to fabricate a glass-enclosed living room pavilion with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Go to Atelier d'Architecture Bruno & Partners for more details.

Photography by Jean-Luc Laloux.

Belgium glass box outbuilding ; Gardenista

Above: Erpicum preserved the rustic character of the original stone cottage.

Bruno Erpicum Belgian stone outbuilding ; Gardenista

Above: The steel-and-glass room seems to hover in the snow, affording almost-panoramic views.

Bruno Erpicum Belgian stone outbuilding ; Gardenista

Above: The former outbuilding now operates as a bed and breakfast.

Bruno Erpicum Belgian stone outbuilding ; Gardenista

Above: The setting is bucolic in all seasons.

Maison Roly Airbnb Belgium ; Gardenista

Above: In warmer months, the terrace is a sunny spot to sit.

Bruno Erpicum Belgian stone outbuilding ; Gardenista

Above: The glass walls intentionally blur the distinction between indoors and out.

For more garden design ideas from Belgium, see:

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