Summer She Flew

Not believing she's almost gone, and already feeling a little nostalgic for the long lazy days and langorous warm evenings of midsummer, here are a few glimpses of our summer.. for Chris and me here in the San Francisco Bay Area...

a duck I saw, somewhere near the sea.. isn't she pretty?

remember those plums I kept posting about
on Facebook?

I spent as much time as I could in my little greenhouse
this summer.. can you blame me?

maybe take a little break from the rake

our backyard took on a "Maxfield Parish" vibe

walked past this neighbor's roses a thousand times this summer...

...on my way to the farmer's market to buy fresh eggs.

looking straight up through the sunroof while stopped in traffic
on the Golden Gate Bridge this summer

my husband's favorite, we always have
lots of artichokes when they are in
season

our little room at the Panama Hotel

I did not see enough of these sunsets in Sayulita this summer, that's for sure

walked and stopped here hundreds of times for croissant...

... and cafe au lait

pored over my grandmother and mother's joint passport I found
this summer.. from 1922!.. and this is just the first page! I love
the frame-worthiness of this

...and admired the dahlias and succulents that thrive in the cool..

Hoping yours has been wonderful... and if you live "Down Under"... how lucky you are to be coming into spring with summer soon to follow! Keep us posted with lovely images!

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all photos Kit's iPhone

thanks for stopping by!... Kit

Peonies & Lavender

Could anything be cheerier than these gorgeous peonies from the markets in Provence last month? and that lavender!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

photos Kit Golson iPhone

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a picture from

Ma Vie Quotidienne {My Daily Life} here

visit Chic Provence Marketplace here

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thanks for visiting!... Kit

The Magical Land of Flora Grubb

a seating area with bright orange metal chairs next to

signature Flora Grubb pots and palms

On the prowl with one of my hippest young clients for cool, repurposed & floral items to anchor a wedding design, in the early morning mists and fogs south of San Francisco today, we found ourselves lost for hours in the magical land of Flora Grubb.

It's quite possible that I am hopelessly un-hip, or at least the very last person on the planet to discover Flora Grubb. But that's OK. It's still an experience of wonderment and awe, and worth blogging about!

You know you are somewhere very cool when you spot an old bicycle planted (somehow!) with air plants & succulents and suspended over an old reclaimed zinc-top table, looking for all the world like the Wicked Witch of the West had just hopped off of it and left it in mid-air when she stepped inside for her organic latte with The Mad Hatter. It's that kind of place.

succulents and old suguaro plants

accented with red ceramics create a

stunning entryway

cool planting table in front

of inviting green shutters

I love this blue orb set among the succulents!

a cool tile that could work for a cheese plate in

a rustic-chic setting

these plates have the look of

botanical etchings, wonderful!

inviting and colorful bistro set

on one of the garden pathways

another view down the garden path

a very cool blue chair with modern

lines invites a little respite in the garden

if you like the metal furniture, choose your favorite

from the wall and take it home today

blue chairs face the wonderful

coffee bar inside

sinuous concrete chaises for your

outdoors

concrete and redwood table is lovely

contrast to the lacy air plants

this rusty old Chevy Impala has an

ongoing life as a whimsical (not for everyone!)

planter in the quixotic garden

Lady Flora herself...a delightful

and charming creator of gardens!

When you get past the astonishing huge installations (that's really the only word for her artistic plant, artifact and salvage vignettes) and vertical green wall gardens (all the rage these days...and much easier to achieve than the green roof) scattered over the large, botanical-gardens-like outdoors, your eye will also find exquisite details and furniture. This is not your old Smith & Hawkins!

Wandering the pathways in her gardens you will see a vintage 60's Chevy Impala gently rusting away as one of (surely) the world's most unique planters. You can meander up to the coffee bar and request the barista make you one of the best espresso drinks around, then take in the scene sitting at the whimsical Caribbean pastel bistro chairs and tables while you admire every little detail. There's a lot to take in.

While we decided not every bride would choose this much drama and originality for her wedding, some elements would work beautifully for that rustic-chic wedding up in Sonoma or a wild Pacific coast setting.

This is the domain of the landscape artist and not to be missed by anyone with an eye for design and beautiful, exotic vignettes. Although the living green walls have a certain portability about them, most of these amazing plantings are well-suited for the long haul, enhancing a space on a permanent basis.

Flora Grubb Gardens

1634 Jerrold Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

415.648.2670

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in 2010, it's:

Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design

Hello Girlfriends...You Might Like It Here!

You know, I don't know, it's just a feeling....I could be wrong,

but I'm guessing...women live here, right?

all photos courtesy Harlequin

.............................................................

Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design