J'adore...

...British stylist and interior designer Lucyina Moodie.  I first came across her work in connection with the Chelsea Garden Show, for which she styled several outdoor "rooms" and won awards. 

First place at Chelsea - a greenhouse becomes much more than a place to pot plants.

She also does wonderful interiors. Lucyina started her career as a stylist with the BBC, and went freelance in 2000, adding interior designer to her list of accomplishments. Her work is very unfussy and makes the most of color. I love the deep color of these walls and how the curtains pick up the shade without being too uniform.

A serene vanity space. Notice the variety of textures - intricate wallpaper, patterned floor, rough wood trim. Despite the less finished elements, the entire look is highly polished and feminine.

I would do this entire room in my home. It's a little bit French, a little bit Hollywood, and a lot of white.  A variety of cream shades and some wisps of blue add visual variety and prevent a white-out. 

Another great eclectic dining room.

A "butler's pantry" of china, linen, and silver... suitcases, that is.  

All images, lucyina.com. 

Henry Moore at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Two of my favorite things are going to be together at the Atlanta Botanical Garden this summer:  art and flowers.  The touring exhibit, Moore in America, features some of the English artist's best pieces amid the lovely settings of the ABG.  An even better plan? Visit the exhibit during the regular Thursday evening Cocktails in the Garden to see the massive sculptures lit dramatically. Time Magazine rated this one of the top 10 museum exhibits in the country, so if you're in the Atlanta area (or end up with a long layover in the world's busiest airport) it's well worth a visit!

Moore's aptly named Oval with Points.

Moore's sculptures can be quite large, and it took some real effort to get them installed.  Hard to believe this is a traveling exhibit.  











An example of incorporating the plants with the sculptures - nicely done.

Images, Atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

2009 Chelsea Garden Show

Every year in Chelsea, London, the Royal Horticultural Society sponsers a spectacular flower show - you know how those Brits like their flowers! The first day of "viewing" is reserved for the royal family, and for the next three days the show is open to the public, every glorious garden. Famous gardeners from around the world create miniature masterpieces complete with fencing, fountains, topiary - all sprung up overnight. I had the delight of visiting the show a few years ago, and it was an incredible vision. Jamaican gardeners had created 10 foot people from foliage (think Rose Parade), thousands of orchids scented silk tents, and every inventive gardening gadget under the sun was on display (and for sale. Bad for the old credit card). This year the show is taking place May 19 - 23; if you're going to be in town, make sure you get a ticket. You'll be glad you did.

Here's a sneak preview of plans for some of the gardens coming out this year.

A few favorites from the 2008 show.

And if you're really into gardening, check out this blog by some of the gardeners working on the event - you'll get a view into how they manage to pull off a "termporary" garden once a year, as well as some of the hazards they face - from cows eating the flowers to thunderstorms.
All images: www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea.