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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Really Long-Lasting Color

 
When you first walk by this house, it seems pretty average.  Victorian that had its interesting wood siding, korbels, and gingerbread covered up with this white siding in the 40's or 50's and had half of the porch enclosed, probably around the same time.  If your eye lingers a little longer, it may be drawn to the white painted stones and pink silk flowers surrounding a stone marker.
Drawing closer we learn that this is an historical landmark.  We've no idea by whom it was made a landmark or why the plaque as there are a lot of grand homes of this era in Tacoma.
There are two gorgeous leaded glass transoms in this downstairs room.  The sign in the window makes it clear that the homeowner is proud to have lived there for fifty years.
 
In front of the house once stood a stately tree, probably planted around the time that the house was built.  Now, the remaining trunk has  been painted and adorned with a variety of objects.  Mounted on the porch are many video cameras.  One imagines that these objects might walk away at times. 
Covering the ground with concrete and painting it green is certainly a water-wise option and one that for some reason, isn't covered in Pam Penick's fabulous new book Lawn Gone.  Just goes to show that we can always learn something new.  Savvy designers will note the repition of the white painted rocks which are a color echo of the house itself. Linguists may note that historical and hysterical are only two letters apart.
There's certainly something to see from all angles.  It's a good thing that the tree is dead otherwise it might die of embarassment.
I wonder if one could make contributions to the collection on the tree.  I'm sure I've some things around the house that would be right at home here!
Another object planted in the hellstrip.
Ah, sunflowers and daisies, a sign of spring if ever I saw one. 
This rock garden closer to the rear of the house  is a horticultural marvel with roses and tulips blooming simultaneously and in such hostile-looking soil! Thank goodness for the protective cable!  One would hate to see a car swerve off the road, across the hell strip and into this garden.

If one closely studies the sublte clues, he may ascertain that the owner would prefer that passersby not enter this area.  Something in the eyes of the guard kitty perhaps. 

 
It's always fun to discover things on walks around the hood!  Happy Monday all!

24 comments:

  1. Is that a travel trailer in the drive? Why would anyone ever want to get away from the garden of bliss?


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    1. Good question! People are fickle - the grass is always greener and all.

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  2. Once again you perfectly illustrate the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...

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    1. Maybe you'll include some white rocks in your new bed project?

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  3. I believe you have discovered the home of Grumpy Cat, as well as the reason for his grumpiness! I'm sure he would like to climb that painted tree, but is probably afraid of it.

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    1. I didn't know that cats had fear! (Other than that whole water and big dogs thing.)

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  4. People are curious creatures indeed!

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  5. Historical, histerical...let's call the whole thing off.

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  6. Oops, make that hysterical. I can usually spell, but this place threw me off my game.

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    1. I completely understand! When confronted with something this moving, it's difficult to keep one's wits about one.

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  7. Clearly we have here a garden design genius, and yet I would suggest that the rock garden could use a layer of those shiny white rocks to more completely cover the areas between the tulips and roses. Either that, or it could just be covered in a textured concrete and painted.

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    1. You hit the nail on the head! Repetition is everything. What would you think of painted concrete surrounded by a border of the white rocks? Too much?

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  8. How do you find these places? Clearly I missed the high points when I was there last summer :).

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    1. Like the Fruit Loops Toucan, I just follow my nose! It's unfortunate that you didn't have more time in the area during your last visit. I'm sure that the fling organizers did their best but clearly they overlooked a few very special places!

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  9. Another quirky place! That tree would be at home in a museum of modern art :)

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    1. It's fun to find places like this with interesting personalities!

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  10. What? No sequins? No wonder that cat is cranky!

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    1. You've hit on the missing element of this design!

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  11. Loved the pic of the cat and am enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks Brenda, I'm glad you're enjoying my blog!

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  12. Where can I get a tree like that?

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    1. A masterpiece like that takes years to create. Perhaps if you start now, someday you'll have someting as, um, interesting.

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  13. Ha, ha! Why didn't I think to include concreting over the ground in my book about lawnless, waterwise gardens?? Hey, thanks so much for the shout-out for Lawn Gone! I really appreciate it.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.