I Went to a Garden Party!

A few weeks ago, the arrival in the mail of an invitation to a garden party didn't come as a surprise because my friend and glass mentor, Florence, had been excited about party planning for weeks.  Not only did the party celebrate the completion of the garden but also the completion of a large addition to the house. 

It's totally o.k. that you thought of Ricky Nelson's song.  Go ahead and listen, you know you want to!

 

You may remember my previous posts about this garden in progress.  I'm only sorry that I didn't take pictures when I first visited the vacant lot filled with overgrown brush or later when the heavy equipment had made a muddy mess of the whole thing. The party took place last weekend and the addition of people to the garden made such a difference as gardens need an audience.   A blue sky and pleasantly warm temperature,  two of the joys of the PNW in the summer made everything sparkle.  Music was provided by Christolphe Chagnard, director of the Northwest Sinfonietta, and his jazz/folk fusion group Touche 6.  The event couldn't have been any more enjoyable. 

 

We are greeted by this lovely lady.  Not very talkative but then she seems to be worried about a possible wardrobe malfunction.

Do sign the guest book.

 

Previous posts about Paradeisos, this gardens name, have contained lots of images and information, including the gardener's philosophy and process so today I'll try to be less wordy and just let you enjoy some pictures of the party.

 

The panels in the lamp were removed and replaced with these that Florence fused.

 

Let's peek inside for a moment, shall we?  Florence has gorgeous glass from a variety of places and periods. 

This gorgeous Victorian was found by Florence and her husband in an old mansion slated for demolition a few years ago.  The place had been used for a variety of purposes over the years and this panel was actually covered by wallboard.  Researching the house, Florence found an image showing that the missing center medallion was originally a painted snake.  Instead of replicating that, the choice was made to design a floral center instead.  I love this panel!  (I love them all!)

Part of a sweet English painted panel.

A couple Swiss Panels.  These were made from the late 15th century through the early 19th century  in Switzerland and Germany and are usually fairly small.

I'm guessing that this one is older than the first. 

 

This piece is the first that Florence ever made many years ago.  I think that just about everyone saves his or her first effort.

Florence and Howard, having imported antiques from the Far East and Europe (emphasis on Italy) for years have amassed an incredible collection of gorgeous objects.  The advent of ebay and auctions being held online have added another dimension to their collecting.   The huge Jardinière currently in the center of the room was an auction find.  It had been custom made in Italy of glazed terra cotta for someone who for some reason didn't want it when it arrived and it was sold for a small fraction of it's original price.  How many people have space for a four foot tall three foot round Urn around the house?

 The house is full of wonderful collections and they are always being changed around.  Different glass panels, different icons, etc. displayed.  Every visit is an adventure in beauty and a lesson in history and art!  The leaded panel which Florence sized to fit this opening is a Victorian  from Philadelphia.

The dining room used to end at the doors where you see the fellow walking. 

Every corner of the place is packed with objects of beauty and interest.  Each has a story and Florence's thirst for knowledge leads her to research the historical movements that brought about the creation of objects in certain ways. (function, tastes, technological advances.)

I've always admired this piece.  Looks like Prometheus to me but I'm not sure if that's who he is.

Notice the detail on the door frame. (view into the butler's pantry.)

Always a fan of beautifully handwork, Florence has collected random fragments of carved furniture.  This one has found a great home here as part of the kitchen expansion/remodel.

Although most of us had a grand time, this couple seemed a little put off by the whole thing.

Now THESE folks know how to party!

Hope you enjoyed the party as much as I did!

Il giardino di Florence or Further Progress in Little Italy

I was walking through the hood with my camera the other day and decided to amble over to my pal Florence's garden to check on the progress.  If you didn't see my previous posts about this garden, you can get some background about it and it's creator here and here.   Things are coming together and looking much closer to being finished.   Because we've been here before, I'll chiudere la bocca and allow you to enjoy a little trip through the new part of the garden.  The more established area is shown  in the second post linked above.

Now completed gate posts.  The garden has been named, according to the plaque on the right post, Paradeisos, an ancient Persian word meaning enclosure, garden, park. 
 

 

Here are some other interesting definitions for your edification.

1. among the Persians a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters
2. a garden, pleasure ground
   1. grove, park
3. the part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of pious until the resurrection: but some understand this to be a heavenly paradise
4. the upper regions of the heavens. According to the early church Fathers, the paradise in which our first parents dwelt before the fall still exists, neither on the earth or in the heavens, but above and beyond the world
5. heaven

The gate was unlocked so I decided to take the liberty of snapping some shots of the continuing progress on the garden.  Yes, I'm a bad friend, uninvited trespasser, and all around horrible person but should I have stood at the gate wondering, like Emily Dickenson, "Why do they shut me out of heaven?  Did I sing too loud?" Being a pig, I just barged on in,  per voi of course.

Looking down from outside.

The center spot with the phormium was occupied by a spiral trimmed topiary just a week ago.  Must have found a different home.

One of my favorite things in the garden is this simple aged bowl of Iris.

The main focal point of Paradeisos is this fountain-centered  cruciform planting with gravel paths and  arches and statuary in the background.  The lush green grass really makes a difference.

Looking back up toward the street.  As the garden matures, views of some of the buildings will be obsucred by hedges.

 

I love the way the naturalistic elements contrast with the highly formal and structrued  garden.

Side staircase leading to the "secret garden" (straight or to the side of the house (left.)

View from side stairs

Looking back down from the other side.

Looking up the side staircase.

 

 

I'm getting a little close to the house.  You'll bail me out of jail if I get arrested, right?  Do you suppose there'll be a fence around this?  Will it be equally wonderful as the fabulous gates?

 

Everything is looking so finished  and cleaned up.  The memory of  heavy equipment mucking around is fading.   With the huge number of plants and various  areas to explore, it's really starting to feel  like a garden.

Looking back down at  Paradeisos.  

 

Hope you enjoyed our Italian jaunt.