Friday, January 2, 2015

January Design Ideas....


Hello folks!  I sure hope you all had a festive holiday!   We had a great Christmas with lots of loafing around and sleeping in.  It will be shocking when next week comes knocking and we are back to zipping around and scheduled activities.  I'm not sure I'm ready for that, but are we ever?!?  

With the date reading January 2nd now,  I've been thinking about what this year will look like.  No big resolutions to speak of.  Just simple everyday goals of this and thats to be a better me.  I must admit this time of year is usually the time when I start to feel the shift.  The...which way are we going kinda thing.   For now we are here,  taking in the days with 3 rambunctious beans though this quote always rings loudly in my head.....   




So in the event that we don't move to land and we are here in this suburban house for the long haul, there are some things that need to be addressed in the garden this year.  A huge challenge for any gardener is creating a sense of depth and privacy in their space.  Couple that with a small plot and surrounding neighbors and you're left with a challenging puzzle as for what to plant.  I'm still working on creating my screen against the back fence.  I lost both diablo ninebarks this past year.  So needless to say I'm in desperate need of reworking my backdrop along the back fence.  Below you can see some gaps and the fence glaring out at you.  This will be an ongoing saga this spring so please bear with me!  




Nice mass plantings and backdrop in a garden I visited this summer...


And here is some more garden inspiration.  It is a small east coast garden from Fine Gardening. 
{photos by James Salomon}  

Besides the fact that this garden is full and lush, I am thoroughly taken with the use of conifers in the space.  The endless layering in the background is a feast for the eyes and blocks the views of the neighbors.





Switching gears now to the creating department......I have done NOTHING in weeks!   But alas, my mojo started coming back this week!  It all began when I was tucking my bean girl in for the night.  I began to look around their room and knew it was time to really finish...I mean REALLY finish their space for them.  They deserve a special spot and I'm so excited to give that to them.


Here is a shot of what their room looked like....



And though it is not completely done yet, it is almost there.  Here is a design collage of some of the room's features.  The plan is to have their space finished by the end of the month!




I hope that 2015 is your year!  
That you reach and stretch for those dreams you never thought possible and they come true! 

And as always....Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  


52 comments:

  1. Good evening, Nicole, and Happy New Year! Your garden inspirations are gorgeous! I dream of having a garden like the ones you shared, but alas, I have a brown thumb.... So I guess I will keep dreaming and wishing :)

    I can't wait to see the bedroom when it's all done - I know it will look fabulous. Happy weekend to you. Hugs!

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  2. I can't wait to see the finished bedroom.

    Isn't it amazing how time gets away from you? I have one thing planned for the day and all of a sudden the day is over and I did completely different things.

    I love your yard and the gardens you showed us. It made me think of a picture we recently received. Our backyard neighbor knew that I wanted to take some photos from their balcony that would show our yard. Joel went ahead and took the photos for me and I was surprised that much of our yard is hidden from their view. I thought they could look right into our yard. It is amazing how much greenery can hide things.

    Have a wonderful 2015!

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  3. Lots of things on the "to-do" list here as well. That second garden is gorgeous, very inspirational indeed. I need to sort out the boys' bedrooms this year, although I'm not entirely sure where to start. One bite at a time I guess. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2015. CJ xx

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  4. Beautiful garden photos. We inherited lots of conifers when we moved here - they aren't my favourites but they do give year round colour and privacy. Can't wait to see the room transformation; what a lovely way to start the new year. Best wishes to you and your family for 2015. x

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  5. Lovely garden photos, I like full gardens with plenty of plants and flowers.

    Waiting to see the bedroom...

    Happy new year!

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  6. I hope that your mojo makes a return with great speed and joy and that you have fun with your goals for the year and whatever other good things 2015 may bring your way! I look forward to seeing the decorating and gardening! Happy 2015!! xx

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  7. All the best to you and your family for 2015, hope its your best yet! x Maria

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  8. Shifting gears is a good thing...Winter is perfect for this. Like you, my garden will be going through a very large overhaul. I expect that it will take me quite awhile to clean it and such, but for now, I'll put the plans on paper first ;D Happy New Year ... and may this year be more! :0) mari

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  9. Happy New Year my friend-lovel;y post that is a challenge when living in suburbia to enjoy your space without the neighbors looking in. anxious to see the finished bedroom-hugs to all of you

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  10. Your garden is always amazing and the little beans room will be too. Have fun and good luck.
    Meredith

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  11. Happy new year, Nicole. My to-do list is never ending and .... I wouldn't have it any other way, lol!

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  12. Love the garden photos. I always look forward to the flowers we plant here. It's just so peaceful and beautiful.

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  13. Don't you love this time of the year? When you have time to relax, the creative ideas seem to come easily. Your garden will come together beautifully, I'm sure. Maybe it's time to try some of those conifers in your space? I know your beans will just love their new space!! I'm excited to see what you've created. Happy New Year, friend!

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  14. Beautiful garden inspiration! Happy New Year :)

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  15. I can't wait until the snow is gone so I can get back into our garden. Lovely!

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  16. The garden photos are inspiring! How do they keep everything so weed free?!

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  17. So nice to gave some garden goals to plan for over your winter months. I love all the colour and texture in those gardens.
    Happy creating.

    Julie

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  18. Nicole: I am in awe of your garden without any improvements. You have such an eye for colour and texture. It looks very inviting and private. Good luck with the decorating this month. A good month to do it when the weather is cold and yucky. Cheers, Beckie

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  19. Happy new year dear Nicole to you and your family. I love your garden and your daughters room and what you have planned for the, both - good luck and I look forward to seeing what you do.
    Enjoy the weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  20. "A lot can happen in a year" I like that quote :)
    Gorgeous all the garden photos, although I am not very good at gardening it's something I would like to try with more enthusiasm because somehow, I feel some kind of attracction.

    Happy new year dear Nicole!

    Lluisa xoxo

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  21. I didn't know you were still hoping to move! Land is going to be a ton of work - not that you didn't know that and all. But seriously, my new yard is a lot bigger than the old yard and it is kicking my butt. Overall, I still think we have a good balance. No matter how badly I wanted it, I knew in my heart that acreage would be above and beyond what we could handle. One of my good friends owns eight acres and she spends five hours a week mowing her lawn! How much land are you hoping to have? I'll keep my eye open for your posts on your garden screen. You always come up with great ideas. The girls' room is going to turn out great. Have a happy new year, Nicole!

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  22. Those garden inspiration photos are great. I'm constantly struggling with backdrop and I've been at it for years. I need more conifers in my life.
    I can't WAIT to see finished photos of their bedroom. I'm reworking rooms in the house in my head and trying to decide where to start.

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  23. Nicole: Thanks for your sweet comment on my post. I think my mojo is also beginning to re-emerge. Your garden always inspires me, and I will be eager to see the bean's room when you are finished. Love, Derrith

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  24. Hi Nicole,

    Lovely garden inspirations for 2015... You are a lovely creative mother and gardener.. I can't wait to see the garden and the bean's room.. :)
    Have a great time,
    Hari.

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  25. It's certainly good to have a mix of conifers for screening and year-round color. My own preference is for small flowering trees and shrubs: serviceberry, viburnum, fringetree, crabapple. Red elderberry is also a good choice as they grow very fast and are a good plant for the birds.

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  26. Good luck with all your plans - like you I have one or two problem spots in the garden which maybe will get sorted out this year. Looking forward to seeing the bedroom once it is finished.

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  27. Lovely green garden photos, Nicole. I'm not too fond of conifers but you're right, they do provide screening and are low maintenance. Looking forward to seeing the revamped beans' room! Happy New Year to you!! xx

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  28. hello nicole,
    i wish you good luck with all your plans!!!!!! thanks for the garden inspiration!!!
    happy new year to you!!
    love,regina

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  29. Glad to hear your holidays were wonderful and restful Nicole! There's nothing like recharging your batteries to start off the new year and it sounds like you're off to a running start already. Love seeing your garden inspirations as well as your design for your girls' room. Totally looking forward to seeing how it turns out! Here's to a most creative, beautiful, happy and productive 2015!

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  30. So looking forward to seeing what the year brings for you on all fronts! Happy New Year Nicole to you and your sweet family xx

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  31. You have some wonderful ideas and sources for inspiration. I know you'll find the perfect ways to fix up your spaces this year and I'm looking forward to following along.

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  32. Isn't it fun when your mojo comes back? I love having creative energy. My goal is to get my kitchen cabinets finished by the end of the month. My brother-in-law and I spent most of New Year's Day making new doors in his fantastic work shop. I've been without cabinet doors now for 2 years - all my fault of course cause I could never find time to fit with his schedule. I told him at Christmas, I will drop everything and come whenever he is free. It is so good to know we are on our way. They are made, glued, and clamped together. They still need sanding, holes cut for the hinges, and of course painted. They are just a simple Shaker style and will be white and now that we are in process, I am so excited.
    Also made my first item for our spring show today. Lots more to do, but a start is the hardest part. I'm sure you know that. Can hardly wait to see your girls room when it is finished.
    Did you get my email about the fox hunter painting regarding lowering the price?
    Cindy

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  33. I love this time of year, we start looking forward to spring and new ideas and projects, it's just a nice time to chillax and think ahead. A new year and lots of new thoughts and ideas!! Mind you we have had about 8 inches of snow today but it's fun to plan and dream. Love your ideas for your beans bedroom , I look forward to seeing what you do, it will be fantastic!!

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  34. I bet the room will feel so comfy when you are done! Love the colors and textures you have picked. Make sure you post the "after" pic! Stay warm girlfriend!

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  35. Beautiful garden! Hope you have a great year on 2015.

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  36. Looks like you've had a productive year!

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  37. Happy New Year--can't wait to see everything you do this year! your plans for the bedroom and the garden all look just lovely :)

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  38. Nicole! My husband and I are dabbling in gardening this year and we are scared but excited at the same time! So many wonderful things happening in your corner! Looking forward to updates! Happy New Year!

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  39. Dear Nicole, I am dealing with the same challenge in my garden: creating privacy and depth. We are lucky that we don't have neighbors in the back. We are bordering on an open space area and I will be ever so grateful for that, but to the sides we are pretty close to our neighbors and I also see much more fence than I would like to. It is definitively on my project list for this year to improve the situation. I like your three inspirational garden photos very much. Hope we are both successful to tackle this challenge this year! Wishing for a happy and healthy 2015 for you and your loved ones! Warm regards,
    Christina

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  40. Hi Nicole, your post is really uplifting such optimism and forward thinking. Keep going with that fence it will get there in the end. Jo x

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  41. I love the moodboard for the room!! Love the touch of the sparkly light, and the colors of the pinks/reds + the neutral golds & white. That's so exciting!!!! Can't wait to see the results...

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  42. Happy New Year Nicole! We've just gone back to "normal" schedule this week and I can't say I'm ready for it. Look forward to seeing what you do in the garden this year! Stu just built us a second veg patch so I hope to grow more veg and herbs this year.

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  43. The privacy issue can be such a pain in the butt. I have almost zero privacy. :( Have you thought about really tall joe pye weed for the area next to your conifer? It would give you some privacy and attract pollinators, too. Jason at gardeninthecity grows really tall plants in his garden that give him a lot of privacy. We all lose our mojo. Some days I just want to lie around in my pj's eating cookies and then I think, "Crap, I have a job." It's really inconvenient. ;o)

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  44. I went and sat at my desk last week, just to remind myself where it was. I agree about Joe Pye weed - it'll cover the problem in no time. Have fun with your interior and exterior designing and you are quite right to not make resolutions - life is far too unpredictable with young children! Wishing you a happy, healthy new year.

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  45. Loving the pink and gold for the girls room! The combination of the floral and polka dot prints are so fun and fresh! I am sure they will love the end result! Thanks for sharing all your garden inspiration. I have planted tons of new bulbs at the end of last summer and I am so excited to see what I will get this year. Gardening is sure about patience! Happy 2015!

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  46. Your garden is lovely! It takes years to get it all right, doesn't it? I have been working on mine for 18 years! Would love to see the finished room for your girls. I remember doing that for my girls when they were little, in the days when stenciling was popular. It was a lot of work!

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  47. Happy New Year Nic! I am so looking forward to another inspiring year from you! I struggle greatly with privacy in my yard. It's completely open. I can't wait to see what you do this year in your garden! My kids went back to school today. It was sooooo hard. Love that quote. I get kind of scared for the beginning of a new year. You never know what is going to truly happen. Death, awful news, etc. Trying to stay positive and be ready for anything! xoxoxox Jen

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  48. I love to read abut garden,
    I already have my seeds for this year and I am looking forward for changes in my garden.
    Love to see your ideas and decoration to be...
    Have a great week,
    Miss

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  49. Very nice gardens ! I like the last one very much !

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  50. Happy New Year! I love the gardens and I am very curious about the room: the collage looks incredible!

    WritingMonique

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  51. Oh gosh Nicole I am so excited for this year, there are so many things going on in my own life and so many plans and goals being shared by my favourite bloggers... sometimes I think the small ones are my favourites! I am so looking forward to seeing what you do with both your garden and your girls' room, your inspiration board is already looking good so i'm certain their room will be a knockout! I hope you have a fabulous 2015 and that you own the year! x

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  52. Beautiful Gardens Nicole, the photos you share always make me smile. I can't wait to see what you do with your daughter's room! So exciting! Happy New Year!

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