06May

Design Element: The Architectural Power of Trellis, Trelliage or Lattice

The secret garden at the Ritz, Paris via Town and Country

If you’ve been to Paris, then you may be very familiar with the Architectural design element known as trellis, lattice or trelliage. You may have seen lattice all over Paris’s parks and exterior building walls. Originally created as a garden element for mainly the separation between the more wild areas and the formal ones, trellis eventually took a more functional role as structures for grapevines, climbing roses and ivy plants to climb on. Nowadays their most modern use is more for the decorating aspect rather than for its function so much so that we can see it very often indoors covering interior walls. When lattice is used inside the house for covering the walls in intrinsic design its architectural effect is even more of a statement.

lattice, dining room with lattice on walls and ceiling

A home in Palm Beach with lattice on walls.

01May

Spring Inspiration: The Charm of Lemon Trees

Nothing is more charming than a beautiful lemon tree either in a garden or inside a home. At the end of this post, you’ll find a selection of potted lemon trees you can buy online as well as a roundup of citrus-infused perfumes ideal for Spring. Potted lemon trees can be kept outside in the summer and inside in the winter. To learn how to take care of them indoors read The Truth About an Indoor Lemon Tree.

Since I can remember my favorite scent has been bergamot. I seem to gravitate towards perfumes with this citrus undertone which for some reason make me feel incredibly happy. “Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange, with a yellow or green color similar to a lime, depending on ripeness. Genetic research into the ancestral origins of extant citrus cultivars found bergamot orange to be a probable hybrid of lemon and bitter orange. Extracts have been used to scent food, perfumes, and cosmetics. ^{” Wikipedia}

We started working on our backyard to make it into a garden that is soothing, inviting and very Mediterranean-looking. There is something to be said about that perfect Mediterranean weather where all the pretty plants and flowers I love seem to thrive. Here where we live, in zone 6, the cold season can be very hard on olive trees, cypress pine trees, French lavender, and climbing roses but I’m sure there are always alternate options to choose from. One thing is definite; I want a lemon tree or two or more. Happy Spring!

10Apr

Why Don’t You? Build A Swimming Pool in Your Backyard

I’ve always wanted to have a swimming pool in my backyard. So far the closest we are getting is to becoming a member of the country club which is literally across our home. I’m looking forward to enjoying those hot afternoons alongside the pool while sipping or not a few cocktails. Eventually, though We may or may not build a swimming pool in our backyard, which hopefully will be surrounded by tall cypress trees, white roses or hydrangeas and maybe one big climbing bougainvillea. I just realized that I described the South of France. In the meantime, it’s always a good idea to keep some inspiration for future additions. Here are nine dreamy swimming pool to inspire us.

swimming pool with blue and white chase lounge and striped awning

14Feb

Look Great Inside And Out: How To Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

The weather may not have warmed up quite yet, but spring is just around the corner. If you were planning to spruce up your home, then this is the perfect time for it. While the interior design may be your priority, you shouldn’t put curb appeal at the bottom of your to-do list. After all, like the cover of a book, your home’s exterior gives visitors an idea of what awaits them inside. Plus, it can increase your property’s value. With that in mind, here are five ways to boost your home curb appeal.

bust your home curb appeal

15Jan

Classic Beauty In Belgium: Dries Van Noten At Home

Dries Van Noten is one of my favorite fashion designers. He is the master of sophisticated prints. His creations masterfully merge traditional prints with modern silhouettes. Consequently Dries Van Noten’s beautiful Belgian home should not come as a surprise. The Neoclassical home, located in Lier, close to the cıty of Antwerp was build in the 1840’s and was decorated with the help of interior designer Gert Voorjans.

Dries Van Noten’s home

The house is furnished with beautiful antiques that were collected from markets in Brussels and Paris. The patterned textiles throughout the house is a definite nod to Van Noten’s love of pattern and exotic graphics.

Dries Van Noten’s home, garden

The 55-acre park surrounding the mansion was converted into a breath-taking garden by Landscape Architect Erick Dhont. Dries’ other passion is gardening and by looking at the images below, he does an amazing job.

10Jan

Greener Ways To Keep A Garden Great:

We’re taking a trip to the home’s exterior, to take a closer look at one of the most important parts of creating and preserving its curb appeal: the garden. If you’re getting concerned about all things environmental, it might be surprised that one of the greenest spaces can cause the most damage. Here, we’re going to look at some of the lousy gardening habits to get rid of, and how you can do it a little greener.

Tag: garden

Design Element: The Architectural Power of Trellis, Trelliage or Lattice

Spring Inspiration: The Charm of Lemon Trees

Why Don’t You? Build A Swimming Pool in Your Backyard

Look Great Inside And Out: How To Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Classic Beauty In Belgium: Dries Van Noten At Home

Greener Ways To Keep A Garden Great:

juliepaulinodesign