Pages

Monday, January 16, 2012

Garden Diary: Speaking of geometry (footnote to previous post)

I won't be doing anything like this since I won't see the garden from above. But food for thought.


A garden design from House and Garden in 1956, courtesy of Leaf magazine, via Anne Wareham, via Susan Cohan:

http://leafmag.tumblr.com/post/15726198647/a-vintage-patio-from-house-and-garden-february

19 comments:

  1. Seeing this again makes me think I should withdraw my cranky comment about Lady Veddw's cranky comments. What a lovely CONTRIBUTION! Wow. Is that painted concrete, perhaps? I wonder how well it aged...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My guess is it was staged just for the shot, probably with paint. Reminds me a little of Roberto Burle Marx, but with straight lines instead of curves (or zigzags) and paint instead of plants. But it's an eye-catcher, certainly, and stirs up the design ideas.

      Delete
  2. I am calling that busy! It needs simplifying and would then be more telling.
    Best
    R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A place to be photographed, perhaps, but certainly not to relax!

      Delete
  3. For me, the above photo is less a garden than it is an interesting pavement treatment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't disagree, but it's an INTERESTING pavement treatment.

      Delete
  4. I think it's superb! I could never have it nor relax in it, but it is what it is. I'm happy to look at it here. I had quite an interest in mid-century modern right through to the down right kitsch and this fits the bill. It's a painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's delightful, whether one calls it a garden or a pavement or a printing.

      Delete
  5. Aside, I see Veddw is featured in the Feb issue of Leaf mag.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't realize the Feb issue was available. Is it?

      Delete
    2. I don't think so, it flagged up online 'featured' in the coming February issue...

      Delete
  6. Wow, some seer from the '50s had a premonition of CAD-designed gardens! If this space serves as a view to soothe a muddled mind, I suppose why not? And nice chairs!

    ReplyDelete
  7. James, I'd miss the garden in this 'garden'. An intoxicating film-set it may be, but plants seem to have been sidelined. I find it blinding and exhausting. It would drive me crazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Faisal, I think it's stimulating, suggestive of concepts, presents something to think about, possibly sparks insight. But not a restful place certainly. The very few plants, for example, make me think about my relationship to plants. I have to admit to myself that I'm one of those people with an intense interest in plants (plantaholic), but only in certain plants. And that interest is always subservient to the overall effect, to the character of the planting and the space. I was reading a book on a famous garden in the US recently, and the author was writing in detail about all the tulip and snow drop varieties and I, frankly, could care less. I go with the effect and atmosphere of the planting, and only in a few cases individual plants that catch my interest are an important part of that (sanguisorbas, for example). I guess you get my drift. This garden sparks my thinking process, in many directions. I have no problem calling this image a garden. Of course, I might have an entirely different reaction if I were actually sitting in that four-dimensional garden rather than looking at a two-dimensional photo.

      Delete
  8. Interlocking rectangles, of different sizes, some planted, some paved. We've played with that idea. Edit out the uneasy colours, simplify it a lot, and you have a Japanesey feeling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diana, you lost me. I don't follow. Though interlocking rectangles is an interesting idea.

      Delete
  9. So different from my own garden and landscape. But I think I would be very happy there, lolling about, and reading my book. Kerry

    ReplyDelete
  10. A gripping design (it literally grabs you by the "lapels") but I don't think for my garden.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails