tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post161628393503148007..comments2024-03-07T10:06:13.620-05:00Comments on View from Federal Twist: Garden Diary: Brooklyn updateJames Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-7369200929060233352013-11-05T21:37:13.693-05:002013-11-05T21:37:13.693-05:00I think it depends on what area you live in. I had...I think it depends on what area you live in. I had a hard time in Brooklyn and literally settled on a supplier I just happened to drive by. I didn't want to go outside the city, so I compromised. I think this fencing was around $2000 delivered to the front door.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-330823364082054972013-11-05T14:01:10.985-05:002013-11-05T14:01:10.985-05:00Wow! this is beautiful. I just came upon your post...Wow! this is beautiful. I just came upon your post-do you have any posts about the fencing and how much you spent on the panels? I'm having a devil of a time sourcing one!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-72976222183299813432012-06-09T22:42:14.511-04:002012-06-09T22:42:14.511-04:00It took me a while to find your comment. I couldn&...It took me a while to find your comment. I couldn't remember which post it came to. The "fluted birdbath," I'm afraid, stayed and got planted with sedums. If you see it in the partially planted garden, you may object less vehemently. Then again, you may not. I see your point, but practicality reigns here. I have it, and I can work with it until I can afford or find something with, let's say, less "character." Rather than the golden hops vine, which might be overwhelming, I'm looking for the golden form of Boston ivy (Parthenocissus 'Fenway Park'), though it seems to be in short supply.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-53147181511033582472012-05-29T16:22:03.008-04:002012-05-29T16:22:03.008-04:00The fluted birdbath is a very distracting shape in...The fluted birdbath is a very distracting shape in this space with everything that you have, too jarring. Put your thumb over it and see the difference.<br />Maybe also stagger your square stepping stones, so hard elements are not so squared off.Otherwise, it's a beautiful and serene space. Like the dark disappearing fence. Small spaces are just so cool to design, so much thought to edit.<br />LOVE your wall of window/doors, that makes me jealous!<br />Maybe a golden hops vine against the dark wall.<br />Great space!Greenienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-33627121961008060962012-04-15T11:33:28.172-04:002012-04-15T11:33:28.172-04:00Questions I wish I had definitive answers to. I...Questions I wish I had definitive answers to. I'm coming to like the rough, irregular stepping stones, but I don't have more to finish the path. I asked the contractor to remove "some" of the piles of slate in back, and this is all he left me. Decreasing the size of the stones is an interesting idea. I've toyed with a similar technique ... thinking about using the plants with large foliage near the house and plants with small foliage at back, to create the illusion of greater depth. But I probably won't do that simply because I'm "seeing" many plants with large foliage at back. Am I sacrificing design to love of plants? Maybe. As to the wood edging, I'll leave them to the elements for the time being. And I may experiment with the ebonizing technique Peter Holt sent a link to (see comment above).<br /><br />A little building at the back? Put my maintenance shed out in plain view, so to speak? Interesting. Perhaps if I could face it with branches from the country garden, branches with some kind of aesthetic interest or sculptural quality. An apartment next to the High Line uses beautiful driftwood as a fending material for privacy. Not that, but a similar concept, might work. Food for thought. Thanks for all the ideas.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-85330124933447236612012-04-15T07:02:35.488-04:002012-04-15T07:02:35.488-04:00I love the bare concrete pond, and I also get in l...I love the bare concrete pond, and I also get in line behind those who say let the wood edgings fade to grey -- although isn't there a product that speeds up the process? I like the stone stepping stones, but I would consider staying with the rough edges to the rectangles. Would it be possible order them in slightly decreasing size (as you move toward the back) as a little trick to the eye? (That may be expensive customizing.) Will the hornbeams really grow that much faster than the Gleditsia? Or are they sold as taller trees to begin with? <br /><br />I also just had a little vision of a small building at the back of the garden, with a square footprint a little less than the width of the pool and a height a couple ft. taller than the fence -- with a 4-sided roof with a small ball finial at the point, very simple door, the whole thing stained the color of the fence. A little column of a storage shed -- maybe a little mysterious.<br /><br />It is looking great. Thanks for sharing this treasure of a space.Cindy at enclos*urehttp://enclosuretakerefuge.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-69160781894515208352012-04-15T01:27:43.896-04:002012-04-15T01:27:43.896-04:00Thanks for telling me your feelings about the inco...Thanks for telling me your feelings about the incomplete garden, Allan. Those are encouraging words that help me understand my own feelings and motivations.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-78777958810499043802012-04-15T01:24:17.646-04:002012-04-15T01:24:17.646-04:00The buds are swelling, Peter. A good sign things a...The buds are swelling, Peter. A good sign things are going well with the whips. Thanks for the ebonizing link. This is something I may want to give a try.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-78913508080062565292012-04-14T21:36:16.690-04:002012-04-14T21:36:16.690-04:00There is something extraordinarily serene and comf...There is something extraordinarily serene and comforting about the design of your Brooklyn garden that, even in its incomplete state, when I enter it through cyberspace, I do not wish to leave.allan beckerhttp://allanbecker-gardenguru.squarespace.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-51463271793031972582012-04-14T14:41:52.007-04:002012-04-14T14:41:52.007-04:00Nice whips, Golden James! Such hard-earned whips. ...Nice whips, Golden James! Such hard-earned whips. Deceptively unassuming whips. It would be nice to see their emergence in time lapse, yes? <br /><br />"Ebonizing"<br /><br />http://lumberjocks.com/Allison/blog/5831Peter Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16402931973397922450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-81533726471139568702012-04-14T00:17:59.427-04:002012-04-14T00:17:59.427-04:00Lynn,
It's great to hear from you. No, we sti...Lynn,<br /><br />It's great to hear from you. No, we still have the Federal Twist house and garden. We've just expanded in Brooklyn, so now I'll have two gardens 70 miles apart to tend to. But I'm not complaining. Life is wonderful. I hope you're all doing well. Thanks so much for leaving a comment.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-62991976261192221792012-04-14T00:11:31.914-04:002012-04-14T00:11:31.914-04:00Thank you, Benjamin. Anytime you want to compare m...Thank you, Benjamin. Anytime you want to compare my garden to a Tom Stuart-Smith garden, please don't hesitate to do so. I do greatly admire his work, and have been looking at photos of similar gardens he has designed. So I have to admit I may have attempted a TS-S knockoff. Not really, but images of his work are in my mind.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-8360117690457993402012-04-14T00:03:34.812-04:002012-04-14T00:03:34.812-04:00Faisal, is space frame the term you're searchi...Faisal, is space frame the term you're searching for? It seems that would be difficult to construct if I understand you. It also might interfere with the simplicity (apparent) of the garden.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-32253452227384654392012-04-13T23:59:07.967-04:002012-04-13T23:59:07.967-04:00Unfortunately my technique for keeping things neat...Unfortunately my technique for keeping things neat is to have a large closet where I can throw the mess. But Ross, I do like your idea of using my red wagon as a drinks tray.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-27236763494168932792012-04-13T17:04:51.016-04:002012-04-13T17:04:51.016-04:00I think that DWR has recently cleaned up it's ...I think that DWR has recently cleaned up it's image and product line and now sells items properly licensed and produced. For outdoor chairs, though, I'd get vintage Knoll product from Ebay or a vintage shop. You should be able to find them (sans chair pad, which you wouldn't want for outdoors anyway) for about $200 apiece in great condition.<br /><br />EmilySammie070502https://www.blogger.com/profile/07840565341523291549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-59532571357221222472012-04-13T09:49:08.804-04:002012-04-13T09:49:08.804-04:00But since you are housekeeping, James, might you n...But since you are housekeeping, James, might you not dispense with the screened storage area completely? Your red wagon is very fetching, and can serve as a nice tray for drinks, while your shovels can be hung on hooks by the door.... p.s. I like the simplicity of four hornbeams against the back wall.Ross Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12569764928038655656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-17148927882353930582012-04-13T09:35:16.385-04:002012-04-13T09:35:16.385-04:00Hello James, Thanks for sharing this website and ...Hello James, Thanks for sharing this website and photos of your new and beautiful progress-in-the making.... so far it's absolutely wonderful! Glad you have the opportunity to make a creation that's "nasty neat!" ha! Is this new setting a new home as well? Love the way you've laid-out the new garden! The small pool softens all the concrete and offers more serenity to the garden. And yes..it's nasty neat! Love it! Will be interesting as you add new plantings, flowers, trees, etc. No doubt you will do a master's job! What about Federal Twist? Will you continue working there as well? Or did you guys sell it? Again, great place and so much fun, huh? Enjoy! Lynn Sims GilbertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-22935664316069669482012-04-13T09:12:47.314-04:002012-04-13T09:12:47.314-04:00It's just stunning. You've already receive...It's just stunning. You've already received the advice I'd give. Nothing pithy here. I want your little place, which reminds me of this setup: http://www.tomstuartsmith.co.uk/projects/show-gardens/chelsea-2010/benjamin vogthttp://deepmiddle.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-78552572440869018572012-04-13T08:54:12.133-04:002012-04-13T08:54:12.133-04:00Ross, not finished, not by a long shot. I still ha...Ross, not finished, not by a long shot. I still have to build a screen, remember? And you may be pleased to know I'm still considering a red color. <br /><br />Ha, yet another vote for concrete.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-55366921755800948922012-04-13T08:50:32.687-04:002012-04-13T08:50:32.687-04:00Rob, out of necessity I'll probably let the wo...Rob, out of necessity I'll probably let the wood age, at least until I find time for brushing on a sealant. The plants will hide a multitude of sins. You're yet another vote for the natural concrete look. Good.<br /><br />Not original Bertois chairs. We have a chain here called "Design Within Reach" that sells knock-offs of modern classics. I call it Design Out of Reach. Their reproduction are not modestly priced.<br /><br />Yes, the soil is sandy so I have to give attention to keeping the gleditsia watered.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-26201551992076631532012-04-13T08:45:09.288-04:002012-04-13T08:45:09.288-04:00James, I'd been thinking that to fill your spa...James, I'd been thinking that to fill your space in such a way as to block the neighbours, and to do it quickly, rather than to wait for trees to grow, would be to build/install a very lightweight frame, a sort of arbor, upon which climbing, quickly-climbing plants/vines could grow. I was thinking it could be, say, 8 feet tall, poles as slender as,half an inch, in aluminium. It could cover most of/ all of your space. I am trying to think of the correct technical term for what I mean, and know I haven't expressed myself well. When I can define what I mean better, I'll let you know.Gardener in the Distancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14478393904059307841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-2229819876132215522012-04-13T05:37:02.311-04:002012-04-13T05:37:02.311-04:00The diagonal drift of the boxwood is beautiful, an...The diagonal drift of the boxwood is beautiful, and the four gleditsia will look like columns for (eventually!) a green canopy. Well done, it's a lovely structure for planting. Thanks for letting us all puzzle over the evolution of your garden -- I'll almost be sad to see it finished! <br />P.S. since you ask, I like the concrete, and I'd stain the wood to match it.Ross Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12569764928038655656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-35397131123075121062012-04-13T02:13:43.762-04:002012-04-13T02:13:43.762-04:00James I reckon letting the wood age naturally or a...James I reckon letting the wood age naturally or a stain to pick out the ground colour are equally good. I would probably go for ageing in preference, needs just a little patience. If you were to stain it, then perhaps sooner rather than late before plantings spill over it, or earth marks it.<br /><br />I like the 'clean' line of the pool just as it is also.<br /><br />Don't let those Gleditsia roots get dry.<br /><br />Rob<br />PS Bertoia chairs - originals???Rob (ourfrenchgarden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05087218232138304239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-54079241143442876622012-04-12T23:24:02.733-04:002012-04-12T23:24:02.733-04:00Thanks, Les, but I can't take all the credit. ...Thanks, Les, but I can't take all the credit. The designers who planned our extension chose to locate the glass doors off center. Fortunately, I realized I had to put the garden axis and pool off center too. I'll admit I wrestled with that problem for a while. That little bit of asymmetry gives the garden a tension and dynamism a centered layout wouldn't have.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20141337.post-45895689472458337642012-04-12T23:20:28.683-04:002012-04-12T23:20:28.683-04:00And that's probably what I'll do. Thanks, ...And that's probably what I'll do. Thanks, fellow concrete fan.James Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718058779971621920noreply@blogger.com