Create a Holiday Swag

December 1, 2016 by ark_admin

Designer Mara Lamb Malcolm shows us how to create a festive door decoration in just a few simple steps.

STEP 1

Start with pine and cedar boughs. You can use scraps if you have used these pieces in other areas of your home. Depending on the size of your door, combine a selection of these pieces and bind together with floral wire.

STEP 2

Attach this grouping to your door with the appropriate hardware. Note that we ran a strip of red velvet ribbon down the door to provide contrast to the greenery.

STEP 3

Fluff the boughs by wiring in pinecones, berries, magnolia leaves, and any other fresh foliage, fruit, or other décor of your choosing.

STEP 4

To keep the swag fresh throughout the season, use a mister to spritz the greenery every other day.

To see more Christmas decor from designers Mara Lamb Malcolm and Retha Lamb, click here.

Recipe Round-Up

November 16, 2016 by ark_admin

Thanksgiving is almost here, and it’s time to wrap up your holiday menu. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite dishes we think you and yours will enjoy!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grilled Berkshire Pork Chops

Lamb Marinade and Curried Carrots

Creamed Onions

Seasonal Goat Cheese Crostini

Sweet & Savory Butternut Squash Soup

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Seasonal Flavor

October 18, 2016 by ark_admin

Cooler temperatures often send us into the kitchen for warm, hearty meals—and, of course, holiday treats. Thanks in part to its key ingredient, pumpkin bread reigns as one of winter’s most scrumptious delights.

PUMPKIN BREAD

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Mix baking soda, flour, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Slowly mix dry ingredients with butter and sugar. Fold in pumpkin puree until mixed thoroughly. Grease a 9×5 pan and pour batter into pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

GLAZE

Ingredients
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
2 T milk

Combine milk and sugar, then drizzle over slightly cooled pumpkin bread.

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September 2016: News From Around the Natural State

September 21, 2016 by ark_admin

Art Exhibition in El Dorado
Asheville artist, Kathryn B. Phillips, who grew up in the Delta of Arkansas, will show her watercolor exhibit “Contraptions” in El Dorado. The exhibit will include 20 to 25 large-scale watercolor paintings of machinery parts reconfigured to create a contraption full of personality.

“I find real freedom in redesigning a perfectly fine tuned machine with specific function into an expression of humor that hopefully delights the viewer as much as it does me to create it. I choose for the most part agricultural equipment to launch my ideas, simply because that subject speaks of my home and my familiarity. My contraption series embodies this concept.”

The exhibit will be displayed at the South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) in El Dorado, September 3 – September 30, 2016 with a reception on September 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visit saac-arts.com for more information; kathrynbphillips.com

Vesta’s to Open Soon in Rogers
Northwest Arkansas will soon have a new resource for women’s fashion. Vesta’s, the well known and loved Little Rock fashion boutique will be the latest addition in Rogers opening in mid to late September. Vesta’s will offer Northwest Arkansas women a beautiful place to shop for any and all occasions. The women of Vesta’s, led by owner Melissa Tanner, bring a unique array of clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories to their clients that invite effortless, feminine, and intriguing looks. Look for grand opening events and specials coming soon. Vesta’s, 5100 Pauline Whitaker Parkway, Suite 105, Rogers, vestasboutique.com

Now Open in Sherwood
The Painted Tree Vintage Market recently opened an additional location in a newly constructed building on Hwy 67/167 and Kiehl in Sherwood. An upscale vintage market housed under one roof, The Painted Tree offers shopping for unique furniture décor, antiques, boutique clothing, and gifts all in one place. Many of their same vendors, which consist of interior designers, decorators, artisans, and craftsman, are represented at this new location as well as many new ones. They are open Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. -6 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. -6 p.m. The Painted Tree, 8550 Landers Road, Sherwood, (501) 205-4540, thepaintedtreevintage.com

A Look Outside

February 11, 2016 by ark_admin

In our January / February issue, Herron Horton Architects shared a bit about the contemporary design of the Vural residence. Today, we’re excited to reveal these images of the exterior of the house.

While the home is located in a traditional-style subdivision, the family wanted a more contemporary residence to suit their personal taste. Architects Jennifer Herron and Jeff Horton suggested a brick facade in a neutral hue that would hit both classic and contemporary notes. To add texture to the exterior, they also used long, narrow bricks that are double in size compared to standard versions. “We have a dialogue and a site-specific plan with each client,” notes Jennifer. “They know what they like and they trust us to put these pieces together for them.”

Jeff also notes the interesting ‘H’ shape of the home, as seen in this image of the home’s front. A galley walkway connects the two bedroom wings of the home and overlooks the main living and dining areas. “When you have a space that goes against the grain like this, you end up with a lot of internal rooms,” he says. To remedy this and provide an abundance of natural light throughout the home, windows were thoughtfully placed throughout the design. “We look at the size and proportion and placement [of the windows] in relation to the energy needs and conservation opportunities to find the best fit for the home’s site,” notes Jennifer of the design’s effort to be also be energy conscious.

For example, the back of the home, which overlooks the pool, features more windows, which also allows the Vurals to take in the view of their backyard at any time of the day.

Read the full story and learn about the home’s interiors here.

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: February Update

February 9, 2016 by ark_admin

Much like last month’s reminiscence of my visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte, this month I thought I would bring you more travel pictures turned garden inspiration…this time via a journey to Italy. Hopefully it will help us all make it through this last full month of winter weather, until we can get outdoors and into our gardens and outdoor living spaces this spring. And, hey, what better way to start the week of Valentine’s Day than with a romantic garden tour of Florence and the surrounding hillside towns of Tuscany?

Accompanied by a group of friends, some new and some old, I began my trip in Florence, or Firenze. The capital of Tuscany, Florence is also the birthplace of the Renaissance, the hometown of Gucci and the famed Medici family and the final resting place of Michelangelo. From personal experience, I can tell you Florence is also home to some damn good pizza, and luckily for us, gardens!

My first stop was this beautiful courtyard at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, meticulously arranged with citrus-filled terracotta planters.

I thought it was particularly interesting (and attractive) how the planters sit on what appear to be the overturned bases of other planters and stabilized with custom iron work.

The courtyard also features gorgeous architecture and statuary.

Leaving the palace I was struck by this massive terracotta jar. I love to use unique pieces like this as powerful focal points within a particular garden space.

Check out the amazingly delicate details of the jar’s lid!

Later that same day, I came across this outdoor living space and art installation at a local restaurant. Its sleek, contemporary vibe were quite a striking contrast to the rest of the city.

I love these stylish outdoor floor lamps. Weather resistant lamps are a great way to bring indoor sophistication to an outdoor setting.

At the end of the day, my friends and I met up at the Hotel Lungarno, a celebrated hotel founded by the Ferragamo family. The street-side entrance to the hotel’s breezeway is elegantly framed with potted boxwoods, a simple classic that never goes out of style.

Situated along the River Arno, with stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio, Hotel Lungarno was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day of playing the tourist!

For the next few days, we set out to tour several of the ancient, hillside towns of Tuscany. One of the highlights was seeing the town of Cortona and the former house of Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun.

Perched on a steep slope, the property is a beautiful example of how successful and intriguing a terraced garden can be.

It was also exciting to see this carved stone niche, where, in the movie, an old man from the village devotedly places flowers in remembrance of his lost love.

Another special experience was our visit to Le Celle, an hermitage founded in the year 1211 and inhabited by Saint Francis of Assisi.

Judging by the look of this flourishing parterre, the 7 or so friars who currently live here are obviously dedicated gardeners!

For the last day of our journey, we headed back into Florence and to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens.

Created by the Medici Family, Boboli Gardens is one of the earliest examples of the Italian Style of gardening, marked by long vistas, an organized layout and ornate ornamentation.

The Egyptian obelisk and Roman basin were moved here from the Medici Villa in Rome.

This geometric hedge garden was a previously unseen surprise that revealed itself only as we approached to appreciate the elaborate, rooftop fountain in the background.

These stunning gates lead to a massive water garden and island, filled with potted plants, carved balustrades and classical statuary.

Speaking of statuary, there is no shortage of it in the vast park lands that make up the rest of the gardens!

Leaving the gardens, we passed by what I thought was the most beautiful building on the property: The Orangerie. Used for housing cold-sensitive plants during the winter, it is a testament to the value that European Royals placed on gardening during the time this palace was built.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Exterior designer Daniel Keeley is an Arkansas native and founder/principal of DK Design. His work has won numerous awards and accolades and is featured regularly in various publications. For more information visit dkdesignoutdoor.com.

‘Cool’ Isn’t Complicated

February 3, 2016 by ark_admin

If you want to make your house and landscape stand out as something individual and not like all the other houses on the block, you don’t have to do much. Homeowners often think they have to pull it all out, replace entire mature plantings, and hire an architect to create a new entrance, when really all you have to do is step back, and look at what’s already there with a fresh eye. Try a dash of unexpected color, install a few new plants, rethink concrete surfaces, and then you really have what you seek: a house and landscape that will be a better reflection of you.

Let’s talk color. The easiest thing you can do is slap a new hue on an existing surface, like a door and shutters. And think about a color that will both thrill you and be calm as well, like the eggplant shade used here. It’s the perfect complement for the pale gray stucco walls, injects a modern feel, and is serene at the same time. And, yes, unexpected. If you don’t trust yourself to pick out the right shade, consult a color wheel. You’ll see complementary colors opposite each other. Start with the front door, then add your dash of new to other, smaller architectural details. This simple—and quick—change will make all the difference in setting the tone you want as people come up your walk.

And what about that walk? Most of us have poured concrete already in place, but you can easily lift it and replace with cut flagstone or terrazzo. By removing a bit of the concrete that seems to sometimes surround us everywhere we go, we can personalize the space. You have many options besides cement. And you’ll probably want to flank your new walk with a bit of (controllable) planting. Nothing does the trick as well as dwarf mondo grass. You don’t have to trim or mow, and it doesn’t sprawl or spread. Plus, it has this great ‘cuteness’ factor, which almost brings in a sense of play. Something as small as mondo can add that ‘happy’ factor you’ll want.

Recall what I said about removing some concrete? I simply hammered up the middle strip of the drive and replaced with some more happy mondo. That idea of poured concrete for an entire driveway is relatively new, and you can breathe a bit of life—literally—by taking part of it out and planting. Mondo is easy, drought tolerant after the first year, and needs almost no upkeep. Something else to note: I used aspidistra along the house. It’s the best friend you’ll ever have in deep shade. It’s hard to find something that will live without sun, but aspidistra is it. In fact, if it gets sun, the leaves tend to yellow or burn. It spreads, but oh so slowly, and provides a nice contrast to the mondo. I sell lots of these hardy plants because they are resilient, look good, and last a long time.

Your last addition should be something unexpected, like this vintage lamp post. It originally stood sentry outside a commercial building, but such an architectural leftover can bring a bit of serendipity to any residential landscape. And you don’t need to place it front and center, either. I nestled it into the existing bed here, so it’s a bit of a surprise to anyone passing.

You can create a thrilling new look for your house and landscape by keeping it simple, changing minor details, and adding a touch of color. You won’t go broke, need a building permit, or require a series of craftsmen coming in and out, to get what you want. Just take it one detail at a time, and don’t try to alter your entire landscape. ‘Cool’ is easier than you thought.

Live Life to the Fullest,

Chris H. Olsen

chrisholsen.com

botanicagardens.com

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: January Update

January 12, 2016 by ark_admin

I hope you had a joyful holiday season, and your 2016 is off to a wonderful beginning! This time of year, after the chaos of the holidays dies down, I am always a little sad to face the reality that it is winter, and we will have to wait several months to enjoy once again the full benefits of our gardens and outdoor living spaces. To keep my spirits up and my creative juices flowing, I flip through countless home and garden books and magazines, transporting myself to another season and place.

Along these same lines, I thought I would share with you some images of my summer visit to the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte in France. A 350-year-old model of grace and beauty, Vaux is a place I had wanted to visit for a long time but had never quite made it. The château and grounds were well worth the wait, however, and I was thrilled to soak in the storied history and sumptuous sights of this grand estate.

As we approached the château, my friend and I passed through an allée of enormous plane trees, or “les platanes” in French. This is my favorite large tree, and it is very similar to the Sycamore found in the U.S.

At the end of the allée, we were rewarded with our first glimpse of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Entering the property we first encountered a charming, garden café that has been established in some of the former stable buildings.

Across the stable courtyard, blooming roses soften a centuries-old wall.

The château, itself, lies behind an ornate metal gate. Gates are one of my favorite garden elements and an easy way to add instant importance to any outdoor space.

The front façade of the château gives visitors their first glimpse of the grandeur that awaits. The brainchild and passion of Nicolas Fouquet, Royal Finance Minister to King Louis XIV, Vaux was one of the first houses of its day to be built entirely of stone, rather than also using brick.

Looking back at the stable outbuildings, it is easy to appreciate the difference between the two styles.

Vaux was also the first home of its kind designed, from its inception, to be an indoor/outdoor experience, uniting house and garden into one cohesive tableau. In its original state, the main entry hall was completely open to the gardens, both front and back, immediately connecting the interior and exterior realms.

Looking out over the Grand Parterre gives you a sense of the massive scale of the formal gardens, 100 acres of clipped hedges, blossoming perennials and playful fountains.

Nicolas Fouquet was a great patron of the arts, something that is evident in the many statues and ornaments that grace the gardens. Man-made objects, such as statues and urns, are a wonderful way to introduce personality into a garden, and I consider them essential to any space I design.

Looking back at the rear façade of the château, you can see how the gardens complement the house and how its elevated position, in return, affords the perfect vantage point for enjoying the work of André Le Nôtre, the celebrated landscape architect who designed the grounds at Vaux.

Unfortunately it was not active during my visit, but this, the Fountain of the Crown, was Le Nôtre and Fouquet’s homage to their king.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Fountain of the Crown, it was at these steps on the evening of August 17, 1661, that the famous playwright, Molière, entertained Nicolas Fouquet and his guest of honor, the King himself, Louis XIV.

The unprecedented festivities also included lavish fireworks which lit up the sky, as well as the reflective waters of the Grand Canal and Basin.

So impressive were the celebrations that evening that they pushed the King’s previously simmering jealousy of Fouquet and his popularity to the boiling point. Fouquet was subsequently imprisoned and many of his possessions seized by the Crown. King Louis XIV also gathered up the artists and craftsmen who had created Vaux-le-Vicomte, including landscape architect, André Le Nôtre, and put them to work on his own country house. It is a project you may have heard of already: the Palace of Versailles!

Wrapping up my visit by sharing one final view of the château with the statue of Hercules that presides over the far end of the garden, it was not so hard to imagine how one might become jealous over Vaux-le-Vicomte, “the seminal expression of the Jardin à la française, the French aesthetic of formal gardens, that swept Europe in the 17th century.” ¹

Happy New Year and see you next month!

¹ This quote was taken from the official website of Vaux-le-Vicomte, which I encourage you to visit here.

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: It’s All in the Mix

January 5, 2016 by ark_admin

We Americans eat a lot of mixed salads, don’t we? It’s at the top of most menus, and even McDonald’s offers a selection. Many of us—especially after the holidays—face salads for lunch as a sort of penance for overconsumption. Mixed salads are always a great way to improvise, use color and texture and contrast, and tell a kind of seasonal story. Your garden can be planned and assembled the same way you create a great-tasting salad for guests. Start with the basic ingredients, a bit of design principle, and add color and texture. It’s not hard because you use a mix of perennial and annual-blooming plant material, according to growing conditions and exposure.

Start with the ‘bones’ of your garden area. By bones I mean the elements—growing plant specimens and architectural aspects—that will anchor your plantings and remain year-round. (Think of them as the basic greens salads are built upon.) Conifers and other tall plants that are usually not deciduous are your best bet for plant materials that establish permanence in your landscape. The large pots shown here add further depth, solidity, and architectural interest, as well as fonts for seasonal color. Use shorter green plantings, such as these boxwood and rosemary for further shape and anchoring. Your annual color—the workhorses of the plant world—are plantings you change with the seasons. And they’re right up front, too, like these sun-friendly New Guinea impatiens.

Once you’ve placed your bones and anchoring plants, stay with the same idea, and put in blooming perennials, like this rudbeckia. Perennials, while not full of color for the whole season like annuals, are just what their name implies, lasting most or all of the year, and into the next. They won’t bloom for the entire time, but they grow often into nice drifts, and provide a bit of further visual interest and texture. Translation: they come with a subtle touch of chaos, which you’ll want to keep your garden from becoming too formal. Note how they seem to caress these dwarf ilex.

Repeat your elements throughout your landscape. Use the same cultivars and plants to create harmony. It also makes your planting area seem larger to use some of the same bones, perennials, and annuals. But you don’t want mirror images of each planted area. That would again inflict a kind of formality that you don’t want in your residential garden. Use some of the same plants, but plant them differently for further visual interest. Musical composers call this idea ‘variations on a theme.’

Why am I smiling in this photo? Simple: the entire planting—and it’s a large one—comes together with finishing touches of annual color and further green texture. I used the same design principle in each planted area, and much of the same material. I began with the bones, then moved forward and out, establishing simple areas for layered plantings of perennials. Then came the easy part: full-blown annual color. You don’t have to break the bank to have a great garden. Nor do you need vast acreage. All you have to do is begin with the basics of your mix, then add elements for texture and color and varied growth habits. Each part can be like the ingredients of a great salad, and you can change it up to please your palate. Good planting, like good food, is a visual pleasure.

Live Life to the Fullest!

Chris H. Olsen

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: December Update

December 9, 2015 by ark_admin

Happy Holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying copious amounts of seasonal festivities with family and friends. I, for one, am loving the unseasonably warm temperatures that have been gracing us most days lately!

Recently, I took advantage of one of these beautiful, fall days to give yet another makeover to the neglected fountain I rediscovered last month. Hopefully you caught my last post and saw how this forgotten fountain became a fun, fall display. Just in case you missed it, here is a quick pic:

Since the original makeover was so easy, I decided to give it another go…this time filling the tiers of the fountain with freshly cut evergreen branches, large pine cones and other items. Plus, in the spirit of the holiday season, I resurrected the cherub and dolphin who didn’t make the cut last month!

As a reminder, here is what I started with:

And here is this month’s display:

I used the same potting soil from last month’s arrangement as an anchor for the evergreen branches, stabbing them into the soil to make a random, yet balanced composition. Then I added sculptural branches of Manzanita and sandblasted grapevine, along with large, sugar pine cones that are secured to some of the sturdier evergreen stems using florist’s wire. Finally, I gave Mr. Cherub and his fishy friend a little bling in the way of some shiny Christmas ornaments leftover from another project.

And voila! A unique, holiday display made from natural elements and leftover treasures. I think it makes a festive addition to the otherwise empty veggie garden.

Try making a similar display for your own garden or patio using an old fountain like this or, perhaps, a collection of garden containers. If you are lucky, you might even be able to harvest the fresh greens from your own back yard…or during a leisurely hike. Regardless, just remember to have fun with it and enjoy the season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Create a Holiday Swag

Recipe Round-Up

Seasonal Flavor

September 2016: News From Around the Natural State

A Look Outside

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: February Update

‘Cool’ Isn’t Complicated

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: January Update

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: It’s All in the Mix

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: December Update

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