MOTHER OF INVENTION. . . . TRUDI TEMPLE

My serendiptous day continued following Amy's outdoor garden event.  I was invited over to Trudi's.  She was the charming lady in the pictures at Amy's in her wonderful garden hat, following me (or I was following her is more like it) that continued to teach me more about the vegetables that Amy was growning in her garden.  You see, Trudi was the forerunner of fresh vegetables and gardening.  She was the woman who started MARKET DAY in the local schools and then went on to reach out to over 29 states.  She claims the unmost respect among those and beyond in the Western suburbs of Chicago.  She speaks all over Illinois, she tours many garden clubs, college and high school classes and various other groups through her amazing garden. She cares for all of her babies (plants, shrubs, bushes, ponds, stone walkways and more) with pretty much no help at all.   She has one acre of land completely developed to the INCH!  Everyone knows her, everyone admires her abilities and she is always ready to share the wealth of knowledge years of gardening has granted her.  I honestly think I was one of few that had never been beyond her garden gates!  Everyone I know has had this heavenly experience but me!

This is a Blue Spruce, not your average Blue Spruce I might add.

                          I believe she said it was called a Jerusalem Spruce. . . . and I might
                          be wrong. . . .and pink is so in you know!!!

She was oh so proud of her miniature ferns.  She had received a floral gift

from Japan and this mini fern was tucked into the gift, so instead of

throwing it away she tried to grow it!! That she did and they are growing

all over the place.  They never get any bigger than what you see.  The other

plant is called a Trillium.

Don't you just love the contrast of these varigated hostas with

the lush evergreens in the background?

There were stone paths, gates and ponds everywhere ~

Another stone pathway leading to the back of the house.

For a moment, I thought this fox was real. . . . Trudi told a story

about a gentlemen who was visiting with his friend and was afraid to

move for fear this 'beast' might harm him.  At night, I might have

felt the same!

Everywhere I looked there were precious birdhouses and if one

stood and listened, they too seemed to be enjoying the tour

with the chirping that never stopped.

As we approached the back of the gardens, we walked under a magical trellis

of sorts that had an unbelievable collection of bells from all over the world and her

travels.

Peonies ready to burst, if only we would have

some sun!!!  The soft pink flower behind was not

identified.

As we continued along the walkway, this beautiful double headed

spirea was in full bloom showing off the most beautiful, full white

blossoms I had even seen. 

I was in awe and could hardly move. . . . the beauty of this garden got better and

better.  I asked about the big chair.  She had spoken at some big Master Gardener event.  There were garden seats displayed all over and this one of very large proportions

had caught her eye.   At the end of the program she asked the powers to be if it were for sale. . . . . it now sits in her garden fit for the Queen.

As we continued along our path, this specimen caught my eye.

So delicate and so feminine.  Look at the little polka dots of

green and the base of the white flower. . . . .to be sure,

NATURE AT ITS BEST!  (I have forgotten the name)

The far end of the pond. . . .

Finally, her pride and joy. . . . she had been propagating this for

three years and this year her constant determination paid off!

This is a Jack in the Pulpit.  It is usually white, but this one had

'collars' of aubergine with white.  They were beautiful!

The way back garden with compost structures.  Trudi never throws anything

out!  If she doesn't compost it, she will throw it back into the ground and cover it with dirt.

Don't you love the contrast of the varigated hotas with the background

of evergreens?

Could Goldilocks and the three bears have been here?

What a place for a glass of ice tea and a good book!!!

Anybody home. . . . . ?

Note the weather table and chairs in the background ~

Lunch will soon be served. . . . . and what a setting.

A bit of a very large collection of conifers (upper right hand corner).

Such beauty and serenity. . .

As we came around another path, Trudi pointed out this bench that had

been made out of a fallen tree......Trudi throws nothing out!

As we walked up from the gardens the contrast of greens, trees, conifers with a flowering

bush was heartfelt. . . . she has forgotten nothing~

Could it be that because she spends every waking hour in her garden that someone

made her a bed to rest in.....?  Or, perhaps it could belong to Goldilocks!

and

could it be that all of these will get planted???

As my tour ended, all I could think of was how gracious, how talented and how

proud Trudi was of her wonderland of nature and its incredible gifts.

I was invited inside for tea and of course I accepted.

Before going inside I couldn't stop myself from taking still

another picture of this beautiful pink magnolia!

As we sat and drank ginger tea, my questions never stopped,

nor did her gracious and giving answers.  We talked about center-

pieces and she got up and behind a hutch, pulled out this old painted

vintage shovel which had been waxed to shine.  She said with a cute

smile on her face, I use this for as a centerpiece often.  It is usually filled

with flowers, or moss, or at Thanksgiving, I arrange fruit.  Her kitchen

table could seat 12 easily and it just worked.  "I bet you have never used

a shovel in one of your tablescapes. . . . . no I hadn't, but I think I just might!

Four hours later, I headed for home.  My heart was filled with laughter, happiness

and inspiration.   She would soon be heading to her farm near Woodstock where

more gardens and chickens await her. . . . her chickens and

Trudi gifted me with these eggs in their natural form.

Never thought an egg could be so beautiful!  They were

from some special kind of chicken that she raises 'down on

the farm'!

As Trudi walked me to my car, still other lessons to be learned along her

garden path. . .

AND

 

 the quote came to me that was in the Chicago Tribune this past weekend,

on an article about Trudi . . .

"Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative

occupation.  It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to

which man gives his heart."

~ Karel Capek 1931

WESTERN SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOUSE WALK. . . .

ALWAYS ELEGANT ~ THE THEME FOR THIS YEARS HOUSEWALK ~ 2011  The preparation was more than I had ever imagined.  It was like doing a showcase home of which I had done about 15.  The difference was about 1000 people would be going through OUR  home, upstairs and downstairs with every room being decorated to the best of my ability.  Here is my story. . .      

It was just a little over a year ago that I was asked to be on the housewalk for the Western Springs Historical Society.  I was honored to be asked and accepted the invitation soon after being asked.  I felt much had to be done to 'update' our home and so began my thinking on what I would do. . . . I had fallen in love with all that was gray and begun studying the many gray tones that would soon be a part of our 'new look'.  I must say the beginning was easy as I picked out the warm grays that seem to complement our already existing furniture and draperies.  What followed and the end result, even suprised me. 

The WALK brought many of my former clientele from the surrounding communities which was another reason I must make sure they felt I STILL HAD IT!!  I knew it was important to first please myself (my husband almost always loves what I do) and then to make sure that I could execute some of the inspirations I had gained from many of those new friends in the blogging community that I have come to so respect!

As people arrived, this is how they were greeted:

As Tablescape Chair, the florist assigned to me or who I had assigned to myself ,is

more like it, was STEMS AND TWIGS, of Western Springs.  We have done many

events together and they know my likes and dislikes.  When I have an idea, they listen

 to my heart and never disappoint.  Thank you once again Angela for hearing my

heart speak! 

I had an old garden green wall basket that I wanted  to be heavily mossed. It would reflect

in flower colors what they would be seeing inside. . . . . the accent color would be pink

in the home ~

To see more of their work, go to Stems and Twigs.com.

WELCOME. . .

My French console behind the open door. . . A Shefield, sterling silver footed

 container done with pastel pink roses, hydrangeas, snowballs, white stock

and perconium.

The famous patisserie table from a buying trip to France. . . . anyone who

has ever seen it, never seems to forget it.  Originally, it began its life in a

patisserie (French pastry shop).  It's latest home before me, was a French butcher shop.

It truly is one of my favorite things. . . .

My new dining room. . . . the old French country chairs updated and sassy with

their new gray tones.  Indoor/outdoor white linen ~

Evening serenity showing a new woven jute area carpet~

Daylight serenity. . . I called Caryn Aikens who had done my chairs, to see

if she had any free time to do a stencil on the ceiling.  Once  again Caryn caught my

heart and soul on the ceiling, no less!  Caryn's website: Caryns Decorative Painting.com

The little service table in front of the sofa that faces the fireplace arrived

on Saturday morning.  It was one of those last minute decisions that falls

into the category of cutting it close!  I needed something there that was not of

great proportions . . . . found this in the eves of my garage while on a cleaning binge.

Since I had no plans for a centerpiece, I decided to give each guest a pink

rose that I put into small mini vases that used to hold wax/dinner lites.

I had saved these in hopes that someday I would find a use for them and

I did!

Since I lean toward French influence in our home, I asked a dear friend

who had also done events with me, to do the Eiffel Tower cookies that she had

done for me once before.  As we enter the Great Room, she also had done the

macaroons, made so populare by Laduree.  Toni's Sweets of Hinsdale, Illinois

is a fabulous French bakery.  Her new Chicago bakery to open soon.  Her website,

Toni's Sweets.com,   Toni is always ready to add to and to make whatever I do more

special.  Her talent, ability and love of her art form will never dissappoint.  Many

thanks Toni for always being so gracious and so giving.

The vintage urn dressed for the party~

About 5 or 6 weeks ago I picked up Brooke, from Velvet and Linen

who was in town with her family and off we went to SHOP THE SHED.

This wonderful event is put on once a year by Joy Waltmire of the blogspot

http://savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com/      While shopping the shed, I found this vintage urn and knew exactly where it would be going for the house walk.

Here it is laying on its side upon my arrival home.

In my kitchen as the tour progresses, was a vignette of freshly

baked breads and some herbs.

Freshly baked chocolate croissants from Toni's Sweets

There was a vignette with macaroons (very French style!), real flower

cupcakes from Stem's and Twigs, a silver plated Champagne bucket and my very

own arrangement of Asian lilies and pink roses~

First level guest room accented with pastel pink sheets!

A missed vignette in the living room ~

An antique pine armoire from the Cotswold's~

that houses my collection of cookbooks.

Reflections on tumbled marble~

Little gold bird on windowsill ~

A mantel vignette~

A toile loft guest room . . . .

Looking down from the loft bedroom ~

Another peak from the loft bedroom~

Ready for rest. . . . .

Another kitchen vignette~

ORGANIZED

My new Ikat fabric on an old chair~Place?

My design studio

Given to me upon the closing of the store. . . hanging in my studio

above a door ~

A special wine dinner at Socca, our sons other

restaurant in the city of Chicago, with Salvadore Faregamo,

the grandson of the well know shoe designer.  He was in Chicago

presenting his new wines from his vineyard in Italy.

The sketch below was given to me by the Western Springs Historical

Society as a thank you for opening our home.

Another little visitor . . . .

My out of comfort zone color.  I used the equivalent Panetone color of

the year ~ honeysuckle ~ This was a big step for me. . . I had to 

that yummy chaise, from Summerhill, with the soft aqua mattlasse fabric that

was nearly new.  Great complement to the honeysuckle.

Under the eves. . . . . and quite cozy for our grand daughter.  She loved

it, but what little girl doesn't like pink!  We just hope our guests do too!!!

A cozy place to read........

A Manuel Canovas duvet cover with quilted plaid

Euro pillows ~ 

Booties under foot, and out the door . . . . .

TOMORROW ~ THE GARDEN

TWO DAYS AND COUNTING. . . .

SO hard to believe that all of the planning, the meetings, the inspiration and the creating for a house walk, is almost here.   I just wanted to show you what this morning's inspiration brought to my outside fountain area.  Amy Cox and I brought out all of my French elements. . . . . . The large mustard pots on the right are called confit pots and were found out at the booths at Cligencourt.  Others, the square terra cotta pots, are called melon pots and are over a hundred years old, found in Aix en Provence.   Mosses, herbs, lavender and birds nest are right from my own back yard. . . . . .(fyi, the nest was abandonded and from last year. . . .)

It just doesn't get better than this when you are working

with real antiques from France.

Two friends stopped by at the end of the day for a well deserved

glass of wine. " OMG  I feel like I am in France!!"  So I served

some French wine!

To the bottom left is a bowl filled with a collection

of baby lettuces. . . .

Flanking either side of the back door will be the Rose Scented Geraniums

which have been planted inside of a white birch wreath.  Do you see the little

moss bird sitting on the wreath?

                                                                                  

A gentle reminder that a tiny woven wall pocket

does make an impact!

I just finished the dining room tonight and I couldn't be

more pleased with the results. . .

More tomorrow!

AND

I will be blogging all of the house walk homes starting tomorrow at 1:00!

Still planting to do outside in the morning and a tea cart to paint as well.

GOOD NIGHT!

THREE DAYS AND COUNTING. . . .

It has been a year since I was asked to participate in the Western Springs Historical House Walk.  That year flew and we are now three days away from the event which will take place on Sunday.  Our home is one of six that will be presented.  I have been thinking for quite some time on what I would do to make a few changes and update (important for a designer to do) to keep my palette fresh and current.  I was "hit" with this new wonderful gray that has without a doubt become the new neutral.  I have also used a few soft pinks as accents on the first floor of our home, re: guest bedroom, dining room, (and not so soft pinks) in the upstairs guest room.  I used the new Panetone color of the year called Honeysuckle.  WOW!  This was a big step for me. . . . . in fact while it was being painted and I was participating a few weeks ago in our new vintage event, called THE GILDED FLEA, I received a call from my husband that I had better come home. . . . . "I don't know about that paint color your chose, you better come home and take a look"  Well if that didn't send me flying out the door. . . . . Yes, it was a change and a big one, but you will be seeing that soon. . . . . plus it is where our little grand daughter stays when she spends a weekend with us. 

Here is a little peak on what is going on. . . . . . .

Our living room with Restoration Hardware slate walls. . .

(The soft green silk drapes stayed the same and look 'fab'

with the new walls)

I have been minimizing and putting things away. . I

am loving a cleaner look without all that stuff!

I have edited and edited and I am happy with my new dining room.  While I have let

the outside come in with no drapery, I have decided to add a panel or two to the bay

and French door window. . . . I found a flax colored very light weight linen  fabric that will not be lined or inner lined.  Those are being installed today.  I have also replaced an area

carpet with a woven natural fiber.  The ceiling around my chandelier will have 'company'

at the end of the day. . . . Caryn Aikens, the decorative painter I have used for my

clients and also who painted my French country chairs will be doing a stencil today around my antique (straight from Paris) chandelier.  It will be done to look old and worn and in

shades of silver with a gold wash like the carving on the French country chairs she painted.

If you are local and wish to buy tickets, they are for sale at Clever Girl in Western Springs,

at Jane's Blue Iris in Hinsdale and at The English Garden Flower Shop in Clarendon Hills, to name a few.

So much more to share. . . . I will be back!