Oddly enough, one of my favorite things about New York is the presence of nature in the city.
Central Park is so much more majestic for its city setting and natural / city contrasts.
While in New York last weekend, Habitually Chic and I enjoyed the fine spring weather and spent the afternoon wandering around this paradise with ice cream cones. Maybe a little too long, I'm still suffering from my peeley sunburn!
Another piece of nature lies on the medians of Park Avenue. The pink metal rose sculptures by Will Ryman are surrounded by spring tulips for a short time every year.
A city of contrasts: the man-made and the natural working in harmony. Enjoy your weekend!
On my walk home last night I stopped and got some lilies, not only to help mask the steak smoke smell but because it's our first taste of spring in DC.
I spent St. Patricks Day evening eating shortbread for dinner (ok, and a more nutritous salad) and watching The Irish Country House narrated by the magnificent Angelica Huston who was lucky enough to be raised in one of these grand mansions.
I also wanted to share with you the progress of my friend Maxine's house (hi Maxine!). You may remember I've been helping her in setting up her new townhouse (remember the colored lites?). These are some rough snapshots of the work we've accomplished so far.
Maxine travels the world for work and is always bringing back new treasures. She is not afraid of color and her home is beginning to show this! I loved this blue updated damask wallpaper we chose for her stairwell along with one of her many moroccan lanterns we hung throughout the house.
These lanterns really add a lot of additional color to the neutral backdrops we chose for the bedrooms which don't benefit from the colored lights with the exception of the mater bedroom. This wallpaper is subtle in person, the pattern being an embossed silver over an ivory background which matches the wall color. 
The mirrored nightstand and nickel lamps pick up the silver accents in the wallpaper and also help reflect the natural light which streams into the master bedroom in the morning.
One last hint of color we brought into the bathrooms was by painting the wood builder-grade cabinets in bold glossy colors - why not bring a smile to your face in the morning with color?
While in Barcelona, I stayed at Le Meridien on La Rambla. In the lobby next to the elevators was a vase of lilies that were very peculiar; their color changed, pink to white to blue to yellow. Now how did they do that?
Up in the ceiling was a very regular looking little box hidden in the stair opening that threw a slowly changing point of colored light onto the arrangement; So slow that it was barely perceivable. I began to wonder, weren't those flowers pink this morning or am I going crazy? Just another bright idea, sometimes technology IS useful!
Another spot in Chicago which I visited was the Chicago Botanic Garden, an amazingly HUGE and gorgeous set of different gardens a little outside of the city.
My favorite part of the garden was the walled English garden. I've always wanted a little secret garden and the entrance to this one was just about perfect! Love that perfect shade of blue on the gate.
The garden was dedicated by Princess Margaret. I wonder what she thought about Chicago when she visited; I would love to hear as I'm sure it's entertaining!
This unusual folly was created in 1992 by Simon Verity as one of the focal points of the English garden. 
The different elements of the sculpture are meant to represent earth, air, fire and water. I'm not sure about all of that but I love the classical beauty of it!
I loved this central urn on a pedastal. 
Why do elements like this make a garden so much more appealing to me? Ahhh yes - they add architectural interest!!
The garden was so varied that the urn looked completely different from each angle.
I visited on what turned out to be the most perfect Fall afternoon and experienced the most beautiful light. I think the photo above reflects that.
I can't remember what this plant was, but it looked a bit like an olive tree, really beautiful! All of the plants are of course labeled but I was so happy snapping pictures (all with my phone) that I sadly don't remember what anything is!
The other side of the walled garden overlooks a lake with 2 pavilions at either end.
One pavilion is open as a seating area. This would be a great place for a picnic!
The other is closed, I assume for garden tool storage. Again, there was that perfect blue.
Outside of the walled garden was this allee of trees with gravel path. I always feel that gravel paths are the most gardeny, forget asphalt or even bricks!
All of the plants were really stunning and you could tell it was thoughtfully planned so something was in bloom every season of the year.
In the center of one lake was 'Evening Island' with a carillon bell. Loved hearing this when it went off!
The Japanese garden was also on a seperate island, but it was much prettier from across the lake.
Behind the walled garden was a beautiful waterfall garden that fed into the lake seen above.
Can my own secret garden have a waterfall too, please?
And what would any collection of gardens be without a rose garden.
I felt the roses were contrasted beautifully by the hardness of "Composition in stainless steel #1" by Gidon Graetz, 1985.
This garden proved that roses can be in bloom during nearly every season of the year.
While walking through Georgetown yesterday, I really noticed all of the colors of the city in the summer sun. I hope you enjoy your weekend!
For a side door at Filoli which is rarely used, I loved this idea of lining the staircase with overflowing terracotta containers. Maybe this is an idea for our own houses to bring some life to abandoned entries? I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend in this gorgeous weather and have a great 4th of July!
Are you tired of Filoli yet? I don't think I could ever be, but maybe I've devoted a little too much time to this magnificent estate. I'll wrap up the gardens in this post and we'll start fresh next week! 
Beyond the formal gardens lie an oasis of more informal plantings; Acres of amazing little outdoor rooms, each one more amazing than the last. If the structure for the grounds was laid by the Bourns, the Roths added the finishing touches (Mrs. Roth was an avid gardener) .
The Summer house is incorporated into the side of the walled garden which contains the most sheltered area. Remember nothing is safe out here from all of the hungry animals!
The wedding place within the walled garden was where the only wedding at Filoli was held. It was built for Berenice Roth and I think it's such a shame they don't open it up to others. Don't you want to get married here?
The following pictures barely begin to explain how breathtaking the rose garden is. After stepping through the last arch of the walled garden, every person on the tour gasped.
A profusion of color and textures...
Where are you even supposed to look or smell! Roses, lavender and other herbs overwhelm the senses.
I really think this is what heaven looks like. Not shown in the pictures are the gorgeous mountain views beyond.
I love these wild jumbled rose bushes the best.
Does anyone know what these striped roses are; Sandra? They had a heavenly scent.
