This whimsical green garden table would be a sweet addition to any yard or porch – but not cloyingly sweet. In fact, I’m considering getting one to place in between the white rocking chairs on my front porch. I like its old-time charm mixed with the more au courant color, (and it would match the rug on my front porch – bonus!)
It’s constructed of iron, with a lime green powder coat, glass inlaid table top, and folding base. The butterfly motif table measures 22 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 17 inches high.
$129.95. Black Swan Fireside Hearth & Home, 182 S. Main Street, Newtown, (203) 426-1230. www.blackswanhome.com
Sweet….but not too sweet
Red Dumpster is Poised for Barn Demo
By Amy Dolego
After months and months of delay, our insurance company finally sent us the check for our barn which collapsed in January under the weight of the snow (see “Collapsed Barn Held High Hopes”, 02-04-11). We still don’t know why it took so long, but we’re happy that it’s settled and we can concentrate on finding a way to reconstruct the barn within our budget.
It’s hard to explain, but seeing a collapsed barn in one’s backyard every day is kind of 
stressful. Looking at our belongings half hanging out of the barn, wondering what is salvageable and what has been permanently lost and thinking about all the memorabilia that continues to be exposed to the elements is a constant worry. Continue reading
Those Little Touches
One of the things that I wanted to do fairly soon after we moved in was to put up artwork. I don’t know about you but to me, a home can be transformed with artwork. Your house turns into home with the artwork reflecting the homeowner’s taste. Here is some of the art in my home.
I love these pieces created from recycled billboard vinyl. Continue reading
Gaze deep into this ball – no fortune included
There are times that something so small, and so simple, is so beautiful.
In this case, it’s the rich shades of this blown glass gazing ball that set it apart from the pack.
The brilliant red, with its delicate swirls of blue and orange, would make it stand out amidst the most colorful of garden settings.
It’s 10 inches in diameter, and the stand is not included.
$39.95. Black Swan Home, Hearth and Gift, 182 Main Street South, Newtown, (203) 426-1819. www.blackswanhome.com
Tennis Court Demolition Improves Grounds
By Amy Dolego
Suddenly we’ve made some real progress on the grounds of our very old house. It happened this week and it is the first time we’ve made a major change all at once. It’s also the first time we hired a contractor with a big machine instead of trying to do the work ourselves. We finally demolished the sad, cracked, grass infested, asphalt tennis court. 
Although it is a huge eyesore, there’s a sentimental side of me that will miss the tennis court. It’s got a rich history of good times and I’ve heard stories from local residents about how this property was once the hottest place in town during the summer months. The former owners left a sign-up sheet outside the court when they went back to New York City. Friends from the area stopped by during the week and noted when they’d like to play. When the owners returned to this summer weekend home, the sign-up sheet was filled and tennis matches were played non-stop. It was quite the social place from what I’ve heard. But those days are long gone and the tennis court fell into disrepair. Quotes for reviving it are almost as much as building a new tennis court. While my husband and I love to play tennis, we’d rather have a garden in that spot. It’s located much too close to the house. Continue reading
State-of-the-art storage
Lago “30 mm” wall systems, such as the ones pictured here and those found at the showroom of Signorello of Westport, are nothing short of fascinating. (I know, sounds like high praise for a wall system, but you’ll see.)
Granted, they’re useful – virtually any shelving unit is. But Lago systems take it one step further and provide an opportunity to let your imagination run wild, and to create something truly reflective of your personality.
The components, which can be free-standing or wall-mounted, and displayed either horizontally or vertically, come in a variety of sizes beginning with 14-inch cubes. They can be used with doors or without, and are available in 12 colors. And don’t think you have to limit yourself to just one color.
“Do you dream of a wall tree to climb on, to gather your books like precious fruits?” says the company’s website. “Do you imagine a bookcase that clambers up the wall, falling vertically like dominoes, or that takes on the features of a multicoloured maze?”
Those things are possible with these wall systems.
So get those creative juices flowing! Grab your graph paper and plot out a design that will make you happy every time you look at it.
Prices vary according to design, but 14-inch cube units with glass fronts start at $600. Signorello of Westport, 11 Wilton Road, Wesport, (203) 221-3200. www.signorellowestport.com
Recycled Glass: Clearly a Useful Material
Since the time I met Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass Jewelry at a trade show, I have been smitten with recycled glass. Kathleen creates gorgeous jewelry from recycled bottles. She slices the bottles and then fires them until they’re smooth. The result is a dazzling a array of stunning jewelry. A few years ago Kathleen entered the home goods market creating recycled glass lighting fixtures and wall art. Behold.
But recycled glass has so many other roles to play in the home too. Countertops, flooring, dinnerware, you name it … and each piece is a show stopper. For Christmas last year, my mother gave me glasses made from recycled wine bottles and they’re a hit at every dinner party. A set of recycled glass dinnerware is next on my wish list. Fire & Light has an expansive collection. Isn’t it gorgeous?
I recently came across Bottlecrop, a company out of Bucks County, Pennsylvania that creates a variety of items for the home made from recycled bottles. One of my favorites is their terrarium. I think a set of three sitting on a window ledge would be darling, no?
For stunning countertops there are a few players in the game but IceStone is a stand out with their variety of color and for their commitment to the environment. For their effort they have received the prestigious Gold Level Cradle to Cradle certification. which means that these guys are the real deal when it comes to preserving the environment. Check out their sustainability commitment, it’s pretty impressive.
For flooring, consider Enviroglass, a company that recycles not only bottles but windows and mirrors. As a result you have about 20 color varieties to choose from. I mean, c’mon, can you get enough of that chevron pattern? Me neither!
Evidence of fairies?
This miniature garden scene is one of a number created by Mark Fancher, co-owner of Shakespeare’s Garden in Brookfield.
Seemingly fit for a fairy, this vignette staged in a chicken feed container incorporates a host of small succulents with a tiny little arbor, wheelbarrow, bird bath, bench and more. I hope this photo does it justice.
There are varying designs and sizes – all adorable and meticulously planned and executed. I love the way Fancher incorporates found and unusual objects into his designs.
This one is $98.95, Shakespeare’s Garden at Burr Farm, 25 South Obtuse Road, Brookfield, (203) 775-2214.
…just kidding, Dear…