Inspiring Potagers' Cookbook

*If you're a Facebook friend (JOIN HERE), then you know we're all abuzz about French potagers, English raised beds and all around planting your healthy bounty of vegetables and herbs!

This still shot from the Nancy Meyers' film, IT"S COMPLICATED, inspired me to do more than just a few heirloom tomatoes in pots and urns filled with herbs:

I began the journey by taking away a chunk of yard, which is at a PREMIUM when you live by the beach so this was not taken lightly. Once completed, I've not regretted one blade being gone!

Double over chicken wire to keep those pesty Bill Murray arch enemies out, the elusive gopher!

Mixing manure and other fertilizers is not pleasant to the nose, but the gratitude from your plants does pay off!

Irrigation is key for someone like me who travels outside the Country a lot.

The end result: a modest and simple raised beds that packs a whollop with favorites like French Sorrel, Heirloom Tomatoes, Lemon Cucumbers, Watermelon and Hericot Verts!

THIS HAS INSPIRED A GIVEAWAY....one of our favorite cookbook authors, Patricia Wells, has just released the fabulous,  SALAD AS A MEAL. BUT here's the kicker, it's only on FACEBOOK, so you must be a FACEBOOK FRIEND (link here) to enter to win. 

*Submit photos of your own raised bed...

*....ground garden...

*.....or container of herbs...

Post on our Vintageweave Interiors' Facebook page in order to be entered. Winner picked May 15 so plenty of time to get your hands into some dirt! 

Remember,,,even the simplest potted tomato or container herb garden can win...its simply must look healthy and inspiring!

For garden items from France, shop with us online at Vintageweave

Remember we ship worldwide!

Machine Parts Box Repurposed

Recyle! Reuse! Repurpose!

Vintage and antique lovers worldwide already know that the best way to stay green is to repurpose what is already on this earth....

Thus, imagine our delight to stumble upon these old machine parts metal box organizers. Already pre-drilled with holes where the lube oil once drained, these make fabulous planter boxes!

Note: as some plant roots may burn if left to grow touching the metal itself, it's always best to line any metal with moss or similar planting material.

Measuring 23 L x 12 W x 7" Deep; $89 each. We scooped up a little over two dozen so get yours while the gittin' is good!

Available now at "Vintageweave.com"

Gardeners Come Forth!

{Zinc Pot Carriers w/pots; $75 set}

Spring brings out the green thumb in all of us....

When you don't have that much in the way of space (think rooftop deck), want a little window cheer, or need something pretty for the starter plants, these zinc pot carriers fit the bill perfectly!

Modeled after those found in the early 1920's, these newly-devised Zinc Pot Carriers come with the 6 pots (all new). We've sold the antique versions in the past (and still sell the vintage zinc pots!), and were thrilled to discover these fantastic interpretations.

{Antique French Plant Markers; $40/ea. France circa early 1920's}

For those die-hard antique lovers out there who want that certain je ne sais quoi, these antique French slate Plant Markers add so much delight to the vegetable garden or just in their proper simplistic form coming out of a potted plant. Our favorite French antique garden dealer emailed us when she stumbled across them as she knew I'd go ga-ga over their....... well.....Frenchness!

If you're creative with moss and small plants, our French Lace Basket Sets would look amazing with pansies against the French grey wire. Each set comes with 5 in various sizes. The uses around the garden, office, bath and kitchen are endless!

(A set immediately went home with me!)

{French Lace Basket Set (5); $141}

All available now at "Vintageweave.com" or by 323.932.0451. Ordered with us before? If your card is on file you may merely email your order: vintageweave@aol.com.
{NOTE: ALL items are on the website under What's New or Green Thumb Le Jardin.}

Happy Gardens Await!

Spring has Sprung!

{English Antique Rose Markers- Classic; $33/ea}

In Southern California 'tis true: it's pretty darn beautiful year round. That said, there's simply something special about the arrival of Spring regardless of where you rest your feet....Hawaii, Provence, Lake Como, Los Angeles, Chicago....

1. My dogs frolic more freely;
2. Birds chirp louder;
3. Spring Air smells cleaner;
4. Potting soil cooperates;
5. New buds stand taller;
6. The day is longer!

Just in time for Spring plantings, my favorite English Garden Antiques Dealer spied these lovelies.....

Nestled in Central England, the bounty is vast and mind-boggling. We think English garden ware pairs perfectly with French lavender, sage and rosemary, n'est-ce pas?

{English Antique Rose Marker - Large; $39/ea}

Available in Antiques Section at "Vintageweave Interiors"

Succulent Maven

Vintageweave is not a garden center, but we are OFTEN called upon to create something wonderful for the garden....we keep a steady variety of unusual offerings in the boutique to help inspire our visitors to plant out of the box...or in some cases, IN the box! Inevitably these are begged off us to be sold or commissioned to be duplicated for their own homes.

If you're looking to add interest to a corner of your home or table, here's my simple trick that's fast, inexpensive and EASY for those from green to yellow to black thumbs!

Step 1: Find your choice of unusual or pretty vessel. If using wood or cast iron, line the edges with ziploc baggy or moss to prevent wood rot or plant burning (in the case of the latter);

{Vintage box $49 and small Parisien Urn $41 both sold at vintageweave.com}
Step 2: Drill some holes! Be sure the holes are large enough, or if you only have a small drill bit, increase the quantity of the holes. If you've lined your vessel with plastic, be sure you've added holes in that or it won't drain properly;

Step 3: Plant your favorite small varieties, using a mixture of heights and shapes. For added interest, choose vessels with colors that complement the plants you choose. Green and red go great with white and brown, for instance. Sit back and enjoy your mini project!


Feel free to share your planting ideas with our blog readers (and me!!)!

New Arrivals for July!

{Industrial Table for any chic space! $700 and up}

New acquisitions are arriving daily at Vintageweave!

Some are selling faster than we can add to the website or do a proper mailing to announce, but here's a few of my favorites that we placed around the shop today. More later this week.....!
As always, email us with inquiries or if you want to go on the Wish List for something similar......
{Swedish Dresser! Call for pricing}
{Garden Art! Call for pricing on similar pieces as this one has sold}

File Under...Um, Garden Art?

Classy, fab Mediterranean Home on a chi chi street in Beverly Hills...




....whose owners OBVIOUSLY have a seriously-large sense of humor....

"No. Your eyes aren't deceiving you.
Yes. That's a statue.
No. You Likely can't afford one. ($100,000plus)
Yes. I laughed my a** off."

{Notice the curlers in the hair!!}

Well it's a looksy anyway!

For many of my clients,"privacy is crucial" is an understatement. While I'd love to show more of the interiors, I do not feel comfortable sharing their inner sanctuaries (we're working on getting them published in magazines and in decor books so that's another reason I'm unable to share). However, the grounds are so spectacular at this Malibu home that I think you will enjoy seeing snippets of the landscaping just as much....
I'm particularly crazy over the dramatic statement of these succulent wall planters:



I can show you this WOW piece I'm having custom made for a client!

Crafted from three antique French shutters purchased in Paris....  First cut to our need of six short shutters and then highly-talented craftsmen begin the process of  matching the entire cabinet to match the antique doors, including new frames for portions of the shutters. It's difficult to see where the old stops and the new begins!
......Antique glass and hardware will complete the look.  If interested we can craft something to fit your needs; Similar to shown: $10,000-15,000.

A perfect piece for a beach home where the owners want a light palette of Swedish and French influences. THIS, folks, is reproduction distressing at its finest!

Transport my Soul!

One of my latest design projects is  a gorgeous Mediterranean/Italian villa in the magical city of  Ojai, California. Ojai is the next town inland from Ventura Beach (40 minutes from Santa Barbara), and loaded with orange groves, olive orchards, lavender bushes, and horses, horses, horses. I love it up here!

However, what Ojai is most famous for is the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa---a must for any spa maven or golfer! 

The 18-hole golf course is home to numerous PGA professionals, making it an impressive cinch to host group golfing events. It's one of the more picturesque California has to offer. In my previous line of work I coordinated and hosted an annual golf retreat for the top performers in my field. And their golf shop stocks the absolute best of the best golf attire! Not being a huge golfer myself, the picturesque setting and clean, magical scent that fills the air here is enough to make me break out the clubs!

.

But the spa.....
......oh this place so speaks my language!

I love nothing more than walking towards the spa as mounds of lavender bushes guide my way.

An invigorating swim followed up by relaxing in the jet-swirling jacuzzi and sauna.... finishing with an intense 1 1/2 hr massage enveloped in lavender and eucalyptus oils. Every muscle is so relaxed; my legs behave like a bowl of jello.


As the sun sets, I crawl back to my room. Not just any room, mind you. This is Ojai!  It's  an herb-scented Garden Suite.   I retire on the balcony.....it overlooks the olive and eucalyptus trees, while scented lemon trees in pots sprinkle the balcony..... roaming mountain peaks beckon in the background. Ohhhhh.....

......Amazing spa dinner of perfectly cooked fish, saffron rice, watercress lemon salad and chocolate/coconut/exotic nuts mousse is brought to my room where I relax with a wonderful regional wine from Santa Barbara.


All the while the sun disappears past the mountains and the scent of eucalyptus leaves begin to wafer through my room....

The next morning is filled with a glorious sunrise horseback ride while the California central mountains surround you. It's such a rare and treasured treat.


Honestly, you must do yourself a favor and book a weekend at this magical place! For the past 12 years, I've made it a point to enjoy bi-annual weekend getaways here. You deserve at least one excursion (and if your guy golfs, it's an easy sell---take it from this girl!!) There's so much more to enjoy: tennis courts! Pilates! Yoga! Craft Center... I am just scratching the surface!! The very first time I stayed here my suite was adjacent to Angelina and then-beau, Billy Bob Thorton.....who knows what fun neighbors you will enjoy!
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Oh, right....I did go up there to work! More on my actual design job at a beautiful home for a beautiful soul later after I come down from my herb-scented high....

Herb Away

I plan to have a lot of al fresco dinner gatherings for the duration of the summer...and well into Fall. As with all my gatherings, they will consist of French hemp napkins, linen tablecloths, lots of comfy down pillows, an incredible quantity of glittering votives everywhere you turn, and more laughs than a stomach can handle...Of course, good friends, good food, and GREAT wine are a given!

The food is always seasonal and consists mainly of Tapas so that we can all enjoy a bit of this and that.

Herb-coated olives & mushrooms.... goat cheese drizzled with extra virgin lemon-infused olive oil & rosemary sprigs................. fresh buffalo mozzarella intertwined with heirloom tomatoes & basil leaves...... seasonal fish grilled into bite-size pieces married with lemon & garlic

I think growing a fresh herb garden is essential food for the soul. Even way back in my apartment-dwelling days I always had some sort of container garden with a variety of herbs. I now enjoy a decently-sized yard--large by beach house standards--and I used to have a long stretch of my yard devoted to a substantial vegetable bed. Now with dogs I prefer they have an abundance of room to romp and play, so for the past couple of years my veggies and herbs are in containers. Tomatoes and mint are especially invasive; I prefer they don't have free reign to grown like weeds throughout the yard year after year, so containers for these are a must.

As the long weekend approaches in America, you may find you finally have the time to start an herb "garden" of your own! If you already enjoy the benefits, perhaps try incorporating a new, unusual variety into the mix such as Pineapple Mint--it's delicious shred over vanilla ice cream, atop grilled pineapple or in a Mojito!

And who doesn't love cooking with Rosemary....not to mention how great it simply looks? While I have several Rosemary Bushes throughout my property, I love the simplicity of this potted version:


You can even try growing an Herb Garden on the windowsill started from seed if you prefer. The benefits of course are endless: Organic eating, Good for the environment, Therapeutic...not to mention easier on the wallet. (During a recent Whole Foods visit this week,  they had heirloom tomatoes at $5.69/lb!)  I for one plan to add a few new varieties to my ever-growing garden...perhaps a Jalapeno Mint to counter balance the Chocolate Mint shown below. I'd love to hear what unusual herb you have growing...