Amidst seasonal decay...
...a sculptural beauty remains.
...while extravagant blooms hint of spring...
...heads bow, preparing to blossom...
...and trees awaken from their slumber.
The old and the new artfully co-exist, as seasons merge.
Photos taken Tuesday in our garden and a flowerbox on the deck, with the canal beyond. Click to enlarge.
This week I've been clearing post-winter storm debris from the canal. As homeowners living along a canal, we're tasked with keeping the canal clear (fish live in the canal and devour mosquito larvae), as well as looking after the lily pads! While the local council takes care of all major canal maintenance, we are responsible for looking after the section adjacent to our property.
Meanwhile, we're still busy with painters, electricians and a hundred small tasks involved in making the house a home. It is a modern house, so by the time I'm finished, it will have a cleaner, simpler look than our previous house in Holland or our Paris apartment.
This year I've been influenced by the Danish modern aesthetic of the television series Borgen. I'm particularly obsessed with Louis Poulsen lighting! Over the next couple of months, I'll be selling some lovely French furniture and collectibles to an antiques dealer in Amsterdam. I also plan to re-open my etsy shop to offer smaller items from my private collections. Stay tuned!
Eclectic style
If you haven't seen my friend Maryam and her husband Chris's gorgeous home in the April issue of Elle Decor, check it out - so beautiful! It is bursting with personality and creativity, not to mention Maryam's exotic collections! You can also pre-order a copy of Maryam's book Marrakesh by Design here, here or here. And her new shop Red Thread Souk is online; you can get your own vintage rug or Moroccan wedding blanket. I have (ahem) a few of the latter and can attest that they are gorgeous, not to mention super-stylish!
It sounds like you're taking your new home in a great direction!
xx,
deborah
Posted by: Deborah | 25 March 2012 at 18:54
I love the inside of this daffodil, orange as an egg yolk!
Spring is my favourite season, always gorgeous, even in freezing Scotland...
Posted by: nasim marie jafry | 23 March 2012 at 13:31
So so so beyond excited for you and your new home beautiful Tara!! xoxo
Posted by: Vanessa {A Fanciful Twist} | 20 March 2012 at 22:57
The Hydrangeas are gorgeous...such lovely remnants of glory past. Best of luck with that home, dear, I know it shall be wonderful.
Posted by: Natalie | 19 March 2012 at 04:11
I look forward to seeing the results of your reinvented, Danish-style-inspired home. I'm a fellow Borgen-addict, and a recent trip to Copenhagen has got me sold on Danish design. I'm going to have to move house too, to justify a Birgitte Nyborg-style make-over!
Thanks too for the links to your friend's sites - gorgeous style of a different kind.
Posted by: Karen@PasGrande-Chose | 18 March 2012 at 20:33
Your photos are beautiful!
I will look for the magazine, Maryam has the funkiest style ever.
Have a great weekend!
Xo
Posted by: Gill | 17 March 2012 at 01:44
Such exquisite hints of spring. Beautifully captured.
Yes, so thrilling that Peacock Pavilions is in Elle Decor.
Posted by: elizabeth | 15 March 2012 at 12:44
The skeletal remains of plants in the first two pictures remind me of fine lace. Just lovely. Happy settling into your new home. I look forward to peaks one of these days.
Posted by: Marilyn | 15 March 2012 at 03:59