Village Laguna charm

Have I mentioned that I love where I live? We are so lucky to have so many beautiful and unique homes that accessorize the beaches and hidden coves perfectly. And all that was confirmed last Sunday, when I went on Village Laguna's 39th annual Charm House Tour.

Getting to peek behind gates and perfectly painted closed doors, is an absolute delight in this beachside town. And although we couldn't take pictures inside of the homes, I did snap a couple of pics here and there.

These folks named their house "Xanadu". I kept humming that song by Olivia Newton John the whole time I was walking through! But really, it was an adorable little cottage hanging right over a wash that was chock full of all kinds of flora and fauna and chirping birds.

 There were six homes featured in all, but I focused most of my attention on this sweet little 1926 cottage. Most of it was pretty original, with creative decor and whimsy throughout. Oh, I so wish that I could have taken some pics of the interior! But wait until you see some of the amazing gardens and exterior!

I have loved these Paolo Soleri windbells for a very long time. They used to have a shop in town that sold them, and I would give them as gifts. That shop is long gone, and I can't believe that I never got one for myself! Recently, I found their website, so now I have to save some $$ for my very own windbell!

By now you've probably figured out that I really love these bells, and that I'm just a little bit jealous of their fabulous collection!

This is an aviary that they have in their front yard. Can you see those little doves on the perch? They also had a couple more aviaries in the back yard.

These folks had amazing taste and a good eye to match. In every nook and cranny there were sweet vignettes to keep you noticing all the purposeful color and texture.

The nasturtiums offer a vibrant burst of color to cheer anybody in need!

If you look closely, you can see that there's a bees nest in the birdhouse. No wonder why their garden looks so good!

Neither the crowds, nor the bees disturbed Elenor's cat-nap!

The color of these succulents is wonderful with the sunshine streaming through, don't you think?

The side yard was just as charming as the front of the house!

Guess who's house was also on the tour this year. Give up? Cindy and Mark Evans'! Remember them? I posted on their Mexican themed garden way back in December. You can find the original posts here and here. Oh, and the L.A. Times did a piece on the inside of their house, which you can find here.

I took this tour with my friend, Janine, who has a blog called Laguna Dirt. Be sure to check out her post, too!

Slow food

Have you guys heard of Slow Food? Basically, it means eating food right out of your garden, or what's grown locally. For the last few years we've had tomatoes, lettuce, beets, and cabbage growing in our garden, you know, the basic summer garden treats. But this winter, on a whim, Mr. R, along with the help of my other 2 guys planted some red potatoes.

We finally harvested some of these wonders, so I would like to share some pics with you. Straight from garden to plate!

It just doesn't get any fresher than this!

Add some peppers, onions, garlic, a little salt and pepper, that's it!

Breakfast is served! Spinach & mushroom frittata, and super fresh, delish potatoes. Yum!

Here in Laguna, most of us don't even have backyards. We are packed in tightly, with most of the focus on our incredible views. So, I hope you don't mind me gloating over my little suburban farm just a bit. Don't hate me because of my beautiful potatoes!

An inspirational artist and gardener

Hortense's lovely, time-weathered hand

Recently, I had the immense pleasure of touring the delightful home and garden of Hortense Miller with my good friends, Janine, who writes the blog Laguna Dirt, and Jill (Jill's mermaid garden was also featured in Laguna Dirt).

Oh my, What an afternoon! Wandering through the rugged 2.5 acres that overlook Boat Canyon, on the same paths that Hortense wandered was simply heaven. Feelings of peace and oneness with nature, I completely understood Hortense's deep appreciation for the plants, animals, and nature that surrounded her and encompassed her home.

Wild gardens

Contrasts

More wildness

Hortense was an avid gardner, and knew the names of every plant that inhabited her hillside haven . She didn't care much for manicured gardens, which is quite evident in her own garden. Although her garden has become unruly since her death, something tells me she would have found humor in that and admired  her obstinate plants all the more. Hortense shows her light side when she was quoted saying, "Age hasn't done a thing for me, but it's done wonders for the garden, it gets better all the time."

Hortense designed and often built these fences made from bamboo and rope.
She would open the gates for the deer each morning.
Photo by: Janine Robinson

 Miller moved into her retreat in 1959 at 51 years old. Sadly, her husband Oscar passed away just 3 months after moving into their hillside paradise. From that point on, Hortense lived alone with her beloved Cockatoo, Dody, and could be found working in her garden daily. She maintained her outdoor post until the age of 93 when she found she could no longer navigate the steep terrain.

Looking at the house from a garden path

I can't believe that I didn't take more garden photos! I guess it's hard to point and shoot when you're enraptured with your surroundings. A true photographer I am not!

Another garden gate. Check out these cool hand-made pottery hanging sculptures

The Gazebo sits on a hill of Korea grass and overlooks the house

A detailed look at the Gazebo. Notice the hand-painted mural on the right.

Hortense's outdoor reading nook. I'm swooning over those Walter Lamb chairs!

But now I'll move on to her fabulous Mid Century Modern home, designed by architect Knowlten Fernald, Jr. and completed in 1959, it's the place of Mid Century fantasies. It is that simple, indoor-outdoor living that MCM fiends (like me!) adore! Her home was perfection and the place where her true artist self could be explored. She painted murals and whimsical drawings and sayings in the most unexpected places (like her bathroom!). I found a mention of her home being featured in Home and Garden Magazine in 1959, but darn! I couldn't find any photos or story to back that up.

The sun-drenched dining room. Are those Wegner chairs paired with the Saarinen table? 

The ultra modern kitchen. 

Can't you just picture Hortense sitting at this desk, journaling and documenting her plantings

A wonderful airy space. Notice the bird cage on the left. It was originally for her Cockatoo, Dody, but Dody was never, ever  put in his cage!

More to gush over. The handmade globe hangs from a thin wire from the ceiling.

The sun streams through the glass between the bricks

The brick wall continues past the glass wall into the garden. Hortense's garden hats
are still on the rack. I wonder which was her favorite?

Musings on the bathroom wall

The desk in the guestroom. I love the way Hortense put things together.
She had quite an eye for detail.

A sitting area in the Master Bedroom. I die for those red Wegner chairs!

Oh, the joy! That lamp, that chair, that fireplace...
And I wish I took a close-up of that ultra-cool mural!

One view of the Master Bath. I adore the fainting bench! 

Hortense died in 2007 at the age of 99, just six weeks shy of her 100th birthday. An ardent environmentalist, a progressive-minded feminist, an artist and devout naturalist, Miller was the kind of woman that I wish I could have known.

I'm sure she was thinking of her next project,
whether in the garden or on some unsuspecting wall.

If you're in Laguna, and want make a reservation to visit this a-maze-ing place, call the Laguna Recreation Dept. at least 2 weeks in advance: 949-497-0716. I highly recommend it! I really can't wait to go back. Springtime in this garden must be what dreams are made of!

Couldn't get enough? Good, there's so much more!

This is going to be a photofest of the garden that I visited with my friend Janine who has a cool blog called Laguna Dirt. Check out my last post so that you're up to speed!

Like I said, around every corner, and in every nook & cranny there were such cool vintage, flea market finds. Each treasure added so much to Mark and Cindy Evan's garden, highlighting their cool aesthetic. We had a hard time keeping our jaws off the ground, and not gushing at every detail!

The front door. I love how it's ajar, just waiting to welcome friends!

Vintage Mexican folk art horse

I don't think that I could pick one favorite detail. Each item adds so much to this whimsical garden.

I adore the mix of Mexicana with the religious icons

Can you ever have too many donkeys pulling carts? No way!

I think I would pot lots of plants in this potting shed!

Who's that knocking on the door?

Oh, and there is the sweetest courtyard off the kitchen and living room, the tile and fountain are all original to this 1920's casa. It's almost too much for me to take!

Frogs with sombreros, of course!

The perfect sunny spot for the Virgin Mary

Very inviting... iced tea, please.

I'll be dreaming about this garden from now on, and thinking of ways I can infuse creativity into my own garden.

Cool art, too!

 Can picture yourself sun worshipping on this bench? Ah...

I could easily spend another few hours in the Evans' garden, taking pictures and admiring what they've done. It truly is a work of art!