As promised, a few more inspiring photos from that cultivated wonderland known as Terrain at Styer’s.
Here is the bonfire I mentioned in the last post: Styrer’s is also a nursery with Christmas trees for sale and they had a fire pit with tree stump seats padded with Pendelton blankets. All you need is some hot cocoa (hot toddy) and you have perfection. I’m thinking that my next holiday party should have a fire pit going outside…don’t tell Conor.
We ended up co-opting this nice lady’s time at her terrarium station. She was giving informal demonstrations on making your own terrarium–a living garden in miniature that is enclosed in a glass dome or bell jar and that you keep indoors. You can place all sorts of succulents, small plants and flowers, and decorative vegetation (even a little gnome if you’d like) inside and marvel at your miniature greenery. We were taught to start with a bed of charcoal (to assist with moisture), then the soil, plants of choice, an acorn, sprig of holly, pine cone or sparkly doodad if you’re feeling adventurous. Our expert lady likes to make little paths with her fingers around the plants and dot them with stones so it looks like a fairy lives there or recently trespassed.
Is it a blanket? Is it a curtain? This is an idea that I thought was very clever: they had these color block Pendelton blankets turned into room curtains using rings with clips on them. Good for eliminating drafts or creating a little retreat on one side of a room (it reminded me of the living room cave my grandfather used to make me by draping blankets between the couch and his recliner–I’d tuck in with my pillow and teddy bear and keep quiet while he watched Archie Bunker) or just decorating a doorway, no?
This frosty tableau reminded me of something you’d find in the palace of the Ice Queen in Narnia. I’m not as mean as her but I used it as inspiration to decorate our foyer. Thus far I’ve arranged some cotton snow on a Chinese hutch and added silver mercury candles holders, a snake of silver garland, snowflake lights wrapped around the banister, wooden snowmen in the snow, and a litter silver Christmas tree. Now I just need the Turkish Delight!
I’m still mad at myself for not buying one of these heather plants. Gorgeous little purple buds, a sweet scent, you can keep in a large pot inside for the winter than transplant to the lawn for your own field of heather…just like Brigadoon. Next time.
And here are two happy visitors having brunch at the Terrain cafe. For our meal we had one of pretty much everything: homemade sodas, little pancakes, mushroom omelets, falafel, beet salad with goat cheese…a perfect day.
