Longing for a quiet, simpler life, Erin Benzakein and her family moved out of Seattle 14 years ago and relocated to a farm 60 miles north of the city. A few years later, with two small children in tow, she wanted to start a business that allowed her to work from home. She had been a gardener all her life, so she began by growing vegetables, then heirloom apple trees, and she eventually even tried raising chickens. Nothing, sadly, was quite right. It wasn’t until she planted a double row of sweet peas to honor her great-grandmother that she found her calling.
She had been a gardener all her life, so she began by growing vegetables, then heirloom apple trees, and she eventually even tried raising chickens. Nothing, sadly, was quite right. It wasn’t until she planted a double row of sweet peas to honor her great-grandmother that she found her calling.
She began documenting her experience on her website, floretflowers.com. “We discussed the blog as a family, since the kids are so intimately involved with the farm. We had to make sure they were comfortable being a part of the blog, too,” she says. Photographs of Benzakein; her husband, Chris; and their kids working in the fields fill the blog, as do pictures of gorgeous arrangements and rows of blooms in the evening sun.
To read more about this thriving family business please see
Los Gatos, CA-based landscape designer Leslie McKenna created birch branches vases from a felled tree. To make your own, drill a hole in a birch log with a 1-inch auger, then tuck in an array of succulents.
“It’s no secret that peonies have exploded in popularity over the past decade and more, especially for weddings. It’s also no surprise. The classic peony palette of white, pink, blush, and deep red is of course perfect for weddings. With long, sturdy stems and large, frilly blooms, peonies combine dramatic impact from a distance with a soft, romantic look….”
To learn more about Alaska’s peony growing season please visit Fresh Focus by Bruce Wright.
“Your home begins as soon as you step out of the car. It’s not just the inside of your house that deserves stylish touches. Celebrate your arrival by rolling out the red carpet for yourself – or at least a pair of oversize planters.” ~ Bunny Williams
Ever wondered how to work with Accent Decor’s Global Wire Spheres? Watch as Olivier Guignis, of L’Olivier Floral Atelier, NY creates a floral work of art!
May 1 is an ancient Northern Hemisphere Spring Festival. It is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes.
