Brooks hard at work

Last Sunday I had a perfect, wondrous, and beauteous  day.  I started the day out by gathering every container in my garage, and with the help of my friend, Brooks Mathews, created some lovely masterpieces for my patio.  In the Nashville horticulture circles, Brooks is known as the blue ribbon expert when it comes to anything green.  She just took top honors at the Garden Club of America’s competition for her floral rendition of an I.M. Pei sculpture.

Creating the perfect container, filled with plants and flowers, is one of those jobs where a friend makes it so much more fun; add in a glass of vino and your creative juices really begin to flow.

When it comes to gardening, I describe myself as tentative — not quite sure how many plants to buy, a little skeptical when it comes to what to put where and not wild about those big, nasty worms lurking under the saucers of my pots.  I categorize myself as a predictable gardener: the poor girl who matches her shoes and her purse because she missed the last decade of What Not to Wear episodes.

Don't be afraid of variety.

But Brooks is a different story.  She oozes confidence when it comes to anything involving dirt.  She loves to dig up a fern and tuck it in a pot or under plant bushes with an annual here or a perennial there.  She’ll even grab a weird thing from inside her house and throw it in because it adds an element of surprise to an otherwise staid container.  Take a look at the container of succulents Brooks created:

If you look closely, you will see a concrete crown from Scarlett Scales in Franklin, one of my favorite shops.  I gave that to Brooks months ago on a whim with no idea of what she would do with it.  Now I want it back.   Admit it — isn’t this one of the most beautiful works of art you’ve ever seen?

Consider the rest of this post is a how to guide on creating the perfect container for your garden or patio.

Container Gardening How To

Step 1:  Determine what kind of sunlight your yard or patio gets.

My yard is a mix of sun and shade.  The kind of sunlight you get determines what flowers and plants you buy for your containers.  Most yards have a combination of both, so don’t be afraid to use lots of different types of plants.  Keep your eyes open for interesting and unusual containers.  Why settle for only terra cotta pots when you can find containers with gorgeous glazes from all over the world?  Home Depot and Bates Nursery have a  surprising collection of containers.  I always have luck at Southeastern Salvage off of Thompson Lane and the World Market on Charlotte is worth a visit.

Step 2:  Decide on your plant materials and be adventurous!

Great Shade Varietals:

• Coleus
• Maiden hair/Wood/Christmas Ferns
• Hostas ( dig up from your yard)
• Impatience-all colors
• Caladiums
• Oxalis-deep purple/lavender
• Rex Begonia

Great Sun Varietals

• Geraniums (of course!)
• Sedums
• Purple Heart
• Soprano White ( Osteospermun)
• Licorice Plant-lime green
• Breathless Blush-succulent ( Euphorbia)
• Lantana/citrus
• Petunias
• Calibrachoa-trailing petunias in oranges, pinks, yellows, purples
• Succulents of any kind

One word comes to mind when I think of the way Brooks approaches her gardens:  imaginative. She is fearless when it comes to cramming just one more little something in her pots.  Containers brimming with flowers and cascading with vines make me happy.

Celebrate the beauty of earth by using lots of different colors and hues in your container.  Create a container pots of all one variety or use several varieties to contrast colors.  Find plants that will grow tall and under plant with others to spill over the side of  your pot.  Licorice plant is great because it allows a striking chartreuse and cascades over the side.  Geraniums works together to give gradations of the same color while adding height to your container.  Notice how the oranges in my shade pot work together and how the purples in the other one play off each other. 

Step 3:  Water, fertilize and stabilize your containers

This is pretty basic stuff but Brooks has a secret weapon to share with you. When you start your container, put some gravel or broken terra cotta pieces in the bottom of the pot.  It help drainage.  Use a good potting soil mixed with manure, compost, top soil and pine bark mulch. Fertilizer with Hollytone or Miracle Grow, water and put some pine bark mulch on the top to keep it moist.

Step 4: Throw something unexpected in your containers

Be imaginative and unforgiving when it comes to adding special to your container.  Sea shells, glass orbs, concrete shoes or crosses, architectural pieces in metal are wonderful additions to make your container zing!

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

Category #1:

Like things belong together. They look better together.  Remember that for your bookcases and shelves.  Here’s proof:

Clear glass jars at Scarlett Scales

Birch "books" at Scarlet Scales. She had birch wrapped glass vases as well. See Lonny online magazine p.163 of issue 2 for this look.

www.lonnymag.com

All three of us (that's Rachel in the background) noticed the purple glass and commented, "Hmmm, never seen purple glass..." Then we walked across the street to Arbor Antique Mall and found....

More purple glass! So, be on the lookout.

Concrete balls at PD's. I think they were $3.99 each...maybe $4.99. PD's has them in blue also.

After seeing local Nashville gal Genia Gilchrist's home in Southern Living (the owner of Gilchrist and Gilchrist over in Berry Hill) I have decided I need to collect mercury glass. If I bought ALL of this at Scarlett Scales, it would only set me back $170. Reader question please comment on this: do you think a display of mercury glass is only appropriate during Christmas time? I kinda like it all year but I certainly don't want to display it and have guests wondering if their coffee will also be in Reindeer mugs....

Category #2:

Rachel talked Amy and I into a stop by The Franklin Marketplace.  I LOVED this store and I found a future blog post: The TN Barn Project.  Check out these tables from the brothers who reclaim the wood from the falling barns.  I love the old wood being made into a modern look.

Category #3:

When hitting antique stores, it’s sometimes like hitting your own attic.  What do I do with THIS?  Here are some ideas Rachel and I came up with:

Some of these could be made into stellar lamps. You could also line these up in a cupboard--love that look. See this picture of pottery laden shelves that Rachel took in Atlanta at Market:

love this look

Fill this antique wagon with garland, berries and pine cones and place it next to your front door (if it's a covered area) each December. You better get there quick, because I just may head down to the Arbor Antique Mall for this purchase.

How sweet would these old Watkins spice containers be filled with wild flowers for an outdoor party?

And while we all agreed that SOMEONE needs this antique typewriter for their little girl's room (an American Girl Kit fan?), we also agreed that no one on this earth needs the following:

You could use these old drawers as a home for potted herbs or simply place three mason jars inside and separate your silverware to place on your kitchen table, and eliminate the need for that drawer space. Perhaps a good mail catch by the front door.... Fill with apples on a mantel....you get the picture, endless possibilities.

Is this not the creepiest?

And, some misc pics from the day:

I read on NestEgg that one of Rachel’s clients has a thing for crowns.  Check these out from The Iron Gate:

I, on the other hand, have a thing for coral. (BTW, have you all noticed all the seashell accessories lately? They are EVERYWHERE)  The Iron Gate has the best selection of coral I’ve seen anywhere:

I don’t have a picture of me from this day, but you’ve seen Rachel, and here’s Amy.  She’s too cute and pregnant with #4!

Amy at PD's. She's sitting in this chair that we all had a fit about...it's great.

We all had fun, got to hang out and “work” all at the same time.  As most of these pictures posted today prove, similar things should be placed together to show off their best.  Friends are like that too.  We all shine a little brighter when together. Grab some friends and head to Franklin.

Remember my dilemma and comment if you have thoughts: Is a display of mercury glass only appropriate during Christmas time?

Stores we hit: Scarlet Scales, PD’s, Arbor Antiques, The Iron Gate, and The Franklin Marketplace and remember to check out Rachel’s blog: www.nestegg.typepad.com

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

When I  opened Nashville Lifestyles magazine this month, I was happy to see an article about Naticakes in Franklin.  A month ago, a couple of buddies and I headed to Franklin after a derailed trip to the movies.  For those of you who think Franklin is too far of a drive, think again.   After we realized our 1PM movie, September Issue, was not showing, we jumped in our car and headed South knowing we all had 3:30PM  carpool commitments.

In a scant two hours, we hit PD’s, Scarlett Scales antiques, Haven (where I bought an incredible shirt), Rebbecca’s Furniture to pick up a pillow, and finally Naticakes for our sweet reward.  Whew!

As we all peered over the counter trying to come to a consensus about which one to order, it was obvious to me that the woman behind the counter in Naticakes was the owner– so I asked her which cupcake was the best.  Bottom line–ALL OF THEM.  Consider your choices:  S’more, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Salted Caramel, German Chocolate, Key Lime, Almond Amaretto, Italian Creme, Opera Cake and MUCH. MUCH MORE

Inspired, I asked her how she got into the cupcake business and, QUITE surprisingly, even had my camera with me to snap a couple of pictures.

Naticakes

Nicole Sloane, owner of Naticakes

Naticakes is simply a darling shop–I say shop because it feels as if it emerged from another era.   It is housed in an historic building on the Franklin Square with bright and happy colors.  The cupcakes are divine–so much so, it’s tough to decide whether you want one or two.

However, the most compelling part of Naticakes is the story of its beginnings. The owner, Nicole Sloane, began the business after moving here from Kentucky.  After the tragic loss of her niece, Nati, at only 23 months old, Naticakes was created to immortalize the memory of her niece in a truly meaningful way.

The inspiration for Naticakes began with a commitment to generate $1M to the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation which honors Nati and improves the lives of children around the world.  Naticakes was created to produce a revenue stream for the foundation and to provide an avenue for “making life a little sweeter”, particularly for hurting children.  Currently, 10% from the sale of cupcakes goes to the foundation.

In addition, for only $20 per month, you can become a member of the Nati Club to help care for children locally, who need encouragement, and globally through a partnership with Viva, a non-profit committed to providing one million meals to starving children throughout the world.

Your $20 sweet contribution provides– every month– a 1/2 dozen cupcakes to local children in childrens’ hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses and Boys & Girls Clubs and, through the partnership with Viva, two meals a month to starving children. $20 each month to brighten the lives of eight children.  You can see the power of numbers here….100 people together can make a HUGE difference.

Nati

Nicole’s  background in campus ministry, coupled with the entrepreneurial skills of her husband Michael, created a vision, then a reality that will improve and build playgrounds for kids, put a smile on a sick kid with a special treat, feed a starving child and change childrens’ lives forever.  When  you think of Naticakes, smile and remember Nati.

Before the complete insanity of the holidays begins:  treat yourself to a beautiful drive down Hillsboro Road, enjoy some fabulous shopping and indulge in a delicious cupcake from Naticakes.

too many choices!

Naticakes
328 Main Street
Franklin, TN  37064
615.807.1133

Tuesday-Thursday  10AM-6PM
Friday-Saturday 10AM-8PM
Sunday 1-6PM

Naticakes caters too.

info@naticakes.com

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

I mentioned to Hunt an incredible store called Scarlett Scales, but how it was never open.  On previous trips, I would peer through the windows of the locked doors and absolutely drool. Scarlett Scales Antiques screamed SoHo, the way it used to be.  As we rounded the corner of South Margin Street,  there it was …And it was open!

So fellow Styleblueprint Devotees, here is my Absolute Find of the Week:

Scarlett Scales Antiques

Scarlett Scales (Yes- this is also the owner’s name.  She was named such by her very literary mother who loved alliteration) opened the store while a student as O’More College of Design, hence the quirky hours.  She grew up in a family who loved antiquing as a hobby; she knew early on that design and antiques were  in her future.  Many of her items are re-caste from architectural finds with lots of lamps and ceiling tins.

Together, with her ever so talented Dad, she has collaborated to create empire tables that are in covered, quite painstakingly, in galvanized metal.  Her father is the type who will wander through a farm, pick up a gnarled piece of fence and create an object of beauty.

She is proud of her gift items: most  of which are quite affordable.  Everything from jewelry by Lizzy Couture to soaps and tiles.  My personal favorite is the concrete crown caste from the tiara of Ms. San Antonio 1973 for $18.

The entire store feels so comforting probably because it is eclectic and familiar all in one breath.  It  fits together so nicely; it makes you sigh with happiness.  Scarlett’s magic graces the store from a totally retro garden made from gears and chains to her funky architectural lamps.  Oh, did I mention she is only 27?

Consider this perfect weekend (not necessarily in this order)

• Go to the Main Street Festival
• Stop by Scarlett Scales boutique
• Order an incredible (probably the best in a 50 mile radius) margarita and homemade guacamole from SOL on Main Street

It doesn’t get any better!

Scarlett Scales Antiques
212 South Margin Street
Franklin, TN  37064
615.791.4097

Open 7 Days a week!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.