|
Greetings!
It was such a strange spring. With temperatures in 80's in March and then back down to the 60's in April and May, I couldn't quite figure out when to get started on my garden - it was beach weather before it was planting weather. Here we are closing in on the longest day of the year and I've just now finished my vegetable planting. Hopefully I can get my flower boxes planted in time for the 4th of July!
If you still need a little help putting the finishing touches on your garden, mark your calendars for June 15th-17th and plan on coming out for our "Celebrate Summer" event where we'll be showcasing our collection of summer furnishings including planters, garden furniture and our own handcrafted Versailles style planter boxes and sundials.
If you think you've got your garden all sewn-up, stop out anyway and join us for something cool to drink and a little spin around the garden. We'd love to see you!
Warm regards,
Beau
|
|
Three matching tole hanging lights, several 1930's-1950's wrought iron garden tables, metal plant stands, a cool 19th century cast iron door knocker a big wrought iron
.JPG)
panel with an interesting sunburst pattern, a set of French faux bois bench ends, a collection of spear tip awning support finials, an amazing carved marble fountain base and a whole lot more.
|
Don't be afraid to touch it...
 Ok, I'm thinking that got your attention. What I meant, though, was that you can't hold life at arms length and truly expect to appreciate it or even to fully understand it. I suspect that counts for people too, but we'll have to discuss that another day. Having spent most of my adult life as an antique dealer, I found that I can't possibly determine the true value of something without touching it, turning it over, maybe even giving it a good "thunk". I love that satisfying feel of quality I get from heavy wood, beautifully forged wrought iron. It's something that just can't be beat by the hollow "plink" given off by even the best plastic or fiberglass reproductions.  When you make things from quality materials they not only look good, they are good. There is no amount of maintenance that can be preformed on a composite planter that will allow you to keep using it for more than ten years at best. A well-designed and well-constructed planter made from renewable steel and wood can be re-furbished and re-used for centuries. I should know, I've spent years tracking down antique versions of these beauties for my most discerning clients. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough of the old ones out there to make them a reasonable option for most people. That's why we decided to create and build our own line of handcrafted planter boxes right here in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. 
Using cedar or white oak for the sides, heavy American steel and cast iron for the frames and fitted with galvanized steel liners handmade by a shop here in Woodstock, our handcrafted planter boxes will become family heirlooms lasting for years to come. We not only have a number of standard sizes, but in as little as 6-8 weeks, we can even custom make them to fit your exact location. Click on the photos above for more information and Come out June 15th-17th during our "Celebrate Summer" event to give them a "thunk" yourself.
|
|
Summer Solstice Sundials
In honor of the upcoming Summer Solstice, we'll also be showcasing a selection of sundials during our special "Celebrate Summer" Event June 15th-17th. In addition to antique sundials, we'll have a number of our amazing handcrafted armillary spheres that combine beautiful salvaged architectural fragments with old world construction techniques to create 21st century classics destined to become the collectible antiques of the future.
|
|
Keys to the City Piano Festival
 The three of us are headed down to Symphony Hall on Saturday night to attend Mozart's Concerto for Three Pianos - the finale to Chicago's amazing Keys to the City event. I know it's going to be amazing! We've been saving up our appetites and now we are all trying to agree on a place to eat after the concert. We could always go to my favorite late night hangout Longman and Eagle, but Addy thinks he needs a pig fix from the Publican and Nancy wants to sit with beautiful people in a beautiful room at Nellecote. We might have to flip for it. Have any of you tried Au-Cheval ? It has gotten mixed reviews, but how could a "diner" whose menu lists beef stew with marrow bones and General Tso's fried chicken with dried chili and brown sugar glaze be bad? |
|
|
Bull Valley Garden Club Garden Walk
Saturday, July 14thSpend a wonderful day exploring six beautiful country gardens exhibiting creative combinations
of flora, fauna and habitats. Enjoy discussions and presentations with garden professionals along the way. Door prizes, lunch and a garden marketplace.
|
|
Lake Forest Garden Club House and Garden Walk
June 13 & 14, 2012
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Historic homes, fabulous gardens a gardener's raffle and a charming boutique garden marketplace on the grounds of the historic Onwentsia Golf Club. It all comes together in the centennial celebration of the founding of the Lake Forest Garden Club.
| |
Store Hours
Friday and Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5
* Don't forget, we are also open by chance or appointment Monday thru Thursday. Please give us a call at 815-444-9000 to schedule a visit.
| |
|
Useful Links
 | | Chicago Symphony Orchestra |
|
|
|
|
