Every successful design project starts with a dream, and the dream is made up of a group of strong visual and emotional ideas...
For the entrance to Patina Farm, I envisioned a country road, similar to this...
or this...
A grassy road, shaded by large trees. These are not dense shade trees. They are trees that allow light to be filtered through them... They are trees that create a dappled light, with large leaves that wave in the wind. The air is cool underneath them.
Where to start...
I wanted the trees to connect to the their environment. This limited the selection. Although we have several Oak trees on our property, I felt they were too serious and dark to line the drive. I also wanted the Oaks to feel more important. They would be the Kings of the property.
Many people in our area select Olive trees... Although I love Olives, they felt a little haunted, with their gnarled trunks. I wanted something more welcoming.
After weighing all of our options, we chose to line the drive with Sycamore trees. Their bright green foliage, beautiful pale gray trunks, and impressive height would allow us to create the country road in my mind.
We put money aside to buy some large trees that would make our house feel as if it was built long ago.
This week, the cranes and trees arrived...
One 72" boxed Sycamore in the courtyard...
and a combination of 36", 42", and a couple of 60" trees to line the drive.
The combination of varying sized trees tells the story a grove that has evolved over time...
It's an amazing feeling to be able to see a vision in your mind become a reality...
I'll be back in a few days to share the progress inside our house. Until then I need to thank Brian Diamond, owner of Native Design, whose amazing crew installed these gorgeous trees and moved them around until we were 100 percent sure of their placement!
The biggest thank you goes to my love, Steve, who believed in my vision...
xo
Brooke
