Visiting a friend’s garden ...

Last week I was able to enjoy an afternoon visit with my friend Kim Smith at her Gloucester home. After meeting at last year’s North Shore Design Show at the Wenham Museum, we quickly discovered that we both shared a love of gardening, along with a passion for old homes (she has been creating beauty inside and out at Willowdale Estate, while I have been involved with decorating projects at the Stevens Estate). Parking my car, I knew I was at the right place as I was greeted with a fluttering of butterflies around a rose-covered front porch. Bird song filled the air and a profusion of colors and scents beckoned. I know this sounds very “Disney-like” but it really felt like walking into a secret oasis! Kim takes great care to design landscapes that attract winged creatures – birds, butterflies, bees –
all are welcome and enjoyed.

Here is just a glimpse of what I saw ...

Bee Balm

Honeysuckle ... pretty and fragrant

Easy to grow ... Annabelle Hydrangea

Tomato plants and Liberty of London watering can

A container-garden-filled courtyard

Can anyone identify this flower? The name escapes me ...


Bougainvillea ... holding up well despite summer heat

Lettuce, narsturtiums (a favorite of mine)
and Swiss chard (a favorite of my dad’s)

I believe this is a version of Lantana?

Shasta Daisy

A sure thing ... Butterfly Bush

Ferns (Japanese Painted fern is in front)

Potted poppies

Pink foxglove, large leaf hosta, and white edged Solomon’s Seal

My favorite photo of the day


The inside of Kim’s home was extremely charming. I did not take interior photos during our visit as I was there simply to enjoy her company. We talked a lot about raising our children (she has two, a girl and a boy, that while still under her wing are much more independent than my four littles), the need to create (she is writing and illustrating a new book, this time for children), and a variety of other topics including why the bowl of fruit I brought was still slightly frozen (when you are undergoing kitchen renovations, one must improvise!) Stop by and visit her blog,
Kim Smith Designs, when you need a bit of nature’s beauty to lift your spirits, or have questions
about gardening. She is an expert on many topics, along with being a gracious host!




This week I will be participating in the Alphabet Walk blog hop at
a fun blog I recently discovered: One Sydney Road. Check it out!
(My letter is “Y” and I will be posting on Friday, July 16th)

Bunting Flag Banner by Puglypixel.com
Alphabet Walk blog hop badge by 74 Lime Lane


Visit my space at the Danvers Historical Society
designer showcase now through August 1st!