02 July 2012

Succulent Frames

We've been up to many interesting projects over the past few months here at R&S.  This is one we're particularly excited about since we've always wanted to make them, but never been able to find the time (or the right job). 
This set hangs on a shaded patio wall.

This large one hangs on a hot, west-facing wall.

(see the genesis of this one after the jump)

22 February 2012

Happy 280th Birthday, Mr. Washington!

We sent our East Coast correspondent / tech guru, Jon Tashman, to take a walk around the grounds of Mount Vernon on a drizzly February day to see what it would have felt like to be George on his birthday.

Front of the house
Sheep grazing

14 February 2012

Virtual Bouquet

Forget the red roses!  These are just a few plants that ignite passion around our office (and are a little less thirsty).  They are great alternatives to the traditional red and pink flowering garden plants of February (Cammelias, Bergenia, Purple leaf plums and Indian Hawthorne - you know who you are).


1. Malus 'Dorsett Golden' - a low-chill Apple
2. Ribes 'Barrie Coate' , Chaparral Currant - happy in sun or full shade
3. Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon - the reason the hills above LA are called Hollywood.
4. Grevillea 'Canberra' (aka 'Pink Pearl') - beautiful bank cover
5. Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud - great deciduous small-scale tree
6. Ribes glutinosum 'Claremont' - Yes, another Currant.  6't x 6'w, Summer deciduous.

Happy Valentine's Day!

22 September 2011

Small Spaces

We completed this beach-side jewel box earlier this summer. Since our office is not close to Balboa Island, the general contractor installed all the hardscape and left all the fun details up to us like the copper trellis, fountain and all the planting. 


Palms aren't usually part of our palette, but it seemed appropriate here - plus multi-trunked King Palms are pretty stunning.  

Conceptual sketch

Custom fountain incorporating Client's grandmother's lantern, collected beach shells and Topanga fossils (from our office) in a handmade copper basin. 

05 August 2011

Summer Vacation Highlights: Boston & Cambridge, part II

Harvard Campus, Tuesday at noon
Fermob furniture scattered around 
children playing in Tanner Fountain by Peter Walker, Farmer's Market behind

29 July 2011

Checking in with Our Gardens

When I was running errands in West Los Angeles this morning, I happened upon a garden we installed last spring - it looked particularly stunning.

custom garden gate
Calandrinia grandiflora, Thymus citridora, Agave attenuata &
Westringia 'Morning light'