Flower

“There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.”— Elizabeth Lawrence 20th-century gardener, designer, and garden writer I KNOW THAT THIS QUOTE can be interpreted symbolically or as a poetic device, but it can also be accepted at face value. I accept it at face value. When I first read this passage in Lawrence’s writings, I was transported to a place from my childhood that haunts me, in a good way. We lived in Lausanne, Switzerland, when I was in early grammar school. My parents were travelers not tourists. They were always immersed in the cultural and social landscape of wherever we were. My brother and I accepted this lifestyle with the equanimity of six-…

Wallpaper that Wows From quiet textures to statement-making graphics, nothing transforms a space like wallpaper. At our recent showhouse, the designers used 50+ different wallpapers ranging from textured grass cloths to scenic reveries. Everyone seems to be considering these beautiful backdrops for stylish rooms. In March, we’re diving into wallpaper with pieces on historic reproductions and contemporary treatments, as well as inspiration and buying guides. Get designer tips for choosing wallpaper, browse a collection of ideas for every room, and take our quiz to discover your wallpaper style. Find it all at flowermag.com/wallpapers. “I love wallpaper. I love it in rooms and even in closets. In my view, it just adds another layer of richness. I mean, I do love paint, but wallpaper is better.” —CHARLOTTE MOSS Spring Garden Countdown March 20th can’t get…

FLOWERS PROVIDED BY GAIA FLOWERS. LOCATION AND PROPS PROVIDED BY DESIGN SUPPLY, BIRMINGHAM, AL.…

The thrill of being welcomed into the famously secret garden of Lord Jacob Rothschild’s Eythrope is a sublime experience, akin to inhaling the intoxicating scent of Confederate jasmine for the first time. Whether embarking on an in-person tour or flipping through the pages of Paradise and Plenty, a luscious book about the magical walled garden, the public has access to this enchanted world once only available to a privileged few. First conceived in the 19th century, the gardens supplied produce and flowers for many generations of the Rothschild family before falling into disrepair. When Lord Jacob Rothschild inherited the neighboring 5,000-acre Waddesdon Estate in 1988, he began a lavish reimagining of its surroundings and enlisted Lady Mary Keen to redesign the smaller, former showplace at Eythrope. Two wars and a stint…

To truly experience all that the English countryside has to offer, it’s almost imperative that travelers dine and overnight in authentic local establishments. While you will have no trouble finding these charming destinations in popular tourist areas where visitors throng to well-known historic properties, it’s sometimes worth driving a few extra miles to experience the off-the-beaten-path hotspots. THE FIVE ARROWS Visitors to the Rothschild estates of Eythrope and Waddesdon Manor love the convenience of this sublime boutique hotel. (See page 26 for more information on the gardens of Eythrope.) Located just outside the gates of Waddesdon, The Five Arrows appears almost as a folly at the entrance to the estate. Originally built in 1887 to accommodate craftsmen who worked on the estate, the Elizabethan-style structure boasts stacked chimneys and elaborate ironwork. Inside,…

At a young age, Lee Miller made a name for herself as a young model and Surrealist while also working as a photojournalist for VOGUE magazine. Known for her formidable spirit, she chose to photograph the front lines of WWII rather than the soigné models in comfortable New York studios. At the end of the war, however, Lee surrendered her career for a bucolic life at Farleys House in the hamlet of Muddles Green in Sussex, England. Shared with her husband, Surrealist painter Roland Penrose, Farleys House became the embodiment of Lee’s boundless energy for growing her own ingredients and using them in her delicious concoctions for family and friends. In fact, considering the fervor with which she adopted her new occupations, it seems as if gardening may have been a…