Sunset

from space to spa

1. CHIME IN Nature has its own rhythm and wind chimes can connect us with its soothing cadence. Consider starting a collection of chimes that you can swap in or out as the mood strikes. Simply screw a J-hook into your mounting surface to make changing chimes easier. 2. MAKE A SOUND DECISION Complicated systems with underground wiring aren’t worth the fuss. We love the Sonos Move, which is just at home indoors on the charging dock as it is in the backyard. It works on Bluetooth and WiFi, so you’ll have soothing tunes or mantra music no matter how large your back forty. Check out the Sonos station Cruise Control for beachy beats. (sonos.com) 3. FAST FORAGE Plant an edible garden for a steady supply of fresh infusions for hot and cold beverages. Dedicate…

tropical outdoor makeover

Design duo Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer—also called the Hommeboys—are known for their beautiful interior design and build projects, but when it came to their own outdoor space they took their time remodeling it and dialing in its final look. The couple lives in a large barn in Sonoma, California, located on four acres shared with Carrier’s family. They met in Olympia, Washington, while attending the same school and decided to move to Carrier’s hometown after graduating. Carrier’s father’s design and build business was growing, and the couple was interested in starting a new career together with the family barn as headquarters. The barn has two floors: Their wood shop is on the ground floor, while their apartment and office are upstairs. After completing a variety of interior projects steadily over the…

1oo clever, fun, delicious, unexpected, restorative, meditative, and effective, things to do in your garden —right now!

Gardening has taken on new depth of meaning in recent months: it can provide solace, escape, an unmatched sense of accomplishment, or literally put food on the table at a time when that's not always a sure thing. Never have planting, pruning, tending, and amending felt more essential. Yes, gardens respond to what efforts we put into them, but we also respond in kind. Even if you feel as if you know the limits of your plot or container garden, or your skills as a gardener, we think this list will expand your sense of how to make the most of your space. Case in point: have you ever kept a phenology journal? If not, read on to find out what one is. That’s just one of many projects, tasks,…

japanese gardening with ease

Hugo Torii is director of grounds maintenance for Portland Japanese Garden, a space regarded as none other than “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan” by the former Ambassador of Japan to the United States. So when we wanted to learn the essential elements and how to apply them in our own gardens, we turned to the custodian of a garden that exquisitely balances Japanese tradition with locality. While temporarily closed when this issue went to press, the gardens are a stunning combination of Pacific Northwest native plants and ornamental species from Japan, plinths of Columbia River basalt, and a genbugan boulder from Japan. No element feels forced. It’s important to understand each material’s ki, or true essence; once you learn these, Torii says,…

finding the ki in your own garden

There are four essential ingredients of a Japanese garden: water, rocks, plants, and decorations. Odd numbers, asymmetry, and crisp, geometric lines juxtaposed with soft edges are important components. There are lanterns and bridges, always in harmony with their surroundings. There are the mosses, artfully carved pines, and maples; paths—the more precarious the better—invite a careful, contemplative pace that becomes a meditation. EMBRACE ASYMMETRY When selecting plants, opt for a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes, like a structural fatsia with weeping cherry and fountain grass. Try to group foundation plantings like columnar trees and evergreen shrubs in odd numbers for good luck. Asymmetry can be easily accomplished with the artful placement of containers; try to group them at angles to one another rather than in tight rows. LISTEN CAREFULLY Soothing sounds are just as important…

best bonsai shops

Bonsai Mirai in St. Helens, Oregon, is so much more than a bonsai nursery: they offer live online how-to classes, garden tours, and exquisite ceramics and tools for sale. Listen to their Asymmetry Podcast, watch their Youtube videos, and take a gander at their jaw-dropping avant garde bonsai on their Instagram account @bonsaimirai. (bonsaimirai.com) Bonsai Jidai is a bonsai school in Chino, California, whose founder David Nguy specializes in molding local flora; he’s known by the Golden State Bonsai Federation as “Mr. California Juniper” for his expertise with California junipers (Juniperus californica). (bonsaijidai.com) Bonsai Northwest in Tukwila, Washington, has been around for more than 30 years, and is one of the largest in America. Stop by Pacific Bonsai Museum for inspiration. (bonsainw.com) Bonsai Vision in Las Vegas doesn’t sell trees from its website,…