Walk-ins Welcome
Italian Storage Does Double Duty
Friday, September 07, 2007
Italian furniture design firm Porro has applied its signature clean lines, regular forms and functionality to the storage dilemma.
Designed by Piero Lissoni and appropriately called “Storage,” the system can hold and display different items by changing from cupboard to walk-in closet. Coplanar electric leaves make the opening movement faster and easier while transparent glass leaves enclosed in a thin iron profile allow for a clear view of the interior while satisfying those who prefer a walk-in closet.
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Sun-Drenched Gardens
The Mediterranean Style
Monday, September 03, 2007
For those of us on the Central Coast, a Mediterranean garden is a no-brainer. It suits our dry, sunny climate perfectly. In “Sun-Drenched Gardens,” author Jan Smithen visits stunning examples of the style in Italy, France, Spain and California.
Central Cost gardeners can learn a lot from this book, not just about design and appearance, but about the benefits of the plant species that make up a Mediterranean garden—their love of sun, their drought-tolerance, their classic shapes and inimitable fragrances. She also delves into the hardscape and the structure—the fountains, terraces, statuary, topiary, pergolas and terra-cotta pots that are the fundamental elements of Mediterranean style.
This beautifully illustrated book is an inspiration to local gardeners considering a change to a more eco-friendly landscape while retaining color and density. Our fortunate climate allow us to enjoy Mediterranean gardens to their fullest, whether, as in this book, in intimate courtyards or grand estates.
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