FALL GROWTH

I wanted to share some of my recent gardening projects before everything dries up and withers away for the winter -- not that Alabama is experiencing any extreme cold conditions anytime in the near future. A few months ago I posted about my adoration for potted boxwoods, indoors and outdoors. Like I mentioned, I plated a few around Melrose and here are my boxwoods on either side of the outdoor fireplace in the backyard:

And at this same time I purchased some miniature boxwoods to sit on Melrose's front stoop. I would love to find some better pots (I don't love the carved detail in the concrete), but we all ready had these and they get the job done so I have left them. I do think they need to be re-potted in bigger containers though.

I'm pretty positive you have caught onto the fiddle leaf fig tree trend. It is everywhere. You can't avoid it. And don't try to. I'll admit, I have been debating on purchasing one for our den bay window, but I resulted to being happy nursing my baby fig trees to full growth. You will be surprised at how much they have grown! Here they are fresh from the mail, pre-planted:

And here is a picture from a few months ago ...

And, now here they are this morning! You can definitely tell the growth by seeing how much fuller they are at the top. It is fun to watch a new leaf bud form at the center stem, grow to size, and eventually sprout open. Now I just don't know where to put them when they reach my pot hanger!

Another gardening project I finally finished is filling my flower bed with rosemary and dusty miller. It took me a while to locate rosemary plants large enough for my space, but now they are planted and smelling wonderful! Here is the empty, lonesome space begging for beautiful greenery -

And here is the new space filled with new cedar wood chips -

I've been a little slacking on decorating for fall, but here is my outdoor arrangement I set up. I stole the pumpkin idea from pinterest via Martha Stewart. In my carrot bag I only ended up with one gnarly, pointy carrot so I shaved the other one down to look the same. (note to self: the carrots will deteriorate) I used the same wreath and spider stands as last year. 

What is your favorite fall decor tradition? My favorite is definitely the purchasing of the pumpkins and hanging the wreath!

BACKYARD PROJECT: final shots

I'm pretty much at a point where I consider the backyard complete, except for maybe hanging a mason jar chandelier from my wedding and adding black and white stripes, so I wanted to share some final pictures I took. I am more than happy with the end result, and as soon as the temperature drops a few more degrees (Alabama heat is miserable!) I will be spending every afternoon out here! And, once it is chilly enough to build a fire, I know we will enjoy the fireplace a lot as well. I'll try to snap a picture of the pergola at night, because the lighting is fabulous. 

If you have forgotten what I was working with, here are a few before pictures (pardon my iphone):

If you missed the update process, then click here, otherwise here is Melrose's new backyard!

Do you see the copper lighting in the corner of the pergola we installed? 

Do you like my boxwoods? I'm still practicing my shaping technique!

So, what do you think? Does it look like my inspiration? I can't wait 'til the entire pergola is covered with the jasmine! Mmm ... I can smell it now! And combined with the tea olives and gardenias, it should smell heavenly back here. 

If any of ya'll are interested in the sources, let me know and I'll do a follow up posts with the links. Have a great week!

BOXWOODS

Lately I have become obsessed with potted boxwoods. I just added a pair on the front stoop of Melrose and a pair on either side of our outdoor fireplace - pictures to come - and I love how they turned out. They are easy to maintain, indoors and outdoors, and you can't go wrong with their classic look. I especially love them planted in a square pot to offset the rounded shape or topiary. Here are some of my favorite boxwoods that I have pinned.

BLACK & WHITE STRIPES

Right now I am majorly crushing on black and white stripes - especially in the outdoor scene. I am hoping to snag a few of Pottery Barn's outdoor pillows and cushions for Melrose. Don't these Pottery Barn styled images make you want to prop up your feet with a glass of wine? I love the classic beauty of black and white stripes. Timeless.

sunbrella outdoor cushion

sunbrella awning stripe pillow

sunbrella chaise cushion

Some more fabulous black and white outdoor decor -

sources via my pinterest board

Not only have I been eyeing this bold pattern outdoors, but indoors as well. If ya'll remember the inspiration board for my guest room, I am using black and white striped duvets as a focal point in the room. Here are some of my favorite applications of the traditional stripes indoors.

via my pinterest

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! Melrose's backyard project is officially complete so I will try to share those pictures asap!