Welcome. This next garden teaches that work can be fun. Its all in the attitude.
The Stanko garden is a shoe-in for the cheeriest side yard on Earth.
There is so much to love about how designer- in- residence Phyllis Stanko strutted her credentials on what is usually humble potting bench. At its core this is a work area- but the ambiance shouts to the world that work here is as fun as a day at Disneyland.
Writer Sara Bliss explains the colorful and creative and bench in this June. 2012 Woman's Day "Organize It" column.
Magazine writing is very focused, so let me take you beyond the gate to see if the backyard lives up to this pretty snazzy introduction.
The answer is a resounding YES.
My fellow garden tourists were buzzing around Phyllis, so I chatted with her properly proud husband, Mike.
He explained that as a designer, his wife is trained to make the best utilization of every inch of space. When they were ready to redo the backyard, they spent a year in planning and then went for the wow.
The backyard was designed as an extension of their home. A retaining wall was cut back to facilitate the oversize fireplace with the open sky lounging area.
Design Note: Multiple umbrellas anchoring conversation areas are very popular.
The grounds are very spa like, with lush plantings of tropical specimens of bird of paradise, Pygmy palms and roses carrying much of the work load. One difference from any spa I've been to-
Whimsy. The whimsical village of bird houses and feeders is just opposite the big bay window. Perfect for attracting children, birds- and hapiness.
Complete with the Fullerton avian eatery The Ivy.
You can follow Ms Stanko on her design blog Around The House.
Until we meet again (we have a few more great homes in Fullerton to visit before we head down to the gardens featured by the Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain)
Thank you for all you do to make the world more beautiful.
What a charming wonderful place. I love the whole Bird House area---Delightful, beyond words....Such Fun! One thing, dear Lydia, I wanted to see more of the actual Garden---the Roses, etc...Might you be going to show all of that in another post. I guess I am fascinated by what they have done with the wonderful seating areas, etc...And I want to see what they did with all the plantings now, too.....
ReplyDeleteEvery garden must have a desk.
ReplyDeleteAh, a kindred spirit !!
Garden & Be Well, XO T
A delightful garden to visit with whimsy around every corner ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun talking with Phyllis. She found me under an umbrella trying to catch a breeze and shared a bit about her vision.
Lydia, thank you so much for featuring my backyard in your article...loved your writings and the pictures as well..The Fullerton Beautiful Garden Tour was so much fun, just as promised and I wouldn't have missed it for the world...Phyllis StankoMassstab veanicanM
ReplyDeleteNaomi- I unfortunately did not get very good pictures of the garden area of this house. Maybe I can go back):-
ReplyDeletePhyllis- THANK YOU for opening your garden and for writing in.
Lydia, thank you so much for featuring my backyard in your article...loved your writings and the pictures as well..The Fullerton Beautiful Garden Tour was so much fun, just as promised and I wouldn't have missed it for the world...Phyllis StankoMassstab veanicanM
ReplyDeleteIf someone would like to see more of the plantings they can go to my blog and see the tour http:/aroundrhouse.blogspot.com this link will take them there...thanks again...phyllis
ReplyDelete