Finding Serenity

Green is the color of life, green symbolizes self -respect and well being.

Green is the color of healing, it represents regeneration and growth, balance and harmony. It brings calmness, and soothes the senses and the nerves.

People who favor green tend to be kind and giving, loving, family oriented, creative and artistic. They enjoy life and comfort and care for the well being of others. 

Healers' first choice for treating physical, emotional, mental and spiritual is green as it contains powerful energies of nature, growth and energy.

Green is a medium for creativity, changes, growth, green protect from fear and anxiety.

I am in need of a little green!

It seems that my life is a constant whirlwind, professionally, emotionally and physically. It has been more than a month since my last post! Exhausted and stressed, I took refuge to our beloved family island in Maine. Drove 9 hours each way, wind blowing with the top down, to meet my family and friends. Three blissful days, immersed in green is all it took to soothe my nerves, brings back peace and calm and re-envigorated me for my creative quest. 

Church in Iceland

 Iceland original houses

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

All photos by Francine Gardner, otherwise noted

Hope you have a little green in your life

If you would like me to create your personal and ideal home, contact me about our Interior Design Services

A Rose story

I have a deep passion for roses. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved roses. 

Shortly after being married, Luke and I purchased a farm in Marshfield, Massachusetts. The few acres surrounding the antique (1668) house, were a mangle of weeds, dead trees, uncared paddocks...a dream as I knew I would create my own little piece of paradise. It all started with a rose, the purest form and exquisite scent of the Isphahan rose.

 Roses are said to be the most ancient flowers in existence. They were used for their medicinal value, their beauty and fragrance. Confucius (500BC) kept records of the roses in the imperial Garden of the chinese Emperor, Cleopatra was said to have her bed covered in rose petals, medieval monasteries were full of roses, especially red climbing roses as they represented the blood of Christ. Napoleon was so fond of roses that he allowed english rose seeds to be sent to his beloved Josephine, while at war with England.

As for me, I could not imagine my life without roses. By my bed, always a rose is present to bring calmness. Before sleeping, I apply a drop of rose oil behind my ears. I bathe in damask rose scented water which I bring back from Morocco.

In my garden, I have been collecting over the years, the most exquisite scented roses. Ancient roses have unfortunately a very short display, their blooms and fragrance are intoxicating. I treasure the month of June when all my antique roses display their soft colors and release their extraordinary fragrance.

In my garden one would find Damask roses ( Isphahan, Madame Hardy,Red Damask)...Alba roses  (Alba maxima being my favorite, Amelia, Blanche de Belgique, Celeste, Crimson Blush, Parmentier, tender Blush)...Gallica roses (Adele Prevost, Aurelia, Poupre Violette, Camaieaux)...Moss rose ( Alfred de damas, Gloire d'Orient)...Centifolia roses  (Cabbage rose,  Fanfan Latour,Rubra)...Portland roses (Comte de Chambord, Jacques Cartier, Duchesse of Portland.

A Bientot,