Please let it stop raining! Please let it stop raining! Why was I fretting about the weather on a recent Saturday? Well, allow me to explain.Tom and I had been invited to a garden party at the home of Stiles Colwill and Jonathan Gargiulo, renowned designers, shop owners, and fabulous tastemakers. The party was to fete Meg Fairfax Fielding, our mutual friend and noted blog author of Pigtown Design. In case you are new to the blog world, Meg is a pioneer. Since 2007, she has been writing about architecture, culture, design and popular events in Baltimore and elsewhere. Pigtown Design was one of the very first blogs on the scene. Meg’s point of view is highly respected. You might recognize her as a regular at Highpoint and / or as a guest on The Nate Berkus Show.
ABOVE: Meg Fairfax Fielding
BELOW: Stiles Colwill and Jonathan Gargiulo
Meg had told me all about Jonathan and Stiles’ magnificent gardens as well as their shop, Halcyon House Antiques, located just outside of Baltimore. (I am planning a shopping trip there so stay tuned for a future post.) I was so eager to see their gardens that I begged Mother Nature for a bit of sunshine. Though sunshine never came, the rain did stop. And, you know what? That evening was enchanting as the entire property was cloaked in a misty fog – very romantic and dewy.
As the light was fading, there was just enough time for a quick tour and, thankfully, a few photos. To see more, visit Meg’s posts here and here. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge. Enjoy~
Meg and Tom catching up. Put that umbrella away, girl! (Do I spy a Scalamandre umbrella?)
Welcome to Jonathan and Stiles’ gorgeous gardens! The gardens are divided into gracious “outdoor rooms,” and thoughtfully appointed with urns, ornaments and furnishings. There is a sense of intimacy within the walls of tall hedges, as well as grand scale with the dramatic plantings and vast open fields beyond.
All the garden rooms are organized along strong axes. I love how the framed vistas – achieved via hedge openings and arbors – lead the viewer’s eye from room to room.
Stepping down to the potager and cutting garden, where vegetables are grown alongside flowers for arrangements throughout the house.
Ornamental kale, verbenas, zinnias and dahlias create a lush, layered look full of contrast, color and texture.
Seating is strategically placed to allow one to rest and admire the surrounding beauty.
Both the armillary sphere and stone finial create focal points.
Spectacular dahlias from the cutting garden graced every room. Notice the antique vessels chosen for the arrangements.
Well, hello there 😉 Yes, I’m a lucky doggie…and a cutie!A very special thanks to Jonathan and Stiles for a most wonderful evening!
~ H A P P Y A U T U M N ~
Cheers,
Loi
Magnificent gardens! I've never seen a vegetable garden so lush and beautiful, and the dahlias and zinnias are so lovely in the shades of pink. I love the way the benches are placed throughout the gardens. Thank you for letting us join you on the garden tour. Happy autumn to you as well! xx
Hello Loi, Visiting a garden right after a rain can be a special treat. Not only does everything look and smell completely refreshed, but also the drops of water on the plants add an extra jewel-like effect. The whole affair, weather aside, was obviously a gorgeous tribute to Meg.
–Jim
I agree, Jim: the entire garden looked dazzling. And I love the smell of wet grass.
Sigh..so beautiful!
I thought of you when I saw this on my Craigslist…Hoping you are well…
xo
Andie
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/atq/4670490487.html
Thanks, Andie. Great to hear from you!
Enchanting Loi, simply enchanting!
The Dahlias are magnificent!!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful day and evening.
xo
Patty
A lovely garden Loi, the misty conditions do not detract from it at all. I love the way it nestles into the surrounding countryside and provides little glimpses of it as you wander around the different rooms. It is amazing to see how bountiful the urn is with so much colour and so many different plants emanating from such a small source.
What spectacular gardens and home! And such lovely photos, as always. Thanks for sharing, Loi.
Claudia
Lovely gardens and an equally handsome house. I noticed some pretty neat Gothic lawn furniture, too!
Good glory Loi, you always manage to take my breath away! WHAT A FÊTE, indeed! Whether you had sunshine or not, the grounds are heavenly. I could imagine the fog added to the autumn feel. The lush greenery, the flowers, the interiors…you have just inspired me to go outside now before lunch and rearrange my garden for autumn. I have never visited Meg, so I am going RIGHT NOW to see her. Your Tom is a handsome guy…yowers! 🙂
Enjoy a beautiful Sunday with everyone you love. HUGS! Anita
Thank you so much for the kind words! We were thrilled that you could be with us!
The evening was really lovely! Thanks for including us, Meg.
Loi thank you for all of these glorious garden images from The Halcyon gents. I adore Meg, she has been a blog friend from the start and I would love to spend a day with her!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
These gardens are gorgeous!
Love this, and thanks for the tour. Dahlias are one of my favorites. Gardens often look the most beautiful when they are wet, so the rain was a good thing.
Those dahlias.. wow, so pretty! What a lovely garden party Loi and your photographs are spectacular. It's been a long, warm summer on the West coast and I'm looking forward to the change of season. Happy Sunday! xxL
Sounds like a lovely evening… and their garden! Enchanting. Everything feels new and fresh in a garden after the rain with little drops of rain highlighting the flowers. Thank you for the sneak peak into their beautiful home.
Marvelous!!! franki
Loi,
I would have been praying for sun too! That garden is fabulous! What a beautiful and magical place to celebrate such a wonderful woman! Meg is incredibly talented, knowledgeable and funny. I have been a fan and reader of Pigtown Design since 2008 and I love reading every post.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos! I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth
Hi Loi, what a lovely tour! So glad you and Tom got out for a visit to these gorgeous gardens. And also a visit with lovely Meg. I met Meg in DC a few years ago. We need another blog party. Haha. And I want to visit Baltimore too. Lovely photos and glad the weather behaved. We are off to charleston on Saturday! Xo Terri.
Hi Loi, I LOVE MEG! What a gorgeous evening to celebrate her. Your photos are spectacular……I need some lessons; are you available? Thanks for this beautiful post on an amazing lady and this beautiful home. Have a super Sunday–and you can send us some of that rain. xoxo
Mary
Thanks, Mary. I just take lots and lots of photos. There's gotta be a few good ones, right? 🙂
It's always that much more divine when in good company of beauty and friends.
The gardens are breathtaking, love the garden spheres there is nothing better then the patina of age in a garden.
Wish we got a lot more rain here in Sunny California, it's so beautifully inspiring.
Xx
Dore
I found Halcyon house through Meg's blog. Isn't it amazing how close DC, Baltimore and Lancaster are? Thanks for your wonderful pictures and captions that highlight this beautiful garden!
This is the type of garden I prefer, lushness, and a sense of wild but controlled. And, those vignettes? Beautiful & inspiring. Especially love the old books. xx's Loi
bless my soul, loi! that is an incredibly gorgeous garden of lush blooms! so much soul in the photography and in the soil. you had me at halcyon. that is one of the most delicious words in the english language, doncha think? some old friends of mine are moving to DC in a few days, and i plan to visit them so better lock yer doors! thanks for sharing this lovely.
Please let me know when you come to DC. We'll have you over.
Simply Fabulous!!
So amazingly beautiful!! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Such a lovely post Loi. Rain should never ruin any day—rain is beautiful all on its own.
The dahlias are gorgeous!!!!
Fondly,
-Lisa
Wow Loi, you visit the most spectacular places and have the most stylish friends! The lack of sunshine didn't matter at all! The gardens and property are stunning! xx
Halcyon indeed! I think my heart stopped momentarily just viewing the first image. It's funny, but I think that gardens look their best with a gray sky and that misty fog. Absolute heaven! Love the vignettes too! xo, Laurel
So wonderful that so much beauty exists in this world. Thanks for sharing it!
What a stunning garden Loi! Happy Autumn days to you!
Sophia x
I'm happy to hear you had a good time in Charm City. The gardens are marvelous! I've never been to Halcyon Antiques before, but will have to make time for a visit.
Stunning photos Loi! I had to comment when I saw the dahlias – they are such beautiful flowers and I have been obsessed with them lately.
What a lovely evening that surely was. I live only a few minutes from Halcyon and really enjoy that shop so I love that Meg often speaks of it and the owners and I also enjoy her great photos of that property. Thank you for sharing what was obviously a memorable evening and occasion for a woman of many interests and talents and with great taste.
Dahlias are now one of my favorites! It would be fun to meet at Halcyon 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous! (And it doesn't look like the rain spoiled it a bit – in fact, the photo of the dahlia bedecked in raindrops is stunning!) The interiors are lovely as well – it looks like a very cozy spot. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
xo,
Phyllis
Well looks like whatever lack of sunshine there was, was more than made up by the lushness and luxuri9ousness of that INCREDIBLE garden..my goodness those dahlias look like they are size of pancakes! How fabulous and what a treat it must have been!!!! Thank you for sharing it with us:)
What a magnificent garden (and I'm sure an incredible visit)! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pics with us!
Oh my goodness, I could stare and study these garden rooms for days. The rain probably gave everything that fresh, vibrant green, park-like appearance. I love the stack stone walls and the attention to various focal points in each "room". What a wonderful event. I love the small peek of the indoors spaces too, thank you for taking us along!
Your garden is equally inspiring, my friend.
xo,
Karen
I looked back at that urn in early Summer – wow did it grow on and end up looking so awesome!!!
Thanks for sharing the garden after the rain, so refreshed. A truly beautiful garden – the flowers, veggies, and the clipped hedges – all visible from those lovely antique benches. I could spend hours sitting there, BUT my own little patch is calling to me – watering required as we've had little rain lately, some pruning and deadheading etc.
Sun shining , lovely early morning so will say adieu Loi – enjoy Autumn's arrival this evening, and your week ahead.
Best as always – Mary
Thank you for sharing this wonderful, gorgeous event and garden tour! Just lovely. Oh, those dahlias!
I found Halcyon House and your blog through Meg's. The garden is lovely. Your photography is beautiful!
Hi, Linda! Welcome!! I appreciate your visit. Come back often 🙂
wow! thats stunning. hi meg! hi everyone 🙂
Happy Fall Loi,
What an incredible garden! I can understand why you wanted it to stop raining. It's so full of color and inspiration. Thank you for sharing these amazing photos.
Susan
Happy Autumn, Loi. What a glorious, gorgeous garden. I love how you captured the drops of rain on the dahlias. I'm glad the weather turned fair enough for you to enjoy the loveliness.
Hope your Fall is absolutely beautiful! XO
What an amazing house and garden your friends have Loi! Thank you for taking us there! Hope my garden will look like theirs one day….sigh 🙂
Happy week!
Madelief
A riend recommended your blog noting that we share time in Maine. How lucky we are! I look forward to following along and sharing a bit of your two lives.
Welcome, Lulu! It would be fun to meet in Maine. I think you are in the Camden / Rockport area? We are in Castine….about 1 1/2 hours north.
GASP!
would have loved to be at that party!! glorious in every regard, in and out. talk about a container master their urns are magnificent loi and their use of color, exquisite. can i come to the next party:-)?
debra
Spectacular garden and beautiful home, Loi! I would be equally happy enjoying the garden in summer and camping out on that plush sofa with a good book in the winter.
Deborah
Sorry I'm late Loi. The rain brought lushness to the gardens and a beauty that was captured in your lovely photographs. I feel like this post took my imagination wandering, which sweet Loi is a huge compliment to you. Happy Autumn to you and Tom.
XO,
Vera
Loi you take the most beautiful pictures! What an idyllic garden and home. Thanks for sharing your outing, it looked fantastic! Happy fall my friends! xo Nancy
Over from Meg's blog. I love your photos, the garden is so beautiful in the rain.
Welcome, LPC!! Many thanks for visiting. I really appreciate you leaving a comment. Cheers!
Hi Loi, this is a very happy post with this gorgeous garden. Even the flowers are happy with the rain. Amazing photos Loi. Thanks for sharing.
What a gorgeous tour!!!
It must have been a lovely day!
Rain or shine, your photos of the places you are blessed to visit always jump off the page with vibrancy and make us want to be there. Enjoying the fruits of one's labour, the TLC that goes into creating such beautifully designed vistas, and most of all, sharing it with good friends has to be one of life's luxuries. The flowers, the greenery, the house, the furry friend, all gorgeous, charming and dreamy. Thanks so much for thinking of us, wherever you go!
Happy Fall, my friend!!
xx
Poppy
Beautiful post Loi, and beautiful garden,and how clever of Mother nature to freshen everything up for you.
Hope all well with you and you have a lovely week,
Liz x
Absolutely inspiring, Loi! I'm so glad the weather didn't spoil everything. The garden is especially wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Keri
I'm so glad somehow mother nature cooperated so we can enjoy this majestic garden Loi! Great friends + great surroundings = Perfect day rain or shine!
Even in the drizzle, this garden shines! Such a beautiful, peaceful place and those containers and dahlias are to die for. Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
xxoo
C + C
Loi,
What an incredible garden and back story. So happy the rain finally stopped so that the party could go on!! I am so charmed by their beautiful garden and how lovely to have your friend feted! Had to smile, as I have that Scalamandre umbrella – same color!
Here's to fall….with sunshine!
xoxo Elizabeth
What a wonderful evening, Loi in a truly magical garden…rain or shine it's magnificent! Happy Fall ~
Loi- what a truly stunning garden and home! These pictures are unbelievable thanks so much for sharing xoxo Happy fall!!
Dear Loi, I just had to come back for another look! These gardens are so gorgeous and sometimes a thought comes into my mind that might be workable at my home (the arched trellis ?)
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Haute Couture Ateliers
Hi Loi! I was looking for some information about bird baths and I found your gorgeous blog!
I just love your photos and I mentioned you on my blog.
I hope you like it!
Regards from Spain!
What a fantastic garden! I love every bit of it. I would have prayed for the rain to stop as well.
Gobsmacked! Not too often I get to pull that old chestnut out! Seriously, stunning and so inspirational. I have been looking for ways in which to formalize our larger acreage, and you detailed it here beautifully. I can see myself cantering through the graceful arbours…unless of course, Bella spooks…at which point you may find me in the fountain! xob