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