Greetings! It has been way too long since my last post. I hope you all are well. Work has been incredibly busy, hence my absence. I look forward to resuming my weekly postings as I have many home and garden tours to share.

Those of you following along on Instagram got a sneak peek of a photo shoot at our home. Southern Living Magazine is planning a couple stories and has been shooting here this week. We’ve been really lucky with weather – fingers crossed as we have one more day to go.

This week, I got a chance to meet two big names in the industry: Southern Living Garden Editor Rebecca Reed and Photographer Helen Norman. In addition to being super talented, these women are incredibly nice, warm and real pros. They made Tom and me feel completely at ease!

While I can’t share Helen’s actual (OMG fabulous!) photos from the shoot, here are some I took.

Hi, Helen (left)! Hi, Rebecca (right)!! Thank you BOTH for working tirelessly to make every shot special and beautiful.
The first story Southern Living will feature is my topiary collection. Above is a pair of rosemary topiaries displayed in our living room. Below are a few of my 50+ myrtle plants in our small conservatory. The painted console table is Swedish Gustavian while the blanket chest is American from the Brandywine Valley.
Standing behind Rebecca is Helen’s wonderful assistant and lighting whiz, Dan Stack.
Below: Helen adding her magic touch to a vignette in our mudroom.
The second article will be about our gardens. Here is a peek at our late spring blue garden which features primarily blue and lavender flowers. Below from left to right: Camassias, Siberian Irises, Johnsons Blue Geraniums, and Spanish Bluebells.
A closeup shot of lavender Columbines.
Purple Alliums behind a long teak bench.
Rebecca is a styling genius, and here she is adjusting Pansies and Baptisias.
 Moving to the north side of the house is our white border garden. The white Alliums are just starting to pop while the white Azalea is at its peak.
 Above is Clematis Miss Bateman. Below is Foxglove Camelot White.
I will keep you posted on the publication dates. Many, many thanks to Southern Living!!