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!!
What an inspiration you are Loi! I will be looking for the articles in Southern Living. Do you know what month they will be featured and I will be certain to buy a copy at the bookstore. Your home and garden are magnificent. Every time I read your blog, I am inspired and amazed.
You are a special gift to the world!
Susan
WOW!!! so exciting for you!!! i can't wait to see it in print and am so happy for you, but it's an honor well deserved, friend!
Good things happen to good people Loi. Congratulations! xob
Your garden is utterly fabulous,and don't get me started on the topiaries! Pure eye candy!
Congratulations! So happy for you to be featured in Southern Living. You make the world a more beautiful place 🙂
Loi, I cannot think of a more beautiful home or lovelier gardens to be featured. I look forward to seeing the article when it comes out!
xo Kat
Oh Loi,
This is just so exciting! Your gardens are so beautiful and your taste is so refined, I am happy that Southern Living is going to feature your home… I cannot wait to read the articles.
Liz
So happy to hear of your upcoming magazine feature. I can't think of a more deserving, or beautiful garden. Your white border in particular has been such an inspiration to me. Heartfelt congratulations!
Hello Loi
You have been extremely busy and how exciting for you and for us that Southern Living are featuring your beautiful home and garden.
The white foxglove is superb
Have a great week
Helen xx
So exciting!! I can't wait to get my copy! I think u should giveaway a signed copy! 🙂 hint hint! Melaine
I do like that desk with its green painted interior, and the Empire chairs on either side are devine. Clever you with the topiaries. They too are a favourite and although they are executed quite well here, I don't think I would have the same success if I were to attempt myself at home. Is there no end to your talents?!
I have no doubt dear Loi that your fabulous house deserves a place in an amazing home magazine as Southern Living Magazine. But of course talented photographers add a touch of gold dust just to have the perfect result . And if they are also friendly and warm, it's better !
So, we are looking forward for the rest …
Have a lovely creative day !
Olympia
It must have been exciting to have a professional shoot going on in your home – I wonder if you picked up lots of tips? Is a mud room what we call a utility room? Many of your flowers are just that bit ahead of ours – the Foxgloves, Aquilegias and Alliums are in bud but not yet in flower. As a 'Rosemary' I would like some topiary like the two in your living room. It is all lovely Loi.
GOOD MORNING LOI!
Every time I see a new post from you, I get very HAPPY and click immediately! I just woke up, so this is my first time seeing your post.
OK, this is FABULOUS! Not only knowing that your home will be featured in a magazine, but being able to see more of your wonderful space is a huge thrill. You and Tom possess a style that looks effortless, but I know has taken time to find such original pieces. That is the art of it all, to make things so elegant and special meld together to make one complete picture. The grays, the whites and a splash of antique green works in perfect harmony, and your garden…OMG, stunning. My garden is FINALLY starting to show signs of life after a very long winter, and this year, ONLY WHITE flowers are giving me the effect I seek.
Bravo to you for making your house and garden a home and paradise. What more could you want?
HUGS DEAR LOI! Anita
Hello Loi, your gardens are just so beautiful and well organized. The flowers are exquisite. I like your Conservatory. Those 50+ myrtles must be your babies. It must be so fun and exciting to be featured in a magazine. Please let us know when it will be published. Congratulations on this fun endeavour.
Loi, this is so exciting! You live in such a beautiful place I can see why SL was there. I can't wait to see the topiary article.
Loi, your home, your gardens, they're so beautiful!!!! I can't wait to see and read the article. I'm in love with your gardens.
I see everyone has been busy with work but that's a good thing maybe the economy is finally giving us a break.
XXX
Debra~
All so beautiful. Love all those stunning topiaries and the outside is as gorgeous as the inside! I can't wait to see the article…congrats!
Your garden is fabulous and I love the topiaries. Can't wait to see the articles in one of my favorite magazines that I have been subscribing to for years.
Congratulations on the Southern Living features, Loi! Will be so fun to see them. You made the stylists job easy though, your home is camera ready in its natural state!
The foxglove photograph is just stunning and I always love seeing the beauty you create with your myrtles. Your tall ivy in the conservatory is amazing, how do you keep it from getting the sticky disease (mites)? Our alliums are up right now too. They are supposed to be blue Azure alliums but are purple. Love the architecture they add to the borders.
thrilled for you loi. when we didn't see you blogging, we knew something good must have been coming your way! congrats and looking forward to our issue. donna
congratulations Loi, look forward to the publication. Southern Living has been on my Mother's coffee table since I was a little girl….a staple. Wasn't the exterior of your house published years ago? Of course, it was well before the blogosphere and pinterest. Only image I have is in my mind's eye
Loi, This is fabulous news! I wondered why youve been MIA!!!!! Love love these sneak peak photos and so thrilled they are featuring your talents in S.L. Im so proud to know you and happy for you! congratulations friend!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Wow, Loi! I am so excited for you! I can see why Southern Living jumped on the chance to showcase your home and garden!Can't wait to see it.
Teresa
xoxo
Hi Loi,
I cant wait to see the article! Your topiaries are amazing! I have always loved them and have had many beautiful ones over the years but I dont think I have a green thumb like you do. Any recomendations for taking care of topiaries? Myrtles in particular?
Thanks,
Michael
How exciting! I can't wait to get my copies! Both your topiary and your gardens are amazing!!
of all the places southern living should feature – its most certainly your place! i am so excited – you better let us know when the mag drops. ill run out and get one!
Congratulations, Loi! It says a lot about Southern Living's dedication to quality that they spend days on the photo shoot. I'm really looking forward to the publication date!
Oh boy am I looking forward to that Southern Living issue! Congratulations Loi! How fun to have them there doing their genius styling and photoshoot.
I know how fun it is, because once upon a time, we had a photoshoot too, and I had a blast with it! Enjoy!
Dear Loi,
Southern Living will discover they have their BEST ISSUE "EVER", when it comes out! You are PERFECT! Your home and gardens are perfection! The sneak peek was so, so fun!!! Now I really can't wait. I am thrilled to be able to go through a magazine of this stature and KNOW, (Well I feel like I know you!) the featured Designer makes it even more special.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Congrats! They found you! You will be a big hit with their readers!!!
Your home is so lovely Loi! I love that angel and child wall hanging – it really struck me – I want one! LOL! And your gardens – please tell me you have never looked at any of my photos that show my outdoors! I am having serious garden envy!
Hi Loi, I believe that you have just transported me to heaven. Congratulations!! Everything is so beautiful. The greens of the desk matching the topiaries. Yes, it is heaven. Thank you for sharing this adventure.
Mary
Oh Loi I can't wait to see the end result!
Goodness, no wonder we haven't had a post in a bit! Please let us know what issue to get – I want to have a hard copy of this one. I must say, I wonder if you ever sleep, Loi…? I got a bit of a giggle from the flowers being styled – it's something I'd never considered! I know every detail is important, but to tweak the tiniest detail like that is a whole new idea of which you've made me aware. I need to be more aware to improve my own photos!
Blessings,
Revi
Congratulations to you and Tom. I'm thrilled that very soon (hopefully) I'll be able to view your incredible garden and topiary collection in a magazine I can keep and refer to for inspiration from time to time. Everything looks so lovely. Don't work too hard, Loi! Thanks for sharing this exciting news.
xo,
Karen
Holy amazing crap! That is all so wonderful and your photos are absolutely stupendous! I had no idea that gardens are styled too! I thought Mom nature did that, but then come to think of it, she's not always so perfect, now is she? I'm so, so happy for you.
Now, WHEN is that book coming out? 😀 xoxo ~ Laurel
Loi and Tom congratulations on being selected to be in Southern Living, I was wondering just how long it would be before your lovely home and gardens was going to make it in a magazine. How exciting for you both and for all of us out here who subscribe to Southern Living!! Beautiful, graceful, peaceful as always.
xo Kathysue
Dearest Loi!!! Congratulations!! Wow, how exciting and wonderful!! I am thrilled for you and Tom that your home and gardens will be featured, (love that magazine), your talents are worthy of a coffee table book! Perhaps that is in the works as well? 😉
Bravo!
Thank you for sharing the great news and photos…
Have a terrific weekend!
Hugs,
– Irina
Southern Living couldn't ask for a better subject than your home and garden. All are looking fabulous right now. I cannot wait to see and read the article. In the meantime, I am more than content to look at your own beautiful photography.
XO, Victoria
Congratulations, Loi! I CANNOT wait to see the spread in Southern Living! I hope the magazine dedicates pages and pages to what promises to be a beautiful feature.
Hell Loi, First Reggie, and now you are getting well-deserved publicity. Your unique style really pervades your house and your garden. It was fascinating to see the professionalism of the photo crew, and to get a glimpse into the way many talents are put together to create this kind of article. But wait a second–these are your photographs here, and they're all brilliant!
Incidentally, I loved the infusion of blue flowers in these shots.
–Road to Parnassus
Dear Loi,
I just adore coming to your site. It always lightens and brightens me up!
Your gardens and home are so beautifully planned to bring out the best in luxe design!
I will Finally have a new post up tomorrow!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
OMG…you SO deserve this. I'm thrilled to hear that you will be featured in none other than 'Southern Living'. I can't wait to see the actual article. Your home and gardens are so lovely, I'm sure they didn't have to work very much 'magic' at all. Congrats Loi.
xo
Terri
I'm delighted to add my congratulations to all the rest, Loi, and agree totally with all the previous comments. Can't wait to see the magazine – hope the photographer managed to get a picture that includes you and Tom! And perhaps the pups?
xx
Beth
50 topiaries is quite impressive!
Of course the photos will be a delight to see but I'm always interested in process. I'd love to see how they style a garden shoot.
Que tanta topiarias você tem e são lindas. Amei seu jardim cheio de lindas plantas e flores. Aqui estamos passando por um período sem chuvas, as plantas estão feias e secas.
Tenha uma ótima semana.
This is so exciting, Loi!
I love how your gorgeous topiaries compliment your gorgeous secretaire.
I do have topiary envy still…
And your garden is glorious!
You are the best at creating beauty with a limited color palette.
Congratulations on the feature.
Can't wait to see it!
xo
Brooke
Dear Loi,
Whenever I see your garden I turn just a slight shade of emerald. I do like the white foxglove and the purple columbines.
I also like the roundel. Is it plaster?
Now do they sell 'Southern Living' in Europe?
Bye for now
Kirk
Hi Loi,
Of course, it was only a matter of time! Congrats on the Southern Living feature; you deserve it! Looking forward to seeing it on the printed page! It's sure to be a great success!
Poppy
Loi–I'm holding my breath until the publication hits the newstands! CAN NOT WAIT! I started a midnight garden a few years ago, and havne't been able to stay true to the pure white/green scheme. Blue snuck in! But truthfully, most of my blues feed the hummingbirds, and I love the mix of the white with the cool blue. Your garden is spectacular, and one I frequently emmulate! Job beautifully done! Holly sends puppy kisses to your Tibetan fur-babies!
Oh my word! Loi, this is fabulous! So glad you will be in Southern Living! We work closely with a lot of them as they are based here in Birmingham! What fun for you and Tom! Can't wait to see the actual issue but your pictures were just as beautiful! I can't think of anyone else better to be featured in such a wonderful magazine!
How exciting, Loi!! Your home and gardens are so beautiful, I know those upcoming issues of Southern Living will be keepsakes for anyone interested in design (me, for one!).
Your topiaries are spectacular. And the emerging blue garden is heavenly – I think I'm running out of adjectives, but I do love your work.
Best wishes, Suzanne
How fabulous Loi! Can't wait to see this issue. Please do let us know!
Your gardens are looking amazing….can't wait to watch them transform as the seasons progress.
Now that is exciting…congrats…and I cant wait to see it…your home is fabulous and I love all your topiaries.
Loi!! Congratulations on the feature! So excited for you :). Your garden and your collections are beautiful, can't wait to see
XO Sarah
Congratulations Loi! If anyone should have their home and gardens photographed, it's most definitely yours. I love your gardens (seriously envy you!) and wish I had a half dozen of those gorgeous topiaries of yours. Can't wait to see the magazine. Ciao!
Hello Loi!
This must be very exciting to be with a professional photo shoot! Your garden looks amazing and I love your "secretaire".
XX
Jérôme
A story dedicated to your amazing topiary collection? Brilliant! Loi, do you know if the two stories will be in separate issues? I can't wait!!!
Glad to hear all is well!
Kerry
I am so excited for you and Tom!! Southern Living is one of my favorites, and I can hardly wait for the edition to see your gorgeous home and gardens…such a treat for us all!! Happy weekend ~
LOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you tell how excited I am to see your visit this morning, but the number of exclamation points? teehee
Oh my goodness, I am having such a blast. I am home from teaching today because I wanted to kick off this party. I started about 4:00am, first visiting our friends in Europe; then I went to Canada, and now the US bloggers are starting! I thank you dear friend for coming and LET'S PARTY! ON FAIT LA FÊTE!
BISOUS BISOUS!! Anita
What a treat to find you in my inbox, just returned late last night from my trip. How special everything looks + congratulations. You will let me know what issue you are featured in? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Your Gardens and your topiaries are wonderful. Will wait to see the actual shoot in Southern Living 🙂
Best wishes
Absolutely thrilling, Loi! Can't wait to see the published photos. Looks like you are having a lovely Spring in DC. xoxo, Phyllis
Citron and sugar crepes…oui oui!!! Those are so good…and what about Nutella? 😉
Thank you so much, dear friend, for stopping at the little "cafe"…big thanks to our dear Anita for this very fun event!
Absolutely you are in the drawing for the book! We should all have Ooh La La! 🙂
And please do let us know when this issue of SL goes on sale…
Have a splendid weekend, dear Loi!
Bisous,
– Irina
How clever of Southern Living to feature your home and garden. They couldn't have made a better choice. How nice are DC weather cooperated! My peonies are just popping in time for a Sunday party. I had my doubts when I planned it.
Hi Loi! I always read your posts as soon as they come through my email, but just getting back to comment!! How exciting to have your beautifully-curated home photographed and styled (how can anyone style better than you??). I will look forward to the articles. Glad you had good weather and always thrilled to see your gracious garden. I hope you are well. Hugs, Terri xox
How fabulous…how awesome…and how totally deserved!!!! Congratulations! XO, Mona
Incredible beauty Loi, both inside and out!
Look at you in the glossies!:)I am so pleased for you Mr L. What a fabulous opportunity and very well deserved. I can't wait to see the magic in print!
Bon weekend.
Paul:)
I am so happy and excited for you Loi! Love the sneak peeks from the pics and can't wait to read the article in its entirety and see all the pictures! XX
oh loi!!!! i am so excited for you guys! everything is looking so gorgeous, and i cannot wait to buy the magazine and devour each and every image. what a well-deserved honor. your blog brings me so much peace and relaxation and joy. thank you for sharing this journey and so much lovely.
love to you.
michele
Loi! I am so excited for you and Tom! I can't even imagine how gorgeous your other 10,000 photos from the day are:-). Your garden is even more beautiful than last year! Please be sure to tell us when they go to print. As always, I am in awe of you and wish I had a quarter of your talent! Xoxo, K
Sooo Exciting! I cannot wait to see when it goes to print! Your house will look amazing as usual my friend!
WHat a treat!
xoKarolyn
Hi Loi & Tom, how perfect. If there ever was a garden or a home that deserved to be inside this magazine, it would be yours. I adore every inch of your garden. I can't wait to see it in a magazine. Congratulations and well done!
Oh how fun to see the 'behind the scenes' shots -looks like a fun day was had by all!
I'm so excited to see the actual publication, Loi! Your house and garden are sublime — this will be such a treat!
Beautiful Loi! You are such a natural at this and huge inspiration. Congratulations on your upcoming magazine feature.
Spectacular pictures Loi! We will all be watching for the Southern Living issue! Congrats!!
Can't wait to see it when it comes out. That issue is going to be a keeper!
Your topiaries are amazing, Loi – the three tiered ones especially so. And your home and gardens look as lovely as usual. Please remind us all when the article comes out. It's not to be missed.
b
Loi your home is like stepping into a magazine, they are so lucky to actually get to photograph it and share it. Can't wait to get it
Loi, So beautiful! I'm having topiary collection envy! AND your gardens…your gardens of blue & white are divine. Southern Living will no doubt do them justice. Standing by for the publish date. How exciting and well deserved! Monica
This is gonna be great! Your home and your gardens make me jealous…there I said it! But in a good friendly way:)
Cannot WAIT to see this article!!! Helen is so amazing and so glad the two of you got the chance to meet!!!
xoxo,
lauren