Landscapes

Quick duckling progress story!!! First ducklings of the Spring!

May 25, 2013 By // by Penelope Bianchi 24 Comments

This picture is right after they hatched!!

April 13,2013

And this is today!!

May 25,2013

All 11 ducklings have survived; in 10 more days they will be able to fly!!

They are a little hard to distinguish from their Mommy!

(she is in the back watching!)

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!

AND PLEASE ENJOY WILDLIFE AND THE OUTDOORS!

ALL THESE DUCKLINGS HAVE SURVIVED…….WHEN I WALK OUT THERE……HEY SWIM TOWARD ME. I don’t ever “touch” them;

(it is very tempting) However, I do not want them ever to be vulnerable to people who do not want to “help them”; and who want “eat them”!

Lots of ducks do fly to our pond……..(they do fly to where they “hatch”!Last January……..65!

They are welcome!! I live in heaven……and I haven’t even died yet!!!

thank you for following me! I am astonished!!!

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La Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul De Vence : an iconic hotel in Provence

May 23, 2013 By // by Penelope Bianchi 16 Comments

In 1982 my husband and I went on our first trip to Provence together. My favorite hotel I had ever seen was the
“Hotel de La Colombe d’Or.”

(I almost fainted!!!)

It is perched at the top of the most beautiful mountain village of St. Paul de Vence.

Here are some pictures we took at that time.

It is such a unique and unusual place; and it is still, 31 years later, is virtually unchanged.

Actually, it is almost unchanged from the 1920’s.

It exemplifies all of the things we love about Provence.

In two words, simple elegance.

The village is of native stone, built over centuries.

(Adam in the pool on the left!)

The simple chaises could not be improved upon(in my opinion). The light wood and canvas covers blend beautifully with the ancient stone walls.

The umbrellas and chairs and tables of the cafe are simple and elegant.

Nothing “sticking out” and calling attention to itself!

This is now an “endangered species” !!

“Understated elegance” An endangered species!

(Horrific plastic outside “wicker” furniture; orange umbrellas, hideous overdone wrought iron or aluminum furniture!!!)

EEEWWWWW!!

I will stop my rant……and resume pictures of what I LOVE!!

and interesting to me…….I always have!

31 years is a long time!!

The terra cotta pots and olive jars are made from the local soil.

Natural linen cloths and napkins are undyed! The tablecloth and napkins are natural linen.

We both felt completely relaxed and at one with the environment.

We are not unusual. That is why, I believe major artists congregated here! MAJOR ARTISTS!!!

I actually saw doves flying in and out of the dovecote on the top of the next door building.

These lights are ingenious! They were made out of olive oil strainers. (these dark brown wicker ones!)

The oil was poured through these to “filter out” pieces of olives, to fill up the olive jars with the “filtered olive oil”.

Here I am! 31 years ago!

Here he is! 31 years ago! (the handsome devil)!!

So so happy to be discovering this place that felt so familiar…..that we wanted to

reproduce in some way! Authentically!

(I asked all these questions about pigments……stucco,; lime wash)…..etc. etc.!

This one did not have its bulb attached; but most did.

My very favorite light fixture for down lights in trees……..I saw here! Here it is! (by the way…..there were no “digital” cameras.)

No faxes, no email. I just found these pictures!

Thank God for “scanning” and all the rest of it!

I really loved these gourd lights hanging from the trees. So beautiful at night! Such a “natural” look for hanging

light fixtures….they are camouflaged into the tree!

these remain my favorite “down lights” in trees! EVER!!

Here I am in 1982!!

I thought I could have some made!

Well, I never did; but when the new owner of the San Ysidro Ranch took his architect, Marc

Appleton to the Columbe d’Or for lunch and showed him the terrace, Marc

found someone in Santa Barbara to make them!

Now I order them for my clients!

(and any of you who want them)!

These are the most beautifully camouflaged down-lights to hang

in trees I have ever seen!

How amazing are these??

(because of the perspective……this looks like it is HUGE!!)

YIKES!!!!

It is 12 inches high…..(at most)! It is so lovely…..and when it is hanging in a tree…..it looks like part of the tree!

I love the close-up of the “patina”!!

they look….just like the ones I photographed 31 years ago!

They are now hanging from the trees at my favorite restaurant……and from trees of my clients!

and at our house!

I meant this post to be

A lovely story of a timeless place!

This is the trip that inspired us to build a house in the “Provencal” style; because the stone, the climate, and the terrain

in Montecito reminds us of Provence; and our first trip there!

We came to Montecito first , together, on our honeymoon! Yikes! 1978!

We decided we wanted to live here! It took 20 years……but we got here 16 years ago with a “vacant lot”!!

This was our inspiration! This town, this terrace, and this Inn and Cafe!!! We went back! This was the “beginning”!

Isn’t life fascinating???

Here is a good article to read about the history of La Colombe d’Or!! It is a fascinating place!

I hope this will inspire you !

Penelope

La Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul De Vence : an iconic hotel in ProvenceRead More

French Lavender Oil

May 12, 2013 By // by Penelope Bianchi 21 Comments

When we were building our house; we went on several trips to Provence.

We stayed on one trip at a wonderful hotel in Aix-en-Provence called La Villa Gallici.

http://www.villagallici.com/en/hotel

It smelled absolutely divine; so I looked everywhere for a housekeeper who spoke English!

I found one and asked her what on earth smelled so good!

She explained that they used drops of pure lavender oil on the carpets and rugs throughout the hotel!!!

It is a natural insect repellent; it is a anti-anxiety treatment, and I have been using it at least 4 times a week ever since!

This is a big bottle; but to use it on our rugs, it is convenient to have it in small bottles that release just drops at a time.This

bottle is to refill the small ones!

I don’t know how to make it! I do make sachets out of our lavender!

Surprise!

And our little hen hatched 5 baby chicks just in time for Mother’s Day!!!

I transported her chicks to the “maternity ward” coop in this basket! She is taking great care of them!

Happy Mother’s Day!

French Lavender OilRead More

Spring Is Here!

April 18, 2013 By // by Penelope Bianchi 25 Comments

Today really feels like spring! 11 baby ducklings!

Just in time for the Piedmont Garden Club!!

The proud Mommy! It’s the most we have ever had!

The duck house in the rear (from LWB Creations in Georgia) is where she sleeps to keep the ducklings safe!

She laid her eggs and hatched them in the one in the front!

The ivy is growing new leaves!

I was asked by the Piedmont, California Garden Club to show them our garden and house.

I was so pleased and flattered; I asked them to have a picnic lunch in the garden at the long table!

They are coming on Tuesday!

Spring Is Here!Read More

A lovely post by a friend and blogger!

March 28, 2013 By // by Penelope Bianchi 15 Comments

My friend and fellow blogger Tracey Jackson

came to Santa Barbara to visit her mother; and came over to visit!

(These pictures were taken last Spring! Not by Tracey)

Tracey is a screenwriter, and that is one reason she is such a good blog writer!

She has also published books!

Honestly, in about fifteen minutes, she took some wonderful pictures and posted them!

The title is “Penny Bianchi’s birds in Paradise”!!

Here is the link!

I think you’ll enjoy her blog!

http://www.traceyjacksononline.com/2013/03/penny-bianchis-birds-in-paradise/

I’ve been taking some “beginning of Spring” pictures which I will be posting soon!

Happy Easter!!!

A lovely post by a friend and blogger!Read More

A lovely post by a fellow designer!

December 13, 2012 By // by Penelope Bianchi 20 Comments

Yesterday, I was stunned when I received a post by my new friend, Julie of TG Interiors!

She wrote me to ask if she could speak to me about how I started my career;

and she wanted to see if had had advice for young people

thinking about a design career!

She lives nearby, and I invited her to lunch and we spent a nice afternoon chatting about our business!

I was so touched, I cannot tell you by this beautiful and generous post!

I was touched, and thrilled and surprised! You will see why!

Thank you , Julie, from the bottom of my heart!

Here is the link:

http://tginteriors.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-day-with-penelope-biancha.html

A lovely post by a fellow designer!Read More

Renee's Kitchen

July 2, 2012 By // by Penelope Bianchi 4 Comments

The very first time I went to Renees house; I got so excited I forgot to take pictures of the kitchen and dining area!

I thought the design was so creative and practical that it really should be shown!

So, back I went! How divine is this bicycle?! She rides it with “Bittersweet” the Yorkie in the basket!

The trumpet vine amazes me more every time I see it!

The green cabinet makes one half-wall; It seems like it was a counter in a butcher-shop or some kind of shop. The crack in the marble makes it even better!

Her French press and espresso cups are on the adjacent counter with a farmhouse sink in between. Note the green lantern and sweet chandelier!

The window with the shutters on it look out to the ocean! The outdoor dining area is straight ahead; and the most charming fireplace is in the corner.

Here is “Bittersweet ” on his bed!

On my way out; just look at the roses…..and she also has the cutest car!

Renee's KitchenRead More

Success story with ducklings!!!

July 2, 2012 By // by Penelope Bianchi 17 Comments

Well! After the trauma of the drowned ducklings (good thing I never had to go to war)

The same Mallard female trusted Winston’s duck house from Georgia…….and laid 6 eggs in the back nest box!

Another mallard mother trusted the newly fortified ” old” duck house and also laid 6 eggs!

First time ever (in 14 years) we have had two female mallards sitting on eggs. Also the first year we and they have had the luxury of two duck houses!

It is quite a story!

A new mallard mommy laid 6 eggs (they lay one egg a day); wait until there are at least 6; they start sitting…….so they all hatch on the same day!

Now; just in case you did not know this……..(wild birds and chickens do the same) You are in the vast majority ! 100 CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies were asked this question!!

2% knew the right answer. (We need to educate people about these things…………That is pathetic!)

So the first mallard laid 6 eggs…….we counted! The first one hatched…….off she went with the first one……..the other five did not hatch! (my theory….first time…..only child is easier?)

My happy tale is that the same mother mallard who lost her first brood..(because of our leaky house……..sob!)….(we can identify by some markings on the back of her head) went to Winston’s new house!

She laid six eggs………and we watched her stay right in there for 2 days after the first one hatched! Until they all did! Bravo! No egg left behind !!!

Winston had that new house here so fast………and I drove a truck! Winston is the hero!

Here are the pictures!!

The back house is Winston’s “new house” from Georgia which arrived in 6 days! This is the female who hatched one chick….left the rest of the eggs in the old house…..and when the new house arrived……well……..here you are! “WOW! This sure a pretty place”!

She laid her eggs and that one hatched in the old place (all fixed up and waterproofed ) in the foreground!

The girl who lost her brood was not trusting that old place……..was so pleased with Winston’s she laid 7 eggs in Winston’s!

I will not bore you with my photos of her every single day for 28 days……..sometimes I could see her beak…..sometimes I could see nothing and despaired!

Then! Tah Dah!! Here she was with 7!!

They are honestly the size of bumblebees!

This is the mother who lost all six one day old ones in our house that leaked.

I am seriously into their survival.

Mother Theresa…….no…..but” mother duck” I have become obsessed……this mother duck I have a debt to. I cannot tell you. I practically slept on the bank.

They hatched!

It is hard to see them!

This is the same mother duck!

This is a happy ending to a very sad story!

And they are still alive; growing up way too fast…….(just like children) !

And I will be starting my before, during and after story of our daughter’s house next!

Penelope

Here is the mother with the “only child”!

(lots of my friends think she is “smart”

easier than 6 or 7 for sure!

I almost forgot the chicks! Yikes!

Here is the first set of our “mille flour” bantam chicks……..7!

The bobcat has been visiting……and decimating our flock…..so inside everyone! for a few months!

Look at the little chick peeking out of the Mommy’s feathers! (I will now get 500 withdrawals ) (I promise there is some serious design work coming)

Here are seven!

And then the other one hatched 9!

Now comes the “before and after” of what I think may be the very best house in all of Montecito!

Honestly. It was built in 1935. The golden era of proper scale; views, proportion…..and “enfilades” !

Designed by a gifted architect…….who did the airport in Santa Barbara; the Arlington Theatre……and a few houses…….and would be much more famous had he not died at 46!

Joseph Plunkett..part of “Edwards and Plunkett”…

The loveliest house! I will begin with the “before”! Where it was when I found it!

Just about the opposite of all “spec” houses and “McMansions” being built today!

Charm, warmth, proportions…….light……exposures……..(does everyone know what that means?); graciousness and cosy!

Next post!!!

Stay tuned!!!

Success story with ducklings!!!Read More

Renee's past publicity!! Bravo!

June 22, 2012 By // by Penelope Bianchi 24 Comments

Hi there! Thanks to my reader, Brenda….lives in the South…….

(who may not know it; but does have a “photographic memory”! Thanks to Brenda;

I have proof that Renee has been doing this sort of imaginative and magical gardens for a long time!!!

Brenda read my blog; and she wrote me to say…..”could this be the lady in New Orleans? I have saved these two articles for years!!

Well, YES!! Is the answer! “Garden Shed” was a wonderful magazine. I never saw it; or it would have been one of “my magazines”!!

Brenda took the time and effort to copy the pages in the two articles she had saved…….one 12 years old……and one 10 years old.

I am showing these to you ! My assistant “scanned” them!

My assistant said that this is permissible as long as I credit the magazine (which is no longer around,sadly) and the writer , which I do again! And the photographer.!

They look so alike…..and are so atmospheric….and so natural and otherworldly……you might think it is one garden. NO! The first garden was in one not so lovely neighborhood….but it had the same quality………she moved…….(I hope “it” remained!)….no one knew it was there……..no one…..it became invisible from the street.

And then….the other house was bought and inhabited by Renee and Gordon……and the same thing happened…..and “Garden Shed with the same photographer ran her creation again……

as another article about a “genius”!!

Now Renee Parker-Werner!!

I hope the photographer is still with us and will find this tribute to him, the writer, and of course to Renee! I bet there is a wonderful story about how those people found her!!

Believe me; Renee did not seek to be published! she isn’t a “hermit”; ( she and her husband are just “private people” in their own “slice of heaven”!

When I wrote her husband in the beginning….(after my first discovery and my first post..about her…all these comments…..

I was still (and am still…under the spell of their place…..it cannot be captured)

I said to Gordon, her husband…..”she is getting quite the ‘fan club’!” He replied………”starting with me!”

Yes. That is what every woman dreams of. Yes. Three words in answer to that question. Yes.

So here are the two articles sent to me by my wonderful friend Brenda…. This is astonishing!

Thank you for saving these pages from “Garden Shed “magazine ! Most of all for “recognizing” Renee!!

Brenda is in a “special world” of her own!

Thank you , Brenda!

Returning to nature; preserving beauty…..good for wildlife; magical spaces, wildlife habitat, instead of mcmansions,

From 2002 and 2004!

Photographer…..Pete Krumbardt

and writer…..Kathleen Pyle

Bravo the writer and the photographer of both of these articles!

Most of all…Bravo Renee who “makes magic” wherever she goes.

Bravo Gordon…..who “hired” Renee and then “married “her and remains the “captain of her fan club”!

Thank you, Renee…who has shown us all what magic can be made! Nurturing nature, nurturing family…..birds bees animals and beauty!

You are an incredible example to those of us who want to escape the whole “lawn suburban nature wasteland” and you are teaching us we can do it without spending a fortune.

It is possible everywhere! One can have a “wildlife sanctuary” on a balcony! Just see The National Wildlife Federation.website!

This is the wave of the future for our “young’uns”! The future of our nature resides with them!

What a whole lot better I feel now that I know Renee!!

Now enjoy the two gardens she did in New Orleans………and get started! this should be happening across the land! A new Paradigm!

Who wants lawn when you can have birdsong…and natural habitat?

Penelope

(too bad I am not the New York Times)!!

enjoy!!