Join Lila B. Design at
Stable Cafe, 2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, Ca
December 11th from 10am to 4pm

Warm your hands around a drink, savor some fresh pie by Three Babes Bakeshop, be dazzled by Carrie Kjellesvik‘s modern handcrafted jewels, and last (but not least) say hello to us and check out our newest living arrangements. If you’re visiting at Noon, we’ll provide you with some of our methods on how to make your very own holiday gift. And at 1pm you’ll tap your toes to some old time ‘feel-good’ music until we close up shop at four.

photos by sophie de lignerolles and tinywater photography

Recently we had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the folks behind Growing a Greener World, an inspirational series on PBS.  Each episode shares a story of how people, places and companies are using gardening and green practices to promote environmental stewardship and explores how viewers can employ these practices themselves.

The stellar crew visited our Lila B. studio, the owner, Baylor’s, deck, and our {parking} lot garden for an episode that airs this Fall. The hot topic: small space gardening.  Check out your local PBS station for forthcoming air times, but for now you can see it online.

We worked with Host Joe Lamp’l, Associate Producer Theresa Loe, and Chef Nathan Lyon.  Joe Lamp’l is (as you might have guessed) the knowledgeable and charming ‘Joe’ from Joe Gardener, so you can expect to have fun AND learn something valuable.  Nathan Lyon takes food from the gardens visited on the show and demonstrates how to cook something wonderful with the ingredients.  And… if you are wondering if he is as funny in person as he is onscreen, our answer is absolutely!  With Theresa Loe (incredible urban homesteader and gardening maven) producing, episodes are power-packed, sharing the newest, most exciting news from the sustainable gardening frontier.

They were introduced to our work by authors of a great book on vertical gardening we recommend by Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet called Garden Up!.  Susan and Rebecca are California-based writers and garden designers that are always looking for new and exciting ways to think about space and integrating the classic garden with regionally appropriate plants. They begin the episode and provide insight and tips for any person with a will to grow.

We had a great time working with everyone and we know you will really enjoy the episode.  See the slideshow for behind the scene photos and tune in for Growing a Greener World!

Photos by Sophie de Lignerolles

How to Make a Wedding Celebration that Keeps on Growing

At the Point Lobos Ridge Home in Carmel, we went wild.  Quite literally.  Our goal for this wedding situated just over the sea, was to bring the outside landscape in, featuring arrangements that were less about cut flowers and more about showcasing living plants that thrive locally.

We started by using lots of small containers to create living landscapes as table centerpieces.  The small worlds we conjured were comprised of mosses, ferns, rosemary, and orchids.  Giving the appearance of growing out of the table, we gave them free reign and encouraged them to weave around the table and the chargers.  Living orbs of live plants, mosses, and succulents brought panache to each surface.

The cake table was a fanciful island all it’s own.  Using lichen-covered twigs we constructed a frame over which we allowed vines to hang, loose and wild.  We situated between them wooden pieces that served as a pedestal for the cake that was delicately adorned with air plants.

The ceremony took place under a Chuppah draped with fresh juniper branches.  Potted grasses and orchids stood jubilantly next to each post.  The bride’s bouquet was a dazzling combination of Scabiosa pods, Orchids, Bunny Ears, and Lavender.

Some interesting and exceptional accents included: a constellation of succulents, grasses, and orchids growing from the ceremony benches, scattered orchids along the aisle by the lovely flower girls , and miniature hanging terrariums above the dining table.

Each of these stylish punctuations was not only elegant, but ready to be replanted, reused, to continue living.Each of these stylish punctuations was not only elegant, but ready to be replanted, reused, to continue living. The takeaway?  When there are so many extraordinary living botanicals to create with, why limit yourself to the temporality of cut florals?  Exactly.

Photos by Tinywater Photography.

Baylor and her father constructed the frames using this excellent How-To from Sunset Magazine while Sophie designed the succulent arrangements.  In case you are wondering how we water them, take a tip from one of our craftiest designers, Shannon:  Nothing works like the Ultimate Vanquisher, a super soaker.

Here is a sneak preview of gorgeous images by San Francisco photographer Matthew Millman.  Stay tuned for more soon!

Close up photo by Sophie de Lignerolles.

What is it?

The Terrarium is a closed environment where condensation allows the plant to self water.

But wait… you said Wardian Case!

Indeed!  Delighted to hear you are paying close attention!  A Wardian Case is named for Dr. Bagshaw Ward who is generally accredited with inventing (and subsequently popularizing) small enclosed gardens around 1830 after observing how ferns could flourish while enclosed in his London home although they were struggling outdoors.

I made a terrarium once as a child in science class.  Are these really visually interesting enough to add to my interior?

Absolutely!  Artist and horticulturist Paula Hayes creates terrarium art for galleries and art fairs around the world.  Not long ago she installed a few at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Why do we love it?

While we live in the city we love nature and quite simply we have found no better way to bring the beauty of living landscapes inside.  And, just as Dr. Ward discovered, sometimes there are outdoor fluctuations in temperature or even the presence of pollutants that make growing an enclosed garden inside ideal.

Okay.  I am sold.  What sort of glass container should I build one in?

We suggest checking to see what sort of glass container you already have.  Ask yourself, would I like this terrarium to be flat or tall, as this will influence the type of plants that will feel at home in it.  In addition, the larger the opening in the glass, the easier it will be for it to dry out but easier for you to get your plants in!

I don’t have a large glass container.  Is there anything else I can use?

Absolutely!  Good options include mason jars and old fish bowls.  Or if you’re truly driven: custom hand blown glass … how about that?

So I am at the nursery, how can I choose what to put in my terrarium?

Sophie from Lila B. Design suggests that you consider picking plants that go together, that naturally are comfortable in the same environment.  You might consider choosing plants that do well in wet environments, all succulents, or even air plants. A fun source for carnivorous plants in the Bay Area is California Carnivores and for a whole array of choices under one roof head down to Half Moon Bay Nursery.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Sophie is delighted by dioramas and installations at museums such as San Francisco’s Academy of Sciences.  Alternatively, the next time you are on a hike, notice the details that make up your natural environment.

Oh yeah?  Well what is the most special thing Sophie has added to a terrarium lately?

At the moment Sophie is excited about the interesting touch that adding a dried insect or two can add.  One especially beautiful recent creation featured a luna moth (see photo above).  In addition look for interesting pieces of wood and stones to make a little scene.

Here we’ve added a Preying Mantis we collected from at Paxton Gate. Can you see it?

This sounds easy enough.  Are there any last minute tips?

The death of many a terrarium is instigated by a drought.  Be careful to keep it as moist as your plants desire.  Use a spray gun, small mister, dropper, or if you’ve got a very large terrarium a turkey baster will do the job.

Actually I just changed my mind.  I don’t have any time to build a terrarium… what can I do?!?

Of course we are delighted to help you with all your terrarium needs here at Lila B. Design.  Tell us the feel you would like to create or the plants you would like to feature and we will go to town!

Wow, this is so exciting!  Where can I learn more?  Check out some of our favorites in just made photos by Holly Stewart Photography, or stop by Lila B to chat with us.  While you are here wander up the block and check out her most recent creation at Stable Cafe.  Or… if you are not local we suggest checking out the work of celebrated terrarium artists Tovah Martin and Paula Hayes.

All Photos by Holly Stewart Photography.

In case you couldn’t see our Preying Mantis, here’s a close up.

Farewell Spring. Welcome Summer.

Photo by Holly Stewart Photography

Hair + Make Up by Dawn Sutti

The story begins at Dawn Ranch, amidst fifteen acres of tranquil redwoods on the Russian River.  The occasion was to celebrate the nuptials of Kristi and David.  They were going for a particular kind of rustic charm- taking care not be too overdone, and achieving whimsical elegance in thoughtful ways.

We started with moss islands that provided a sumptuous bed for the unusual.  We placed them under a cloche bell jars and adorned them with mushrooms, monkey tail ferns, scabiosa, poppy, and nigella pods.  From the trees we hung twig and moss baskets with blue hydrangea ferns and passiflora leaves.

The bride’s bouquet featured succulents, ferns, blackberries, helleborus, tweedia, cotinus leaves, and coniferous pieces.  The men sported boutinierres that were an unique combination of nigela pods, berries, and tendrils.  Two flower girls left a shower of hydrangea petals in their wake.  An energetic brown datsun served as a friendly ring bearer.  Everyone carried darling vintage parasols to shield them from the California sun.

There is a fine line between a country wedding and a fantastical woodland celebration.  We think this wedding celebration is one that achieved fairy tale status without being trite.  Have a look at the pictures and let us know what you think!

Photos thanks to Charlie Gesell Photography and Sophie de Lignerolles.