Terrain Bulletin

A Terrain Picnic

Tue, 21 May 2013

As Memorial Day marks the unofficial arrival of summer, we're spreading our blankets for meals on the beach, at the park, or simply in our own backyards with a little inspiration from Tori Finch's new book, A Perfect Day for a Picnic.We're also making some creative additions to our baskets this year thanks to chef Keith Rudolf and the café team at Styer's, who devised a picnic menu packed with dishes starring the season's freshest produce. Just right for warm weather dining, we were especially eager to try the quinoa salad mixed with asparagus and dandelion greens, so our chef kindly shared his recipe, found below. We imagine updating it with a variety of veggies as our gardens flourish.

A terrain Picnic Menu

Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese, mint, basil, pink peppercorns, and orange oil

Smoked Turkey Sandwich with bibb lettuce, tomato jam, and pickled red onion on fresh baguette

Stone Fruit Salad with mint yogurt

Quinoa Salad with asparagus, dandelion greens, red onion, and feta

Garden Apertif with The Drunken Botanist

Mon, 20 May 2013

For the botanically inclined, shaking up a summer cocktail might bring to mind a saying: behind every great drink, there is a great plant. While many of us are familiar with some of the more common plants in our favorite aperitifs; grapes in a wineglass, hops in a pint of beer, or juniper in a cold gin and tonic, writer and longtime gardener Amy Stewart was so interested in some of the lesser-known plant-to-cocktail connections that she wrote a book on the subject, and one that we haven't wanted to put down since we got our hands on it.

Known to others of us as the liquor store, The Drunken Botanist takes us through what Amy calls "the world's most exotic botanical garden", sharing plant connections, histories, growing tips and, of course, recipes for bringing trees, flowers, berries, and herbs from the garden into your favorite cocktails.

Inspired by her multitude of ideas, we recently mixed up a spiked spritzer with the season's first strawberries from the farmer's market. More method than recipe, Amy's original idea called for mint, but the rosemary in our herb garden looked so tempting that we took the liberty of switching things up, and we highly recommend taking a look at your garden and doing the same.

A Container Recipe

Fri, 17 May 2013

A Collected Centerpiece for Long Tables

Wed, 15 May 2013

With a season of outdoor celebrations on the horizon, we’ve been brainstorming new, natural ways to decorate extra-long tables that can welcome even the biggest gatherings of family and friends. Inspiration struck when we spotted a set of shapely bud vases-- displayed together, these diminutive vessels seemed just right for anchoring a spacious tablescape. Seeking a centerpiece that would cover a lot of ground, we lined up our collection of hand-blown glass and dropped in simple stems of fragrant herbs, with a few flowers for good measure. We're looking forward to reinventing this style throughout the summer with seasonal cuttings and other small containers, like vintage juice glasses and our favorite Weck jars.

Meet the Collector: Melissa's Heirloom Linens

Fri, 10 May 2013

As celebratory table settings go, our own favorites play into a mix: old with new, neutral palettes with pops of bright color, and solids with simple but beautiful patterns. The result tells a story, and one that few love better than our own visual manager, Melissa B. A longtime, and dare we say fervent, collector of new and vintage textiles, Melissa's linen chest is filled with finds from thrift stores in Amsterdam, shops in the English countryside, local artisans, and her family's cupboards. As our own striped, solid, and block-printed linens arrive for summer, Melissa gives us a look at her collection, the story behind her heirloom linen habit, and her tricks for setting a show-stopping table

terrain: How did you decide to start collecting linens?

Melissa: It was never really a decision – I can’t help myself when I see something beautiful. It began mostly when I was traveling-- the wonderful stories, histories, and personalities in linens that I found just made them irresistible. I think people often overlook linens as an heirloom gift. The truth is, once you have pieces that you love, you’ll use them forever.

terrain: Your collection pairs heirloom linens with new pieces. How do you select new linens that complement your heirloom favorites?

Melissa: When selecting a new piece, I look at the material, which helps me understand how a piece will react with washing so I can use it without worry. I always choose neutral tones that can take on supporting roles for my heirloom showstoppers. I also look at the weave and colors, and stay away from patterns that indicate a date or an era; mostly I stick with classic stripes or no pattern at all.

A Flowering How-To with Studio Choo

Wed, 08 May 2013

We were thrilled when we first heard that Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo's artfully unruly flower workshop were going to share some simple tricks-of-their-trade in a Flower Recipe Book, and happier still when we recently got a chance to talk with the ladies themselves. Telling us a bit about the book, their tips for buying fresh cut flowers at market, and what they're giving Mom this year, Alethea and Jill were also kind enough to share one of their favorite flower recipes: a "Hyacinth with Company", for those of us still on the lookout for a handmade addition to our Mother's Day gift.

New in the Nursery: Bellwort

Tue, 07 May 2013

Easy to spot thanks to its yellow, bell-shaped flowers, Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) is a member of the lily family that's native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, particularly in areas with rich, limestone soil. Also known as Merrybells or Wood Daffodils, these pale green plants are usually found brightening woodland slopes and ravines with their nodding blossoms. Our nursery team recommends a shady location and regular watering for a few weeks after planting, then these hardy perennials should thrive without any special care. Growing about 18-24” tall, they make a colorful spring addition to shade gardens, blooming in April and May each year.

Throughout the season, our plant team highlights their freshest additions to the garden with New in the Nursery. Check in at your local store to take home these newly-arrived blooms.

What's In Your Garden Bag?

Thu, 02 May 2013

Inspired by our new jute garden tote, we started wondering which items some of the most avid gardeners among us couldn’t leave home without. Who better to ask than Karen C., a longtime urban gardener and the newest expert on our plant buying team? When she’s not planting containers at home, she travels to the community garden in her Philadelphia neighborhood, so her tote sees a lot of use. Karen obligingly dusted the dirt from her essential tools, and also shared a few new pieces she’d like to add to her bag this year.

May In Bloom

Wed, 01 May 2013

How-To: Mother's Day Posies

Tue, 30 Apr 2013

Inspired by our big, fresh-from-the-farm bouquets of peonies, we recently pulled a few stems from the bunch to create a thoughtful, DIY gift for Mother's Day. Simple and sweet, our spring posies are a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate Mom, Grandmom, and all the ladies in our lives. Finished with twine ties and sprigs of feathery dianthus, fresh-cut posies make easy gifts or colorful additions to packages and the brunch tabletop.

To create our posies, we chose a variety of blossoms-- some fully open, and some nearly ready to bloom. After snipping the stems to around 7 inches, we filled out each arrangement with fresh dianthus. A quick, knotted wrap of twine around the stems completes the bouquet. Any favorite bloom, from meadow wildflowers to the bright ranunculus we chose above, also makes for a perfect posy.

Foreground: peonies, dianthus; Background: ranunculus, dianthus

Planted: Spring Container Inspiration

Mon, 29 Apr 2013

Our Mother's Day Staff Favorites

Tue, 23 Apr 2013

Washington In Bloom

Thu, 18 Apr 2013

Each April, residents of Washington D.C. and visitors from around the world celebrate the arrival of spring at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, as the trees surrounding the Tidal Basin and monuments come to life with delicate, pink flowers. Established in 1912 when the mayor of Tokyo gave 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the U.S. capital, the event now draws over 1.5 million people to the city every year. This spring, our stylist Isa S. was among the visitors on the festival’s final weekend. She brought along her camera for an early-morning stroll around the mall and waterfront, focusing on details like scattered petals and knotty, century-old branches.

Meet Our Moms

Tue, 16 Apr 2013

A Garden Wedding at Terrain

Thu, 11 Apr 2013

Along with flowers in bloom and the return of sunshine, one of the most-anticipated elements of spring at terrain is the arrival of wedding season. This year, as we prepared the garden for a summer of celebrations, we looked back at some of our favorite recent weddings and caught up with one bride, Philly photographer Courtney Apple, to hear the story of her special day.

terrain: First, can you tell us a little about you and your husband?

Courtney: Bill and I are complete opposites—he’s fearless and incredibly spontaneous, while I’m much more practical, and grounded—but the contrast works for us and we have been together for over eight years.

I’m a photographer, but Bill and I also own an all-natural beauty brand called Hand in Hand Soap. For each product we sell, we donate a bar of soap to help save children from water-related illness in the developing world. So far, we’ve donated over 65,000 bars of soap in Haiti! Owning a business together isn’t easy, but it has made our bond stronger. Being able to do what we love with one another is something we’re grateful for every day.

How-To: Spring Bulbs in Weck

Wed, 10 Apr 2013

One of our favorite signs of spring's arrival, we love the burst of color that bulbs like hyacinth, daffodils, and tulips bring to the garden. So much, in fact, that we wanted to invite their fresh greens and vibrant pastels indoors, too. Eschewing a traditional planter, we thought up this simple how-to for a windowsill bulb garden using another of our favorite things—shapely Weck juice jars.

What You’ll Need:

Blooming bulbs (approx. 2.25” diameter)
Weck juice jars
Water

1. Remove a bulb from its pot and carefully brush all soil from the roots, rinsing in water to remove as much soil as possible.

2. Place the bulb into the Weck jar—it should rest at the point where the neck of the jar is narrowest. Note how far down the roots reach into the jar.

3. Remove the bulb and fill the jar with water until the roots will be covered, then replace the bulb.

4. Place in a sunny spot and refresh the water as necessary. Our suggestion—line a kitchen window with a row of blooms for an instant indoor garden.

Perfect Pair: In the Studio with Frances Palmer + Amy Merrick

Tue, 09 Apr 2013

As longtime admirers of them both, we were thrilled recently when a friendship between potter Frances Palmer and Brooklyn floral designer Amy Merrick sparked the idea for an afternoon spent shooting Palmer's new collection of made-for-terrain vessels with Merrick's stunning botanicals. An avid gardener herself with an eye for subtle asymmetry, Palmer's quiet Connecticut studio and pure white ceramics were the perfect foil for Merrick's beautifully unruly arrangements. Take a peek at the afternoon above and, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by terrain in Westport on Saturday, April 20th to meet the artists and see their lovely work in person.

For more information on the April 20th event or to mark your calendar, visit our events page here.

Still want more? Hear more about the intersection of gardening and art in Grace Bonney's recent interview with Frances on the Heritage Radio Network here.

Photography courtesy of Frances Palmer and Amy Merrick.

April Flowers

Mon, 01 Apr 2013

Past & Present with Amy Azzarito + An April Pinterest Partnership

Mon, 01 Apr 2013

Big news fans of Design*Sponge! We have not one, but two projects in the works this month with our D*S friends. The first, a partnered Pinterest board we can't wait for you to see. Inspired by their April gardening theme and our own observations and excitement around returning outdoors for the early days of spring, we'll be pinning all this week right here. Hope you'll stay tuned!

And what's more? In a little less than two weeks, Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito is stopping through terrain at Styer's to share a craft from her new book of decorative arts history and modern DIY projects: Past & Present. Fans of her D*S column of the same name and new readers alike will no doubt be charmed by Amy's smart, insightful writing style and eye for design, along with the dozens of crafts she shares from some of our favorite contemporary designers. Today, she joins us here for a preview of her visit and a quick DIY.

*To register for Amy's 4/14 workshop at Styer's, visit our events page here.

"Although I love this time of year when we're finally getting some warmer weather, I also love chilly days of sitting around the fires at terrain with Hudson Bay and other Native American trade blankets. I love how this project celebrates those beautiful blankets. On a practical level, if you're like me and gravitate toward neutrals, when it comes to tabletop, I love how easily and affordably this project allows you to bring a little pop of color to your table." - Amy

Where We've Been: Santa Ynez

Fri, 29 Mar 2013

During a recent visit to her hometown in California's Santa Ynez Valley, our senior home buyer, Alexandra S., took time out to explore a few of the back roads that wind through the region's horse farms and fields. A coastal valley tucked between the mountains and ocean, Santa Ynez is a quiet, agricultural community known for its vineyards. Spring was well underway in the aptly named Happy Canyon thanks to a rainy March, with winter's bare trees giving way to newly sprouted grass and bud break taking place on grape vines for the 2013 vintage. Alexandra described the impromptu trip as a rejuvenating way to connect with the place she calls home, proving that even landscapes we know well can be continuing sources of natural inspiration.

In the Garden with Los Poblanos

Thu, 28 Mar 2013

As soon as we unwrapped the all-natural, botanical soaps from New Mexico’s Los Poblanos lavender farm and inn, we were ready to hop on the next flight to Albuquerque and see the fragrant fields in person. To tide us over until we can journey out west, we caught up with executive director Matt Rembe to chat about the rich history of Los Poblanos and catch a glimpse of the landscape springing to life.

“Los Poblanos was founded in the 1930s as a progressive farm—the owners raised native species like Navajo-Churro sheep, hired New Mexican architects and artists, and built the greenhouse that we still use. Though the buildings are elegant, they’re inspired by a functional, agricultural spirit, and Los Poblanos is guided by the goal of preserving and sustaining the working farm. Today, we grow many of the ingredients for our skincare products, including lavender, roses, and honey.

Easter at Terrain

Tue, 26 Mar 2013

Willow in the Garden

Mon, 25 Mar 2013

In recent weeks, terrain's nursery team got into the spring spirit by weaving with willow shoots to craft natural structures that ranged from garden walls to rustic baskets. Our favorite willow creation came in the form of tall topiaries that will continue to grow as spring turns to summer. As evidenced by our snapshots from the greenhouse, the possibilities for shapes, styles, and embellishments are abundant, and these tips from our resident willow expert Meredith L. will help you kickstart your own projects for the garden.

Before weaving, place your willow in water and store in a warm location until it roots. Rooted branches are easier to plant for topiary.

When planting your willow branches, pack the soil very firmly so the topiary doesn’t shift.

“Think in threes”—make an easy triangular trellis by braiding or twisting three columns of willow and tying them together at the top.

To make the base of your topiary even, place a bucket, log, or pot in the center of the planter and space the branches around it.

Don’t panic if your willow wilts at first. Some leaves might die off, but with sufficient watering and patience hardy willow branches will rebound.

Keep your willow warm. House topiaries inside until the weather is consistently warm for best growth. In late spring, they can be planted directly in the garden.

Want to learn more? This April, designer Shane Powers will visit both of our stores for willow weaving demonstrations. Find details of the where and when on our Styer's and Westport event pages.

Where We've Been: Gypsy Run

Thu, 21 Mar 2013

Inspired by Robert Frank’s 1958 photo collection The Americans, terrain photographer Doug W. enjoys documenting his travels, including two roadtrips across the States, in understated, black and white images. This year, he packed up his camera and a few rolls of film for a journey through the Delaware Water Gap and Catskill Mountains as part of the annual Gypsy Run, a three-day motorcycle trip that attracts almost 1,000 riders. Doug told us that he challenges himself to take natural photos by using a single, 50mm lens, composing his images in the camera, and shooting with available light. The results? A series of serene images that informally capture the beauty of the Catskills and the enjoyment of a weekend adventure.

Spring Ombre with Ryan Jane Co.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013

Thinking of spring's first flowers and the English garden that we imagine hosting them, our friends at Ryan Jane Co. stopped by to share this waterfall of ombre florals in our Myrtlewood Garden Trug to top our tables for spring.

Get the look:

A. Dusty miller
B. Maiden’s Blush Lilac
C. Fritillaria persica
D. Fritillaria meleagris
E. Burgundy Ranunculus
F. White Picotee Ranunculus
G. Tulip French Menton
H. Fritillaria hermonis amana
I. White Iris
J. Tulip Salmon Parrot
K. Viburnum

"In anticipation of an early Easter and a celebration of all things ephemeral, the simple, sturdy trug we chose begs to be filled with first blooms; a gathered color wheel of tulips, iris, ranunculus, and sweet frittilaria. The thing I love about bulbs is that they're trusty. In spite of early thaws and late winters, they work their way through frozen earth and come up strong, braving the elements and determined to bloom. Playing on the iconoclastic English garden trug, they're arranged to spill over the edge in an ombre waterfall with lilacs, viburnum and dusty miller."

- Melissa