JulyAug25

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July • August 2025

46 A Farm-Fresh Fête

At Blackberry Farm, friends gather for an evening of alfresco dining to celebrate the garden’s bounty.

52

The Best of Both Worlds

A new house made to look old? It’s a modern yet classic story thanks to the use of conscientious design principles and a fresh take on style.

60

History in Bloom

Known for its collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses, Scotland’s Carolside exudes a beauty that is firmly planted in the past

68

City Oasis

A historic home in the heart of San Miguel de Allende is thoroughly revived and reimagined into an idyllic escape with spaces for both relaxing and entertaining.

ON THE COVER

Peek beyond the intricate garden gates of Carolside, Rose and Anthony Foyle’s historic property in the Scottish Borders, and explore their preeminent collection of Gallica roses in bloom.

Photographed by Andrea Jones

“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. “One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” —HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

BY

PHOTO

NATHAN SCHRODER

Founded in Florence 1986

13

From the Field

From sunup to sundown, these outdoor finds—furniture, beach accessories, and lighting—have summer covered.

20

John’s Almanac

John Coykendall, master gardener for Blackberry Farm, shares gardening wisdom he’s gathered through years of hands-in-the-dirt experience.

24

Gardens

A Massachusetts garden nods to the past as it evolves for future generations.

34

Entertaining

In a poolside folly, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas sets a table that makes a beautiful splash.

38

Artist

Each piece of painted glass that Margot Larkin creates fosters connection through storytelling.

PHOTOS BY DAVID HILLEGAS AND COURTESY OF ADDISON ROSS

WATERING CAN A Note from the Editor

“Choose her a name she will answer to Call her Green, and the winters cannot fade her Call her Green for the children who’ve made her Little Green, be a gypsy dancer”

–JONI MITCHELL

I JUST BOUGHT A GREEN CAR. Not just any green, but Goodwood Green, named after a racetrack in England that is often referred to as “the spiritual birthplace of motor racing.” You may know the color by the more common name “British Racing Green.” Lately, I’ve been drawn to green more and more. It used to be blue, now it’s green. I have a green bedroom, dressed in a green-and-cream floral wall covering. Right now, I’m sitting in a moss green velvet chair. My favorite handbag is a Kelly green crushed patent leather number with a bamboo handle. And as recently as yesterday, I was clad in forest green from head to toe. But in a car? It’s a bit outside the current car color box—at least in the cities and towns I frequent.

This sudden yen to wrap my road travels in a green envelope has gotten me thinking about the impact of our aesthetic memory banks on our current artistic leanings. When I stopped to really analyze my desire for a dark-green car, I suddenly recalled my mother, a very colorful person (in every sense of the word), and a particular dark-green automobile she drove in the late ‘60s. I was 12 years old when she got it, but I remember everything about it. It was a Cadillac Eldorado in British Racing Green with a black pebbled vinyl roof. The seats were red leather,

and she had the dealer affix a beautiful blue St. Christopher (the patron saint of travelers) medal to the glove box. But that’s not all. She had found someone to paint a thin, red stripe around the car, breaking only at the driver’s side door handle with her initials. The pièce de résistance—she installed an Italian air horn that when she flipped a switch jauntily honked the theme song from The Bridge on the River Kwai. Such a vivid, evocative personal memory…

My mother left this earth long ago, but her clever, playful, and specific style lives on in my canon—and in my car. No, I’ve not gone so far as to commission a red stripe or add a patron saint to the glove box. And Italian air horns are now outlawed. But every time I get in my car, I smile as I’m reminded of her spunk, unerring chicness, and tongue-in-cheek attitude that produced this memorable moment of mobile fun and flair.

In these pages, be it a girls’ alfresco gathering at Blackberrry Farm, a swoon-worthy world of rose garden rooms in Scotland, a thoughtfully developed-over-time garden in Massachussetts, or a new house with an old soul in Columbus, Georgia, our stories all speak to a consideration of the past and present—with an eye to future generations. And they all are awash in greens and blues, among other dreamy hues. What beautiful memories are coloring your life these days?

Love and SDG,

Margot Shaw EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Please send your comments, triumphs, challenges & questions to: wateringcan@flowermag.com OR Letters to the Editor I FLOWER Magazine I P.O. Box 530645 I Birmingham, AL 35253 Get the FLOWER email newsletter! Sign up at flowermag.com/news

My mother, Caroline Johnson Rafield, 1967

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 4

MARGOT SHAW FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Karen Carroll EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Julie Gillis MANAGING EDITOR

Ellen Shanks Padgett ART DIRECTOR

Amanda Smith Fowler STYLE DIRECTOR

Julie Doll EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

DIGITAL

Jason Burnett DIGITAL GENERAL MANAGER

Carrie Clay ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Katharine Grace Whatley INTERN

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

John Coykendall, Alice Welsh Doyle, James Farmer, Marion Laffey Fox, Elaine Griffin, Tara Guérard, Frances MacDougall, Tovah Martin, Cathy Still McGowin, Charlotte Moss, Matthew Robbins, Margaret Zainey Roux, Frances Schultz, Sybil Sylvester

For editorial inquiries: editorial@flowermag.com

Jennel O’Brien PUBLISHER

Suzanne Cooper NATIONAL DIRECTOR, HOME FURNISHINGS

Julie Durkee NATIONAL DIRECTOR, LUXURY

Kate Chapman NORTHEAST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Steven M. Fisher MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Wendy Ellis REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Sara D. Taylor REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Marlee Ledbetter Mims INTEGRATED MARKETING MANAGER

For sales inquiries: sales@flowermag.com

BUSINESS OFFICE

Mercy Lloyd CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Nicole Bowman CIRCULATION MANAGER

Patrick Toomey ACCOUNTANT

CUSTOMER SERVICE

For change of address and subscription inquiries: 877.400.3074 or CustomerService@FlowerMag.info

ADVISORY BOARD

Paula Crockard, Winn Crockard, Gavin Duke, Gay Estes, Katie Baker Lasker, Mary Evelyn McKee, Michael Mundy, Ben Page, Angèle Parlange, Renny Reynolds, Scott Shepherd, Mish Tworkowski, Remco van Vliet, Evie Vare, Louise Wrinkle

From sunup to sundown, these outdoor finds—furniture, beach accessories, and lighting—have summer covered.

PRODUCED AND STYLED BY AMANDA SMITH FOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID HILLEGAS

PREVIOUS PAGE: Square Cushion Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Ring ($6,700) from The Definitive Collection of Elizabeth Locke, thedefinitive.com • Giant Floppy Straw Hat ($585) by Eric Javits, ericjavits.com • The Alys Shawl ($160) by CB Grey, shopcbgrey.com THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Esprit Stripe fabric in Cornflower and Peony (to the trade) by Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Bay Master M1 Maritime Hardwood Parasol in Iris (inquire for pricing) by Tucci, tucci.com • The Canvas Pool Ring in Crew Mediterranean Blue Stripe ($599) by Business & Pleasure Co., businessandpleasureco.com • Bukhara Ikat Printed Tablecloth in Blue and Green ($128) from Peter Dunham + Hudson Grace, hudsongracesf.com • Binx Outdoor Stool in Soft Blue Ceramic ($440) by Made Goods, madegoods.com • Post Chair and Ottoman (to the trade) by Kravet x Brown Jordan, kravet.com

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Barcelona Lounge Chairs & Ottomans and Tribeca Side Table (inquire for pricing) by Kingsley Bate, kingsleybate.com • Amado Beach Towels ($75 each) by Matouk, matouk.com • Swivel Chair U4416-01SW (to the trade) from LEE Industries, leeindustries.com • Striped Cotton Poncho ($148) by Frances Valentine, francesvalentine.com

• Charles Acrylic Tray in Blue (inquire for pricing) by Chelsea House, chelseahouseinc.com • Fabrics, left to right: Ocala Stripe ($154/yard) by Harlequin, perigold.com; Hammock Outdoor F7445/01 (to the trade) by Osborne and Little, osborneandlittle.com; Shadow Stripe in Morning Glory (to the trade) by Perennials, perennialsfabrics.com • Mirasol Umbrella in Cabana Pink Stripe with a Regency Six valance finished with Coral Bullion Fringe (inquire for pricing) by Santa Barbara Umbrella, santabarbaradesigns.com • Versilia Vase ($1,300) from Casa Branca, 310.844.1186

A soft glow flatters everyone, especially after a long day in the sun. These lighting options appeal even more because they’re rechargeable and able to keep the party going well into the night.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LED Bobbin Lamps in Watermelon, Pale Denim, and Buttercream ($175 each) by Addison Ross, usa.addisonross.com • Stefan Lanterns in Small ($175), Medium ($225), and Large ($350) by Pooky Lighting, us.pooky.com • Shades for rechargeable lights in Blue Salt ($74), 852 Gold Flower ($68), and Paisley & Love ($84) by Maison Maison Design, maisonmaisondesign.com • Glossy Gold PRO LED Lamp ($345) from Huff Harrington, huffharrington.com • Galavant Cordless Table Lamp 6700-0001 ($470) by Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com • Mini Vase Lamp ($200 unwired with LED tea light) by Varnish Collection, varnishcollection.com

John’s Almanac

John Coykendall, master gardener for Blackberry Farm, shares gardening wisdom he’s gathered through years of hands-in-the-dirt experience.

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES, we’ve experienced a remarkable renaissance of heirloom tomato varieties. For many of us, this has been our first opportunity to discover the wonderful, intense flavors of “true tomatoes,” which are unlike the tomatoes we find in the grocery store during winter months. Those have been bred for mechanical harvesting, shipping, and shelf life, and they often have a plastic taste. Heirloom varietals such as Gulf State, Oxheart, Pineapple, Ponderosa, Winsall, and 1884—to name just a few of my favorites— are juicier with complex flavors that range from sweet to spicy to tangy. Perhaps what I look forward to most during tomato season are the sandwiches. A perfect one requires only three things: white bread, Duke’s mayonnaise, and a thick slice of an heirloom tomato.

Tips for Growing Tomatoes

Tomato plants need air circulation with out too much overgrowth between plants. Pruning allows better airflow and may help reduce the risk of blight. Pinching plants produces larger fruit faster but fewer tomatoes overall. Unpruned plants will take longer to ripen but will produce twice as much fruit. Do not remove any

Pick tomatoes in the afternoon after a warm day in the sun—this enables the fruit to concentrate its flavor. And never, ever put them in the refrigerator.

JOHN ALSO RECOMMENDS:

Grow tomatoes for two years in one location and then plant three years of other crops in that area while the tomatoes are moved to a new spot. Always plant deep so that tomatoes can root all along their stems to absorb moisture and nutrients. Lower planting allows for sturdier plants. When supporting mature plants, use bamboo canes, garden twine, or tomato cages.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH GARDEN HERB SALSA, SMOKED ALMOND DUST, AND BREBIS

¼ tablespoon oregano

2 tablespoons capers

Black pepper to taste 6 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch-thick

Chop herbs, anchovy, and capers until fine. Using a microplane to shave the garlic, add it to the herbs; then add the olive oil and black pepper. Slather tomatoes in salsa

Smoked Almond Dust: ½ cup sesame seeds ½ cup sunflower seeds

Suckers, which are located between the main stem and a branch, can be cut off and rooted in a glass of water to produce more tomato plants.

1 cup smoked Marcona almonds, crushed powder (optional)

Lightly coat and toss the sesame and sunflower seeds separately in oil and salt. Combine with smoked Marcona almonds. Toss in chive powder, and mix until covered and seasoned.

To Plate:

Spread Blackberry Farm Brebis (from blackberryfarmshop.com) on the bottom of plate. Add tomatoes, and top with Smoked Almond Dust.

ROSES: “Though not containing fungicidal elements, tomatoes will protect roses against black spot. The active principle of tomato leaves is solanine, a volatile alkaloid that at one time was used as an agricultural insecticide. To make a spray for roses: Make a solution of tomato leaves in your vegetable juicer, adding four or five pints of water and one tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain and spray on roses where it is not convenient to plant tomatoes as companions. Keep any unused spray refrigerated.” – from Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte (Storey Publishing)

SUZANNE KASLER Interior Designer

ANN MASHBURN Fashion Designer

MARGOT SHAW Editor-in-Chief of FLOWER

CHRISTOPHER SPITZMILLER Tastemaker

Legacy of the Land

A Massachusetts garden nods to the past as it evolves for future generations.

BY TOVAH MARTIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KINDRA CLINEFF

PREVIOUS PAGE: Tucked into a walled corner of Shirley’s Garden, the golden foliage of Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Fenway Park’ adds a glow to the shaded seating area. THIS PAGE, RIGHT: In midsummer, the hot border in Shirley’s Garden weaves together a sizzling red, silver, and gold combination starring crocosmia, coleus, ‘Roman Red’ salvia, and nasturtiums. BELOW: Statuary, like this bust planter with echeveria growing in its crown, punctuates crossroads in the garden.

Before the birds begin their morning twittering, Shirley Williams is awake and working on her first espresso of the day. The octogenarian catches up on news, completes a series of back-strengthening exercises, and practices some brain calisthentics (okay, Wordle) until 7:00 am when she ventures outside. Then she launches into her daily six-hour stint that involves weeding, planting, and doing the dirty work necessary to maintain the land that has been her family’s legacy since 1976.

It all began with Shirley and husband Peter’s dedication of doing justice to a 300-year-old house. Soon, the focus expanded outward as the couple approached the garden the same way. The result is a legacy written into the land.

Family was foremost when the Williamses initially bought the house and its surrounding 6 acres. Shirley was expecting their third child, and her priority was tackling the essential renovations to get the house up to speed while also stewarding its legacy. The property was named Brigham Hill after the Brigham family, who were among the first 40 landowners in the farming town of Grafton, Massachusetts. They purchased it in 1725 as a summer farm to complement their primary Beacon Hill Boston residence. Subsequent owners respected the unspoiled integrity of the home with its original craftsmanship, including massive granite sills and exterior stonework. That integrity became paramount to the Williamses when they bought the property.

For almost 20 years, the couple took practical strides outdoors, working on repairs to the outbuildings and planting a rudimentary vegetable garden. It wasn’t until 1995 that they embarked on their first major landscape project of an herb garden with a low, curved wall leading to the kitchen door. For the design, they hired Warren Leach of Tranquil Lake Nursery and began what evolved into a 30-year partnership and friendship. Warren

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A rill segments the raised-bed vegetable garden from the terrace. • In the vegetable garden, a Corten steel rain fountain cascades into the pool below. • A bunny statue and a stone bowl with succulents mark the exit from the kitchen garden to Shirley’s Garden. • Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ and echinacea ‘White Swan’ are perfect color complements. • A frog fountain in the kitchen garden serenades the scene with water music.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Warren Leach, Shirley Williams, and Barney the Goldendoodle discuss future garden plans in the shade of a circular crabapple bower beside the elliptical swimming pool. • A meditative frog and espaliered apple trees accent a stone wall. • ‘August Flame’ daylilies add a flash of color behind a clipped ‘Vardar Valley’ boxwood hedge.

“We are always envisioning vistas and seeing potential here. Because the garden evolved over time, it gained a sense of place.”

—SHIRLEY WILLIAMS

has always had the same mindset as the Williamses, respecting and building on the genius of the place. That first herb garden was so successful that it won an award from The Victory Garden television show team. Although the actual prize was a year’s supply of cat food—and unfortunately, they didn’t have a cat—the recognition motivated all that followed.

On the strength of that successful collaboration, the couple tasked Warren with finding a solution for a weed-infested strip that ran along the property line. “It was a pile of rocks and rubble,” Warren recalls. “All the stones that were dug up during construction had been piled up topsy-turvy.” With the help of a backhoe and his infinite imagination, he created meandering paths that weave throughout and cross over naturalistic waterways to add interest and lure wildlife. Native plants, including sedges, lady’s slippers, trout lilies, trilliums, and shortia, were used long before the native movement gained momentum. The finished area, dubbed Peter’s Folly, feels like a totally spontaneous adventure in the woods.

With his own garden in place, Peter was inspired to give Shirley a space dedicated to her aesthetic. He asked Warren to draw up a garden plan that he could tuck under the Christmas tree as a gift. That was the inspiration behind Shirley’s Garden that now includes an elliptical swimming pool plus lively beds of mixed perennials complemented by color-coordinated annuals. The garden captivates guests as they are serenaded by the water music of a drip fountain centered in a rustic, vine-encased seating area. Carefully choreographed to remain prime throughout the growing season, Shirley’s Garden never has a dull moment.

With their momentum in full speed, the Williamses continued tackling landscaping projects. The space that was formerly a lackluster vegetable garden behind the house was transformed into a terrace with steps leading into a sunken walled garden that includes raised beds, a rill, and another drip fountain. Since the property is interspersed with stone, from raised beds made of rock to massive boulders delineating the pathways, it was important to match the masonry already in place. Peter made it his mission to find appropriate aged stone that would seamlessly fit with the boulders originally on the property.

11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Upkeep at Brigham Hill has become a labor of love for the locals. Neighbor Jack Carlson has gardened beside Shirley for 30 years. More recently, retired teacher Philip Carlson joined the group, proving to be indispensable on the property. Acreage has been added, including the lot next door that the Williamses transformed into a native tree arboretum. And as the property continues to grow, the legacy of this land will extend, welcoming the family’s next generation.

Cool, Cool Summer

BY LYDIA SOMERVILLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID HILLEGAS

In a poolside folly, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas sets a table that makes a beautiful splash.

In a historic neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas has created an elegant getaway only steps away from the 1920s Colonial-style house she shares with her husband, David. The new pool house, which Heather calls the folly, ties in architectural elements from their clapboard house and also draws inspiration from the breezy Caribbean style of one of the intrepid couple’s favorite places: Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica, where they were married 13 years ago and have returned every year since.

The site for the new pool and folly required heavy machinery and plenty of patience while it was carved out of the hillside. “Everything needed to fit in a relatively small space, so we went tall and narrow,” says Heather, who enlisted James B. Laughlin for the architecture. With its open lounging and entertaining area below and office/studio space for David above, all within a 12-x-12 footprint, the addition ultimately defies the standard definition of a folly as a fanciful but unused garden structure. “I definitely wanted it to be an interesting focal point to anchor the garden, but we do use it all the time,” she says.

With an eternally calm demeanor, Heather approaches entertaining outdoors in the same way she decorates a room, layering the table with dishware she’s collected over the years, souvenirs from her travels, and her favorite linens for an effect that’s sumptuous yet not stuffy. Traditional flourishes mingle with flea market finds in a mix of English, French, Asian, and Southern styles. For summer dinners, she removes the loungers and replaces them with a folding table and chinoiserie chairs borrowed from the dining room. “I love bringing fancy chairs outdoors,” says Heather. She slipcovers the seats with a ticking stripe applied horizontally to bring the formality down a notch. A voluminous tablecloth of Rose Cumming chintz provides a base for Heather’s concoction of color and texture and “looks like a ballgown,” she says.

metal lassi cups, white cabbage leaf plates, bamboo flatware, and monogrammed napkins. For the centerpiece, she arranges pale peach roses, geranium leaves, white peonies, mountain laurel berries, and satsuma branches to add a dose of sunset color and the subtle fragrance of summer. “I like to incorporate as much as I can from what we’re growing in the garden at the moment,” she says. Even the Meyer lemons, kumquats, and satsumas have been picked from the citrus trees that thrive in Heather’s greenhouse.

Upon that base, Heather adds brass and rattan chargers,

“I’d describe a lot of our entertaining as fairly casual,” Heather continues. “David’s great with the grill, and we serve food family-style. The table settings and floral arrangements will often be more formal than the event itself, but that’s just how I am. I’ve always loved to set a beautiful table and believe it’s important to make an effort.”

PREVIOUS PAGE: “I grew up having dinner on white cabbage plates because my mother loved them,” Heather says. She likes to mix different metals, including a brass tray and pewter-and-brass lassi cups. THIS PAGE, ABOVE: In the pool house, Heather laid the floor tiles straight rather than on the diagonal to pay homage to Round Hill Hotel in Jamaica where she and David were married. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Heather sits on the stone wall that runs the length of the pool. It’s a perfect spot for guests to perch as they enjoy cocktails and appetizers. • Heather chose a tablecloth made of Rose Cumming chintz and topped it with cabbage plates from Clemontín (in Birmingham) and napkins from Leontine Linens. • A French iron urn adds patina. Heather grew many of the elements in the centerpiece in her greenhouse, including Meyer lemons, satsumas, kumquats, and scented geraniums.

GARDEN STYLE

Heather shares a few of her favorite elements for outdoor entertaining.

Moroccan Metals

I love hand-forged brass and pewter vessels. They’re great for styling flowers and don’t shatter if you drop one.

Foraged Greenery

If you have an orange safety vest, it’s like a license to forage.

Orange

Pops of orange, such as satsumas and kumquats, always give energy to a room or a table. It’s a delicious color.

Indoor Elements

I don’t hesitate to use things traditionally thought of in the dining room, whether it’s fine china, crystal, or a starched monogrammed napkin. It’s the Southern girl in me.

Patina

I’ve always had a thing for crusty white urns. I love to mix rustic with refined.

Artistic Reflections

Each piece of painted glass Margot Larkin creates fosters connection through storytelling.

BY MARION FOX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARMEL BRANTLEY

“The thing about painted glass is that it isn’t hanging on the wall. A glass is touched, held in your hand, and reflected upon. ” —MARGOT LARKIN

“What do you do for a living?”

It’s a question that makes artist Margot Larkin laugh a little. There’s something quite magical about what she does—but it’s rather hard for her to describe. “I usually reply that I’m a painter,” she says. “But what I actually do is tell stories.”

Margot attributes her love of storytelling to her early education that included reading folklore, going to museums with her mother, and spending lots of time with her grandparents. “Everyone in my family reads a lot, and they always encouraged me to do the same,” she says. “As a result, there was a lot of imagination and pretending in my playtime. That has spilled over into my artwork. Each glass painting has its own narrative.”

Margot’s journey as an artist began at Christmas one year when she wanted to give her husband something unique. She decided it needed to be from her heart and from her hands, so she learned how to reverse glass paint— an art form that involves applying paint to a piece of glass to create an image that can be seen from both the interior and exterior of the glass. Her first pieces were paintings of shells, something she has always loved. “Now 20 years later, I paint

all sorts of objets d’art, abstract art, clothing, lamps, walls, and utensils. Nothing is safe from me,” she laughs.

Margot says that every image she paints leaves a legacy with a life of its own. “The thing about painted glass is that it isn’t hanging on the wall,” she says. “A glass is touched, held in your hand, and reflected upon. When you do so, you become part of the story. It doesn’t remain as my story but instead becomes

PREVIOUS PAGE: Margot’s Palm Beach pool house serves as her office which she shares with her yellow Labrador named Piper. She spends her days here listening to music while painting her long lists of orders—a mix of individual commissions and requests from boutiques. THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Blue dragons fly across tall-stemmed wineglasses on a table dedicated to a blue-and-white vernacular. A portrait of Margot’s grandmother completes the scene.

your narrative, your meaning.” She refers to a Japanese word she loves which personifies that—aichaku. “It means a deep attachment someone develops for an object that holds special meaning. The word inspires me to create pieces that will be loved for a lifetime.”

Among Margot’s favorite works are the backgammon boards she paints. “One that I especially love was inspired by The Secret Garden, which I read as a child,” she says. “I imagined myself teaching my children how to play backgammon while also sparking their creativity by asking if they can picture little fairies flying through the garden.”

Inherent in her philosophy of mixing antiquities with art form, Margot often stretches her imagination to decorate an entire table rather than a single object. For example, she designed a table setting using her mermaid pieces paired with some of her other ocean-themed creations such as fire coral painted onto polished bamboo, along with utensils wrapped with painted seaweed. “The menu included fresh conch salads and sliced scallops,” says Margot. “It felt like a feast to remember, long after the mermaids had swum away.” Much like the stories that linger long after she completes each painted glass piece.

LEFT: Palm trees are just one of the many motifs Margot paints. She turns simple subject matters, from lilies-of-the-valley to wild animals to sea urchins, into fantastical pieces of art. BELOW: Margot’s painted backgammon boards make perfect gifts for the person who has everything. She refers to this one as a “secret garden” with its tumble of mushrooms and moss-covered conical topiaries. BOTTOM: Margot calls this piece her “aquarium glass” that she first painted while living in Vermont and daydreaming of moving back to Florida.

Presented by

Caroline Gidiere Keynote Speaker Friday, October 17

WHAT’S ONLINE

Wildflowers on Blackberry Mountain

Garden writer Tovah Martin takes us to the Great Smoky Mountains to learn about The Wildflower Project at Blackberry Mountain. With a goal of reintroducing native plant species to the landscape, the Blackberry Mountain Grounds Team led by Brad LaFoy has planted more than 500 regional species of wildflowers over the past six years, creating an Eden for pollinators and flower lovers alike. See more at flowermag.com/blackberrywildflowers.

RECIPES FOR SUMMER GATHERINGS

We’ve gathered more than a dozen recipes for summer entertaining from some of our favorite hosts. These experts serve up the season’s bounty of ingredients in salads, soups, entrées, and desserts (like Katie Jacobs’ Kiwi Cheesecake)! Add them to your summer party and potluck rotation. Get the recipes at flowermag.com/summergatherings.

A Celebration of Zinnias

Interior designer, author, and FLOWER contributing editor James Farmer throws a summer fête celebrating a favorite serotinal bloom—the zinnia. Hosting next to his overflowing zinnia garden in Perry, Georgia, James transforms the carport into a perfect place to entertain. He believes that “nothing is too insignificant to celebrate”—even a zinnia. See more vibrant blooms and get recipes for your own late-summer zinnia revel at flowermag.com/zinniaparty.

PHOTOS BY SARAH RAU, MARY CRAVEN DAWKINS, AND EMILY FOLLOWILL

A Farm-Fresh Fête

At Blackberry Farm, friends gather for an evening of alfresco dining to celebrate the garden’s bounty.

BY LYDIA SOMERVILLE I PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID HILLEGAS

FLORAL DESIGN BY HAIFAA TIREY I STYLING BY AMANDA SMITH FOWLER

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is more than just a luxurious resort. It’s an emblem of the beauty and serenity that East Tennessee offers—a place where guests can escape the rush of modern life and immerse themselves in nature, good food, and the richness of Southern hospitality. But it’s not only the lush landscape and gourmet meals that make this farm special—it’s also the vision of a remarkable family, the Bealls.

Blackberry Farm was born of the idea that luxury is not about opulence; instead it’s about intimacy with a place and with people. Mary Celeste Beall represents the second generation of the family that runs the resort, which now includes a wellness spa and retreat property called Blackberry Mountain. With over a decade of leadership under her belt, she embodies the Blackberry Farm aesthetic.

On a recent weekend night, Mary Celeste gathered a group of friends, along with her daughter Cameron, for an alfresco dinner. “When the garden is in full bloom, you just have to pause and enjoy it with others,” she says. “Gathering around the table is truly my favorite thing, especially outside on a

beautiful summer evening. I kept it intimate so we could all connect at one table.”

The décor and food all reflected the bounty of East Tennessee. “When you have the summer garden to work with, you lean all in—simple, fresh, and colorful,” says Mary Celeste. “Zinnias are the queens of giving more and more with each good snip, so we created full, vibrant arrangements that brought the beauty of the garden right to the table. At the peak of the season, there’s no reason to hold back.”

The food, like the flowers, linked the dinner to the land with farm-grown tri-star and sugar snap peas, pan-fried squash blossoms, and house madeleines with trout roe and crème fraîche. “I wanted to keep it casual, so we had a lot of small tastes, which was fun and relaxing,” Mary Celeste says. “Having a variety of bites helps cover different dietary restrictions, which is always a bonus. I love adding flowers to the plate, not only for their beauty, but also because I try to ‘eat the rainbow.’ I feel like these gorgeous petals are packing some special nutrition.”

As the dinner wound down and dusk approached, the guests all agreed that “Girls Garden Party” should become an annual event—a moment to celebrate summer and each other.

PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: Breezy dresses were the official party attire. • Mary Celeste elevated a classic picnic table with soft plaid linens. THESE PAGES, ABOVE: Locally made pottery held zinnias, hydrangeas, and cosmos. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Zinnias are one of Mary Celeste’s favorite flowers. • Morning glories thrive in summer on the mountain. • A Garden Shed Daiquiri with Don Q Rum, Poli Miele Honey Liqueur, lemon, and herbs garnished with Johnny Jump Up flower petals was the party’s signature cocktail. • Rustic elements such as wooden chairs helped create a balance between elegance and approachability.

“When you have the summer garden to work with, you lean all in—simple, fresh, and colorful,” says Mary Celeste.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Guests gave a toast to summer and friendship. • Sunflowers were in full bloom in the nearby field. • Executive Chef Sarah Steffan used fresh, sustainable ingredients, many grown in the gardens at Blackberry Farm. • Mary Celeste set each place with a white pottery charger, a blue dinner plate, and a white dessert plate with delicate hand-detailing. Fried squash blossoms and stuffed snapdragon blooms brought the farm to the table. OPPOSITE: Light main courses of an heirloom tomato salad and grilled okra rounded out the menu. Handwritten menu cards penned by gardener John Coykendall added a thoughtful detail.

The Best of Both Worlds

A new house made to look old? It’s a modern yet classic story thanks to the use of conscientious design principles and a fresh take on style.

BY CATHY MCGOWIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HERR FLORAL DESIGNS BY CLAUDIA GARRARD AND DAVID BENEFIELD

When designing a forever house for Whitni and Mulford Waldrop in Columbus, Georgia, architect Brandon Ingram and designer Mallory Mathison employed classical design principles while infusing an energetic twist. “This is a family with teenagers, so we didn’t want the house to take itself too seriously,” says Brandon. “The goal was to design something mature but not too formal. We interpreted historical designs but didn’t get carried away with academics.”

“The millwork evokes more of a feeling than a strict architectural style. We did broad sweeps of American and European profiles to offer nuances of each.”

—BRANDON INGRAM, ARCHITECT

The architect ensured a timeless aesthetic that allowed grace for flexibility. “We didn’t commit to one style,” he says. “It’s a little bit Georgian with a European roofline and French shutters. There are whispers of familiarity, but it’s more of a hybrid.” He also eschewed the idea of an open floor plan and tapped into a layout with defined rooms. “There’s only a small window of time in a family’s life when open floor plans really work,” Brandon says. “I believe it’s essential for rooms to be rooms—thresholds are key.”

Mallory added to this mindset by giving spaces distinction using different fabric and wallpaper designs full of color and florals, all while maintaining a connection between rooms with patterns that are complementary. She also was

intentional about inserting the Waldrops’ personalities. Whitni explains, “I was very familiar with Mallory’s designs, so I trusted her implicitly. And I appreciated that she spent extra time getting to know me, my family, and our likes and dislikes.” Individual tastes were revealed through conversations with family members regarding things such as favorite celebrity styles, design preferences, and musthaves. “Whitni loves color and fashion, and she wanted her home to reflect that,” Mallory says. “She asked for something inviting, Southern, and elegant, but she didn’t want it to come across stuffy.”

The dining room meets those requests with a bouquet of corals, greens, and blues in botanical prints—colors plucked from Whitni’s collection of Rose Medallion porcelain. Walls are covered in a climbing vine pattern from Farrow & Ball, and vintage, oval-backed French chairs upholstered in a Clarence House ikat surround the dining table. The marble-topped antique French sideboard was a gift from Mulford to Whitni during the building process.

For the library, a space that Mulford frequently uses, Mallory leaned into a more masculine look. Walls and trim are painted Providence Blue by Benjamin Moore, the ottoman is upholstered in a menswear check, and shelves

PREVIOUS PAGES: Homeowner Whitni Waldrop welcomes family and friends to the Columbus, Georgia, home she shares with husband Mulford. The front of the house imbues a sense of formality with its custom, double front door painted Castle Gray by Farrow & Ball. THESE PAGES, ABOVE: In the dining room, the crystal chandelier, antiques, and accessories play to the idea of a grownup house, while the pops of color and woven rug underfoot keep things approachable. OPPOSITE: “The library takes the place of a formal living room,” Mallory says. Because this room is often used by Mulford, Brandon designed a hidden door to the left of the fireplace that accesses the primary bedroom. The painting above the fireplace by Teil Duncan Henley was commissioned for the space.

THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Kitchen drawers and cabinets were customized to meet the family’s needs. Cabinets are painted Constellation by Benjamin Moore. BELOW: Mallory designed the breakfast chairs, painting the legs blue and covering the seats and backs in fabric by Columbus designer Lulie Wallace. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: When opened, French doors across the back of the keeping room extend the living area to the covered porch. • Wallpaper from Meg Braff Designs and cabinetry painted Hudson Bay by Benjamin Moore bring distinction to the bar.

are filled with leather-bound books and vintage finds. The framed medals hanging to the right of the fireplace are awards Mulford received at shooting competitions.

The couple’s primary suite brings together both elegance and comfort. Dressed in monogrammed linens, the bed also features a custom floral valance with matching bedskirt. Marble and mosaic finishes, polished nickel fixtures, and paneled walls offer luxurious touches in the bath.

At the back of the house, the keeping room emits a casual attitude that welcomes friends and family for informal gatherings. Here, Mallory repeated the dining room’s vibrant colors in a convergence of fabrics. Furnishings include traditional profiles mixed with unexpected pieces, such as the reproduction Victorian wicker chairs. “Just like interesting architectural finishes, surprising juxtapositions and dressmaker details can really set a space apart,” Mallory says.

Other statement makers come through in pieces from local artists and designers. “Both Whitni and Mulford are Columbus natives, and they have a lot of creative friends,” Mallory says. Standout items include fabrics and wallpaper from Lulie Wallace, artwork from Teil Duncan Henley, and outdoor furnishings from Varnish Collection, as well as a beaded light fixture designed by high school classmate Elizabeth Martin of Sullivan and Phenix. “We have so much talent here,” Whitni says. “Using local pieces gives us even more of a sense of home.”

“The color blue was our jumping-off point. I pushed and pulled different tonalities to make the plan cohesive without being too matchy.” —MALLORY MATHISON

STYLE TO GROW ON

A classically designed home can turn stuffy fast. Here are a few considerations for timeless style with lighthearted appeal.

TALK IT OUT Discussions about pop culture, fashion, and style icons allowed Mallory to tap into a look that would reflect her client’s youthful exuberance. “The Waldrops are an effervescent, family, so I chose bright colors and designed spaces they could really live in,” says the designer.

CONSIDER PURPOSE Rooms represent different levels of formality. “The front entry, library, and dining room are where you receive guests, so we adhered to a more proper layout for these spaces,” Brandon says. “As you move through the house, it becomes more relaxed.” The den opens onto a back porch for casual gatherings, and the kitchen offers ample room for friends and family. Task-specific areas are intended to keep things streamlined.

MAKE IT PERSONAL The Waldrops reused very little from their previous house. To give the new home a sense of place and bring in the family’s own history, Whitni asked Mallory to source local designers, artists, and vendors. “Mulford and I both grew up in Columbus, and we went to school with many creatives that got their start here,” Whitni says.

EMBRACE WHIMSY Brandon referenced traditional design in both the interior and exterior architecture but brought in a few surprises with the family’s input. Brick herringbone floors, fretwork, and paneled insets are among the homeowner’s requests. “You have to remember architectural integrity without getting overly caught up in appropriateness,” Brandon says.

OPPOSITE: Mallory turned an antique French commode into a vanity in the powder room. Amaltas floral panels from Schumacher are based on an 18th-century, block-printed design. Ikat print lampshades with coral trim top gilded iron-and-crystal sconces from Visual Comfort. The Italian chandelier is antique. ABOVE: The pale sweep of blue on the walls (Glass Slipper, Benjamin Moore) and the bed upholstered in a Kravet floral add to the dreaminess of the primary suite.

HISTORY IN BLOOM

Known for its collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses, Scotland’s Carolside exudes a beauty that is firmly planted in the past

By MARION LAFFEY FOX Photography by ANDREA JONES

TTHE VENERABLE GRAND ESTATE KNOWN AS CAROLSIDE presides above a narrow valley in the Scottish Borders overlooking a graceful curve in the River Leader. Located just north of Earlston and currently owned by Rose and Anthony Foyle, it’s considered one of Scotland’s finest private gardens. Bright green lawns teeming with vibrant color surround the 18th-century mansion, while a roaming garden of lavish beds creates a captivating scene. But what Carolside is best known for is its collection of historic roses, including the pre-1900 Gallica roses named a National Plant Collection, a distinction awarded to registered and documented collections of cultivated plants in the UK. A chance to view the beauty of these seemingly never-ending blooms is a bucket list item for rose lovers traipsing through Scotland—and I am lucky enough to check off that item as I join Rose for a tour of the garden.

“When I first came to Carolside, I’m not sure I really knew what I was taking on,” Rose tells me as we begin our stroll. “The original 3,000-acre estate had been diminished to 70 acres of parkland with a 5-acre oval garden. It just seemed natural to me to make the garden into rooms. I relied on my memory of walled gardens I had seen as a child.”

Rose explains that she inherited a love for her namesake flowers from her grandmother who lived in Northern Ireland’s County Londonderry. She often encouraged Rose to bury her face in the petals and inhale their intoxicating scents. “My grandmother introduced me to the blooms and to their history,” she says. “I learned all about Empress Joséphine and her passion for growing roses, especially Gallica roses, at Malmaison outside Paris.” Years later, those delights expanded to Rose’s own patio in London and later to Carolside, where she hung strongly scented ramblers along the walls while filling borders with the pre-1900 Gallicas she reveres. “I was especially intrigued with the fact that Gallicas had never been catalogued,” Rose says. “I began growing the roses at Carolside, and now we are known for our historic collection.”

Rose continues by sharing her favorite aspects of the garden with me—and they include more than just the roses. “I love all the soft colors of the different blooms throughout the gardens—shell pinks against white with sky blues and pastel lemons. The muted hues offer a more romantic feeling,” she says. “For me, planting the borders is like creating a tapestry. I place roses all through the main herbaceous border to bring pinks and peaches into the scheme. After the peonies are finished and the phlox has bloomed, I line the border with lady’s mantle, catmint, and iris. I’m trying to achieve a continuity at the front of the border so it holds the scheme together and imparts softness all across it.”

With so much garden to tend to, Rose explains that she relies on help from a team of experts. Head gardener Glen Frizzell oversees the precious Gallica collection,

and Phil Lusby, former head of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, also plays an important role in the management of Carolside’s roses. “We all take our responsibilities very seriously, especially to ensure things are blooming during the summer season when the garden is open to the public,” says Phil. “The narrower, inner borders were designed for intensive feeding but grow contentedly with a rich variety of perennials. And every kind of rose is represented: albas, damasks, mosses, bourbons, hybrid perpetuals, and at least 150 Gallicas.”

As Rose and I come to the end of our tour, I ask her the one question she gets asked the most: What is your favorite rose variety? “At the moment, it would be ‘Valence Dubois,’ although it’s jolly hard to have only one,” she says. “Around the corner, there are always more temptations.”

PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: The grand 18th-century house at Carolside is artfully covered with ivy and roses. • A handmade gate of carved metal with roses welcomes visitors to Carolside’s collection of Gallica roses. THESE PAGES, OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The box hedge parterre garden features herbal plants. • ‘James Galway’ roses bloom along the main double borders in the Rose Garden. • A greenhouse bursts with a variegated yield of pelargoniums. • These double borders consist of wisteria, lupins, and lady’s mantle. THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Rose Foyle developed a passion for flowers—particularly roses—as a child while spending time in her grandmother’s garden in Ireland.

reveals the orderliness of its underpinnings.

An aerial view of the walled garden

“I love all the soft colors throughout—shell pinks against white with sky blues and pastel lemons. The muted hues give a more romantic feeling to the garden,”

—ROSE FOYLE

OPPOSITE: Beech hedges surround a stone plinth anchored in a bed of iris. A circular “window” looks east to the parkland. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ‘Belle Pourpre Violette’ roses • Shadows and sunlight vie for attention in the serene gardens. • ‘James Galway’ roses • A view from the winter garden into the apple orchard with ‘Francis E. Lester’ roses growing through the hedge.

• Rosa Mundi roses • An arbor of ‘Mannington Mauve Rambler’ roses frames a metal bench in the same blue color used on doors, benches, and decorative ironwork throughout the gardens. • ‘Valence Dubois’ roses • ‘James Galway’ roses crown a row of windows along the house.

CITY OASIS

A historic house in the heart of San Miguel de Allende is thoroughly revived and reimagined into an idyllic escape with spaces for both relaxing and entertaining.

BY ALICE WELSH DOYLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN SCHRODER

STYLING BY AMANDA SMITH FOWLER

FLORAL DESIGNS BY GUADALUPE ALVAREZ FROM PENZI WEDDINGS

TThe colonial city of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is like an enchantress, casting spells on visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its beautifully preserved town center. Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman of design firm Fisher Weisman Brugioni in San Francisco certainly got caught up in its siren song. “On the second day of our vacation, we started looking at real estate,” says Jeffry. “And we are not the exception. So many fall in love with San Miguel and want it to be a more permanent part of their lives.” The two men went into escrow on one property, but on their return visit, the builder brought up all manner of challenges to restoring and renovating that particular house. “He made everything seem so complicated, so we stepped away from that one and focused on another property,” Jeffry explains.

As the renovation progressed on the second house, however, Andrew and Jeffry discovered that the building process in Mexico was actually very enjoyable. So when one of Jeffry’s best friends from college and her family also became enthralled with San Miguel, the duo urged them to buy the original house. “It really was kismet,” Jeffry says. “We got to design that house after all. And our friends live two blocks away, so we get to enjoy it as well!”

With the fear factor of renovating gone, everyone turned the focus to the many issues that needed to be addressed throughout the house. “The original part was built in the 17th century in a U-shape, but the additions and tweaks over the decades made little sense,” says Andrew. “This is common in San Miguel— owners do whatever is expedient for their needs with little consideration of cohesion. There were actually staircases inside rooms that blocked half of the useable interior space.”

The original Palladian-inspired façade retained its gracious presence even though it now sits on a busy street with foot traffic that leads directly to La Parroquia, a 17th-century cathedral famous for its neo-Gothic design. “The overarching aim was to make this a true oasis away from the busyness all around it,” Jeffry says. “The house already had one of the largest pools and

“What’s so amazing about Mexico mastered 200 years ago,

PREVIOUS PAGES: The dreamy pool and spa grace the center of the garden enveloped by native trees that provide welcome shade. THESE PAGES, LEFT: This entry passageway with glass block skylights leads directly from the front door to the outdoor living spaces. This type of hall is common in historic houses in the area. OPPOSITE: Custom furnishings from the clients’ previous apartment, including olive-green, linen velvet sofas and armchairs in a gold stripe from Suzanne Tucker Home, fill the living room.

most beautiful gardens in the city, so we reworked the design to highlight the outdoors.”

The designers also created an expansive outdoor living room, which closed up the back of the original U-shape. A new interior staircase leads to a refurbished private rooftop garden tucked behind one of two symmetrical, curved stucco walls with views of the cathedral. Every room except the kitchen either directly connects to or overlooks the center courtyard.

“What’s so amazing about Mexico is that they still use the same building techniques they mastered 200 years ago, so when you need to replace something, it looks just like the original,” says Jeffry. For example, the rotting pine ceiling beams were replicated and treated with an old Mexican method using chapapote, a tar-based natural preservative that also imparts the traditional dark brown finish. Surprisingly, all the fireplaces are new, but the limestone is hand-chipped to look authentically aged.

For the interior finishes, the clients loved the blue-and-white tiles in Andrew and Jeffry’s own primary bathroom and wanted to re-create that look, even extending it into the kitchen. “We used completely different local tiles in each space, and they instantly imparted a distinctive presence,” says Andrew.

Since most houses in San Miguel are sold furnished, the clients chose to keep the existing items they liked and then add favorites from their Los Angeles apartment. They also integrated custom and locally-sourced pieces, as well as some items from the Fisher Weisman design collection. (The firm has a retail shop and studio in the city.) “The house looks like a place that has been decorated over time,” Andrew says. “It feels familiar and lived in.”

While the décor leans more masculine, it certainly isn’t austere. “Outdoor spaces are very casual, so we wanted the living room to be a departure,” Jeffry explains. “It doesn’t get as much light, so it was perfect as a dressier, moodier evening space.” The homeowners’ olive-green, linen velvet sofas and striped armchairs slipped in easily, along with a cream-and-black Moroccan carpet. Locally crafted wrought-iron lighting throughout is particularly striking, especially in the dining room. “It’s tiered, and part of the upper candlesticks fit inside the cupola,” states Jeffry. “Magical is the best way to describe it.” That perfectly describes the entire house as well.

is that they still use the same building techniques they so when you need to replace something, it looks just like the original.”

—JEFFRY WEISMAN

OPPOSITE: The dining room table, filled with an abundance of dahlias, was made by local artisans from Casa Armida.

ABOVE: The kitchen exudes local charm with its head-to-toe, blue-and-white Talavera tiles and a vintage table/island with a more rustic finish accompanied by black-painted counter stools. All the tilework throughout the house is from Talavera workrooms in nearby Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.

OPPOSITE: A spacious upstairs guest room has two wrought-iron, four-poster beds dressed in classic white linens with a Bessarabian rug underneath. Jeffry designed the swinging Moroccan lanterns and bedside lamps made by Casa Armida.

ABOVE: The upstairs floor plan was reconfigured to include an expansive primary bathroom. A copper soaking bathtub is surrounded by blue-and-white Talavera tiles. The mid-century glass-and-brass table is by Sarreid Spain through 1st Dibs.

OPPOSITE: This outdoor patio area reveals a more intimate dining area surrounded by pots bursting with bougainvillea. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The covered portion of the outdoor courtyard features lounging sofas and intricate, vintage wrought-iron chairs, all upholstered in a blue Perennials fabric with pillows in a Peter Fasano print. • The rooftop patio includes a tiered fireplace and plenty of spaces to perch. • The designers filled the refurbished rooftop garden space with teak furnishings from JANUS et Cie. • The original cupola was enhanced by creating a garden on top of the roof that is nestled in lavender.

San Miguel Must-Sees

Designers Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman dish on their favorite hotspots in the city.

HOTELS

You can opt for a grander hotel or a more intimate one—it just depends on the experience you want to have.

Both the Rosewood and Casa de Sierra Nevada are beautiful with amazing pools. However, they each have a unique vibe. The Rosewood is more international luxury with traditional overtones, while Casa de Sierra Nevada is a bit more eclectic as it spans over several 18 th-century historic homes.

Casa No Name, Mesón Hidalgo, and La Valise are sexy, smaller hotels, each glamorous in its own way. The historic Casa No Name was the house of famous photographer Deborah Turbeville. Colorful and cool Meson Hidalgo belongs to interior designer Laura Kirar. La Valise offers modern chic décor.

DINING

The Restaurant: Stop in at everyone’s go-to lunch and dinner spot for dependably delicious food in a classic 17th-century house. Our favorite dishes: shaved Brussels sprouts and kale salad; seared tuna tacos at lunch; scallops and prawns or the pork chop at dinner. Thursdays are the most popular nights because of the special menu of outrageously delicious burgers.

Hortus: Finally, we have an elegant restaurant on the Jardín, San Miguel’s main square. This chic corner spot with indoor and outdoor seating offers exceptional Italian and Mediterraneaninspired dishes including fried calamari, grilled fresh sardines, carpaccio, various pastas, and meat dishes.

Atrio: Hands down the best rooftop restaurant in San Miguel with an A+ view and great service. The extensive menu is consistently good, but we tend to order mostly from the appetizer list and then share plates. Favorites are the baja taco with deep-fried, soft-shell crab; the duck tacos; and the burrata salad. For a larger appetite, order the paellas.

SHOPPING

Fisher Weisman Collection: Our store occupies the front two rooms of a 17th-century house that also includes The Restaurant. We showcase our collection’s artisanal lighting and furniture produced in and around San Miguel, as well as Andrew’s dramatic artwork and his jewelry collection, Chic AF.

Recreo San Miguel: Find luxurious sportswear pieces and dresses,

the iconic Latin American serape.

Tao Studio: This is the place to go for artistic furniture, objects, artwork, and jewelry designed by Miguel Arregui and handcrafted all over Mexico.

Core Home: A must for designers and collectors, it offers striking modern furniture, artwork, and architectural fittings in an amazing space designed by Claudia Grajales.

Marquesa de Mancera: Designer Marina Fernández de Córdova offers a treasure trove of Mexican craft, as well as furniture and lighting.

Trinitate: This Mexican ceramic enterprise makes fantastic tabletop pieces and planters. Located in former chapels of the main cathedral, the space is as beautiful as the products.

GALLERY HOPPING

Skot Foreman: The former textile mill converted into a center of shops and galleries showcases blue chip art.

YAM: Discover works by emerging and established Mexican artists, and shop a carefully curated collection of jewelry

FISHER WEISMAN

ATRIO

many inspired by

and objects, usually including Spratling silver.

Casa Michoacana: This hotspot is a great source for all the crafts that have made Michoacán an artistic marvel—copper and ceramics in particular.

Galería Atotonilco: Make a stop here when traveling outside of town to tour the UNESCO-protected Santuario of Atotonilco, often called the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.” This gallery has the most extensive offerings of traditional and contemporary Mexican crafts.

TRINITATE HORTUS

THE RESTAURANT

TAO STUDIO

RECREO SAN MIGUEL

MARQUESA de MANCERA

CORE HOME

WE’RE FOR EVERY TREE. WE’RE FOR EVERY TREE.

Quercus alba. Acer macrophyllum. Carya ovata. Better known as White Oak, Bigleaf Maple and Shagbark Hickory, these are three of the thousands of species we specialize in. For 118 years, our family-owned company has brought a rare mix of groundbreaking science, award-winning safety practices, and global resources to every tree and shrub care task at hand. And at the heart of our success are our people — experts who know and champion every tree, no matter the species. Discover how our passion is inspiring one beautiful property after another.

PRUNING | FERTILIZATION | CABLING & BRACING INSECT & DISEASE MANAGEMENT | TREE INSPECTIONS STORM DAMAGE | LIGHTNING PROTECTION | REMOVALS

JOHN’S ALMANAC

PAGES 20-22: Blackberry Farm, blackberryfarm.com

GARDENS

PAGES 24-30: Landscape designer: Warren Leach, Tranquil Lake Nursey, tranquil-lake.com

ENTERTAINING

PAGES 34-37: Designer: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Heather Chadduck Interiors & Textiles, heatherchadduck.com

ARTIST

PAGES 38-42: Artist: Margot Larkin, margotlar.com

A FARM-FRESH FÊTE

PAGES 46-51: Blackberry Farm, blackberryfarm.com

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

PAGES 52-59: Interior Designer: Mallory Mathison, Mallory Mathison, Inc. mallorymathison.com; Architect and interior elevations: Brandon Ingram, C. Brandon Ingram Design, cbrandoningram. com; Builder: Bradley Jones, Brock Jones, Inc., 706.327.1125; Front Door Paint Color: Castle Gray, Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com; Library: Lighting: Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com; Drapery fabric: Cowtan & Tout, cowtan. com; Paint color: Providence Blue 1636,

SOURCES

Who Did It & Where To Get It

Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com; Dining room: Wallpaper: Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com; Chandelier: Iatesta Studio, iatestastudio.com; Dining chair seat fabric: Lee Jofa, kravet.com; Dining chair back fabric: Clarence House, clarencehouse. com; Kitchen: Pendants: Visual Comfort with custom Lulie Wallace shades, Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com and luliewallace.com; Counter stool: Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com; Hardware: Classic Brass, classic-brass.com; Paint Color: Constellation AF-540, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com; Breakfast Room: Chair and Roman shade fabric: Lulie Wallace, luliewallace.com; Lighting: Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com; Wall covering: Thibaut Design, thibautdesign.com; Rug: GoodLife Looms, goodlifelooms.com; Keeping Room: Lighting: Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com; Sofas: Wesley Hall, wesleyhall.com; Sofa fabric: Thibaut, thibautdesign.com; Chairs: Lillian August, lillianaugust.com; Chair fabric: China Seas, Quadrille, quadrillefabrics.com; Cocktail table: oomph home, oomphhome. com; Green accent chairs: Made Goods, madegoods.com; Paint color: Cloud White OC-130, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore. com; Bar: Wall covering: Meg Braff Designs, megbraffdesigns.com; Hardware: Classic Brass, classic-brass.com; Paint color: Hudson Bay 1680, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore. com; Powder Room: Faucet: Newport Brass, newportbrass.com; Sconces: Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com; Hand towel: Matouk, matouk.com; Wall panels: F. Schumacher & Co., schumacher.com; Primary Bedroom: Headboard, valance, bench, and bedskirt fabric: Kravet, kravet.com; Bedding: Leontine Linens, leotinelinens.com; Chair and window fabric: F. Schumacher & Co. schumacher.com; Paint color: Glass Slipper 1632, Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com

HISTORY IN BLOOM

PAGES 60-67: Carolside House & Gardens: carolside.com

CITY OASIS

PAGES 62-79: Interior design: Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher, Fisher Weisman Brugioni, fwb-sf. com; Architectural consulting and construction: Sebastien Zavala, Zagar Construciones, zagarconstrucciones@ yahoo.com; Floral design: Guadalupe Álvarez Brunei, Penzi Weddings & Events, smapenzi.com; Living Room: Custom upholstery and cocktail table: Fisher Weisman Collection, fisherweisman. com; Linen velvet sofa fabric: Gretchen Bellinger, gretchenbellinger.com; Striped armchair fabric: Suzanne Tucker Home, suzannetuckerhome.com; Midcentury tripod table: Cedric Hartman, cedrichartman.com; Dining Room: Table: Casa Armida, casa-armida.mx; Guest Bedroom: Desk (between beds): Madeline Stuart, madelinestuart.com; Custom-designed swinging Moroccan lanterns and bedside lamps: crafted by Casa Armida: casa-armida.mx; Primary Bathroom: Table: Sarreid Spain through 1st Dibs, 1stdibs.com; Outdoor Living Room: Blue upholstery fabric: Perennials, perennialsfabrics.com; Pillow fabric: Peter Fasano, peterfasano.com. Rooftop: furniture by JANUS et Cie, janusetcie.com; Travel: Rosewood, rosewoodhotels.com; Casa deSierra Nevada, belmond.com; Casa No Name, casanoname.com.mx; Mesón Hidalgo, mesonhidalgo.com; La Valise, lavalisesma.com; The Restaurant, therestaurantsanmiguel.com; Hortus, hortusmx.com; Atrio, @artriosma; Fisher Weisman Collection, fisherweisman.com; Recreo San Miguel, recreosanmiguel. com; Tao Studio, taostudio.net; Core, corehome.mx; Marquesa de Mancera, marquesademancera.com; Trinitate, trinitateshop.com; Skot Foreman, skotforeman.com; Galería Atotonilco, galeriaatotonilcostore.com

Sandy, TX 75755.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Matt Donahoe of bureau interior architecture | design Nashville, TN

CONTRACT DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Jillian Rooker & Amanda Dashwood of Rook and Dash Atlanta, GA

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR

Joel Kelly Design Atlanta, GA

2025 SOUTHEAST DESIGNERS & ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Judged by Ellen McGauley, Executive Editor of VERANDA; interior designer Young Huh of Young Huh Interior Design; and architect Tim Barber of Tim Barber Architects, the awards were presented at a celebratory gala on April 24. The announcement of three winners, selected from 27 finalists, marked the culmination of three days of annual industry events known as DESIGN ADAC.

“I often have an internal debate about clipping flowers from my garden to arrange inside. While I believe in filling every room of our Northern California cottage with flowers, I also love leaving them to bloom where they’re planted. I’ve mostly solved the dilemma by growing enough to serve both purposes. And even just simply gathered in an old weathered cart, flowers give me great joy. They don’t have to be perfectly designed, perfectly fresh, or even arranged in ‘proper’ vessels to bring an abundance of beauty.”

—COURTNEY ALLISON, AUTHOR AND OWNER OF FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE

To read an

from

PHOTOGRAPH

COURTNEY ALLISON, FROM FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE IN BLOOM (GIBBS SMITH, 2025)

excerpt

French Country Cottage in Bloom (Gibbs Smith), go to