Click on this photo to see it in the note cards/prints gallery.If you live in a drafty, old house and wonder how to improve its energy performance without sacrificing its historic charm, don’t miss this homeowner workshop on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Hall in Salem, MA from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. 

You might also want to sample some further reading on the subject, like this article from Old House Journal. Any changes made to an older home should be considered with the utmost care, so that actions taken today don’t have unintended consequences. As always, consult with a trusted expert before proceeding with a home-improvement project.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Recommended upcoming New England openings, tours & more

Is it here yet?Daffodil Days at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum (Bristol, RI) April 11 – May 3, 2009

Beekeeping Basics with Elisabeth Bittner Joung (Cos Cob, CT) April 15, 2009 at 10:00 am

Garden in the Woods via the New England Wild Flower Society (North Framingham, MA) Opening April 15, 2009

Garden Tours at Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth, NH) Opening May 1, 2009

Lilac & Gardening Sunday at Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT) May 17, 2009

Free Walking Tour at Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain, MA) May 23, 2009 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

The Garden Design Book for the Twenty-first Century by Diarmuid Gavin & Terence Conran

cover photo by John GloverDespite temperatures that are reluctant to comply, today is the first day of spring, and, as such, a great day to sink into a lush garden book. Outdoors is a big (14” x 10 ¼”), beautiful book by an accomplished garden designer and celebrated taste-maker. It is at once inspirational and practical -- my favorite type of design book.

It’s organized by garden themes, including rural, urban, entertaining, natural, family, productive, and relax/work. Each chapter includes broad-stroke examples of design principles at work and one or two case studies which examine a specific garden in greater detail. Gorgeous photography from gardens around the world illustrates a wide range of styles, all exquisitely designed. I was particularly enamored with the “natural” and “productive” chapters, but I found treats sprinkled throughout the book. There are some fantastic topiaries in the “rural” chapter on pages 56/57, and others in the “family” chapter on pages 168/169. Not surprisingly, the “relax/work” chapter appealed to my fondness for backyard retreats too.

The primary, thematic garden chapters are framed by two, text-driven chapters. The first includes a conversation between the authors about their inspirations. The last, entitled “practical,” is just that; it offers insight into planning a garden and working with a garden designer, as well as plant and material lists to consider.

This one is a keeper. Give it a look. It just might rush spring-like temperatures along.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

It's probably a bit early for spring fever, but with all of the grim economic news bombarding me indoors, I’m ready to get outdoors. Though the snow has finally melted on my street, temperatures often in the 30’s aren’t warming my heart. So I started daydreaming about warmer climes like California, where I’ll be headed in a few weeks, and I dropped in on A Verdant Life, the Bay Area blog by John Black who’s a landscape and garden designer. He’s also a principal at Verdance Fine Garden Design.

John Black and I practice related design disciplines on opposite coasts. His is a proactive, thoughtful voice in support of regional landscape design that is sustainable, authentic, and inspirational. He’s an expert comfortable expounding on binominal nomenclature, and a trend spotter amused by the recent treatment of architects and landscape architects in pop culture.

He offers insight into the landscape design process and succinct pointers to gardeners looking for direction. Often his conclusions readily translate to the fields of architecture and interior design too.

For New England house enthusiasts looking for cross-disciplinary and cross-coastal inspiration, look no further than A Verdant Life. Sometimes, venturing outside, literally and figuratively, can bring a much needed fresh perspective.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Despite what many think, our New England forebears were not afraid of color. Many eighteenth century homes sported bold, single-color exteriors like this one. It works here because the profile and thickness of the siding, trim, windows, and doors are pronounced and varied. Each element casts a distinct and legible shadow, which builds relief into the elevations, without relying on change in color to highlight the different components. A rich, earthy, red such as this contrasts a winter-white and summer-green landscape, while calling attention to itself and the depth of its surfaces. This is no shrinking violet. It’s probably safe to assume the owners aren’t either. A single color applied to a textured exterior can make a striking statement (especially when coupled with a dramatic tree shadow).

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast