england

“Photo Bombed” by Stonehenge

| Design Works International

Never easy ending a vacation….especially one that was super inspiring as Neil and I made our way through the English Countryside in the North Devon Region of the U.K.

Driving a car in these parts is what any American would say…”an adventure unto itself”. Not only are you driving on the opposite side of the road and your steering wheel is flush right, the roads of Devon are the size of a bike path for two way traffic!

English Country Gardens are rustic and refined…colors are saturated and flowers this time of the year have an aroma worth the drive! So much inspiration and natural beauty……on our way back to London we made a special detour to a place that has been on my bucket list for some time now…Stonehenge….speaking of Natural Beauty from 4500 years ago…we had to check out these fine rocks…and we are glad we did!

An ancient temple aligned from the movement of the sun, Stonehenge will not dissapoint! It’s massive scale, textured surface and history are all part of the experience!Hard enough to end a vacation but we found a great segue to get us back….being “Photo Bombed” by Stonehenge!   

  

  

  

  

The Gardens of North Devon

| Design Works International

Traveling through the English countryside around North Devon this past week has reconfirmed my love for gardens that have a “rustic” touch. In America I call this style “rustic glam” when beauty meets a more unfinished sensibility…still beautiful but in a rustic way!

Personally as an avid gardener I  have never liked my gardens perfect and manicured. I have always preferred them a bit “rough around the edges” paired with substrates like old stone walls, distressed wood and in groupings of tonal colors that define my borders in a more color centric way…..well my friends after a week in North Devon I am heading back to the U.S. in awe of these magical gardens with more ways to keep my “rustic glam” garden trend more authentic!

Take note of some of my inspiration….and do note that the English Rose gives off a scent that is even more overwhelming than its beauty!