Tuesday, July 25, 2017

The Old World Charm Of Potted Citrus Trees......Indoors And Out





I adore potted citrus trees. If you are interested in bringing the elegance of a European garden to your home, there is nothing more lovely than a French Anduze pot complete with citrus tree. This blog post will give you some history on the European citrus trend in the 17th and 18th centuries and hopefully entice you to plant your own citrus tree. I know I intend to.

The countries that started the citrus trend were France, Germany, and the Netherlands, these countries being the ones that saw merchants importing large numbers of orange trees, banana plants, and pomegranates to cultivate for their beauty and scent. It was very fashionable in the summer to have potted citrus trees as part of the landscape where they were used to ornament the formal gardens of the time. Structures similar to a greenhouse or conservatory called orangeries were also built on the grounds of fashionable residences where orange and other fruit trees could be protected during the winter. Orangeries were given a classical architectural form and owners would conduct their guests there on tours of the garden to admire not only the trees but also the architecture. Often the orangery would contain fountains, grottos, and an entertainment area for inclimate weather.The great period of the orangery, when few great gardens were without one, extended from the latter half of the 17th century into the early 18th century. 

With the current love of all things French, many are choosing to incorporate citrus trees in their container gardens and then move them into their interiors to weather the cold. So if space is limited or climate isn't suitable, it's still possible to enjoy these trees and their bounty year-round. The experts say it's really not that hard to grow citrus indoors. I hope this blog helps if you are considering growing some for yourself.



Between the 17th-19th century, if you were wealthy and part of the “fashionable” elite, the chances are you would have a display of a great number of orange trees in your garden as well as an elaborate structure called an orangery or orangerie to winter them in within the grounds of your home. Many famous orangeries survive, however those at the gardens of Versailles in France are the most recognized.


The Versailles planter in that fabulous duck egg blue color was designed by Andre Le Nortre, the original designer of the Versailles gardens, in the 1600's and were made entirely out of timber, but in the 1800’s were redesigned to feature the cast-iron frame.You can purchase similar containers today but if they are wood it is a good idea to slow the decay process caused by watering by coating the interior with asphalt roof patch.


the Orangerie at Versailles was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart for Louis XIV's 3,000 orange trees.


 The Orangerie at Versailles in Spring


As a building the Orangerie is superbly functional; long and narrow with a series of 27 tall windows to admit the winter light. The plain back wall contained fireplaces, from which hot air passed through flues. In its center, the high door through which fully-grown trees could be wheeled into the garden.


The baroque orangery, located next to Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens, was built in 1704-05.

The orangerie, however, was not just a greenhouse but a symbol of prestige and wealth and a feature of gardens, in the same way as a summerhouse, folly or "Grecian temple". The main difference with a conservatory is in the construction of its roof - a conservatory will have more than 75 per cent of its roof glazed, while an orangerie will have less than 75 per cent glazed. Domestic orangeries also typically feature a roof lantern.

google.co.za

Chatsworth House Orangery

icotswolds.com

Sezincote House Orangery in Gloucestershire


Potted citrus in the Medici Palace garden.


When planting citrus trees choose a pot about the size of a 15-gallon nursery container. In traditional European orangeries, the classic container is 24 inches square and deep. Make plastic your last choice as it will transmit the sun's heat more readily than wood or clay, perhaps enough to damage roots. Fill with premixed sterile potting soil designed for container plants.


The quintessential container for potted citrus trees, the traditional French Anduze pot with it's handcrafted garlands and medallions.


Potted citrus trees ripe with Old World elegance and charm!


Plants in containers generally require more frequent watering than the same plants in open soil, and citrus are no exception. Especially during hot, dry, or windy weather, daily watering may be necessary. The basic rule is to soak the rootball thoroughly until water drains out the bottom once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. Rewet dry citrus rootballs by placing a few drops of mild dishwashing soap directly onto the soil, then water with slightly warm water.


This kumquat tree with it's small fruit can be accented with flowers to provide visual interest. Citrus trees with larger fruit would probably pull out all the nutrients for themselves so flowers wouldn't thrive as well.


Other citrus will grow and flower but are less likely to produce fruit. However they will still provide lovely accents to your gardens.

via Pinterest

If you hope to harvest fruit, choose a naturally acidic citrus not a sweet orange or grapefruit. Examples of acidic varieties include 'Improved Meyer' and 'Ponderosa' lemons, calamondins, and kumquats. These are most likely to produce fruit indoors in winter.


Any type of citrus tree can grow in a container, at least for a while. However, kinds such as lemon and grapefruit, which naturally grow into larger plants, will quickly outgrow their containers. There are dwarf varieties that will last longer in pots.


Potted citrus trees are perfect for flanking the entrance of this Mediterranean style home. 


Potted orange trees at the Musée Matisse in Nice.(photo by Sylvaine Poitau)

If you live in the mild-winter West, Southwest, or Southeast, you can grow most kinds of citrus in container outdoors year-round. Where winter minimum temperatures regularly dip below 25oF, you can still grow citrus trees if you have a bright spot indoors or out protected from frost.


Who wouldn't enjoy dining in this lovely spot? The potted orange trees, rustic farm table and industrial style seating, not to mention the pea gravel........so French!!


An enchanting garden in the South of France designed by Jean-Loup Dirand.


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I will take potted citrus trees any way, shape, or size, however, I think they are especially pretty all in a row. Nothing says French like a potted citrus tree . . . or three.

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If you prefer smaller scale fruit for your potted citrus, kumquat, mandarin, and yuzu are good choices. These varieties are more likely to remain both healthy and productive in containers for several years.


What terrace wouldn't benefit from lining it's edge with potted citrus trees? Stone lions also hold court in this outdoor entertainment area.


Supply nutrients to your potted citrus trees with controlled-release fertilizers that are less apt to immediately wash through soil, making a single applications useful for a longer time. More than most plants, citrus are prone to deficiencies of the micronutrients iron, manganese, and zinc so apply these to citrus in containers at least once a year.


Michel Semini Designs with Versailles orangerie planter boxes in green.


When moving your potted citrus trees outdoors in spring or back indoors in fall, make the transition gradual, in at night and out during daylight hours. Do this for approximately a month. Also wash your tree thoroughly with warm, slightly soapy water to wash off bugs before bringing in for the winter.


Many homeowners that love an old world interior are drawn to using potted citrus in their interior landscaping.

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Don't forget potted lime trees!! This one is lovely in a French Biot jar.


Potted citrus and blue and white Chinese export team up well together for great visual impact.


Charm aside, citrus trees as houseplants offer other fabulous rewards........ glossy foliage, scent, and mouthwatering produce.


These might be artificial because they are almost too perfect. Even so, for those of you not blessed with a green thumb this might be the best alternative.

Cathy Kincaid

Whether citrus trees are producing fruit or not, their shiny green leaves are a pretty addition to your interiors. Dwarf citrus trees generally reach a maximum height of eight feet so not much space is needed for creating a small orchard.


The look of potted citrus is so refreshing when brought indoors. When looking for citrus to pot, any that is grafted to Flying Dragon (Hiryu) rootstock will be significantly dwarfed, thereby extending its useful life in a container.

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Citrus trees add a particularly lovely old world component and will provide you with fresh lemons, limes and oranges. What more could you ask for????





Citrus growing tips via the National Gardening Association.


Click here to see the previous post

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2017/07/decorating-with-wall-sconce-shelves.htm





This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer



Thursday, July 6, 2017

Decorating With Wall Sconce Shelves


Considered old school by some, wall sconce shelves have started popping up in stylish modern homes as well. Sophisticated and functional, these pedestals are ideal for displaying your treasures. It may never have crossed your mind to consider a sconce shelf before, but they are surprisingly useful and versatile. The perfect solution for bringing special attention to your eye-catching decorative accessories and helping to transform clutter into collections. If your interior is plagued by a dull wall and you want something other than a painting or print, a grouping of wall sconce shelves, topped with your favorite pictures, dishes, statues, or even candles is sometimes the perfect alternative.
I have gathered some images of classic and modern interiors that are both enhanced by the homeowners choice to add in some character and interest via the use of wall sconce shelves. Show off your unique style with these affordable wall decorations that will enrich your decor with ornate detail and timeless elegance.



Elegant Old World style interiors come to mind when the topic of wall sconce shelves is brought up. However......

Mary Anne Smiley Interiors

.......this is not necessarily true anymore. Modern designers are seeing the merit in wall sconce shelves and are incorporating them into contemporary, transitional and modern Victorian interiors. They may look a bit different but they still help create an immediate artistic focal point when placed on either side of a mirror, painting, etc.


Wall sconce shelves are popping up in todays chic and eclectic interiors as well


Decorative wall shelves provide an elaborate stage for displaying your treasures. They also keep the look from being too flat by adding dimension. The wall sconce shelves are an integral part of the success of this display.


Queen Paola of Belgium asked Axel Vervoordt to create a dining room for intimate gatherings at the Château at Laeken, featuring English silverware and a Brussels porcelain service delightfully displayed on wall sconce shelves.


Baroness Rothschild uses wall sconce shelves in her French chateau to display a prized china collection. The collection becomes a gallery of wall art when placed on these decorative shelves.

source unknown

A couple of sconce shelves thrown into the mix helps to make a vignette even more appealing.


With the help of Studio Peregalli, legendary fashion power broker Pierre Bergé turned the top floor of his Paris duplex into a stunning showcase for his priceless treasures. The wall sconce shelves provide the perfect presentation for the antique avian statues.

gardenweb.com


A wall sconce shelf helps to set apart an objet d'art and spotlight it's value.


You can use them in many ways. Here a sconce shelf proudly displays an antique clock.


This one hold a religious statue. Wall sconce shelves look good in rustic interiors as well as opulent ones.


Another space designed by Axel Vervoordt. He regularly uses wall sconce shelves for presentation of objects in his interiors.


Here in Howard Slatkin's home decorative wall shelves provide an elaborate stage for a collection of bird figurines.


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Wall sconce shelves are always nice in pairs. Here a contemporary composite set holding pictures and ceramics is stacked one above the other.

awonderfulpalmettolife.tumblr.com

I love them positioned side by side.


Two sconce shelves can bring symmetry and added charm to a collection.



A single wall sconce shelf can be a great addition to a displayed plate collection. These shelves help to break up the collection, add some dimension, and make it a bit more interesting.


So whether you choose one, two, or scores of them like designer Alberto Pinto chose to use in this hallway, the wall sconce shelf is a great way to bring attention to your collections.


Most people prefer a similarity in the style of the wall sconce shelves they use in groups. This helps create a cohesiveness of objects and makes them come across as a single unit. I personally like to purposely mis-match sconces in a group as long as they share a common denominator such as finish, style and period.


 Aside from displaying beautiful objects, see how they bring added emphasis to the oil panting.


This gorgeous mirror is also enhanced by the addition of wall sconce shelves displaying Chinoiserie figurines.

Dan Carithers


Wall sconce shelves are made for adding beauty to other items simply by framing them!


A pair of ornate sconce shelves in fashion icon Valentino Garavani's Asian inspired château near Paris.

Furlow Gatewood


Much loved and respected interior designer Charles Faudree was known for including wall sconce shelves in many of his French country interiors.

Charles Faudree

Wall sconce shelves look wonderful in so many different style homes. Here they dress up the look of farmhouse decor. They look equally attractive in coastal decor, contemporary, vintage, or classical European interiors. Avoid hanging wall sconces in a narrow hallway where they can get bumped into easily. If you choose to use them there try positioning them over a chest or console.


I like to see wall sconce shelves used creatively and think this one wedded to a piece of boiserie is especially lovely.


I love this mix of antiques and modern Lucite wall sconce shelves. This vignette is perfect for a beach chic interior.


The trumeau mirror in this stunning French vignette is beautifully framed with sconce shelves and Chinese import plates.

Make sure your objet d'art is in proportion to your shelf.You wouldn't want a large ginger jar on a small shelf.


Aren't these wall sconce shelves made to mimic coral simply stunning? See what I mean by these wonderful shelves being given a second chance by a new generation of home owners.


Because of their affordability, sconce shelves are a great way to bring in style and elegance without breaking the bank.

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I love unique things so these wall sconce shelves definitely captured my attention.


Carolyne Roehm shows off her love for Chinese export via mis-matched white sconce shelves.

Casa Vogue


Another Furlow Gatewood vignette.



No one wants their much prized collections falling off the wall sconce shelves so make sure you use a bit of florist clay or I even use hot glue to hold your treasures in place.


Remember that corbels can also act as a wall sconce shelves as seen in my living room. Use them alone........


or in pairs. 


Click here to see the previous post

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2017/06/decorating-with-cork-is-on-trend-for.html




This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer






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