Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Outdoor Spaces

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When entertaining outdoors, being in beautiful surroundings adds to the enjoyment of relaxing with friends, and family. A small urban garden always presents special challenges because any imperfections are more apparent. Those of us with small city lots face each spring hoping to continue softening some of the hard surfaces and to cover up the unsightly areas we can do little to remedy otherwise.
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In larger settings outside of the city, the utility and garbage areas are normally discreetly hidden a little away from the house by hedges, shrubbery, or fences. As I look around, I find that many people who live the middle of a large city just don’t know what to do with their unsightly garbage cans and choose to ignore them while concentrating on beautifying the rest of their outdoor areas.
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Often the only solution is to hide the garbage cans in the garage. I’ve done this in the past until I found these practical cedar bins in which to store the garbage and recycling containers.
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I went one more step by adding pots of flowers as attention getters for the utility area. Now, as I walk through, I tend to concentrate on the charming beauty of this part of my outdoor space. I know the simple flowers jammed into these large pots will grow to be spectacular accents as the warmth of the summer encourages their growth.
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Friday, June 18, 2010

Norbridge Tableware Collectors' Circle

Limoges,antique china,Norbridge Tableware Collectors' Circle


I would like to invite all who share a passion for tableware to join my newly launched Norbridge Tableware Collectors' Circle. Your exclusive VIP membership card entitles you to the following privileges:
  • Your VIP Special Savings of 10% on any single item at Norbridge Antiques
  • “Turn Over The Plate” giving you express permission to check the tableware hallmarks on china and flatware wherever you go
  • Weekly electronic newsletters featuring Norbridge Antiques special guides to using your antique and vintage tableware; the art of mixing and matching for maximum elegance; how to recognize hallmarks so you know when to buy; the history of porcelain manufacturing and so much more
  • Exclusive previews of the latest pieces acquired for purchase in the Norbridge Antiques store, BEFORE they are listed 

    You can join by clicking the button on my website homepage, Norbridge Antiques.

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

This Week's Events June 13th to June 19th

Fourth of July rose
Fourth of July rose

Antiques, Copies, and Fakes: When Old Chairs Multiply

This lecture at Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum on Thursday, June 17th is about 18th century chairs and how to tell the differences between genuine antiques, old reproductions, and fakes.
Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum

explorer roses
William Baffin explorer rose

Be Our Guest: Admission Free Summer Evenings at the Concord Museum
June 16, 5:00-8:00 pm

The Concord Museum in Concord MA offers a free summer evening event which includes a visit to the Concord Museum, and a film “Exploring Concord”. It promises a visit back in time. This is one of my favourite small museums.
Concord Museum

Norbridge Antiques,explorer rose
John Cabot explorer rose

Private Pleasures

This exhibit at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto on view until September 12th gives visitors a chance to view historical Japanese porcelain and its place in the elite culture of samurai and geisha of the Edo period (1603-1868).
GardinerMuseum

climbing hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea perfect flat bloom
   

24th Annual Garden Tour to benefit the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons

Visit Seven Gardens on June 19th in a self-guided tour located in Springs and Amagansett in the Hamptons, NY. I wish I could go. Visiting other people’s gardens is one of my favourite things because there is so much I need to learn about gardening and especially garden design.
24th Annual Garden Tour Hamptons NY


Norbridge Antiques,climbing hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea on a fence in North Toronto

Through the Garden Gate: The Beach

The Toronto Botanical Garden is having its 23rd Through the Garden Gate garden tour on 19th and 20th . This year the tour is in the Beaches area of Toronto and promises, “A cornucopia of fabulous gardens, from postage stamp urban jewels to shady, gorgeous glades overlooking Lake Ontario to plant collectors’ havens”. Through the Garden Gate is a self-guided tour that offers shuttle buses to take you to the different gardens.
Through the Garden Gate

Norbridge Antiques,mandevilla,container gardening
Container beside the back door with mandevilla, geraniums, and lobelias

I’d love to hear about upcoming events covering the week of June 20th to June 26th in your area for my next event blog post. Just leave me a comment or send me an email through my website Norbridge Antiques .