Flower January/February 2025

“Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the grass, Of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind.…”–WILLIAM WORDSWORTH FROM ODE: INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY FROM RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD THERE’S SOMETHING SO CAPTIVATING ABOUT THE PAST. Nostalgia can play a significant role in our looking backward longingly. But often when I look back, I realize I wouldn’t want to go back—instead there are vestiges of bygone days that I move to incorporate into my daily life. I use my mother’s silver every day; I watch my father’s favorite ’60s Bond films; I’ve read every work ever written by F. Scott Fitzgerald; and I listen to Bach, Debussy, Aaron Copland, The Rolling Stones, and Nina Simone more than I listen to Billie…

GUEST BEDROOMS “Guest bedrooms don’t need to be a snooze. You can’t miss with a serene color palette, but add a dash of personality with a playful pattern. And thoughtful touches like a cashmere throw, a chest spacious enough to unpack their things, and a vase or two of fresh flowers make guests feel right at home.”—AMANDA SMITH FOWLER, STYLE DIRECTOR BEDSIDE LIGHTING “Light can transform a room, bringing it alive and shaping the mood of the space. In the bedroom, the right lighting creates a sense of calm and warmth, turning it into a restful sanctuary or an inviting retreat.”—DESIGNER BARBARA BARRY For more information, see Sources, page 76.…

I first visited Blackberry Farm, tucked in the foothills of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, over the New Year’s holiday in 2009. The trip included all the Farm has to offer—a bucolic setting, wonderful dining, impeccable service, and exceptional hospitality with every possible need or want anticipated. A highlight of that stay was spending the day with John Coykendall, the Farm’s master gardener. At the time, I had no idea of the permanent imprint that experience would leave on me, but 15 years later, I still believe wholeheartedly that he is a bright soul on this earth. I was blessed to have the opportunity to soak in his wisdom and experience—both in the garden and in life. John doesn’t have a cell phone. He doesn’t answer to the same demands this…

Tools Needed Shovel, hoe, hard-tooth rake, fork hoe, trowel, gardening gloves Location Look for a space that drains well and has a nice amount of sunlight. For most fruits and vegetables, you’ll want a location that has full sun or mostly sun throughout the day. Pay attention to the course of the sun to determine your bed path for that season. Also, be sure to check for proper drainage of the soil. Look for standing water after a good rain. Most plants don't like to go to bed with their feet (roots) wet. Plotting Create a map of your garden, and lay out plants according to the sun’s warmth in the morning and afternoon. Hang on to your garden plans from year to year so you can keep up with…

“I have always been very manual, and I like fixing things, doodling, drawing, sketching, and making and gluing things together,” says Marian McEvoy, the former fashion and interiors magazine powerhouse. However, she had never contemplated making such things for anyone but herself and her friends, and she certainly never envisioned making a profession out of it. “Sometimes when you are in a bit of a flux, you should listen to the people around you. They can often enlighten you about where your talents are or your next chapter lies,” she says. In 2016, her friend Jane Stubbs, a purveyor of rare books and prints, encouraged Marian to make some pieces for a Christmas pop-up shop at Eerdmans Fine Art in Greenwich Village. Her unique creations of cork, twigs, acorns, and…

WE WERE IN NEW YORK when we got the call to redo the landscape of the Firestone Estate in Palm Beach. The house was famous because it was on an unusually large lot (more than three acres) on Lake Worth and had been designed by one of the great Palm Beach architects, John Volk. We had become obsessed with Volk after having had the privilege to rent a Volk house on Pendleton Avenue when we first came to Palm Beach. He had a particular gift for determining the scale of rooms, which were always appropriately grand but also livable. The Firestone Estate was arguably one of his best houses. This was a fantastic project for us because the owners were extremely sympathetic to and respectful of Fernando’s design. It was…