Avant Gardener

Piet Oudolf's work at Hummelo (Netherlands), Photo by Piet Oudolf

Happy Monday! We've been listening to the new Courtney Barnett song "Avant Gardener" and getting excited for Spring—verrry prematurely, we know. But why not share some inspiration? Now is the perfect time to start planning, after all. One of our favorite Christmas gifts this year was Planting: A New Perspective, by legendary landscape architect Piet Oudolf. Take a look, take a listen, and get inspired yourself!

County Cork garden in Ireland. Photo by Piet Oudolf

Another shot at Hummelo. Photo by Piet Oudolf

Wish List

Christmas shopping under pressure is not our favorite activity, but it is a good excuse to shop locally and see all the fun new things that are out there. Herewith, a list of Plover's favorite gifts to give and get this holiday season.

Play Red by Comme des Garcons. Our favorite unisex scent right now, with the best packaging

Heart Measuring Spoons by Beehive Kitchenware, $45

The Art of Simple Food II is the latest cookbook from Alice Waters—another classic

In love with these beautiful ceramic honey jars from Stakceramics in Pittsburgh

What we're doing this winter: reading Latin for Gardeners

Gorgeous and practical Senegalese baskets from Lotus Blue

Handmade ceramic pots by Esser/vesper. Made is Portland and worth every penny

Destination: Los Poblanos

The tunnel of cottonwoods you drive through the enter Los Poblanos

Every so often, we're lucky enough to visit a place that is incredibly inspired, down to the finest details. Los Poblanos, in Albuquerque, NM, is that kind of place. A 25-acre working organic farm that specializes in lavender, Los Poblanos also has beautiful guest rooms, an amazingly well-curated Farm Shop, a saltwater pool, and a restaurant specializing in local and organic food. Did we mention it's on the National Register of Historic Places? Just one afternoon at Los Poblanos, and you won't want to leave. (And when you do, you'll dream of recreating the whole atmosphere at your own house.)

The dining room, which features Weck jar glasses & Dinuba water containers

The saltwater pool, surrounded by grape vines Tuuci umbrellas

Albino peacocks wandering the grounds

So in love with this screen-printed canvas curtain material in the Farm Suites!

You can't leave without stocking up on their house lavender products (the hand salve is unbeatable)

Portland Pattern People

Courtesy Pattern People, via Portland Monthly

Loved this article in the new Portland Monthly about local design studio Pattern People. The best part? Seeing in 5 parts how exactly they devise their prints: start with photos, mix-n-match them, add background and tweak the colors, build a repeating geometric pattern, overlay. (The pattern above is the final product.) It's probably more complicated than it sounds, but still, don't you want to try it at home??

This "Camo Floral" pattern can be download for free on Pattern People

"Feathers" is another free download on their site

An Anthropologie Spring

Plover Organic's "Foulard" table runner, $68, only at Anthropologie

Here at Plover Organic, we're pretty partial to Anthropologie. And our favorite time to shop is Spring, when the garden's starting to pop, friends are emerging from self-imposed winter seclusion (ourselves included!), and it's time to think about entertaining again. Some of our favorite warm-weather inspirations from Anthro are below, including, of course, two new tabletop offerings from yours truly: Plover Organic cotton napkins and table runners in "Redux" and "Foulard." Happy Springtime!

Genius! We make ice cream all summer long, and have struggled to find the perfect (i.e., NOT plastic) presentation.   These porcelain and enamel ice cream holders come in 5 colors and are great for picnics.  $48

We're in love with the colors on the Knotted Melati Hanging Chair, $498

This sweet Carved Anemone Vase reminds me of my grandmother's house...in a good way.  Perfect for fresh clippings from the garden. $24

Our "Redux" napkin, $12, at Anthropologie

The Hobnail Tumber is a staple at Anthro, and we stock up every season on this vintage reproduction.  $10

Not only does this Coral Cliffs Butter Dish look rad, we're betting it doesn't slip out of your fingers (like so many of our now-broken butter dishes of the past), $18

New Music Valentine: Cayucas

"High School Lover" by Cayucas. Their record Bigfoot is out April 30th on Secretly Candian. We can't wait.

Magic Carpets

Vintage textiles are still the most inspiring/inspired stuff out there, and we can't get enough. Our latest source: "Berber Carpets of Morocco: The Symbols, Origin and Meaning," by Bruno Barbatti.  A fascinating read (who knew carpets were so sexy?), but it's the incredible rugs that will draw you in. (Pardon any blurriness, but you're meant to be enticed to buy the book for yourself!) Some of our favorites are below...

Fabric Inspiration of the Day

Cotton fabric from KimoYES

From Japanese line KimoYES, featured today on True Up. It can be yours free when you purchase $30 AUD today. Hurry!

Fair + Fair

Handmade "Its Beautiful Here" wire rack from Africa

Fair Trade and organic products are ubiquitous in Portland, but it's exciting to get to travel and see that lifestyle being embraced elsewhere. I was lucky enough to stay for a few days in Amsterdam this summer, and I stumbled across an amazing store called Fair + Fair with a huge selection of high-design eco goods. (It's housed in an antique canalhouse—reason enough to stop in for a peek!) The thing I loved most was that on each price tag was the story of the product and how much they'd donate back from your purchase. So inspiring! You can shop Fair + Fair in the U.S. here. (Fair + Fair, Herengracht 211, 1016 BE Amsterdam, tel. 020-4214566.)

Gorgeous housewares in porcelain, glass, wood

Chair made from wood logs!

"Carpets From the Sahara," wool, handmade by women

Can Lights made from "rescued materials." You could even make these yourself and use them as light shades!

• 
  

Pantone Postcards!

Like many people, I am mildly obsessed with Pantone. So when I saw these Pantone color postcards for sale at Urban Outfitters (via the awesome Portland Monthly At Home blog), I had to buy them immediately. Whether I'll use them as actual postcards or just for color inspiration remains to be seen.

Latest From Liberty

"Willow's Garden C," by Sally Haysom

Thanks to True Up for reminding us that Liberty of London's new collection is up online for sale here. The designs are a collaboration between the Liberty Design Studio and children's illustrators. Some of it is a bit twee (which should be expected, I suppose), but there's some very cool stuff here. Some of my favorites are already sold out!

The colors in this are amazing; "David Joe A," by Jane Ray

"Helena's Party D," by Lauren Child