31st Annual Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate & Garden Tour Delights Attendees with “Oh! Naturale!”
The weather could not have been more perfect for this year’s Virginia Robinson Gardens Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, May 18, where hundreds of artfully attired beauty enthusiasts enjoyed a vibrant day of foliage, flowers and friendship. Centered at Beverly Hills’ historic first estate amidst a sprawling 6.2-acre garden paradise, attendees also enjoyed the grounds of five private luxurious properties. From the charming Provençal paradise in Holmby Hills that normally hides behind iron gates to the spectacular hillside tour through Tony Duquette’s magical “Dawnridge” for Concierge and Grand Reserve ticket holders, guests also enjoyed seeing the 108-year-old onetime home of Harry and Virginia Robinson reimagined by a bevy of florists and designers to this year’s “Oh! Naturale” theme. “Oh! Naturale, this year’s garden tour theme, was inspired by Mrs. Robinson’s devotion to her gardens,” said Joan Selywn, who founded the Friends of Robinson Gardens in 1982, five years after the…
Artist, Treasure Hunter, ‘Hippie’ Vagabond, Nature Lover or Environmental Saviour — Louesa Roebuck is all those things and maybe more….
“I think if you are open to the world, inspiration is everywhere. In the sacred and the profane, the beautiful and the ugly, the big moments and mostly the small moments.” Louesa Roebuck Louesa is a participating florist in our Oh! Naturale Garden Tour, and her floral creations will be located in the front entrance and foyer of the VRG home. What happens when a RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) trained printmaker turns her artistic talents toward floral design and decides there just might be a more “Oh! Naturale” way for us all to think about flowers? It can only be described as…. MAGIC! Louesa says the start of her ‘natural’ floral evolution began while working with Alice Waters and the rest of the Chez Panisse gang in Berkeley. There, the notion of eating non-sustainable, out of season, or ‘flown in’ food items rather than locally grown items would…
Vendors Dazzle at the 2019 “Oh! Naturale” Virginia Robinsons Garden Tour and Showcase Estate
The Vendor Village 2019 is shaping up to be our best collection of sellers yet. We have our returning favorites: Jardesca Aperitiva, Connie Roberson, Jewelry by Olivia K, Moonlite, Treasured Accessories, Vidalexi, Ronelle Designs, Andrew Weiss Gallery, Luxury Eyewear, and our fashion partner this year, BA&SH from France. We also have a fantastic array of new and exciting fashion, home, and art designers joining us this year. Here is a sampling of what to expect: SWANLAGO www.swanlago.com Swanlago’s mission statement is to “wrap yourself in luxury.” They are purveyors of unique and original prints for wraps and scarves in an array of fabrics – paperweight cashmeres, satin silks and airy breezy cottons. Swanlago has created a limited edition capsule collection exclusively for Virginia Robinson Gardens in Satin Silk with hand-hemmed edges, 71” x 20.” Thale Blanc www.thaleblanc.com Designer Deborah Sawaf was a handbag designer for Valentino and…
Florists Enchant at the “Oh! Naturale” 2019 Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate & Garden Tour!
The Friends of Robinson Gardens is so grateful to the extremely talented floral designers who will enchant your senses by transforming the rooms of Virginia Robinson’s home into settings of dazzling beauty for the 31th annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate on May 18, 2019. Don’t miss this breathtaking event where the florists will interpret the theme: “Oh! Naturale.” Each florist is listed alphabetically along with the room/area they are decorating so that you will know where to find them when you visit the Showcase Estate at Robinson Gardens on Garden Tour day. Arts District Florals is a botanical design studio specializing in exquisite floral creations & stunning botanical experiences. Marrying the principles of color theory & floral symbolism, each design is specially crafted to complement the client’s aesthetic sensibility and personal style. Each creation is meticulously curated by founder & designer Sophie Sikora, who hand-selects each blossom and personally works with clients. The personal care provided…
Designers Shine at the “Oh! Naturale” 2019 Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate & Garden Tour!
Designers Shine at the “Oh! Naturale” 2019 Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate & Garden Tour! The Friends of Robinson Gardens is so grateful to the creative talents who will transform the rooms of Virginia Robinson’s home into settings of enchanting beauty for the annual Garden Tour “Oh! Naturale” on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Don’t miss this breathtaking event! Each designer is listed along with the room/area they are decorating so that you will know where to find them when you visit the Showcase Estate at Robinson Gardens on Garden Tour day. We are so proud to honor Elena Baldi of Giorgio Baldi and Edoardo Baldi of E. Baldi restaurants who are our Grand Marshals. Their father Giorgio Baldi opened the legendary, eponymous restaurant in 1995 that attracted throngs of celebrity and Hollywood devotees. He passed away in 2011. Elena is now at the helm of this exquisite restaurant in Santa Monica, and she states,…
Kate Capone – Garden Tour Illustrator
Meet Artist Kate Capone – One of the “Fierce Females of Philadelphia,” Garden Tour Illustrator, and a Woman with Her Own Set of Wings Picture this: Kate, the fairy flying around her ‘fern-filled’ studio, flicking her ‘paintbrush wand,’ landing for a moment near her collection of blue bowls and vintage desk accessories to share a giggle with her daughters who are cheerfully making art of their own. A quick sip of something from a teacup, a glance at the girls over her shoulder in one of the gold framed mirrors she collects and zip, off she flies again to her next piece of work. Kate, who grew up in a creative family, credits both of her grandmothers with passing on their love of crafting. Hooking rugs, quilting, and her constant need to be making something started as a child. But, it was in 8th grade that she ‘officially’ fell in…
Annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate: “Oh! Naturale”
The Friends of Robinson Gardens is proud to present the annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate, co-chaired by Kathy Choi and Keeley Smith, on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The theme of this glorious garden party is Oh! Naturale, celebrating the beauty of nature, and all that is organic and sustainable. Nature gives us much pleasure and solace. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “We can never have enough of nature.” In addition to viewing magnificent private gardens, one of the highlights of this Garden Extravaganza is the transformation of Virginia’s home. It is always a ravishing and gorgeous sight to behold as top florists and designers transform the rooms into visions of enchanting beauty. The Friends are very proud to honor our Grand Marshals — the stellar restaurateurs Elena Baldi of Giorgio Baldi and her brother Eduardo of e.baldi. You will have the opportunity to taste their outstanding Italian cuisine as they…