Our Garden Tour Star Sepideh Mianaby

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” — landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations.

This month, we are featuring Sepideh Mianaby of Ivory Floral Events. At the 2023 Garden Tour, the multi-talented Sepideh designed the most gorgeous creation of a mannequin “dressed” with pink roses, foliage, and blue and white feathers which “wowed” the attendees in the Great Hall of the house.

We asked Sepideh … Read More

The Enchanting 2023 “Back in Bloom” Garden Tour & Showcase Estate

On May 20, 2023, the Friends of Robinson Gardens were so proud to present the 34th annual Garden Tour at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. The theme of the tour, “Back in Bloom,” conceived by co-chair Elaine Stein, was particularly apt as the guests were so happy to be back. The founder of the Friends Joan Selwyn said, “Flowers were at their peak bloom, showing off with a mesmerizing display of color.” Past President and co-chair Betty Goldstein added, “This is our premier fundraiser where funds are raised for the restoration needs of the estate and the Children’s Science Program which has served more than 7,000 children throughout the pandemic years, keeping Mrs. Robinson’s legacy for the welfare of children alive.”

Meet our Floral, Designer, and Culinary Stars at the “Back in Bloom” 2023 Garden Tour!

Prepare to be dazzled at this year’s Garden Tour as top Los Angeles florists and designers use their abounding talent to inspire guests with creative interpretations of the theme “Back in Bloom” at the famed Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Each Garden Tour Star is listed alphabetically along with the room/area they are decorating or located so that you will know where to find them when you visit the Showcase Estate at Robinson Gardens

Don’t Miss the Garden Party of the Year: “Back in Bloom” 2023 Garden Tour and Showcase House Awaits You!

The Friends of Robinson Gardens is very pleased to present its long-anticipated Garden Tour, now open to the public on May 20, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, co-chaired by past President Betty Goldstein, Elaine Stein, and Nicole Antoine. The romantic theme, “Back in Bloom,” along with the invitation was conceived by co-chair Elaine. It celebrates a new beginning and the return to VRG’s beloved Garden Tour after a three-year hiatus. Betty explained, “This is our premier fundraiser where funds are raised for the restoration needs of the estate and the Children’s Science program which has served more than 5,000 children throughout the pandemic years, keeping Mrs. Robinson’s legacy for the welfare of children alive. We are excited to be able to have this event again and hope you can join us. Tickets will be available on our website soon. See you there!”

Famed Author Victoria Kastner is the 2023 Garden Tour Grand Marshal!

The Friends of Robinson Gardens are thrilled to honor Victoria Kastner, former historian of the Hearst Castle, as our Grand Marshal for the 2023 “Back in Bloom” Garden Tour. A spell-binding and fantastic speaker, she has generously given many talks at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Her most recent lecture was on her newest book, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect

Our Garden Tour Star Jean-Pascal Lemire

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” -- landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations. This month, we are featuring Jean-Pascal Lemire. At the 2022 Garden Tour, Jean-Pascal created beautiful floral displays in the Library and Library Terrace in the house at VRG. He also sold lovely bouquets in the vendor’s boutique on the tennis court. Following him on social media, Garden Tour co-chair Katie Marsano said that she is “a big admirer” of his work. Katie added, “I am captivated by his use of stems as an integral part of his arrangements; their perfectly fanned alignment gives way to a bounty of luscious blooms.  I find the contrast quite beautiful.” We asked Jean-Pascal these four questions

Our Garden Tour Star Lisa Zeder

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” -- landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations. This month, we are featuring garden designer Lisa Zeder. She has created exquisite gardens and spectacular public spaces in Southern California and other locations in the United States and England. Working in tandem with the Belgian firm Wirtz International, she designed a beautiful private garden on our members-only 2022 Garden Tour. We asked her these six questions

Our New Friend and Garden Tour Vendor Virginia Newman

Virginia Newman, Owner & Partner of Pennoyer Newman, LLC, creators of Distinctive Garden Pots Cast from Estate Originals, is pleased to present Virginia Robinson Gardens with the complete restoration of one of its original urns that was placed over the swimming pool pavilion area. From that restored piece, she has created a mold to cast four replicas for us to install in place of the originals that are cracking and are in disrepair. This gift from her is something that helps us celebrate the endurance of history in our garden and is something her firm has specialized in for the past 35 years. To preserve the legacy of the oldest and most distinguished garden objects of past centuries, many of Pennoyer Newman planters have been cast from the company's founder's family, J.P. Morgan, as well as those of dear family friends and neighbors, including Clay Frick and Daniel Guggenheim.

2022 Garden Tour Home for the Holidays Extravaganza

“The day was crystal clear after the rain, and the Friends and their guests on the Great Lawn reminded me of a beautiful Monet painting, but the best evidence of the success of the Garden Tour were the totally empty cookie trays in the Pool Pavilion,” remarked Joan Selwyn, the founder of the Friends. Our annual Garden Tour raises much needed funds for the preservation and restoration of our beloved Virginia Robinson Gardens. Thanks to our terrific Garden Tour co-chairs Elaine Stein and Katie Marsano, the 2022 Garden Tour, Home for the Holidays Extravaganza on November 5 was a fabulous day, filled with beauty and inspiration. It was a labor of love not only for our co-chairs, but also for our wonderful President Betty Goldstein, and our very talented and dedicated Garden Tour Committee, Superintendent Diane Sipos, volunteers, docents, curator April Walton and our County staff, and Member Relations & Administrative Manager Barbara Remedios.

Our Garden Tour Star Sean Murphy, Owner Of Sean Murphy Catering And Events

Every month, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” -- landscape architects, florists, interior designers, and chefs who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations. This month, we are featuring Sean Murphy, owner of Sean Murphy Catering and Events. Sean is the son of the famed restaurateur Jimmy Murphy who owned the iconic and elegant Jimmy’s in Beverly Hills that was frequented by many celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Sean catered a superb dinner at the Fellows Thank You Dinner in August 2021 as well as a splendid luncheon at the 2021 members-only Garden Tour in October. On a telephone interview, we asked Sean these seven questions
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