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…
Spotlight on Shiva Moshtael
Each month we will spotlight a volunteer, staff member, donor or sponsor of Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you, the reader, know a little bit about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Shiva Moshtael, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens and Board Member. Shiva, along with Ellen Levitt and Patty Elias, is in charge of the Concierge level of our 2019 Garden Tour – Oh! Naturale. We asked her these three questions: 1. How did you first learn about VRG, and what inspired you to become a Friend? I was introduced to VRG about 20 years ago through my dear friend Claudia Deutsch. I attended a few events as Claudia’s guest, and one…
The Remarkable Patina Farm of Brooke and Steve Giannetti
World renowned architect Steve Giannetti and his wife and partner, celebrated interior designer Brooke Giannetti gave a fabulous, sold-out lecture based on their books Patina Style and Patina Farm to a packed audience at Virginia Robinson Gardens on April 12, 2019. The guests loved every minute of their engaging and inspiring presentation. Seven years ago, the Giannettis lived a happy, but hectic life in their home in Santa Monica where they raised their children. In an effort to carve some time out to slow things down, they planted a vegetable garden. Brooke noted, “In the time we spent in our garden, we found that it was nourishing in so many ways mentally and physically. Time really stood still and gave me a sense of calm.” They were able to eat what they grew, and the vegetable garden led to having chickens. Making an omelette from the eggs was “so incredibly satisfying,” that…
The Magnificent Naked Coral Tree at Virginia Robinson Gardens
This image of the historic Naked Coral Tree (Eyrathina caffra) was captured this foggy morning, on April 2, 2019 at dawn. It grows on a knoll in the Italian Terrace Garden. This species of tree is native to South Africa. About 75 years ago, the seed was collected by the Robinsons while on one of their many plant expeditions. Now fully mature and in full bloom, it commands attention. It is named after the flower color and shape which resembles red coral found in the Indian Ocean. Because it flowers when there are no leaves present, it was named “Naked Coral Tree.” It is pollinated by perching birds and hummingbirds. This first tree, the mother to all Coral trees growing in the median of West San Vincente in Los Angeles, has since been designated as the official tree of Los Angeles. I believe this image best captures the essence and integrity of this…