Fascinating Talk on Architect Julia Morgan at VRG by Victoria Kastner
What a joy it was to hear the eloquent and vivacious author and noted historian Victoria Kastner speak about her latest book, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect on October 1, 2024, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Victoria highlighted the interesting similarities between Julia Morgan’s garden designs for San Simeon and the garden themes and plantings at Robinson Gardens: two elaborate Mediterranean gardens, created only eight years apart. … Read More
Architectural Historian Steven Keylon Enchants Guests at FRG Membership Event
President of the Friends Lynn Whitaker and Archive Chair Patty Elias organized a magical and brilliant membership celebration at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on October 17, 2024. Spectacular autumnal arrangements by florist extraordinaire George Martinez of George’s Garden greeted the distinguished guests as they entered the Robinson estate in the late afternoon. The fall-themed arrangements decorated the cocktail tables and other areas on the Great Lawn, enhancing the Gardens’ beauty everywhere you looked.… Read More
Our Garden Tour Star Yana Polshina Of Vespera Florals
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 florist Yana Polshina of Vespera Florals. At the 2024 Garden Tour, she decorated the Morning Room, which was a veritable delight with multiple bouquets, one more beautiful than the next! Yana chose a particular pink orchid in an arrangement to complement the painting of Virginia in the room as she knew that Virginia’s favorite color was pink.
We asked Yana these five questions:… Read More
Virginia Robinson Set the Style in Beverly Hills
Part 1: Virginia Forms her Style in Early Los Angeles
Virginia Robinson came to this area as a small child. Because Los Angeles was at a pivotal growth moment ready to burst into a bustling city, she had a tremendous opportunity to help shape the development of this nascent area into a major metropolis with a rich cultural climate. What she did growing up was reported frequently in the newspaper in large part because of her family’s position in the community. Virginia’s two most important early influences were her father, Nathanial Dryden, and her uncle, Leslie Brand. Her father was an architectural designer and builder who had a significant influence on her sense of style. Her uncle, a colorful man who gained great success in his many business pursuits and much notoriety for his glamorous lifestyle, played an influential role in her own business interests as well as her love of living grandly.… Read More