What’s to like about Mid-Century Modern Homes in these Foreclosure days?

Jerry Gropp
These homes are called “Mid-Century Modern” because then was the heyday of architect-designed homes that were carefully fitted to the needs of the owners and the properties involved. Often located on
choice lots in established neighborhoods, most of these have mature gardens not needing to be planted. Many of these homes have had a number of owners- some better than others at maintenance.

Perhaps the main thing that sets these homes apart is the construction – many are “post and Beam” and are laid out showing the structure per the plan for this custom home in Fauntleroy, West Seattle overlooking the Ferry to Vashon Island.
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It's coming….SPRING (!) and The Northwest Flower & Garden Show….

Okay, are you tired of the cold, the gray, and the rain…are you ready for SPRING yet?

I am, so I’m off to see the flowers, gardens and “stuff” at our spectacular Northwest Flower & Garden Show !

The show is this week, February 20th to the 24th at the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle, and I am planning on going Friday evening. I think this will be the 14th time I have gone, the first two years I went was as an apartment renter to see garden ideas and learn about gardening in the Pacific NW (I’m from Southern California). I wanted to know as much as possible so that when I was able to buy my Seattle home, I would already have ideas to work with when I was looking at homes with my realtor. Having a yard with garden potential was one of my criteria for finding a home. Seattle has so many homes with beautiful gardens, and I wanted one of my own!

There are ideas for patios and outdoor rooms as well as planter ideas for condo dwellers who yearn for some living green plants to soothe the urban soul. Last year one of my favorite displays was actually a bathroom as a tropical spa retreat.

At the show there are the display gardens, which are my favorite, lectures on various topics on gardening, an orchid show, more events, and my second favorite the Vendor booths with all sorts of wonderful things (STUFF!) for the garden.

If you are tired of winter, longing for the promise of Spring, enjoy gardening or think you might, then the Northwest Flower & Garden Show is the place to revive, recharge and refocus on that other part of your home…the OUTSIDE!

* Note, photos to be added when I figure out how…. 🙂

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Patio Bistro Garden

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Urban Swank with a Twist