derby farm flowers & gardens

Love at the deCordova

2012-01-25T13:34:00.000-05:00

The deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park has been one of my family's favorite gathering spots for birthday celebrations and 'just because' picnics, so I was excited when Audrey asked us to do her wedding flowers. Her beauteous brideliness was captured by photographer Sharona Jacobs, who graciously shared these, and other, photos.

Audrey and Bruce, July 2011

Orchids, Callas and Roses

2012-01-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

November wedding colors are a great transition from the oranges of fall to bright Thanksgiving cranberry reds. Jessica had a great vision for her wedding, and we were delighted to help her create the perfect bouquet. Rich maroons, vibrant reds, and varying tones of green make this a perfect November bouquet.

If you look closely

2012-01-04T17:32:00.000-05:00

You'll see some images of our floral work on chef Frank McClelland's table in this Yankee Magazine photo spread. We worked with local stylist Beth Wickwire to create arrangements that would be seasonal in October, despite the shoot being completed months earlier. No close-ups, alas, but a wonderful slide show and some yummy recipes as well!

A Walk in the Garden

2011-12-07T20:55:00.001-05:00

These little felt slippers caught my fancy when I first saw them. Colorful and cozy, they are like a walk in the garden all year long. Skip through winter right into spring! Handmade in Nepal, and lovingly designed in New Hampshire, HWD Felt slippers make for happy feet.

And for those of you without foot fetishes...come and try on a poppy purse, or lay your head on a flower pillow.

The Heart of Arlington

2011-12-02T23:33:00.001-05:00

That's what we like to call ourselves, the businesses that thrive in Arlington Center!
Come take a stroll through the Heart of Arlington on Saturday, December 3rd, and enjoy all these grat events and special deals:

Artful Heart Gallery • Free earrings with $20 purchase
The Book Rack • 10% off any purchase
Buona Vita! Cucina Italiana • $20 off per table when everyone orders a main course 2-5 pm
The Costume Company • Elmo is visiting from 2 -6!
Creative Expressions Salon • Refreshments & Free samples, free raffle for basket of hair styling products, complimentary discounts, offers & coupons
Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens • Free gift with purchases over $25, enter to win a holiday centerpiece door prize
Endurance Pilates & Yoga • Free class at 8:15, 9:15 & 11:15 and enter to win a free month of classes
Helena’s • Raffle entry for $50 gift certificate with purchase over $50, 10% off purchases over $100
Henry Bear’s Park • Free gift with $20 purchase
Isis • in-store promo of 10% off purchase, members save an additional 10%. (Excludes car seats and strollers)
The Madrona Tree • Raffle for four $10 gift certificates
Pink Dolly • Letters to Santa Mailbox, under $20 wrapped teacher’s gifts, gift certificate raffle, afternoon champagne & chocolate
Playtime • Soda and cookies all day
Starbucks-arlington center • Free 12 oz. coffee w/purchase of any pastry
TC Jewelers • 40% off all watches, 30% off all estate jewelry
The Orange Hanger • refreshments, 20% off all sweaters
Wild Child • Refreshments, gift card raffle and fun!

Fun, Festive & Fabulous!

2011-11-26T07:12:00.001-05:00

Our annual Women's Shopping Night is our night o' fun at Derby Farm! Come alone, with a friend, or with a group—we know you'll have a great time! Coming up this Thursday, December 1st, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Free hand massages by our recently returned friend Lisa Goldfarb (finally back in the states after 4 years in Ireland!)
Bubbly, treats, and, at last: those decadent truffles made by our secret chocolatier (my husband Ned)
10% off all body care products
Door prizes including a gift certificate for a free 1/2 hour hand massage and a free flower arrangement
Gift registry for you to fill out with "suggestions" for your special gift giver!

Healing Argan oil—a new addition to our body care lines!

Thanks for the Flowers

2011-11-20T08:14:00.001-05:00

Celebrating loved ones with Thanksgiving flowers is one of my favorite times; remembering that in our all-too-hectic lives, we have few opportunities to enjoy a leisurely meal surrounded by beloved friends and family. We often use kale, artichoke, mini pumpkins, rosemary, and seasonal berries in our centerpieces to reflect the harvest notes of a Thanksgiving table.

This lush mantel arrangement is actually from a fall wedding last year, but the colors are similar to ones we love to use this time of year—dusky purples, soft greens, highlighted with sparkly orange and magenta hues. A long and low arrangement like this can easily move from table to mantel and back again.

I have a soft spot for these tiny arrangements in twig baskets which can be put just about anywhere. They are surprisingly complex, with just a few flowers, some leaves, berries and twigs, almost like little fairy houses for the table.

Vintage Bling

2011-11-17T08:08:00.001-05:00

Tonight we're holding a workshop with the dynamic and ever-creating Lilla Rogers, who will be introducing her Ruby Violet line of embellishments, necklace kits, cuffs and stamps. I wish I had a photo of Lilla's iphone—her bejeweled case exemplifies her exuberant approach to design! With Lilla's embellishments and a bit of glue, you can add some decorative spice to even the most everyday parts of your life. Festive, fun and fabulous—just the way we like things at DerbyFarm.

The Birds

2011-10-24T09:05:00.001-04:00

The Mincing Mockingbird's bird panels are up on our walls again—we've been eagerly waiting their arrival.

Quirky, fun and thought-provoking, these gorgeous portraits share a sense of humor about birds, and our relationship to them. Do you love beaked critters? Are you a bit afraid of them? Do you want to enjoy them through a window but not up close?

The good news is that we have them in. The bad news—they'll probably all be claimed in a week and then we'll have months of waiting. I guess it's retail migration from artist to store to home.

Dreaming of Summer Weddings

2011-10-20T08:23:00.000-04:00

We're still collecting photos, and thanks to our lovely brides we have a few more to show. These are from Amelia Keller's wedding in July at Fruitlands, out in Harvard, MA. Amelia's vision of a summery wedding included wildflowers, seasonal blooms, and soft textures. We chose a mix of soft colors with afew bright accents, and used mason jar centerpieces that fit perfectly into Fruitland's rural setting.

Photos by Chattman Photography

A New York Moment

2011-10-03T17:44:00.000-04:00

A chilly NYC evening last January, Claudia, Sonia and I were desperately searching between snowbanks for Good Warm Food when were distracted (yes, it happens easily, I know) by a lovely store window filled with lush arrangements, gorgeous pillows and elegantly funky furnishings. We had found Prudence Designs; we were happy.

Warmly welcomed by the shop's owner, Grayson Handy, we talked flowers, design and food. Soon Grayson was making room for us at the yummy bistro next door and we were well into the perfect New York Evening!

Our long-lasting reminder of that magical night is Grayson's gorgeous book, Flowers for the Home which we're carrying at Derby Farm. I promised Grayson I would order it, and was so glad when it arrived last week! When you come by, pick up a copy to put on your nightstand for inspiration, it'll make you feel flowery all over. Just don't take my copy.

The Natural Garden

2011-08-03T18:32:00.001-04:00

I love visiting Thuja Gardens, tucked away on a hillside on Mt. Desert Island! It has a wonderful combination of natural features and formal perennial gardens, all in full bloom during mid-August. Inside the lodge was my favorite botanical treasure: a 17th century book about forest trees!

Fooling around with the flowers

2011-03-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

We've been inspired by all the pretty books I've been buying! Claudia pulled together some tulips, Queen Anne's lace and white loosestrife and made this cheery arrangement. The pitcher and the lipstick red vase are from Barbara Eigen.

Toothy Goodness

2010-03-13T06:59:00.000-05:00

So many clever people around! Susan Hagner stopped by with these delicious tooth fairy pillows, and made me wish my kids were still believers! Lots of colors and patterns, with a tooth tucked in just in case you need operating instructions.

It may be winter, but we've got spring...

2010-01-24T09:49:00.005-05:00

If you love the "simple" flowers, tulip time is a joyful one. I've been buying a mix of locally grown tulips and ones from Canada, and it's fun to put out these buckets 'o color. Though we're having a thaw, it's definitely not spring—but surrounding yourself with tulips, hyacinth, anemones, and ranunculus make spring seem so much the nearer.

At Your Fingertips-Garden Resources

2009-10-01T21:00:00.000-04:00

Tappity tap...looking on line for gardening resources can be daunting since there are so many! If you garden in the Northeast, you should have the UMass Extension website in your favorites folder. They've got information on gardening, lawn care, pests and pest prevention. You can also send in soil samples from your yard or garden to check for PH, lead and nutrient levels. Super easy and helpful when you're planning a veggie garden and want to be sure the soil is safe.

On page 31 you'll find...

2009-03-11T14:53:00.005-04:00

a picture of one of my early front garden designs in Julie Moir Messervy's new book, Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love. The book just arrived, and I'm eager to begin reading it, and writing more about it—but right now I'm happy to turn to page 31...
Here's a link to the publisher's website.

We don't just love them because they named the company after their dogs...

2009-03-06T15:57:00.004-05:00

We’ve been carrying Dash & Albert rugs for a few years, and are still cheered by new shipments! We’ve got a wonderful range of colors in their classic striped cotton rugs, wool rugs, and the durable (as in machine washable, dryable and even bleachable) polypro indoor/out door rugs. They have a great website, which includes rug prices: www.dashandalbert.com. You can look at the rugs on-line, or at Derby Farm, and we’ll be happy to order any size or style, and can even have larger rugs delivered directly to your home.

This Cat's Paw Brown rug lives in our entryway, and besides looking perfectly at home in our 145 year old house, it shows no sign of the abuse it's received from contractors and kids.

Things That Make Your Skin Feel Good

2009-02-28T10:17:00.005-05:00

McEvoy Ranch/80 Acres
We’ve been looking for a new body care line, but we’re picky so it took a while to find it. Gentle, smooth, and clean-smelling, 80 Acres was an exciting find! Made in California, 80 Acres’ is an offshoot of McEvoy Ranch, a 550 acre farm iwhich produces Tuscan style olive oil from it’s organically grown olives.

This past year McEvoy Ranch introduced their estate produced body care line, 80 Acres. They’ve developed a scent they call Verde, which has a fresh and clean fragrance, the kind of grassy smell we associate with spring days. We’ve tried these products and love them, and are eager for you to try them as well. Here are descriptions from 80 Acres:
Verde Hand and Body Wash
A blending olive oil and olive fruit extract, aloe vera, and a powerful medley of healing herbs and botanicals make this restorative infusion beneficial for hands or body. Richly hydrating so moisture stays in, leaving skin soft and dewy.
Verde Hand & Body Lotion
Nature meets nurture with this emollient and healing blend of olive, sunflower, jojoba and grapeseed oils infused with aloe vera, chamomile and lavender. Lightly scented and luxurious, the lotion penetrates quickly to smooth, soften and revitalize.
Verde Body Balm
Created by McEvoy’s gardeners for soothing, moisturizing and protecting skin from the elements, this estate-produced body balm is handcrafted with 87% organic ingredients.
Verde Olive Oil Soap
Handcrafted from the purest botanical ingredients, this luxurious cleansing bar deeply moisturizes with a rich lather and all the benefits of olive oil and refreshes with their signature Verde scent.

Rain, Snow, Sleet & Slurp

2009-01-28T15:39:00.002-05:00

That's the weather report for today. Just back from the big Gift Show in New York where Sue and I examined hundreds of booths lining miles of aisles under a bright florescent sky (promising ourselves to accessorize with pedometers next year).

It's a crowded, somewhat chaotic, place—vendors from all over the world selling everything from glittery swan sculptures encrusted in quartzite and semi-precious minerals to alma mater-themed wreaths.

The show put green on its agenda, showcasing products made or re-made with the health of the planet in mind. While nearly everyone attempted to jump on the recycling bin and promote their product's environmentally sensitive bona fides, I was delighted to find that labeling has improved, and that "green" products are becoming more affordable and better looking.

Since I have to get out and shovel the ice off the sidewalk, I'll save the news of our new purchases for a future post. A tickler—we found a lovely new body care line made with olives organically grown on a California farm. Can't wait for them to arrive!

Plants Raves & Faves

2009-01-17T12:15:00.007-05:00

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
Okay, I'm thinking about spring. I admit it. And about plants, and flowers, and temps above 5 degrees. Hydrangeas, in my mind, are quintessential garden plants, so they are the natural choice for my first plant raves & faves post!

Romantic and evocative of traditional gardens, hydrangeas are too often dismissed as old-fashioned plants out of place in contemporary gardens. For sure, the big blue orbs of Nikko Blue Hydrangeas can be found in all the wrong places, but usually hydrangeas are in perfect garden harmony.

‘Annabelle’ is one of my favorite old-fashioned hydrangeas—it is big, beautiful and exceptionally easy to grow. The flowers start off greenish and tight, expanding into fluffy six to ten inch white balls which make great cut flowers, and are easy to dry.

Basics: Annabelles thrive with morning sun, afternoon shade and moist soil. They should be cut back early March to about 18” in order to control growth and strengthen stems so they can support the heavy flower heads.

Look at http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/annabelle.html for information about growing Annabelle hydrangeas.

Photo credit:
Missouri Botanical Garden

My MIL

2008-12-11T12:40:00.007-05:00

Is amazing. So here's a picture of Jane Hall, Ned's mom, hiding behind just one of dozens of quilts she's made to sell at the store. Then there are the fantastic covers on our beds—from Galen as Spiderman quilt to the white-on-white quilt I begged for. I can't sew, and wouldn't have the patience to do what Jane does, but am happy to reap the benefits! She makes people happy, her vibrant patterns and clever themes are attracting a lot of fans. This is a woman who doesn't stop—she's always helping family, does volunteer bookkeeping and tax prep work with seniors, and helps run a successful biomedical company! (Yes, quilts are here, $68 each for crib/lap throw size.)

Flower Power

2008-12-05T15:24:00.005-05:00

So, you've received a gorgeous bouquet, unwrapped it, found a vase that's the right size, filled it with water, and artfully arranged the flowers. Now what—how do you keep the flowers looking fresh and healthy for as long as possible?

The best way to prolong the life of cut flowers is by controlling bacterial growth, storing them in the proper environment and feeding them.

Here are some easy tips:

Be sure your vase is clean!
Fill with luke warm water, except for tulips and other bulbs. If you want to encourage roses to open faster (which will also shorten their life-span) use warmer water.
Remove any leaves that will be under water, and cut the ends of the stems at an angle with a sharp, non-serrated, knife or floral shears. Regular scissors can crush stems and prevent water from getting to the flowers.
Use the little packet of floral 'food' that you received with the flowers. This anti-bacterial agents, sugar to feed the flowers, and a hydrating agent to help the flowers take up water more efficiently after a long period of forced dormancy.
Change the water daily. This is the easiest way to slow bacterial growth which causes cut flowers to wilt and die. When you change the water take another minute to rinse the stems with fresh water.
Cut the stems every few days, and slit woody stems.
Keep flowers in a cool location, away from heaters or direct summer sunlight, and away from ripening fruit which emits ethylene gas and causes flowers to wilt more quickly.
Remove flowers as they 'go by' to avoid contaminating longer lasting, healthy blooms.

For a longer article which includes caring for freshly cut garden flowers and has a recipe for floral preservative, read "Cut-Flower Care—How to Make Your Fresh-Cut Flowers Last," at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website.

Giving a Little to Women Who Give A Lot

2008-12-04T22:02:00.008-05:00

We just had our annual 'Lady's Night Out' and as usual it was a blast! What makes it especially fun is the dynamic energy permeating the store. Women are often thinking about how to make other people happy--giving time, gifts, help, and support. That's why we love offering free hand massages on Women's Shopping Night; a splurge that can't be given away, that has to be enjoyed in the moment. Five minutes of closed-eye bliss and inward focus. Then, back to chaos, love, work, family, pets, school, complicated schedules--but with relaxed hands and a deep smile.

Red Red Roses

2008-12-03T20:47:00.004-05:00

There was a long period when I wouldn't go near them—except when kow-towing to Valentine's Day mandates. I thought they were boring, over-used, too common. I'm not sure when exactly I changed my mind, but boy did I do a 180! Right about now, when my fingers are chilled, and the afternoon light fades before afternoon is really over, I truly appreciate the velvety lushness of a deep red rose especially combined with red or orange french ranunculus and a touch of chartreuse buplurem or lady's mantle. In a bowl overflowing on my coffee table they become my floral fireplace, warm and cozy and familiar in a comforting way.

Lovely Lavender

2008-12-01T20:43:00.005-05:00

Any day now we're expecting a shipment of lavender and rose-geranium body care goodies from Bonnie Doon Farm in Santa Cruz California. The folks at Bonnie Doon grow three types of lavender. I love the body lotion and gardener's salve and the fact that they've named their own lavender cultivar "Frieda" after one of their moms!

2008-11-26T23:42:00.004-05:00

It was pure chance that Jeremy Pitella and Adrian Coose saw our sign a few years ago when they were looking for a place to sell their incredible red-twig dogwood, birch, and twig wreaths. I bought as many as would hang on the walls, and since then eagerly await their surprise visits. Luckily they stopped by a couple of days ago, and I ended up taking so many wreaths that we had to find some new and creative ways to hang them! I'll post some pictures after T-day, since I can't describe with words what makes their hand-made wreaths so beautiful. There are some wreath connoisseurs around, that's for sure--these wreaths just fly out the door!
(edited 12/1 to add promised pics)

Even better than Ned's Truffles

2008-11-22T18:03:00.008-05:00

Jean Keller, owner of Perlino Chocolates, is a chocolatier extraordinaire, and if you haven't tried her luscious confections you need to know what you are missing! Today she stopped by the store laden with boxes of her enticing sweets, including her gorgeous "Over the Top Oreos," Cape Cod bark, fabulous caramel & cashew whimsies, and melt-in-your-mouth truffles.

Jean says she may be able to do a truffle tasting next month—maybe I won't publicize it so I can have them all to myself....yum.....

Truffle on Down!

2008-11-21T09:02:00.004-05:00

I thought it would be fitting to post this before you're all stuffed along with your birds—Ned's making truffles again! Come by this weekend and we'll have those delicious morsels out. We're pretty good at passing them over little heads, but some kidlings have high-powered chocolate sensors. Of course we're delighted to share with them...