First off all, Zach and I want to thank you all for entering our humble little contest. We recieved over 246 entries!

Kelly and Ralph Hallett of Bay Park won the free design from Falling Waters. I’m looking forward to working on their Mid-Century home and documenting the progress here.

For the rest of you that expressed interest in our services we encourage you to contact us and take advantage of a special offer. Please email me (Ryan@fallingwatersweb.com) or give me a call at 619-955-5595 to learn more.

On a side note, in this economy all of us are struggling and I really believe that not only will things get better, but when they do all of us will be better people for having endured through these hard times. I have to believe that the hardships our friends and family are going through will eventually result in something good. We are all learning how to live with less… is that such a bad thing? I’ll leave you with a story…

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village and an American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

“Not very long,” said the fisherman.

“But then why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” Asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go to the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play guitar and sing songs… I have a full life.”

The American interrupted “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the bigger boat will bring, you can buy more boats until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling fish to the middle man, you can go directly to the processing plant and maybe even own your own plant. Then, you can leave this little village and direct your enterprise from Mexico City or even New York City!

“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.

“Twenty, maybe 25 years.” replied the American.

“And after that?”

“Afterwards?  Then it gets really interesting, answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big you can start sellingstocks and make millions!”

“Millions? Really?  And after that?”

“After that, you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!”

To everyone out there weighing big decisions, remember what you are working for. Work hard, continue to reach for “success”, or at least the definition according to Emerson…

To laugh often and much
to win the respect of intelligent people
and affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of honest critics and
endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best
in others; to leave the world a bit
better, whether by a healthy child
a garden patch or redeemed
social condition; to know even
one life has breathed easier because
you have lived. This is to have
succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

First off, thank you to everyone who has entered to win this contest so far. We have been overwhelmed with entries!

Here are the detailed rules about the Contest:

1. The Contest may only be entered through filling out the form in our display “The Modern Patio” at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

2. The form must be completely filled out and be legible. The optional fields may be filled out as well, but are not mandatory.

3. The email address must be valid.

The fine print…

The contest is valid for residents of California only. The Winner will receive a 1 hour consultation from Falling Waters and the equivalent of 12 hours of design time, and one follow-up visit to present the design. The design will include some combination of the following; A to-scale drawing of the project in plan-view, a detailed plant list including sizes and quantities, a reference note list and material call-outs. If more time is needed/desired then our time will be billed at our hourly rate. The winner will be notified via email or phone call after the fair is over (July 6). We reserve the right to make changes to this contest at any time.

“The Modern Patio”

This year we decided to try something new… Actually invite over 1 million fair-goers into our display. I know, I know, its risky but we really want everyone to experience the garden the way gardens are intended to be enjoyed. The Fair opens June 12, and I hope to see you there. Here is the garden description,

“THE SECRET OF THE OF MODERN PATIO IS NOT SO MUCH IN THE ELEMENTS YOU USE, IT’S HOW YOU PUT THESE ELEMENTS TOGETHER. INCIDENTALLY, MODERN GARDENING IS JUST THAT; USING MATERIALS IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE REGION, LOCATION, AND TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN. SAN DIEGO IS HOME TO AN ECLECTIC MIX OF FLORA AND FAUNA AND WITH ITS MANY MICRO-CLIMATES COME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO USE NOT JUST NATIVES, BUT A PANOPLY OF INTERESTING AND EXTRAORDINARY PLANTS. THE “OUTDOOR ROOM” IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR, AND WHY NOT? SAN DIEGO IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE, AND SINCE MOST OF US DON’T HAVE UNLIMITED REAL-ESTATE, OUR OUTDOOR SPACES DEMAND TO BE UTILIZED AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
“THE MODERN PATIO” IS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED, NOT GAZED AT FROM AFAR, ITS A DESTINATION, A PLACE TO RELAX AND FORGET ABOUT YOUR WORRIES. THIS SPACE SHOULDN’T BE BURDENSOME OR REQUIRE MORE TIME TO MAINTAIN THAN ONE CAN AFFORD, AND HERE IN SAN DIEGO IT SHOULD BE PLANNED TO USE WATER IN AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.
THIS DESIGN IS INTENDED TO SURPRISE AND DELIGHT. THE THEME IS AMBIGUOUS ON PURPOSE, THE PLANT PALLETE IS MEANT TO MAKE YOU THINK, AND THE COLORS ARE CAREFULLY ARRANGED TO ALLOW THE EYE TO REST. THE MASCULINITY OF THE STEEL AND WOOD IS BALANCED WITH THE FEMININITY OF THE FOLIAGE. THE QUADRATIC UBIQUITY IS BROKEN BY THE CURVES IN THE CONCRETE AND THE NATURAL PLANTER BEDS. BUILT-INS ARE A MUST, AND A COST SAVING ALTERNATIVE TO EXPENSIVE FURNITURE. THE VERTICAL GARDEN DRAWS THE EYE UP, WHILE THE WATER FEATURE WITH ITS SOUND AND MOVEMENT BRINGS US BACK DOWN. THE VISUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EACH OF THE ELEMENTS SHOULD COMPLIMENT, NOT COMPETE. IN THE END, YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE GARDEN FEELING REFRESHED AND HAPPY. WE HOPE YOU DO.”

Thank to our generous sponsors:

Pigment, Miramar Wholesale Nursery, Botanical Partners/Bamboo Headquarters, KRC Rock, Unique Lighting, West Coast Concrete, Western Cactus Nursery

For more information about the garden, how to purchase items from the show, or for design and construction questions please email Ryan@fallingwatersweb.com

Vess Residence, Architect: John Mock

The award-winning Vess Residence will be featured in a private Garden Tour this Sunday (5/3). Only four homes are featured on this tour, sponsored by the Grossmont / Mt. Helix Improvement Association, and at each home local artists are highlighted. At the Vess Residence the art of Caroline Morse, Christine Waters, and Brent Foster will be shown.

“This beautifully restored mid-century modern home, San Diego Home & Garden Magazine’s “2009 Home of the Year,” features a handsome drought-tolerant garden situated on a hillside slope. Bryan and Jora purchased the home just two years ago. In only nine months, Jora’s brother-in law, a landscape contractor, transformed the one acre plus parcel into the award winning design you see today.
When they bought the home, the entry was covered by overgrown juniper. Bryan and Jora uncovered the entry area to discover rockwork created by the original builder. These dramatic boulders were moved to their current location to clear the original building pad. A walkway leads to the front door and welcomes guests with a freeform Malcolm Leland “LS” sculpture and koi pond. The lower left portion of the property has been terraced for four productive raised beds where seasonal vegetables are cultivated, a large chicken coop housing seven laying hens, and a fruit tree grove. Paths made of decomposed granite wind in a field of lavender, rosemary, sages and prostrate coyote bush. Mature oleanders surround this area for privacy, along with established silk floss, jacaranda, and podocarpus trees.
Climb up a few steps to the house site. Here you will find a palo verde tree, varigated agave, barrel cacti and various ornamental low water grasses. Follow the gravel path to the upper level that offers eastern views and overlooks the pool area. Planting of Lady Banks roses cover the fence, along with Pride of Madeira. Octopus agave, blue fescue, blue chalkfingers, and aloe with grey tones compliment the poolside area. The pool has a large shallow sun shelf and integral cover to ensure safety for the young family. This lush yet low-water garden incorporates sensitive design, careful planting, and meticulous maintenance to inspire the viewer.”