Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Perfect Storm


It was a perfect culmination of friendship, exploration and rainy weather in Napa Valley today when 3 women who had only known each other from the world wide web took to the rain soaked road to explore wine country.


Our first three visits were to Cornerstone Gardens, Artessa Winery and The Hess Collection and Winery, respectfully, and were wonderfully inspirational and aesthetically evocative, but it was our last visit to Bardessono Hotel in Yountville that won the hearts of these designing women.


Bardessono (http://bardessono.com/) is a hotel that was designed to meet the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) point system and was awarded a Platinum certification status.

It was also designed with a very discerning artist’s eye by a wonderful group of artisans

http://bardessono.com/overview/artisans/index.php


Below are a few photos taken of the exterior courtyards.


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


From Napa Valley Day Trip


Inside the lobby a fireworks of Tillandsias ( a genus within the Bromeliad family)

From Napa Valley Day Trip



Tillandsia xerographica under a very large cloche.

From Napa Valley Day Trip

16 comments:

danger garden said...

Fabulous! It looks like perhaps the rain enhanced your visit?

Susan aka Miss R said...

I'm so happy we left with the WTC as our final experience there! Uplifting to say the least. I had a wonderful day, thank you. -S.

Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle said...

Loree,
The rain is always appreciated here in N.Cal. but yesterday it made all of the richness of coloration in the stonework just come alive.
It was unfortunate that the cloud layer was so low , obstructing the beautiful mountainous views across the valley, but all in all it was a fun day.

Susan,
Nothing like a heated toilet seat with more options than a rolls royce !

rebecca sweet said...

How fun - you, Alice and Susan hung out yesterday!! I'm so jealous...my very favorite place on earth...and you visited some of my favorite spots. I'm so glad the rain enhanced your trip, rather than dampened it!

Christine said...

Gorgeous! But... how was the wine?!

Bay Area Tendrils said...

Gorgeous pics!
I fear I'm going to be redundant when my Bardessono feature appears in the next day or so, but think it will be o.k.? Considering the camaraderie of the day, the conversation, and chance to get to know each, it was super in all ways!

Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle said...

Christine , I heard the wine was wonderful from the Hess Winery.
I passed on a tasting. I usually get a headache when drinking without a bit of food to go along.


Alice, I am looking forward to your photographs as well as Susan's if she decides to post some.
There is always room for more great coverage and eye candy.

Debra Lee Baldwin said...

I love that spiral stone hardscape, would love it in my own garden. The nod to Stonehenge adds a bit of whimsy---not something you'd see every day.

Stone Art's Blog said...

This is such an inspiring garden, i love it.

susan morrison said...

Just hopped over from Susan's blog - you both took some amazing photos. I am stunned by how beautiful these courtyards are.

Not only have I not visited this hotel, but I didn't even know it existed, so thanks for letting me know about something in my own backyard. This is going to the top of my list on my next Napa Valley visit.

Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle said...

Susan M,
This place is definitely worth a visit.
I had wanted to visit Quixote Winery with Susan C. while she was here but we ran out of time.
I highly recommend that you visit both when your up this way
http://www.quixotewinery.com/hundertwasser.html

Stone Art, very inspiring , back at ya.

Debra, The Spiral is a wonderful image to use in the garden. I'm working on a motor court design installation in Marin where we are using Fibonacci's spiral as inspiration.

Phrago said...

Hey Michelle, I bet you gals had a blast! And I did enjoy looking at the other pics that M.R.R. posted. Always nice to look at great landscapes from more than one perspective. Lovely hard scape! I particularly like the rocks that are like old worn outcroppings rising from the pools and beds. But with all the water and deciduous plants, this garden looks high maintennace to me. Do you know if they have a full time gardener to tend these court yards? Patrick

brian stratton said...

The Paving material patterns are absolutely breathtaking here...

New Jersey Landscape Architect NJ Landscape Designer
New Jersey Landscape Architect NJ Landscape Designer
New Jersey Landscape Architect NJ Landscape Designer

Cool Garden Things said...

Hubba, hubba, hubba!
GartenGrl

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

yes, i love it there... such a great place to stay.

beth said...

Oh beautiful, I am completely lusting after tulip magnolias this month. Thanks for the beautiful pictures!