Inspiration

Recently, I had the pleasure of touring Gaiety Hollow & Deepwood Estates designed by Lord & Schryver in Salem, Oregon. You may be wondering why this blog is entitled 'Inspiration'  Well....Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver began their landscape architect business in 1929! Imagine for a moment, 2 women entering a male dominated career in, I repeat 1929! Not only that but, in 1929 the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. It was a difficult time in history for all people across the board.
Lord & Schryver designed together for 40 years, creating 250 gardens for domestic, civic and institutional clients all around the Northwest. 

As I wandered the gardens, I couldn't help but wonder what their design boards looked like and the conversations that ensued while considering space and content. How I would love a time capsule to transport me into their drafting space. 

Landscape design is personal and meant to reflect not only the era/space/region but also the client. Lord & Schryver created what they called outdoor rooms where one could meander through a yard or park and encounter several different 'rooms' with decidedly different design elements.

The use of paving bricks, arbors, water features, stone benches, statues, perennials, annuals, and bulbs compose a truly lovely & inviting space. 

I left those gardens deeply inspired to design and create beautiful spaces right here in my own community.