Balboa Park’s Roses Recognized As Remarkable
The Inez Grant Parker Rose Garden in Balboa Park was recently named one of the top rose gardens throughout the globe by the World Federation of Rose Societies. The honor was officially bestowed on a beautiful sunny afternoon in Balboa Park, before a large and appreciative audience of rose lovers. Onlookers included many visitors who were currently attending the American Rose Society’s national rose show held in San Diego this year. The magnificent Balboa Park rose garden contains 2,000 roses. It is a San Diego treasure. — Darlene G. Davies

La Jolla Historical Society Secret Garden Tour
A narrow road in the Muirlands and the resulting traffic nightmare almost brought the La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour to a halt, but eager patrons persevered. Avid gardeners and flower lovers waxed enthusiastic over the grounds of each home, where groups of musicians played and artists plied their easels. For Platinum Tour ticket holders there was an additional bonus; lunch at La Valencia, in the garden patio, of course, and a packet of artist notecards.
— Nannette Martin

The Shade Of Things To Come
Color is a very complex subject and is probably one of the most important elements of interior design. Although people often know what they like and dislike, they often have a difficult time working with color to create a balanced design. Color has an important impact on moods and emotions. A small amount of red and orange can add life and vitality to a room, while yellow adds brightness and makes a room cheerful. Too much of these colors without a balance of neutrals or complementary colors can produce unpleasant reactions. Green, a cool color, is the closest to the warm colors and conveys serenity. Blue is the coolest color and is associated with calm and dignity. Using too much blue can be depressing. Then there are the neutrals — warm and cool grays, browns and beiges, whites and blacks. Again, balance and proportionate usage are key to their successful use.

The next element to consider is the color scheme, the concept of color harmony. Some colors work well together while others create great friction. There are six types of colors schemes ranging in complexity, all with their own characteristics. It is also important to consider how colors will appear in the actual space. Colors will seem lighter or darker or warmer or cooler in relation to the background.

Light also has a strong influence on color. When making selections, it is important to see colors under the same natural lighting at different times of the day and the type of artificial light that will be used.
To get started, select and gather materials such as tiles, carpet, and fabric samples. Your samples will be small and it is important to recognize the proportionate amounts of each color that will be used in the room. In other words, a small carpet sample will become a dominant color when it covers an entire room. A fabric sample may only become a pillow on a sofa and will have less impact.

Although color is a complex element in the successful design of a room, it is also the most enjoyable and pleasurable. Whether you approach the creation of the color scheme with an in-depth understanding or follow your intuition, changing your color scheme will have the greatest impact in creating a new environment. — Jeannie Brown, allied member ASID

A Garden Of Paradise
Faux-organic garden accessories are a great way to enhance the connection between your outdoor living areas and nature. Twisting vines, dropping leaves, curved roots, and trickling water all do wonders when it comes to taking the mind off the stress of freeways and shopping malls. Take the Twining Vine Trellis from Smith and Hawkins for instance, a great way to create the illusion of nothing but plant life creeping up the side of your house. Or their Organica Birdbath, which resembles a tangle of roots holding up a watering hole. Placed in the proper setting, the birdbath disappears into the foliage, which is pleasant both aesthetically, and for birds trying to avoid human interference. Both can be found at Smith and Hawkins locations in the Fashion Valley Mall and South Coast Plaza. — Charles Union