Schism

Sometimes I feel like I have a split personality. Not a Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde sort of split, but, instead, wildly divergent personal tastes. For instance, when it comes to music, I love both opera and country. I like to shoot guns and dance ballet. The interior of my home is decorated with a heavy Asian influence, but the garden is English cottage. The discontinuity between the inside and outside of the house sometimes bothers me, but the garden style I’ve chosen is the only one that would mesh with the house’s Cape Cod exterior.

In my wildest daydreams, though, I live in a Morrocan palace and the exterior is a mix of lush palms, intricate tile work, and shimmering pools. You can imagine that when I read this NY Times article on the pictured home’s landscaping and viewed the accompanying slide show, I was drooling. And seriously considering moving to California. In a garden like this, I think I’d miss some of the traditional cottage garden plants, but I’d comfort myself with oodles of jasmine. I’d have no disparity in style between the inside and outside of the house because, believe me, cottagey interiors (as cute as shabby chic is) are NOT my thing.

I believe you’ll need to register with the NY Times (it’s free) to view the article and slideshow, but it’s totally worth it.