THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY TAGS: garden bugs | garden pests | gardening | grubs | lady bug | praying mantis Bugs, that is! Anyone who has gardened for a while has encountered their share of bugs in the garden. Some are instantly recognizable, like the ladybug, and others are head-scratchingly …Continue reading →

Capturing Tuscany’s Romance and Elegance TAGS: autumn | color palettes | Italian | tuscany | villas Anyone who visits Tuscany can surely attest to how this Italian region is just bursting with warmth and elegance. Whether it’s in its gorgeous landscapes, its rich artistic legacy, or every aspect of the land’s culture, everything about Tuscany can be summed up in one word: Breathtaking.

Last Days of Summer TAGS: Arizona | August | pool side | Scottsdale | summer | vacation August is a time for those last minute get-a-ways before the harsh realization that summer is coming to a close really sinks in. No matter where or what you are doing, a vacation should be filled with relaxation and enjoyment. Be it with family, friends, or just you and a loved one, it should be a memorable experience.

Embracing Nature with the Style and Spirit of the Mediterranean TAGS: cedar pergolas | Grecian | Mediterranean | patio | Santorini Bring the Mediterranean style to your Fifthroom space!

Tables for Two TAGS: Alfresco Dining | anniversary | avalon harbor | bed and breakfast | catalina | cocktails | home design I recently celebrated my anniversary with my husband on Catalina Island. It was our first visit and we had a fabulous time.

The Facade and Outdoor Splendor of Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel Sometimes, the space immediately surrounding a piece of enchanting architecture become an extraordinarily special place – where nature and man-made construct fuse together to create an experience unto itself. In this week’s piece on Outdoor Living Spaces Abroad, I present to you one of the world’s finest pieces of architecture coupled with the exquisite places within its walls: Mont Saint-Michel.

The Outdoor Design of a Tuscan Landscape: Lucca, Italy Today is dedicated to the small, agricultural city of Lucca, in Tuscany, which will forever have a piece of my heart wherever I roam. Besides the delectable cuisine, the mellow attitude of the Lucchese people, and the amazing emphasis on cycling, the city of Lucca contains the beautiful Palazzo Pfanner.