We are pleased to post the video of the April 2009 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase by filmmaker Samantha Lyon (Elisa’s daughter!) Learn about edible gardens, perma culture, water conservation, next generation barbeques, worm bins, solar cookers, composting, fun outdoor toilets, and fertilizer. – – DM
Archive for May, 2009
19 May
Organic garden for your health
A note from Dr. Carl Rothchild “There is probably no better way to gain access to the healthy organic foods your body craves most than by growing them yourself. More and more people are getting on the home-gardening bandwagon as food, fuel and energy costs continue to rise. Home gardening, especially organic gardening, can be [...]
16 May
2nd story addition looks “original”
Here is a beautiful example of how to preserve the character of a Spanish Colonial Revival home. This new second-story remodel is only a few years old and yet it looks all original, thanks to good planning by an architect and homeowners who have a keen sensitivity for historic design and details (see the wrought [...]
14 May
Drought tolerant plants
From our neighbor Martha Groves, Los Angeles Times writer “Many years ago, with memories of the late 1980s drought fresh in my mind, I asked Susan, a horticulturist friend whose Santa Monica company is called Suzie’s Scapes, to help me design a “drought-tolerant” front garden, with native California grasses, flowering plants and bushes. “We ended up [...]
12 May
Front yard solutions
There’s such a variety of solutions that people have created for their front yards in Reynier Village. Many people have kept the traditional grass lawns, but are becoming more aware of the necessity to save water during the state-wide drought caused by the climate crisis. One neighbor has paved the area, maybe to get more [...]
12 May
Spanish homes colors
California architects of the 1930s were influenced by Spain, Italy and Greece, as well as by Mexican and Native American adobe, while creating the Spanish-Mediterranean style. The most distinctive features are red tiled roofs, arched openings, carved wood doors, wrought iron gates, textured stucco walls. The color palette of the walls tends to earth tones, [...]
11 May
Martha immortalizes “the Village”
Reynier Village, as described by Los Angeles Times columnist Martha Groves, “contains fine old houses, many of them Spanish Revival in style, loaded with original charm and relatively affordable, at least by the current dizzying standards”. For a delightful overview of Reynier Village and its history, read Martha’s 2006 real estate article “Spanish style still [...]
10 May
Reynier Village is in Climate Zone 22
According to Sunset’s “New Western Garden Book”, Reynier Village is in Zone 22, influenced by the ocean approximately 85 percent of the time. Winters are mild and very low temperatures (below 40) are rare. Gardeners who take advantage of building overhangs or protection of tree branches can grow an impressive variety of subtropical plants – [...]
10 May
Reynier Village is great for growing orchids
With our mild climate, it’s easy to grow orchids, citrus trees, roses, and even some varieties of apples! – – DM
10 May
Hummingbird nest in my bougainvillea
This delicate hummingbird nest is a mere 1.5″ in diameter and resides in my backyard bougainvillea. – – DM
10 May
Garden details
There’s beauty to be found in every garden. Here’s a lovely mix of foliage next to a decorative wrought iron strap detail. – – DM
7 May
DAP! – a no-cost energy efficiency program from The Gas Company
The Gas Company offers no-cost energy-saving home improvements and furnace repair or replacement services for qualified limited-income renters and homeowners.
7 May
Federal Tax Credits for Home Improvements
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency * Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for: o Windows and Doors o Insulation o Roofs (Metal and Asphalt) o HVAC o Water Heaters (non-solar) o Biomass Stoves * Tax credits are available at 30% [...]
6 May
Attic insulation, weatherization, saving energy
My 1939 house (finally) gets attic insulation and other energy-saving measures.
5 May
SPANISH HOMES, CREATIVE GARDENS
It is truly amazing, when you go for a walk around Reynier Village, to see how many of our neighbors have replaced the water-wasting green lawns with colorful and inventive arrays of drought-resistant plants and flowers. It makes you wonder what’s behind those charming 1930 Spanish facades and tiled roofs… Probably backyards just as creative, [...]
5 May
While walking through the neighborhood, an idea was born
While walking through Reynier Village with my neighbor, we were admiring the beautiful spring gardens and architectural details of the 1930′s homes. We were discussing what we could do for volunteer work and started talking about community gardens. One thing led to another and we decided to create this blog to celebrate our architectural diversity, [...]
