What better way to welcome in spring, and this season’s Home & Garden issue, than with a story about seeds. Flower seeds, vegetable seeds, seeds for plant dyes or fibers…if growing from origin appeals to you, then you’ll want to know all about Quin Shakra. The founder of The Plant Good Seed Company has a love for simplicity and a philosophical spirit (perhaps owing to years of study in the liberal arts). He sees poetry in seed production, which requires time and patience and a commitment to a plant’s entire lifecycle. We delve into his meandering path to seed supplier in this month’s Cover Story.
We leave the meadow to come inside for a bit to focus on Janie Hewson, an exceptionally creative woman with an eye for style. No surprise that she makes a living doing interior and landscape design. She’s all about “making life beautiful” but there’s more to her work than pretty things and neat arrangements. She thinks of a person’s home as a book, every room a page and every object a word that brings the story to life. Her own abode is no exception. Learn how she has composed her own narrative through furnishings and art in Nesting.
Exit through the backdoor to find the spacious and splendid garden of Helle Rasmussen and Steffen Nielsen. This place has an interesting story as well — that of a neglected property in Santa Rosa Valley that needed vision, some TLC and a lot of hard work to become the verdant oasis it is today, with a swimming pool, hot tub and plenty of room for entertaining. It also made a great canvas for Rasmussen’s imagination: Among the drought-tolerant blooms you’ll find Rasmussen’s many large, colorful and intricate mosaic sculptures. Art is a big part of her life…now it’s a big part of her residence, too.
And just for fun…we threw in a story about a Southern Tuscany excursion that just might have you researching flights to Perugia.
Spring is a time for renewal, and I intend to approach the season with an adventurous spirit and a fresh perspective. I hope our issue will inspire you to do the same. Let’s embrace this opportunity together.
– Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
nshaffer@timeslocalmedia.com