A Life in the Garden
Welcome to my hidden home and secret garden. I live in a 1922 colonial house near Seattle where a sprawling garden thrives under the watch of towering Pacific Northwest trees. Inside, the rooms tell their own stories—French antiques, old paintings, botanical prints, and the familial activity of a life well-lived. I share this space with my husband, one of three college-aged kids, and a sporty cattle dog mix named Yvie. She thinks she’s ultimately in charge.
For twenty years, my professional life was rooted in the soil. As a garden designer and maintainer, I spent my days shaping landscapes one plant at a time. But I’ve always been a person of words as much as plants. Over the years, I published four novels, a nonfiction book, and articles in places like The Washington Post and Wired.
There was even a brief season when I lived and worked in Paris, editing in the fast-paced world of tech. While the industry itself didn’t stay with me, the French art de vivre did—the respect for history, cadence of language, and love of quality experiences. Those influences still echo through my home, garden, and creative work today.
What we explore here:
The Journal: Reflections from my hidden home and garden. We explore how a French sensibility and a deep love for timeless textures—from historic decor to perennial borders—can elevate a private space into a true sanctuary.
The Studio: A look inside my creative process, where I blend paper, paint, and botanical elements to create “New Artifacts." Here, I explore how art can capture the patina of time and fleeting beauty of the natural world.
The Brocante: Spotlighting treasures that bring the garden into the home, whether that’s a vintage botanical plate, atmospheric landscape painting, or weathered charm of an old trowel.
If you’re a fellow gardener, lover of old-world aesthetics, Francophile, or just someone who appreciates a thoughtful lifestyle, you’ll find a home here. Twice a month, I’ll publish a new post with gardening insights, latest French loves, new botanical art, or the story of a favorite heirloom.
I hope you’ll join me and share your insights and discoveries too.
My Work in the World…
Selected Articles
“14 Plants to Try for a Sweeter-smelling Backyard,” The Washington Post
“Our Favorite Tech for the Home Garden,” Wired
“5 Fragrant Houseplants for Your Valentine,” The Washington Post
“The Secret Life of Plants as Murder Weapons,” Crime Reads
“When Your Name Becomes a Meme,” Thrive Global
“8 Common Mistakes for New Gardeners to Avoid,” The Washington Post
"The Secret to a Great Workout Is in Your Garden," Shondaland
“6 Environmentally Friendly Holiday Decorations You Can DIY,” The Washington Post
“5 Questions to Ask Before You Give up on a Sad Houseplant,” The Washington Post
“Why I’m Not Ashamed to Decorate with Fake Plants,” in Shondaland
“5 Things You May Experience Following Knee Replacement Surgery,” Next Avenue
“Dreaming of Chicago with ‘The Bear,’” The Belt