seasonal living MEDItErranEan cHIc… WItH a cLaSSIc toUcH Owner Ali Warren-Gash gives us an insight into The Garden Company: Mallorca-based specialists in garden design for high-end properties, and providers of a professional garden and pool maintenance service. How important are gardens to the overall design of a home? I am particularly passionate about the design aspect of gardens. In my mind, outdoor living is a huge part of what being and living in Mallorca is all about. They are the first impression that a visitor gets and, thanks to the local climate, folks often spend just as much time outdoors as inside. What are the main factors you take into consideration when designing a garden? We are lucky here in Mallorca as we have a fantastic canvas of dramatic topography and a rich palate of wonderful and often aromatic plants to work with. However, designing a garden is not just about which flower looks pretty next to another, how to best contrast textures or creating flow and rhythm. These elements are of course very important, but practicalities should be the designer’s largest consideration. Plants are living creatures and all have distinct likes and dislikes, whether its soil quality, water supply or any of the other long list of variables. On top of that, you have the logistical pain of converting the often rocky or rubbly ground into something that plants might consider habitable. And of course irrigation, terracing, drainage, maintenance levels… and, most importantly, personal taste. During these times when many people will have a more limited budget than before, are there ways to keep costs down without unduly affecting the final result? Proper ground preparation is the key to a beautiful and healthy garden, and no short cuts should be taken. Costs can be cut in plant size, finishing details or the size of the <strong>area</strong> to be landscaped, but not in preparing the ground. How would you describe your design style? I tailor all my gardens to best suit the architecture and local topography, as well as all of the above listed practicalities; however, if I were to best describe my design style, I would have to call it a kind of “Mediterranean chic”. I work a lot with many of the Med classics – lavenders, cypresses, olives and such. But I have to admit I also like a nice lawn with a colourful herbaceous border. Presumably, ongoing maintenance is just as important as design and preparation… Yes, I also have a maintenance side to my company. I see this as a necessity as no matter how beautifully designed your garden is, if you neglect it, it will start looking neglected pretty quickly. I like my gardens to develop the way that I intended them to, and I have trained up a team of good people to make sure they do just that. The Garden Company Tel. 661 634 127 gardens@mallorcagardencompany.com 70 mallorcagardencompany.com | <strong>Home</strong> couture magazine Galan de la noche All the herbs listed here can be used for home remedies, in cooking, as natural cosmetics or as household cleaning preparations, and most can be used in their raw state as leaves and flowers in essential oils. It is not really practical to produce essential (or aromatherapy) oils at home as a long distilling process is required. However, as a short cut one can steep the herbs in a base oil available from the chemist, and use the aromatic result as a basis for natural cosmetics or in the kitchen. This oil is not as potent as a distilled essence, but is still worthwhile and fun to make with little effort. With a little research it is easy and cheap to make home-made herbal ointments, infusions, floral “waters”, sachets, potpourris, bath essences, air fresheners and “burning” or massage oils. Perhaps in these times of recession we should go back to basics, and start “making our own” as our grandmothers used to do. energising Summer drink Pour boiling water onto a sprig or two of mint leaves, add a small sprig of rosemary and steep for five or 10 minutes before straining. The resulting “tea” will give an instant and lasting energy boost much better for you than a caffeinated drink. Finally… Cut and spread herbs such as bay, thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender in the sun to dry. When dry store them in a sealed container for use in winter, or place dried lavender heads in a pretty dish and use to scent your bedrooms. A drop of essential oil from time to time will revive the scent as it fades.
Chamelis Café & RestauRant Chamelis Café & RestauRant Carretera Vieja de Andratx n°35 Portals Nous - Esquina oratorio 871 948 605 MLS_MAY_Issue2010.indd 17 24.04.2010 12:38:22 Carretera Vieja de Andratx n°35 Portals Nous - Esquina oratorio 871 948 605
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