Area: Creating an Antique Garden Indoors

Local designer John Stevens, a specialist in antiques and classic interior design, explains sophisticated garden style

John Stevens creates a gardenstyle dining ensemble in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s Georgian Room. The elegant “Celeste” chair byCouncill, available at Masins, features a garden-theme fabric. The inviting tabletop arrangement includes English stoneware dessert plates, antique silver and 1920’s gilt-rimmed goblets from The Sophisticated Swine, wooden tiered stand, topiary and terra-cotta urn from Ravenna Gardens and Juliska chargers in spring green from Neiman Marcus. Floral needlepoint pillows from Regents House Ltd.

Spring is upon us! Celebrate with a fresh, sophisticated take on classic garden
style. Bring the outside indoors with unique home furnishings, charming tableware
and decorative accessories that add a touch of Old-World garden grandeur. [ Painted furniture mixes well with upholstered pieces, and an array of floral throw pillows creates a colorful bouquet. Mossy stone finials add texture and drama. Vintage finds help complete the look: mahogany fern stands, cast-iron planters, framed botanical prints. For stylish entertaining, create unusual garden-themed ensembles. Mix antique china and silver with an array of potted plants and flowers. Tabletop topiaries in distressed terra-cotta urns create an elegant dining table display.

Floral painted dessert plates mix well with everyday dinnerware in white or soft pastels. Finally, etched glassware and engraved silver add sparkle and glamour. [ Looking for gorgeous garden goods for your home’s interior? Ravenna Gardens (University Village 206.729.7388 and Kirkland 425.827.5501 ravennagardens.com) stocks a wide variety of ornamental containers, plants, topiaries and garden-themed décor. Beautiful accessories and home accents can be found at The Arbour (10028 Main St. Bellevue 425.454.1510) and Martha E. Harris (4218 E Madison St. Seattle 206.568.0347). Lovely painted botanical china by Anna Weatherly, and more casual patterns by Juliska in assorted pale solids, can be found at Neiman Marcus (The Bravern, 1111 NE Eighth St. Bellevue 425.452.3300 neimanmarcus.com). For tabletop antiques, including fine silver, porcelain and crystal, don’t miss The Sophisticated Swine (11639 NE Eighth St., Bellevue 425.452.9300 sophisticatedswine.com). With a touch of classic style and a little imagination, any room can be gloriously garden-chic.


Originally published in March 2010