Since it may be the only photo-worthy garden I grow this year, I thought I’d best do a blog post about it.

I planted the bulbs back in early November—I think I put in at least 100, plus some crocus and blue hyacinth bulbs.  My back just stopped being sore a couple weeks ago (blub planting is HARD work…)

I didn’t really stick to a colour palette—I planted pretty much every colour (except red and orange). My faves are the purple, pink, black and the double-blooms.

Those are alliums in the back–they look like the tops of pineapples. These were an impulse buy at Halifax Seed. I thought they’d be nice and high to soften the blah concrete foundation at the back. Fingers crossed they work out! I also planted irises along the edge at the back but they started sprouting in early December. I fear they might not do anything now.

I wish these tulips would last for months. Any thoughts on what I should put in once the glorious spring show is over? I’m really hoping for something low-maintenance (aren’t we all?). The garden gets mostly morning sun. Let me know your thoughts—and what you would do with all those tulip leaves.

Read more:

• Tips for growing rhododendrons
• Tour a gorgeous spring garden in Halifax
• Growing and design tips for small garden spaces

I thought it would be fun to post some eye candy and recipes of spring-inspired food. I’ve heard rumours that asparagus is already for sale at local farmers’ markets in the Valley. Wow—that’s pretty early but I’m not surprised.

Here’s a shot of Pete Luckett’s recipe for Asparagus Pasta Salad. Photo by James Ingram. Click here for the recipe.

This is a shot of Seared Lamb Loin with Celery Root and Pear Purée, Nutmeg Scented Baby Spinach and Gorgonzola Sauce (mmmm, what a mouth full). Instead of lamb and mashed potatoes, this luxurious alternative by Gordon Bailey, chef at Lot 30 Restaurant in Charlottetown, uses celery root and spinach. Photo by Louise Vessey.  Click here for the recipe.

We feature rhubarb in our Spring 2012 issue that’s on newsstands now. Here’s a photo of Halifax chef Richard Julien’s amazing Rhubarb Strawberry Pie. Isn’t it incredible? Chef Julien is with Chef Live catering in Dartmouth. Photo by Dennis Evans. Click here for the recipe.

Read more:

• Behind the scenes of our charcuterie shoot
• Our knife skills photo shoot with chef Dennis Johnston 
• Our preserves photo shoot from Fall 2011

During my time at the magazine, I have been inspired to decorate my own home and I constantly find myself wandering around décor and furniture stores. One of the biggest things I have learned is that you really don’t have to be a designer or “the artsy type” to have a chic, fabulous place that feels like a real home.

You also don’t have to have a tonne of money. In the summer 2012 issue of the magazine (out June 17), I write about DIY furniture refinishing. I am in awe of people’s creativity. It has me hunting down old furniture and wishing for a bigger outdoor space to work on projects. (Word to the wise… DON’T attempt spray painting in an apartment.)

I love the idea of reusing old pieces of furniture, instead of tossing them and spending a fortune on something new.  As I said in my last post, I discovered the joys of chalkboard spray paint but I have also just realized how much you can do with a little inspiration and paint.

Below is a kitchen table that Yvonne Lloyd-Karnik (our production coordinator, Dana Edgar, is Yvonne’s niece) turned into a coffee table. It’s genius!

To begin the transformation, Yvonne cut down the pedestal and glued it back together. After that, she sanded the table of any rough patches. Then she painted it with Home Hardware’s velvet paint (in Goat Cheese) and it let dry. For a more rustic look, sand where you want the wood to peak through; this looks best on edges. Another way to achieve the rustic look is to spread Minwax golden oak stain on the table with a dry cloth. Let dry for at least a couple of days. The final step was to varnish the table top with three coats of varathane to give it a nice shine. Yvonne notes that you don’t have to use varathane if you’re not using it for a table.

The biggest secret I can share from working on this article is to be fearless! It’s just paint and really, anyone can create beautiful pieces by just using the right techniques. Look on fellow DIYers blogs (two of my faves are  Urban Squirrel and Modern Jane) and of course, check out my article for all you need to know.

Happy DIYing!
Sara
Ps. Since I am always looking for an excuse to cruise around Pinterest, check out my DIY inspiration board and follow East Coast Living on Pinterest!

Read more:

• DIY paint inspiration
• Spring décor ideas
• New spring designs from Erin Flett

A nod to the company’s French homeland, the hue is a rich, authentic blue that reflects the warmth of southern France and the colour of the ocean. www.lecreuset.ca

This vibrant watercolour painting, Group of Dachas, is by Eduard P. Efanov, a Russian impressionist artist from the Voronezh region. Efanov finds inspiration in nature and in the beauty of the changing seasons. www.dwdinteriors.com

Janice was kind enough to let me post on the blog to share with you my experiences at the magazine. I am kind of new to the world of design and décor, but I am currently working on a DIY piece that is inspiring me!

I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with chalkboard spray paint. While doing some research for my upcoming article on DIY paint techniques (look for it in the summer issue), I kept coming across this stuff. Basically, it’s exactly what it sounds like; you can buy spray paint that turns into a chalkboard when dry. You can spray it on just about anything; glasses, cabinets, furniture, walls, and then chalk away.

Look how amazing this is! Put it on a wall in your home office and then beautifully and clearly organize your family’s schedule.

Photo: Benjamin Moore & Co.

If you’re not ready to go for a whole wall try these little memo boards.

Photo: Benjamin Moore & Co.

Another practical way of using this paint is spraying it on clear bin to keep all of your stuff organized. It’s so smart, right?

Photo: Benjamin Moore & Co.

I tried it myself on martini glasses. I painted the stems and then was able to personalize each person’s glass with their name.

Photo: Matthew Healy

Of course, everyone is buzzing about it on Pinterest. Check out East Coast Living’s Pinterest page where I have created a Chalkboard Spray Paint board.

I am feeling so inspired by fellow DIYers. There are so many creative people out there! Look for my piece on DIY furniture refinishing from regular East Coast ladies with a knack for paint.

Are you doing anything creative with chalkboard paint or DIY paint techniques? Post them to our Facebook wall so we can check them out.

This stylish kitchen island features solid birch, a medium walnut stain, soft closing doors and drawers, plus a backlit wine rack. www.expressionsofwood.com

In the span of one hour, I’ve watched the weather go from sunny and warm to windy and rainy and then to cold and snowy. I am not sure if I dare risk walking home from work tonight—perhaps I’m better off taking the bus?

With such finicky weather providing precious little inspiration, I’m finding it harder than usual to begin preparing our upcoming summer issue. I’m due to start writing a story about a beautiful home near Chester, Nova Scotia. I’m hoping these photos will help me get into the spirit.

The homeowner has an incredible collection of artwork from local Nova Scotia artists. I love this work by Andre Haines in an upstairs bedroom.

This is a shot of the downstairs bedroom, my favourite room in the house. I really dig that light seafoam green paint colour. Shot by James Ingram.

This is the oceanside firepit—the perfect spot for making s’mores and taking in the ocean view. Isn’t it cool?

Stay tuned for more sneak-peeks in the coming weeks as we being putting together the summer magazine. It will be hitting newsstands on June 17. Fingers crossed that by then we’ll finally be having better weather.

Read more from East Coast Living:

• Tour a gorgeous spring garden in Halifax
• Fun decorating ideas for spring
• Colour trend: tangerine dream

www.shophorne.com

Filled with stunning photographs, the book includes chapters on the geological origins of this region, the fragile natural habitats and the major forest realms.

Surf to facebook.com/EastCoastLivingMagazine in April for the chance to win a copy of this book.