Wabi-Sabi Home & Garden: Cool new Austin garden blog
Photo courtesy of Michele Holt
I continue to be amazed by the number of garden bloggers in Austin. Just because I haven’t had time to mention it lately doesn’t mean new ones haven’t been sprouting. One of the latest to catch my eye is Wabi-Sabi Home and Garden, Michele Holt’s new blog that chronicles the do-it-yourself, artistically funky transformation of their mid-century central Austin cottage and bare yard into “a magical Neverland.” Just take a look at what they can do: the beautiful, blue gate with a tree, stars, and moon cut-outs, pictured above, is their creation, as is the charming silhouette of a mermaid on their newly remodeled garage, pictured below.
Photo courtesy of Michele Holt
Michele’s salty, wryly humorous posts will have you laughing out loud, and it’s fun to watch their house and garden evolve into a hip, contemporary home with a South Austin vibe. A feeling of wonder and excitement—aided by amusing quotes and photos of her young son, “Finnigan the Curious”—suffuses her posts and informs her decorating style.
Photo courtesy of Michele Holt
They are wisely focusing more on the hardscaping—pouring and covering a new patio, redoing the garage, building new fences—than the plants right now, but Michele has a few new beds with poinciana, agave, and a bottle tree, among other things. And in the interest of full disclosure, she has a garden plan that I helped her with a year and a half ago. I haven’t seen her since then, so it was a real treat to come across her new blog and see the changes that they’re working on. To see what the “CuriousHolts” are up to, click on Wabi-Sabi Home and Garden.
Local readers, don’t forget to check my sidebar periodically under Gardens in Austin for additional Austin garden blogs. Seeing what local gardeners are growing throughout the year is a great way to learn about new plants and get fresh inspiration. I try to keep my list updated, adding new garden blogs as I find them and removing those that haven’t updated in a long while.
Including my own, Austin now has 46 garden blogs. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that there are others as well. If you’re a local garden blogger and I’ve overlooked your site, please let me know and I’ll add you to the list.
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I love the wab-sabi blog!!
WOOO HOOOO! Oh my goodness, Pam! You are the BEST! Thank you SO much for this wonderful, wonderful mention. I am just thrilled that you like my blog and absolutely giddy that you gave me such a featured post, so to speak. I am bowing down at your generosity and spirit of camaraderie with other garden bloggers. May your garden be free of weeds and unwanted varmints from this moment forward! Huzzah! Truly, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Wasi-Sabi is one of my favorites now, too, Pam. I’m glad you featured it!
46 garden blogs! That’s amazing. I think there are 4 in Indianapolis? Maybe 5? I’ll definitely check this one out. You know, except for the drought and the heat, we would all love to live in a place like Austin with all those gardeners. I still remember how packed that garden center was when we visited it during the first spring fling. Everyone seems to love gardening in Austin!
Wabi-Sabi is a style that totally appeals to me…and, Pam, the new blog was a fun read! You lucky Austin bloggers; what a wonderful community of gardeners. gail
Is there something is the water, the air, or is it the soil that makes so many Austinites take up blogging! This one looks like fun, Pam and her comment here shows what an interesting read this will be! 🙂
Frances
Just like singing I think gardening is the Austin genes. Despite the set backs and challenges you have with the quirky weather there are so many beautiful gardens in Austin. 46 garden blogs is simply fantastic and speaks to the great culture that is Austin.
I didn’t take very well to the Feng Shui fad but when wabi sabi ( if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it in Japanese 🙂 came about I immediately embraced it. Thanks for bringing the new Austin blog to our attention. I’m looking forward to visiting.
Can’t get enough of those Austin TX blogs! So many of your plants do well here, too.
There are virtually no garden bloggers around me that I can find.
I certainly will take a look. It is such fun to watch a garden evolve.
Thanks for pointing out this blog! I love it!
I love Wabi-Sabi, too — fun posts and totally my gardening style.
Here’s a Round Rock garden you don’t have on your list, Pam — in fact it’s called A Round Rock Garden. A very nice couple making fast progress on their garden! http://roundrockgarden.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the heads-up, Meredith. I’ll add this one to my list. —Pam
Here’s another Austin garden blog to add to your list: http://gardening.pineapplepalace.org/
Not as whimsical as Wabi-Sabi, but hopefully somewhat interesting!
Thanks,
Chris
Hi, Chris, and welcome. Thanks for letting us know about your blog. I’ll add it to my list. —Pam
Hi Pam,
Thank you so much for all of your posts! You are so creative, your garden is beautiful. I have a blog called rebar and roses; http://www.rebarandroses.com. I live in Oak Hill and would love be added to your list.
Thanks!