Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week I'd love to help you explore Your Garden Story + Style. ♥︎

YOUR DESIGN STYLE

One of the most popular questions I get is...can you help me figure out my design style? Though I don't have a magical formula per se, I do have a process so you can start exploring your design style via your own personal stories. 

You have a style that is all your own. It's a style that evolved from your own experiences and preferences. It's something that continues to evolve as you learn new things and gain new perspectives...your style transforms through your personal STORY. 

STORY INFLUENCES STYLE

Your story is a collection of experiences that influence how you do things today. You may have learned a lesson from a failure, been inspired by a visit to a special place, made an important connection with a beautiful person, or simply felt energized when you created something from your heart. When we look back at our childhood and even recent years you may see how these special stories influence your designs today. 

Style is an evolving thing. Yours may not change drastically over time, but there may be an ebb and flow as you continue to gain new experiences and are exposed to new ideas.

A QUICK EXERCISE

We're going to keep this simple and focus on one aspect of your STORY: OBSESSIONS. These are things that kept your attention as a child and may even still be present today. Think of obsessions as things that energize you, while considering the questions below. 

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What were you obsessed with as a child? Why?

What are you obsessed with now? Why?

Are there elements that appear on both lists?

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We've created a worksheet that you can download to help you work through this process.

THE THREE-WORD METHOD

Now let's use this information and narrow it down into the Three-Word Method. Developed by fashion stylist Allison Bornstein, this approach identifies three adjectives that helps you articulate an entire aesthetic or style. For instance, Bornstein herself describes her style as: classic, '70s and elegant.

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Can you take your obsession list and slim it down to three words to describe your GARDEN STYLE?

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Let me share my list as another example: structured, wild, artisanal

Why did I choose these words? They came from my obsession lists!

Structured: Lego blocks, defined spaces from forts, Lego floor plans, Barbie houses, Mt. Vernon formality (I visited in 8th grade)

Wild: Meadows and woods in open lots, nature, running through woodlands and prairie

Artisanal: Antiques, repurposing, creating with my hands

LET'S DO THIS! 

Make sure to download our worksheet above to create your obsession lists and to start exploring three words that define your style. Please hit reply to this email (or tag me on Instagram) to share them with me!

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YOUR DRAWING STYLE

Would you like to deep dive into drawing and explore your graphic style too? GARDEN GRAPHICS TOOL KIT is my 8-week course that focuses on drawing different garden elements from paving to plants to pergolas and so much more. It's taught once a year and is coming up once again this January 2025. You're invited to join our WAITING LIST to learn more as it gets closer. 

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10x10 GARDEN DESIGN TIPS

Perhaps you'd like to dive into design now? Join us for 100 days of design tips with our 10x10 SERIES.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for letting me visit you today! 

With warmest regards, 

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.