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 let's learn about MOOD BOARDS so we can do some spring garden planning. ♥︎

A STYLISTIC FOCUS

Mood boards are simply a collection of images and/or drawings that represent possible colors, plants, hardscape materials, structures, and overall mood of an outdoor space. 

A mood board is a great way to work through initial concepts before getting too far into the design process. It helps you create a graphic, aesthetic and stylistic focus to not only help you make future garden design choices, but it's a great way to communicate your vision with a client. You can use the mood board early in the design process to get initial client feedback, then again at the end as you share your final vision. It’s a great tool all around and honestly, fun to create.

MOOD BOARD TIPS

Make sure your photos look good together (do the colors and materials compliment each other?)

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Limit your color choices and hardscape materials to three or less.

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Add a fun title (like “our seaside garden” or “midcentury tropical”).

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Add informational notes if needed.

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Mood boards can be created in a document program (not as flexible), PowerPoint or Google Slides (a little more flexible), a program like Canva (they have mood board templates!), any tablet program (like Procreate), or even Pinterest. 

MOOD BOARD INSPIRATION

Check out Find Your Garden Style Mood Board Workshop at Pretty Purple Door (FYI...this is an affiliate link because Amy's classes are awesome).

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Need plant inspiration for your mood board? Grab the Ultimate Spring Planning Guide from Monrovia Nursery. I had the wonderful opportunity to create the illustrations. ♥︎

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Be inspired from mood boards in different professions, including landscape, interior and graphic design via my Pinterest board. 

LET'S DO THIS! 

Are you creating a mood board for your spring garden? Please share with me via Instagram or hit reply to this email. I'd love to hear from you.

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If you want to explore garden design topics and be part of an awesome community we'd love to have you join us in GARDEN DESIGN COLLECTIVE when it reopens this May. We've even made a mood board or two here!

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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 with you. I can't wait to see you in two weeks!

With warmest regards,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in this newsletter.