My garden, my oasis of beauty and peace. A whole season where I can enjoy quiet time reading or just watching the clouds scudding by listening to birds, and the busy buzz of industrious bees among the flowers.
Candlelight dinners, gatherings of friends and the soft, low hum of dinner conversations, the occasional burst of laughter. And then, the divine quiet time reading or cloud watching. Afternoon naps with doors and windows open to the breeze and the quiet.
Except that, none of this is happening right now there is no peace and quiet.
It’s COVID19.
As we begin to open up our social bubbles of 10 and so on, keeping your distance is still safe practice, your backyard may become the permanent entertaining spot when friends and family are over.
I ask myself, “Why is everyone outside yelling at the top of their lungs with friends, with each other, with children?”. It’s unbearable and inconsiderate. It’s Summer 2020.
Try having a quiet conversation with anyone, and the wind blows the wrong way. Or your next-door neighbour on either side, is also having small but noisy socially distant, small bubbled gatherings, You’d be yelling too! I refuse to give up summer garden time and just drown out the conversational din with the soothing white noise sound of water. I’m going to install a water feature near my favourite spot. Here are some gorgeous and simple examples of waterfalls and fountains that will soothe as they drown out the din on your terrace, balcony of garden.
If that’s not going to work for you, here are some options of outdoor speakers to play your favourite, drown-out-the – neighbours- sounds. Niagara Falls soundtrack would really do the job! Whatever nature playlist gets you into the zone -out zone for a virtual, quiet, private oasis garden, balcony or terrace.
But remember, when this has passed, they’re still your neighbours. If you really want to tune them out, without making a sound, Niagara Falls heard through a headset is pretty amazing.
Photo Credit: Dolce & Gabbana
Photo Credit : Beats by Dre
Photo Credit : Marriot Hotels
Lokes Beautiful love it
I would love to see your beautiful, peaceful garden!
Dear Hillary,
Congratulations on your blog. Thank you for the idea of water sound to soothe and lessen outside noise. I live in a quiet place, but the sound of lawn mowing puts me in a bad mood. I am taking out my little electric water fountain. Thank you for sharing your kindness and beauty. Greetings from Corvallis, home of O.regon State University.
Nice to see you reaching out. The world is upside down at the moment, and we need steadying voices. LI/LI is a great show, BTW.
I’m with you Hilary. . Here’s to Summer walks A peaceful garden to relax in and Friends and good food to make it even better!
Wonderful suggestions !
Like the multiple level bowls with flowing water.
nice site. Your text font is very had to read as it seems to be light grey.
Lovely calming responses to our current reality.
Sounds wonderful. I love sitting outside under my red umbrella.
I love your backyard Hilary. I have a Shanghai in my backyard . I wish I could send you a picture. Stay safe. ❤
Soothing head phone music is the trick! When you have 3, 8 year old boys for neighbors driving me nuts!
You are so right. Find a place to enjoy the beauty God has given us if only we slow down enough to enjoy. Night or day.. There is beauty to enjoy. Especially you Hilary. You are so beautiful and amazing.
YOU ARE ONE OF MOST FAVORITE SHOWS TO WATCH, I EVEN WATCH RERUNS.
My pool has never been so quiet and my backyard has become my vacation spot…boring. You have just inspired me to look at this quiet and peaceful place, my yard, as a garden of paradise. Thank you Hilary Farr. You made my day.
Would love to read your blog Hillary, but light grey text on a white background is near impossible, even with my cheaters on! Howsabout dark blue or plain old black text por favor?
Dear Hilary! I love the idea of a water feature. Peaceful nature sounds are always soothing. I’ll take any suggestions that soothe the mind and soul during this uncertain time we’re all in. I have a Reiki practice and I give people Reiki sessions to help them calm down. So I need to keep myself calm first! LOL
Much love and light to you!
I love your show! You and David are so funny and you have st get along so great. I can’t wait for new shows! Tell David I said him
Hilary
I love your designs and talent that is displayed on every episode on TV.
I always vote for the couple to love it and having moved so many times, I can’t imagine why they would choose to list it.
I hope the virus won’t prevent you from coming across the pond (Lake Erie) and taking on our project sometime in the near future.
Where do you get your clothes ? gorgeous and classy !
I enjoy sounds of water both in and out of the house. I appreciate your offering white noise sound ideas to deal with noises unchosen.
Hilary, I watch your TV show not only to see what improvements you make to homes, but to see what you are WEARING. You could also have a career in wardrobe design! Thank you for sharing your CHIC.
Fragrance : plant herbs – mint, rosemary, lemon verbena, basil. Bonus – use 1) in flower arrangements 2) cooking
I too bet your garden is beautiful. You are a very interesting person. AJC
I’m new to reading your blog, but certainly not new to Love It or List It. It’s now officially autumn but summer is reluctant to let go in New Orleans where I live. I like to take my coffee, newspaper and phone to the pool house. The daylilies are finished but the Mexican sage is attracting lots of hummers and there’s still a ton of bird songs to identify. I have a Cornell University ornithology app that I use to attract the wrens and chickadees. They are so curious they come very near to where I sit. Very peaceful. Very relaxing. My private retreat.