Inspired by Alice in Wonderland

This post was inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll  - whom I have quoted below . . .

So  she was considering in her own mind . . . whether the pleasure of making a daisy chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a white rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.

"Lila Grace's bouquet."
Photography by Mario Testino.
"Kate Moss: Kiss Me, Kate" by Hamish Bowles.
Vogue. 

Daisy Fondant cake.

"A sweet fondant cake with tiny daisies is the perfect centerpiece for the dessert display. Simple white pedestal cake stands dress up any dessert."

Photography by Laura Winslow Photography.

"Charming Yellow and Blue Easter Brunch" by Kim Stoegbauer, The TomKat Studio.

HGTV.

"Hop into gardening by nestling small, plant-filled containers in strategic locations throughout the landscape. To create a fun seasonal look, we gave this display an Easter theme, mixing foliage, flowers, eggs, and a small rabbit statuary."

"Plant an Easter Basket"

Southern Living.

Alice had not a moment to think . . . before she found herself falling down what seemed to be a very deep well. . . . the sides of the well . . . were filled with cupboards and bookshelves: here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs.

“With the folly idea in mind, the architects gave the residence a tea room, which is octagonal in shape and situated off the second-floor library. On the tea room’s exterior, an ivy-covered lattice lends privacy and integrates the rear façade with the gardens.

A house in the Netherlands.

Interior design by Eric Kuster.

Architecture by Michael Graves and Associates.

Photography by Daria Scagliola and Stijn Brakkee.

“Riverside Sanctuary” text by Mildred F. Schmertz.

Architectural Digest (2010).

Alice knelt down and looked along the passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains . . . 

"In the geometry garden, shrubs are clipped into balls, echoed by round finials. The lead boy balances on a finial that's being sprayed from the pool."
Stan and Cheri Fry's Edwardian garden in New Hampshire.
Garden design by Gordon Hayward.
"Magnificent Garden: Formal Yet Inviting" written by Elvin McDonald.
Traditional Home.

"The formal garden's reflecting pool with spouting water is framed by 'Wintergem' boxwoods and lead urns."
Stan and Cheri Fry's Edwardian garden in New Hampshire.
Garden design by Gordon Hayward.
"Magnificent Garden: Formal Yet Inviting" written by Elvin McDonald.
Traditional Home.

"Added by Mary and consulting gardener Norman Kent Johnson, the parterre is the only nod to formal French design, Four urns, two of which were original to the house, mark corners."
Birmingham, Alabama, garden of interior designer Mary Finch and her husband Ed Finch.
Consulting gardener: Norman Kent Johnson.
Photography by Jean Allsopp.
"French Garden in a Southern Setting" written by Cathy Still McGowin.
Traditional Home.

"Urns are planted with roses, geraniums, bacopa, and ivy, imbuing the grounds with a certain air of classicism."
Jane Goldman's 1949 Hamptons shingle-style residence.
Garden design by Jane E. Lappin and Arlene Gould, Wainscott Farms Inc.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Rebecca Christian.
"English-Style Garden in the Hamptons" produced by Bonnie Maharam..
Traditional Home.

[T]ied around the neck of the bottle was a paper label, with the words DRINK ME, beautifully printed in large letters. . . . this bottle was not marked 'poison,' so Alice ventured to taste it . . . 

"DRINK ME Gray and White Barber Pole Straws and Tags - Set of 12 - You Choose Ribbon Color."
Handmade item offered by Jacquelyn Vaccaro via Etsy. 
Photo via Etsy.

There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself, and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it.

"Digitalis purpurea 'Alba,' or white foxglove, softens an English staddle stone."

Photography by Neil A. Landino Jr.

"Well-Manicured: Greenwich English Garden" by Tom Woodham.

Veranda.

"These playful mushrooms are part of the children's garden."
Silverbrook Farm, Dotti Shetterly's home in Purcellville, Virginia.
Written by Rebecca Christian.
"Virginia Farm Garden" produced by James Cramer. 
Traditional Home.

" 'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here?'

'That depends a good deal on where you want to go,' said the Cat.

'I don't much care where --- ' said Alice.

'Then it doesn't matter which way you walk,' said the Cat.

' --- so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.

'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat. If you only walk long enough.' "

The Virginia garden of jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke.
Photography by Patricia Lyons.
"Inside a Shenandoah Garden"
Garden and Gun.

'Do you play croquet with the Queen today?'

'I should like it very much,' said Alice, 'but I haven't been invited yet.'

'You'll see me there,' said the Cat, and vanished.

Croquet Lawn at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Photography by Cooper Carras.

"Southern Wedding at The Greenbrier"

Southern Living.

There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it, a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows in it, and talking over its head. 

"The Jacksons love summer evenings sipping wine under the pergola."

Photography by Gordon Beall.

"British Garden in the French Countryside" written by Lynn McBride.

Traditional Home.

"This setting effortlessly combines formal elements with casual style. Vintage and heirloom Chinese export Rose Medallion plates mix with 1937 Duke of Windsor flatware and heritage knives with mother-of-pearl handles. Immaculately pressed linen napkins are folded simply, without fuss. Down the center of the table, small topiaries in white cachepots balance carefully arranged flowers in tin garden containers. Dining chairs with hand-painted silk upholstery move outdoors to gather around the table."

Huntsville, Alabama, home of Beverley Farrington, whose design business is called Accents of the South.

Brunch hostesses: Beverley Farrington and Tasia Malakasis, owner of Belle Chevre.

"Entertaining: Southern Brunch, With Recipes" written and produced by Stephen Excel.

Traditional Home.

"Team a beautiful tray with ornate china for a winning combination. 'Darley Abbey' bone china teacups and dinnerware are from Royal Crown Derby and the Wallace sterling tray is from Replacements."

Interior design by Chris Barrett.

Event planner: Rachel Hollis.

Photography by Karyn Millet.

"Great Gatherings: Afternoon Tea" written and produced by Krissa Rossbund.

Traditional Home.

"Mismatched teacups generate conversation about travels and flea-market finds."

Party planners: Catherine Bailly Dunne and Tanis McGregor of Door Couture.

Photography by Mark Edward Harris.

"Mother's Day Luncheon" written by Krissa Rossbund.

Traditional Home.

"A bar offering various loose teas like these from Tea Forte encourages guests to sample. Strainers or empty tea bags should also be on hand. Stainless-steel bowls are from Mary Jurek Design."
Interior design by Chris Barrett.

Event planner: Rachel Hollis.

Photography by Karyn Millet.

"Great Gatherings: Afternoon Tea" written and produced by Krissa Rossbund.

Traditional Home.

"A melange of vintage two-cup teapots from Replacements presents each guest with a signature pattern for individualized appeal."
Interior design by Chris Barrett.
Event planner: Rachel Hollis.
Photography by Karyn Millet.
"Great Gatherings: Afternoon Tea" written and produced by Krissa Rossbund.
Traditional Home.

A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden: the roses growing on it were white, but there were three gardeners at it, busily painting them red.

"Double Delight roses are tipped with a hue as red as Snow White's lips."
Jane Goldman's 1949 Hamptons shingle-style residence.
Garden design by Jane E. Lappin and Arlene Gould, Wainscott Farms Inc.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Rebecca Christian.
"English-Style Garden in the Hamptons" produced by Bonnie Maharam..
Traditional Home.

Alice thought she had never seen such a curious croquet-ground in her life: it was all ridges and furrows; the croquet-balls were live hedgehogs and the mallets live flamingos, and the soldiers had to double themselves up and stand on their hands and feet, to make the arches.

Ladew Gardens in Maryland.

"When you find yourself caught in the seemingly endless tedium of Interstate 95 around Baltimore, take an off-ramp to the wonderful topiary gardens created by Harvey S. Ladew. A bon vivant born during New York’s Gilded Age and a famous cutup, Ladew (1887–1976) purchased a Maryland farm, later developed 22 acres of it for a garden, and then decided to do all the landscaping and garden planning himself. A sporting gent, Ladew often rode to the hounds during visits to England, which inspired his not-to-be-missed topiary hunting scenes complete with fox and hounds bounding across lawns and horses and riders clearing fences in pursuit. In another garden area, Ladew’s huge oval swimming pool is surrounded by wavelike topiary hedges topped with green swimming swans. Ladew was able to infuse his rooted-to-the-earth sculptures with a sense of motion that is unique in this arena of garden design."

Photo: Ladew Gardens Staff Photos via Architectural Digest.

"Garden Party" by Katherine Whiteside.

Architectural Digest (October 2012).

"To reduce the stretches of gravel, Corrigan expanded lawns and parterres."
Loire Valley garden of Los Angeles-based designer Timothy Corrigan.
Photography by Eric Piasecki.
"How This Designer Creates a Relaxed Outdoor Retreat' by Mario Lopez-Cordero.
Veranda.

"The knot garden behind the house features arches of roses and clematis."
Old Rectory, Netherbury, West Dorset, U.K.
Photography by Jerry Harpur.
"Classic English Garden" written by Elvin McDonald.
Traditional Home.

"Along the pebbled driveway, neatly clipped boxwood hedges in a classic diamond design frame domed standard trees."

Old Rectory, Netherbury, West Dorset, U.K.

Photography by Jerry Harpur.

"Classic English Garden" written by Elvin McDonald.

Traditional Home.

"Clipped yews echo the shapes of the garden houses and, along with upright hornbeams, define a long central access."
Old Rectory, Netherbury, West Dorset, U.K.
Photography by Jerry Harpur.
"Classic English Garden" written by Elvin McDonald.
Traditional Home.

"On this private estate, adults and children alike delight in the taxus maze."

Photography by Chris Meech.

"Well-Manicured: Greenwich English Garden" by Tom Woodham.

Veranda.

"A venerable wrought-iron gate punctuates the stone wall below climbing Hydrangea petiolaris."
Photography by Neil A. Landino Jr.
"Well-Manicured: Greenwich English Garden" by Tom Woodham.
Veranda.

"The turnaround at Lincliff appears to be the work of professionals, but the couple swears no landscape designers played a part."
The grounds of Lincliff Estate, Sue Grafton's 100-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, home.
Photography by Andrew Hyslop.
"Inside Sue Grafton's Kentucky Garden"
Garden and Gun.

"A knot garden of boxwoods and barberries."
The grounds of Lincliff Estate, Sue Grafton's 100-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, home.
Photography by Andrew Hyslop.
"Inside Sue Grafton's Kentucky Garden"
Garden and Gun.

The players all played at once without waiting for turns, quarrelling all the while, and fighting for the hedgehogs; and in a very short time the Queen was in a furious passion, and went stamping about, and shouting, 'Off with his head!' or "Off with her head!' about once a minute.

"Small touches, like an authentically aged bust, reflect the refinement of the Jacksons' property."
Photography by Gordon Beall.
"British Garden in the French Countryside" written by Lynn McBride.
Traditional Home.

'Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved.
'Who cares for you?' said Alice . . . 'You're nothing but a pack of cards!'

"Playing cards by Hermes. A luxury deck that will seriously elevate game night."
Photo source: Hermes via Lonny.
"The Lonny Registry 2013"
Lonny.