WaterPrints: Conserving Water

A big part of our 2013-2014 Garden Trends report centered on water conservation.  Do you know how much water you are really using? Many of us have low flow shower heads and our toilets are using less water, but how does that compare to the water that goes into the things we use and consume every day?

Lochness Water Garden created this infographic to help better understand what our daily impact really is.  Some of the information might surprise you…

Garden trends: Shared Living

We discuss the shared economy quite extensively in our 2013-2014 garden trends report, yet it continues to evolve. Countless start ups are working overtime to distinguish themselves as the latest social sharing  company: cars, office space, pet housing, and more. One of the latest developments was introduced to us by Cassandra Daily and showcases shared dining. 

One of the companies  at the forefront of social dining is called Feastly.  Feastly democratizes fine dining by enabling passionate cooks to turn their homes into temporary restaurants for gourmets in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco.

The online marketplace originated when co-founder Noah Karesh realized that “the dining table is the optimal social network.” Entrepreneurial chefs, after registering on the Feastly site, determine menu, price, date and maximum number of diners. Feastly then takes care of filling the seats—when a meal is listed, it is advertised to potential diners through Feastly’s email list, Twitter, and Facebook—and handling payments. The company hopes to expand its service to international audiences eventually. Read more about the various social dining experiences and let us know what you think?  Are you an Air BnB type person or more of a Hyatt? ~Katie

Garden Media Reveals its 2013-14 Garden Trends Report: Finding "Bliss" by Channeling the Forces of Nature

Look around. In this day and age of smart phones, apps and texting, people have become dependent upon a “wired” lifestyle for everything from news to socializing and keeping current, but there is an easier way to be happy, according to the 2013 Garden Trends Report.

In its 12th annual Garden Trends Report, Garden Media Group spots a positive trend revealing that growing numbers of people are searching for ways to be happy. They’re re-evaluating values and priorities, re-defining “happiness”, and re-considering how gardening and caring for Mother Nature bring joy and satisfaction.

“People today want to find bliss in everyday life. Being in nature – either in a garden or park or filling your home with indoor plants - adds immeasurable happiness and wellness to our lives. Connecting with nature is a necessity, not a luxury,” says garden trendspotter Susan McCoy, president of Garden Media.

Global trends expert Li Edelkoort, agrees. When looking at the future of fashion and home décor, she explains the ‘Year of Bliss’ takes its cue from nature, finding expression in bright colors, nature inspired products and tactile experiences. She notes as a society we’re slowing down, seeking authenticity and well being, and tuning into “now”.

“A shift is happening,” explains McCoy. “People are voting with their wallets, and the brands who are winning are enhancing our lives and giving back to communities.”

Eric Liskey, Deputy Garden Editor of Better Homes and Gardens, says people are using a more modest, down-to-earth aesthetic in their landscape and gardens. “People are being more thoughtful in their purchases and are buying higher quality plants and garden products that perform and last.”

Looking Ahead. Garden Media sees 12 influences or “forces of nature” shaping choices in home, garden and landscape design: Lifestyle, Wellness, eCono, Color, Natural, Ground, Air, Aqua, Light, Inner, Micro and Shared Forces.

From re-suburbia and collaborative living to foraging in backyards with easy pickins’, people want better health and wellness, colors that brighten their lives, practical ways to reduce their “waterprint”, and the simple pleasure that growing plants for food brings.

McCoy says anyone can channel the forces of nature to find happiness in the garden. She suggests turning gardening tasks, like weeding and watering, into a Zen experience, creating a backyard retreat that offers a place of serenity and bliss, and filling the home and office with live plants. “Nature has given us the tools to find happiness in ordinary living things.”

Garden Media will flesh out these 12 trends in a thought provoking three part series in the upcoming months. For the curious, you can view the complete Garden Media trends report, at www.gardenmediagroup.com.

Lynne
Garden Media Group
Photos: APLD residential design; Joyce Williams, Journey Garden
Fall Creek Farm & Nursery; BrazelBerries: Peach Sorbet