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, we're zooming in on EMPHASIS...and how to skillfully draw the eye in the garden.

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The image to the above right is a lovely garden by Joel Berlin in San Diego, California.

A focal point is where your eye zooms in and the energy is centered.

-Edwina von Gal

The left image above is a garden in Des Moines, Iowa, while the one on the right is located in Rhode Island.

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DESIGNING WITH EMPHASIS
Every garden needs a moment...a place where your eyes pause and your heart quietly says yes. That feeling of connection doesn’t happen by chance, but instead is created through the design principle of EMPHASIS, which helps establish a focal point in the landscape. Whether it’s a bold sculpture, a blooming tree, or a quiet bench framed by greenery, emphasis guides the eye, anchors the space, and gives your garden a soulful sense of purpose.

In this week’s blog post, I’ll walk you through 10 ways to create emphasis in your garden, from contrast and sight-lines to light, extended views, and meaningful personal touches. Each idea also includes a sketchbook prompt so you can explore it in your own space or design work.

>>Read more here: EMPHASIS IN THE GARDEN

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How have you used EMPHASIS in your garden? Please share by hitting reply to this email or tagging me on Instagram.

Both gardens above are located in Buffalo, New York. The sphere on the left is larger than life and shows scale in a grand way, while the armillary sphere on the right is a daintier focal point that gently captures the eye.

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RESOURCES + RABBIT HOLES

Below is a mix of helpful links...just in case you’re ready to tumble a little further down the path.

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Use a Focal Point to Make Your ‘Blah’ Yard Beautiful! In this article, Tina Krug from Red Fern Landscape Design, explains how to place and frame focal points.

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My Focal Point Pinterest Board. Just a little garden eye candy to get those design gears turning.

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10 x10 Garden Design Tips. This is our daily email series where we share snippets of design inspiration spanning ten overarching topics, each with ten detailed tips. That adds up to 100 days of garden design wisdom, all delivered to your virtual doorstep...and yes, one of them does focus on EMPHASIS!

The garden on the left was designed by Young Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa, while the one on the right is just outside Charleston, South Carolina. Those yellow chairs and that fabulous yellow door are lovely examples of emphasis.

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CLIPPINGS + CURIOSITIES

Not everything relates to the topic at hand, so below are a couple of random thoughts...from my sketchbook, the garden, or the day. Let's shake it up.

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Things I Didn’t Expect to Love: Mixing orange and pink. I used to think they clashed. But now? I’m completely charmed. Maybe it’s because it’s one of my daughter’s favorite combos or the way those colors mingle in my grandmother’s crocheted blanket. Am I being influenced? Probably—and I kind of love that. This can be a great color combo to create some emphasis in your garden too. 🩷

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Currently Obsessed With: Raking our gravel garden walks. It’s my secret weapon for instant garden calm. Forget perfect planting beds...just tidy the paths and everything suddenly feels right. It’s like giving the garden a deep breath. Here's a peak at our garden.

The garden above shows great color contrast with this chandelier in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Did you get a chance to read more about EMPHASIS IN THE GARDEN?

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If you know someone that needs a bit of garden 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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It's been a delight spending time with you this week. 

From the studio + garden,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

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