Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! Each issue explores a fresh theme to inspire new ways of thinking about garden design and graphics.

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This week, we’re turning our attention to SIDE YARDS…those often overlooked strips of land that connect the front and back of a home. We’ll explore how to turn these overlooked areas into inviting, purposeful garden spaces.

SIDE YARDS: Reimagining a Neglected Garden Space

Often overlooked and underestimated, the side yard is usually dismissed as just a narrow passageway between the front and back of your home. Yet with thoughtful design, it can become so much more…a place of quiet beauty, purposeful function, and seamless connection.

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In one of my past posts, I explored how paying attention to the “floor,” “walls,” and even a “ceiling” can transform this narrow strip into a graceful and inviting extension of your garden. Discover ideas to reimagine this forgotten space as a place you’ll actually want to spend time in.

Read the full post → DON'T SIDELINE YOUR SIDE YARD

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I’d love to hear from you: How do you experience your side yard...as just a passage or as a place to enjoy? ♥︎

RESOURCES + RABBIT HOLES

Ready to dive deeper into side yards — and garden design in general? Here are a couple of great places to explore:

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Side Yard Inspiration Board: I’ve curated a Pinterest board filled with design ideas to spark your creativity for transforming those narrow spaces.

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The Garden Design Collective: Our monthly membership program where we explore all aspects of garden design together. New topics and challenges each month help you build your confidence and style. Interested? Join the waiting list here. Enrollment opens again in September.

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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Currently Obsessed With: New hose guards from Tangletown Gardens that keep my hoses from trampling the plants while adding a polished touch to the garden corners. Who knew hose wrangling could feel this fancy? Take a peek here.

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Things I Didn’t Expect to Love: Grilled or roasted zucchini. Who knew I’d fall hard for this overly abundant vegetable? Tommy keeps it simple—just olive oil, salt, and pepper—then roasts it at 400-450° for 20–30 minutes or tosses it on the grill. Lately, I’ve been twirling it into pasta with his homemade Alfredo sauce (heavy cream, parmesan, garlic…no measurements, just pure instinct). Yum.

Did you get a chance to read about SIDE YARDS here?

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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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Keep discovering beauty in the little things your garden offers.

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.