Monday, April 29, 2013

Urban Oasis

My hairdresser’s salon is on the southern edge of German Village, a lovely part of town which is described on the German Village website (http://germanvillage.com/about-2/history) as “a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The area was primarily developed between 1840 and 1914, and settled largely by German immigrants in the mid 1800s. Today, German Village is a model of urban neighborhood preservation and revitalization - a nationally recognized success story. The Village is mostly a residential neighborhood of sturdy, red-brick homes with wrought iron fences along tree-lined, brick-paved streets.” 
The salon is in an old brick home that, if not for committed neighbors, would look out onto a busy street, and beyond a glimpse of the Scioto River.
Last week, on a rare sunny day (rather than the wet, gray ones we’ve had), I drove up to see this:
Tulips - Urban Oasis @ Chickadee Home Nest   and this, across the street:
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
I left the edge of the billboard in the picture to help readers visualize what this spot would be like if not for my hairdresser’s neighbor, who has done all this by himself!  This is a one-man effort to beautify his city.  As luck would have it, my hairdresser was running a bit late, so I had time to grab my phone and dash across the street and take pictures of all this loveliness.
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest Oh, and it gets better…
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest And to think that all this abundance grows without a bit of mulch!
IMG_20130426_130210_842
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest Every rusty, old hydrant needs tulips!  The contrast of such beauty against the chippy rusty surface of this most utilitarian object is lovely.
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Then I walked back across the street to his yard, on my way back to the salon.  Notice the chain-link fence—even that feature adds charm and texture to his creation.
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
IMG_20130426_130709_982
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest
Tulips—Urban Garden @ Chickadee Home Nest Back at the salon, shadows of the bamboo on the porch play against the brick.

A LOVELY spring afternoon at the hair salon!
How is your spring coming along?  Has it arrived, or has it been s-l-o-w to come?  Have you found any spring surprises that have brought you joy?  I hope so!
Thanks so much for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this lovely example of one human being giving back to his community and bringing so much joy.
I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you! I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back. Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/ Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com Metamorphosis Monday at  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ Tuesdays at http://www.astrollthrulife.net/ Thursdays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/ Thursdays at No Minimalist Here: http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/ Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/ Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com From my nest to yours, ~Zuni

15 comments:

  1. All those tulips look gorgeous, Zuni! Every time I see a mass planting like in these pictures, I add more bulbs to the list in my head for the Fall. : )

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  2. ONE guy did all this?!??! Wow! Wow! Hats off to him for putting something so pretty in a space that would otherwise not be quite so pretty at all!! Just imagine if neighbors banded together to do this in urban neighborhoods all around. It would help to eliminate the blight that plagues so many urban areas! Vacant lots where abandoned homes have been torn down could be beautified rather than remain an eyesore for the block. SO much could be accomplished with a bit of effort from a group of neighbors who care. Just...wow! I 1+ed this one!

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  3. What a dedicated neighbor. His work is beautiful, I am sure everyone in his neighborhood appreciates his labors. The tulips are so awesome, I wish we could grow them here. It doesn't get cold enough for the blossoms to set.
    Thank you for sharing, Ginger

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  4. What a treat to see this man's handiwork! It's sure a great addition to the neighborhood. Spring has definitely arrived here, and we're loving it!

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  5. Wow - what a feast for the eyes!! It is simply amazing that one person can make that much of a difference. I love the greenery grown between the stones - fabulous!! Thanks for sharing this - it has made my morning!

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  6. What a great post...LOVE all the gorgeous blooms!

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  7. Oh my word, the tulips are totally amazing. I love this. Wow, stunning. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Zuni, your drive to the hair salon is a lot more interesting than mine, which is in a dull shopping center. Spring and summer are so short here in the Midwest that these sights are simply delightful! I cannot get enough of tulips! Your hairdresser's neighbor is a wonderful human being. Anyone that cares this much about his environment and his neighbors has to be a good guy!

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  9. Wowie- this guy certainly is making the neighborhood pretty! I haven't been to the German Village for a long time. Zuni- are you planning on going to the Vintage Market in a couple of weeks? We're all gonna be there again- in fact, Debbie and I are gonna be in Mt. Vernon on Friday for the Rural Society show. Should be another fun day with lots to see and maybe purchase! LOL Hope to see you sometime soon. xo Sue

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  10. Oh wow! The tulip fields are stunning, I love them, as we don't have them here, because it's four season flower! Your neighborhood must look beautiful to see every day with spring and tulip blooms dear Zuni! Thanks for your sweet comment on my crochet tablecloth...now I have a 5 de Mayo mesa, lol..all the switching we do, heheheheheeee... I'm gonna check your other post too, as with the grands I've been soo HAPPILY BUSY! Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  11. Isn't that wonderful, just when you think...How can one person make a difference...They change a whole neighborhood!!! Thank you for the very sweet congrats on my dress form business opportunity

    Carol

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  12. perfect post! would love to have you coshare your gardening posts at Fishtail Cottage's garden party! so many beautiful tulips! xoox, tracie

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  13. What a gorgeous garden. Would love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays.

    Jody

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  14. I have visited your area years ago during Ameriflora... I was very impressed with the beauty of the German Village! Larry

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  15. I used to love taking the tour of homes in German Village, Zuni, and the restaurants were always great there, too.

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