by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

It is the middle of winter and February is a chilly time of year in most parts of the country. It is often a bleak time outdoors and spring seems far off. Most gardeners are longing to get busy but this is the season of rest for those green thumbs so what can you do to get inspired? This is the perfect time of year to take a trip to a local botanical gardens, it will invigorate, inspire and illuminate your gardeners mind and give you some great ideas to take home with you. It is the perfect place to remind you of all that can be achieved in the garden and to get some great ideas for your own.

In colder parts of the country there may not be too much to see outdoors, but the greenhouses will have a myriad of plants and flowers display that will stimulate your senses and remind you that spring is just around the corner. The hot house and succulents’ area will encourage any indoor gardening ideas, bring a pad and paper to make notes and jot down ideas.

Most botanic gardens have talks and photographic exhibitions throughout the year, check out their calendar and see what is going on this month, then treat yourself to a horticultural event that will lift your spirits and encourage you to expand your horizons in your own backyard.

Some botanic gardens offer courses and maybe this would be the perfect month to jump in and try something new, people just like gardens are always growing and changing and an interesting course could be the inspiration you need to make some changes in your garden that you have been longing to do.

So go botanical and February will seem as bright as May, now that’s inspiring.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

In the depths of winter the garden is a sleepy place and for kids who are wide awake and full of energy this can be a challenge; yet, there is always a way to bring the outdoors indoors and get little hands working.  Working with seeds is always a thrill for children, the idea that something so tiny can grow into something big is a revelation. But instead of growing something in the earth why not let their imaginations grow and use the seeds to make art instead.  It is an easy, fun and inspiring way for little gardeners to get busy, using both their minds and their hands; the tactile element is always a big plus with kids.

So here’s how to grow some art:

1.  Gather some seeds.  The fun part is selecting many different shapes and sizes of seeds,  even bird seed or sesame seeds are a great choice for your art project.

2.  Use sturdy construction paper, bright color always makes a wonderful background and the thicker the paper the better.

3.  Take a glue stick or any craft glue and use them like a crayon, making shapes and designs on the paper for your seed art.

4.  Sprinkle the seeds on top of the glue and shake off the excess and hey presto you have a  an outdoor work of art that is an indoor success. When the glue has thoroughly dried you could paint over the seeds for a more colorful effect, or sprinkle glitter over it to add some sparkle to the project.

5.  Another good way make art from seeds is to take each different seed and glue or tape it to the paper and then get your little Picasso to draw the plant or flower that the seed would become if it took root and grew.  Your little gardeners’ will love growing their very  own garden on paper.

Plant a seed in kid’s imaginations and grow some art and some big fun in the great indoors.         

Patrick Dockry of Healthy Beauty Life, meets the one and only- Kathy Ireland. As supermodel, mogul and CEO of kathy ireland World Wide, Kathy talks all things weddings for her newest venture- bridal designs for Mon Cheri. Next, Kathy and Patrick visit Chef Andre as he opens up his kitchen for simple yet visual dishes for any event and last but not least, one of the world’s most accomplished garden designer’s Nicholas Walker shares his personal touch in floral presentations for weddings and more!

Nicholas Walker is one of the world’s most accomplished garden designer- builders. Nicholas is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and the Garden Writer’s Association of America. His partnership in Jardin, of  kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW), has established him as one of America’s most celebrated and innovative leaders, in the design community.  He speaks on sustainability, the environment and a healthy, greener lifestyle.

 His stunning works of art have been featured in magazines, such as the historic Elizabeth Taylor gardens’ in Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, Sunset Magazine, Garden Design, Forbes and LA Times Magazine. He is also a contributor, to Good Housekeeping Do it Yourself, Woman, Furniturefind.com and kathyireland.com.

Nicholas is a featured guest, on numerous local and national radio & television shows; The Oprah Winfrey Show, HGTV’s, ‘Designing for the Sexes,’ The Christopher Lowell Show, Home Matters, HGTV’s The Hollywood Gardener, and the popular Discovery Channel series, ‘Ground Rules,’ to name a few. He is part of The National Trust for Historic Preservation and HGTV’s, ‘Restore America A Salute to Preservation’ with Kathy Ireland, Sharon Stone, Bryant Gumbel and Al Roker, among others. As a sought after speaker, on the Green Initiative and Sustainable practices, he recently was featured, at the Dwell on Design Exhibition in Los Angeles, California.

Lifestyle designer Kathy Ireland, teamed with Nicholas – to develop Jardin; a new brand, developed to help the everyday gardener, bring style to their garden at realistic costs, for today’s families. Jardin Brand products range from; Rugs, Furniture, Top of Bed, Accessories, Lighting, Wall Art, Jewelry, Skincare, Cut flowers and Candles – which have received, one of the brand’s many Good Housekeeping Seals of Approval.

Debuting in 2001, Jardin was awarded the Gold Medal for design excellence, at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. The nation’s leading horticultural exhibition.  “Whether it’s a flower box or a multi-acre property, everyone should experience a garden everyday. Jardin celebrates the idea that everyone can be a successful gardener, and bring the outdoors in, through garden inspirations” explains Nicholas.

Due to his extensive international travels, Nicholas offers solutions and brings fresh perspectives to gardens, with meticulous focus on structural detail, while celebrating exciting aesthetics. With influence and inspiration from Kathy, Nicholas also shares with his audience, the knowledge that you can design your garden, with dramatic elements – such as water and stone, without spending unnecessary dollars.

A graduate of Providence College, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, Nicholas went on to earn a Masters degree in Fine Arts, at the University of California, at Irvine. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Media Apperances

Oprah, HGTV

Forbes Magazine

Architectural Digest- The Private World of Elizabeth Taylor

Casual Living

Gardens of Inspiration

Sustanable Living Council Dwell on Design

Craftsman Radio

Bella Petite Magazine

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Strong Brand Manager Jardin and ACafe  kathy ireland Worldwide (310) 557-2700 x 197