Blair's Nursery & Gift Shop - Shrubs, trees, Mexican pottery, bulbs, bedding plants, yard art, fresh garden seeds and much more. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. M – F, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sa/Su. 9001 Dawes Lane N., Mobile. 666-5687.
City of Fairhope Outdoor Market - Diverse outdoor venue offering lemon trees, shrubs, herbs, azaleas, camellias, ornamentals and more. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. May 20 - July 8. The green space behind the Fairhope Public Library. 929-1466.
Dodd's Landscape and Tree Farm - Heritage trees, large live oaks, landscape construction and design. Planting available. 3800 Illinois St., Semmes. 649-1007. doddslandscapeandtreefarm.com
Garret's - Shrubs, trees, mulches, landscaping and irrigation. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - Sa. 7179 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile. 633-4925.
Laura Kay's Nursery and Florist - Specializes in indoor plants. Also offers bedding plants, landscape shrubbery, trees and more. Vibrant gift shop. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. M - Sa. 5600 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile. 666-1510.
Magnolia Landscape Supply - Unique and diverse collection of landscape plants. 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. M – S, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Su. 117 state Highway 59 S., Summerdale. 989-7171. magnolialandscapesupply.com
Old Tyme Feed and Garden Supply - Shrubbery, citrus trees, fruit trees, all types of indoor plants. Delivery on all garden items. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. M - F; 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sa. 19580 Greeno Road, Fairhope. 928-1156. oldtymefeed.com
Preast's Petals & Pottery - Plants, herbs, pottery, trees, bushes, shrubs, bonsai trees and supplies, orchids, and more. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - Sa. 8263 Gayfer Road Extension, Fairhope. 928-6073. preastspetalsandpottery.com
Street's Exquisite Plants & Aquatic Gardens - Annuals, perennials, specialties, topical foliage, pond supplies, outdoor decor. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M - Sa, 17750 S. Greeno Road, Fairhope. 990-0901.
Sunnyland Growers - Annuals, perennials and some shrubbery. Also sells hanging baskets. 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - Sa. 9864 Moffat Road, Semmes. 649-2199.
Zimlich's Patio and Garden Center - Bedding plants, house plants, shrubbery, trees and more. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - Sa. 2650 Dauphin St., Mobile. 478-1484. zimlichspatio.com
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
Fairie Tale Orchids - Potted orchids for sale or lease. Repotting services available. P.O. Box 1776, Semmes. 605-702.
Grimes Nurseries Inc. - Specializing in azaleas, ornamentals and trees. 7 a.m. - Noon, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. M - F, 7 a.m. - Noon Sa. 11070 Wulff Road. S., Semmes. 649-8828.
Shore Acres Plant Farm - Emphasis on foliage and flowering plants. 7 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. M - F. 11545 Bellingrath Highway,Theodore. 973-1459. saplantfarm.com
It has been women and women alone that have shaped my path in interior design. I have drawn on inspiration from family, friends, even other designers. I have learned that a woman's home is her nest - the one place that makes a statement about who she is personally. The men care about where the TV is going and possibly a room designated for them to escape, but the women care about the overall feel.
The first woman who influenced my take on design is my mom, Sherard Haas. This was unintentional because she really didn't ever dwell on our home or having the finest of furnishings, but nonetheless, taught be valuable lessons. The first being to keep the things you love and discard the rest and it will "work" every time. She didn't have a house full of random accessories; she displayed items that meant something to her or had a purpose. I never saw her buy an antique, but we had a house full and each piece had a story of family history. She taught me a lesson of function - she uses all of her silver, china, and linens on a regular basis because they didn't have any use for stored or polished and untouched. My mom is the reason I am simply no good at designing a "show house." I don't look at homes as a showpiece, but a place where you live and raise a family. In the houses that we lived in, no room was off-limits to children. We lived in all of them, and they were comfortable and welcoming.
The next woman to influence me was, of all people, my English teacher. I really didn't have any interest in design until high school when I chose "Color Psychology" for the subject of my term paper. I had always loved art and thought it would be a bearable topic. I ended up really enjoying the research, something very few students can claim. I found it interesting: Why certain colors compliment each other, how red and yellow stimulate hunger (hence every fast food sign), and the calming affects a serene blue or green may produce. When I got the assignment back from my teacher, Wanda Sigler, she wrote "Very enjoyable. You should become an Interior Designer!" I hadn't really considered it, but she was a tough teacher so I took a compliment like that to heart. Then, after graduation, she wrote me a letter, which I still have, basically saying to go for it and she would get me to do her house. (Mrs. Sigler, if you are reading this, call me!) So I thought about it, took her advice and majored in Interior Design.
The last and most influential woman to inspire my knack for design is my aunt and godmother, Camille Luscher. She is a local interior designer and the closest thing I have to a mentor. She has flawless taste, is business savvy and has played a huge part in my decision to start my own company. She is confident in her work, but doesn't need any recognition. As long as her client is happy, that is all that matters. Professionally, I have been in situations I wasn't sure how to handle and she is always there to give consistently smart, helpful advice. Every Christmas, she gives me a design related coffee table book. She signs and dates each one, and I cherish them as much for the fact that they came from her as the information I reference on a weekly basis.
Whether intentional or not, each of these women have - and continue - to influence me. I have learned to be purposeful, follow my heart and continue learning about my field.
Mobilian Perry Harvill is an interior designer. For custom design work, contact Harvill at perryharvill@hotmail.com.
6 Hawks checked in briefly, excited to share the women who encourage his outdoor enthusiasm. This is what he sent. In his words, "Get out there in it!"
Immediately, three women come to mind when thinking of influences of my love of the great outdoors. Mother Nature number one is Mom. Despite some things I didn't enjoy, she gave me my appreciation of the outdoors, the nicest gift anyone ever gave me. Second is Beth Maynor Young, the Birmingham river photographer who introduced me to Dennis Holt. One January day she took me wading up a frigid mountain stream to the most sacred spot I've ever visited - The Walls of Jericho. Awesome! Then there was a gaggle of nameless, faceless counselors at Nature Camp, a spot in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia that I populated for two weeks each teenage summer. These women handled snakes and salamanders and spiders and EVERYTHING! I was smitten, but can't remember a single one. I left there on a trajectory to be a marine biologist. Life intervened and my career ambition blossomed into my sanctuary where I go and explore during down time.
page 1 of 10
