I did a story with Kathy Griffin’s interior designer Kenny Davis at the Jonathan Adler store in Soho. Davis makes his TV debut on the reality show “”Kathy Griffin: Life on the D-List” giving her home a makeover to make it more A-list.  Davis lives in the Hamptons and is used to decorating for high profile clients. But the designer gives Better viewers his tips so that we can all work on having an A-list style home. We looked at some fabulous home decor at www.jonathanadler.com.

Every person dreams, and pretty much every night, too. Personally, my subconscious mind has taken me to some of the most wonderful and magical places. They feel so profoundly realistic; I like to think it’s because I’m a creative person. Luckily I seldom experience nightmares—I save those for the real world. I have even made some major career moves based upon my dreams’ insights to the future. Truth be told, I’ve always felt that if I’m meant to remember them they must have an important messages behind them.

Like many of us, in my dreams I have special superhero powers; many times I can fly, talk to those who have passed from this life, and I can even transport myself in time. And it’s not unusual for people to have a recurring dream—but here I differ from many of you: I have a recurring guest.

Some of the best complements I receive have been when people compare me to Martha Stewart. Pretty awesome. “You’re just like Martha” or “You’re the male Martha.” What an honor, but I like to refer to myself not as being in her shadow but rather being in her light.

Last night I had my recurring guest. Yes, my dream involved the iconic once-resident of Westport Martha Stewart. The “MARtha dreams” as I’ve come to call them began in 2005, and at first I believed them to be my subconscious mind validating my love and awareness for all things beautiful. Back then I was finally following my passion building a business in television, but when the dreams continued, I found myself pondering the question “Why?”

Let’s turn back time for a moment: when I first met Martha Stewart it was at her home for a benefit for the Westport Historical Society. I remember it clearly: she was wearing pale blue with a cashmere sweater thrown perfectly over her shoulders. I noticed her and made my way over to introduce myself. We spoke for only a moment, but today I remember it so clearly as I was so inspired by her and intrigued to finally meet her. I returned home a better man and wanting to start my gardens all over again. I later discover a cocktail napkin in my suit pocket. With all the excitement, I must have accidently put it in there when the introduction moment arrived, and then forgot to take it out. Oops! Over a decade later, we would meet again at Le Cirque restaurant in New York, and I was flattered as this time she knew my name. Ironic that it happened in ‘the city that never sleeps’ as I certainly didn’t after that.

I’ve actually had many more encounters with Martha, but only after I go “night-night.” And when I do, I awake refreshed, happy and remembering all the details. It’s as if I’ve traveled to parallel universes. I’m perplexed each and every time as I awake always wondering “What was the message?”

After thinking about this quite a bit, I’ve realized that perhaps there is no message, other than serving to continuously inspire me. (Including to write this blog.) I guess it’s just my subconscious replaying bits and pieces from my memory—including the many times I’ve been on her Sirius radio show (like I will be next Thursday.)

Earlier I mentioned that people very kindly have compared me to Martha. I always give her due credit as the pinnacle in the industry. But in my own humorous way I always continue with this ready answer: “Hopefully it’s good luck that you can’t spell Martha without M-A-R!” And that is no dream.

“If you build it they will come” was the theme from the Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams, in which an Iowa corn farmer hears voices to build a baseball diamond in his backyard cornfield. You know, from time to time people have accused me of hearing voices, and I’ll admit: I truly have at one point in my life. Hmm, what voices did I hear?

When I purchased Rosebrook Gardens in the summer of 1997 I, too, heard voices rattling in my head “buy me”, “work with me”, and “I need your help” were just a few of the voices that I remember. Truth be told, I knew the moment I set my eyes on the house I would make an offer. In spite of the house being painted “Pepto Bismol pink,” I told myself to turn back time and make it my own, with a classic style English Garden that would be the envy of the street.

This was no easy task, but I was up for the challenge and ready to push my skills to the next level. The house was built only in 1996, and it lacked harmony and connection to the old, charming neighborhood. I got right to work and started with the garden’s basic necessaries: fencing to define spaces and create privacy. That said, I discovered along the way that this humble lot once served as the vegetable garden for the entire neighborhood—back then all the surrounding homes benefited from the bountiful resources that came from the land. This could shed some light as to why things grow so well and lush today.

With the recent Open Days Program Garden tour now over, and the build-up media blitz completed, I somehow still feel hungry for more. Perhaps it was all the excitement I felt for the weeks prior, or the anticipation I felt as the first car full of visitors arrived and was directed by the police to the parking location. No, I know why: those memorable women who had tears in their eyes thanking me for the experience. Getting validation from hundreds of people who visited last Sunday was a memorable experience but it was those few ladies that touched my heart. The combination of the glorious weather that day, the MAR on-site team (Indie Lee, Dana, Geri), and Mother Nature of course, all contributed to the splendor of this magical and uplifting day. Even Violet was on hand to meet and greet, as everyone knew her name.

For me, I was proud, my soul was touched, and although my feet were hurting and my tummy was hungry (we all skipped lunch) I could have continue doing this for hours. I introduced the gardens, told the story the land, and gave my secrets to my four-tier garden. I was on a high as it was a gift/pleasure to share my love and addiction to all things beautiful. Today my original promise to this property continues, as “Rosebrook Gardens” will always be a place to learn and discover my passion and love for the garden. To experience my home is to experience an inner part of my soul.

So if you build it they will come, and so they did, and thank goodness I hired that police officer to help direct parking! I guess it pays to listen to the voices. As visitors entered they were amazed and captivated by every last detail. Perhaps my garden and my passion will be a metaphorical voice whispering in your ear, encouraging you to play in Mother Nature? In the end, everyone took a little MARvelousness back home with them. MARvelousness: now that’s something new even for me.

I’m writing you, dear Readers, from gay Pari. By the time you read this, I will be nestled back at Rosebrook Gardens with my beloved Violet. Although I’ve been to Paris several times before, this was the first combination business and pleasure trip. My French is minimal at best. However, the people of France with whom I engaged, were extremely generous to me when I began the conversation in French and politely asked, “parlez-vous anglais”? They were appreciative of my effort to initiate the conversation in French and were then only too happy to continue in English.

I love the French people. Their style is incomparable, their cuisine to die for. Paris, itself, is a grand dame. We have nothing here that comes close. But, I am American and I am proud of that. That said, I’ll never be caught dead wearing sneakers abroad. As my good friend Geri says, “Do you know where Italians were tennis shoes? On the tennis courts!”

The business part of the trip would be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to date as I visited Versailles as a field correspondent. Lights, camera, Versailles! What a historic wonder. The private apartments of Napoleon III took my breath away. And in some small way, shape or form, don’t be surprised if a few of the magical details show up at Rosebrook Gardens. Of course on a more modest scale and much smaller budget. I will entitle this new article MARsailles and the focus will be on using French design principles in a new and exciting way, inspired by the castle and gardens of Versailles.
I was giddy with excitement when I saw the molding, the cherubs, the doorknobs, the window scale, the symmetry and consistency in repeating a design concept, all of which are imprinted and cataloged in my mind.

I took an afternoon to visit the Musee d’Orsay and walked out looking like a true Frenchman. The weather was perfectly sunny in the high 70’s. A hat was in order and a baseball cap would just not do. I purchased a straw “boater” for 16 euros in the gift shop. What a bargain! I arrived at Versailles in style and was encouraged by the crew to wear the hat during filming at the Marie-Antoinette estate.

With it being light out until 10:00 pm, we worked rather late into the evening. I now need a vacation from my vacation. Perhaps I’ll try a “staycation” this summer. So, dear Readers, no matter where I go and what I see, there’s nothing better than coming home to thee.

I love my neighbors! There—I’ve said it! I have always found my neighbors to be a wonderful addition to my life in Westport. My next-door neighbor Barbara started the evolution of “loving thy neighbor” by arriving with an apple pie just after I moved in, a gesture of welcome that would soon become the new tradition on the street. Several homeowners have come and gone since then, but it’s Barbara—and now I—who hold the record for being on the street the longest.

I always found myself longing for a home that provided me with the quintessential white picket fence storybook image of a New England town. Our private road on a cul-de-sac provides us all with an easy walk to the best shopping, entertainment and superb dining, while being able to take a stroll on the banks of the Saugatuck River. For me, walking Violet, riding a bike or taking my fire-red Vespa around my neighborhood is a common passion that connections me to my community and neighbors.

Sound good? Wanna join us? Now add a lifestyle and gardening expert available for all your design and gardening questions and you’re sure to get hooked. I actually offer a “gift with home purchase”: free consultations by yours truly should you be so lucky to live on the street. And as an added benefit, shrubs, containers and sometimes a MARvelous one-of-a-kind bench arrives on your property. People have called them gifts, but I like to think of them as my “design overflow” from Rosebrook Gardens.

Not so long ago things were quite different. Our road needed paving, our mail pick-up was a cluster of mismatched boxes, and the street sign was non-impressive disaster. Someone had to take charge and begin the process to coordinate and execute the task and projects. Who better for the job than me? First job at hand was to create a Road Association; then we collected yearly dues, assessed for beautification and coordinated services for the best prices. Checked, checked and rechecked. I suspect that my standards—and unwillingness to settle—at times made me not so popular then, but the final results increased our property values as well as our overall curb appeal, thus making the street uniform and meticulously ready for a magazine.

Today, the entire street takes pride in both their homes and gardens. It’s truly the best little street in Westport. With only six homes, this exclusive private road has becomes an extension of our properties. As we compare stories we realized that people we work with can’t believe how well we all get along, and how pretty the place is. This could almost be Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane except we don’t have all the drama. Okay, maybe a little drama, but I’m not talking–yet.

Last weekend was one example of why we’re so fortunate. We all came together to celebrate Kristin and Geoff’s arrival to the street at their housewarming party, and boy did we rock around the clock. Along with their many friends from New York who came to wish them well we even took a tour of Rosebrook Gardnes, champagne glasses in hand. It was truly a festive gathering, fuelled by our neighborhood spirit. Well, also fueled by the champagne—twenty two bottles, to be exact. Now that’s rocking a block!

Catch up with Mar–read more at www.marjennings.com

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970. Designed to inspire appreciation for and awareness of Earth’s environment by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. It is now celebrated in more than 70 countries every year. And it also happens to be my well birthday!

This blog I’m not going to talk about Mother Earth as I do that enough already, instead we’re traveling to non other than life on Mar’s.

Although I’m not one for surprises, I was surprised to learn that I would be the recipient of such a notable night out. Friends gathered, we ate and drank, and even sang—no, not Happy Birthday, rather “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” The evening started with some cocktails with friends who were staying with me for the weekend, then on to Barcelona in South Norwalk for non-stop tapas and sangria—and more. Then back to Rosebrook Gardens for more revelry, including my personal favorite cake: coconut!

Violet also got something wonderful from my new neighbors Kristin and her husband Geoff: a brand new jeweled collar, which Kristin hand-made from lovely grosgrain ribbon and a vintage bracelet—Violet’s first very own “canine couture.” (In the photo you see yours truly with Mary, left, and Kristin, right.)

My birthday weekend actually started on Friday night, when I went into the city for a few engagements. First, a quick get-together at a friend’s home—a charming ground-floor apartment with a garden terrace, where we did a quick consultation on how to make the most of the space and the challenges of mid-city amounts of natural sunlight—and then on to a Broadway play. Finally, a late supper at Rosa Mexicano—the famous guacamole there is enough of a reason to go!—then returning to Westport in the morning for so more gardening work.

Saturday the neighborhood was filled with everyone doing something in their gardens. I took a moment to celebrate that perhaps my passion was somehow contagious—if so, a birthday gift in it’s own way. Questions were asked of me and it felt all very natural and organic that our little private road was filled with people taking such pride in their homes and property.

Throughout the weekend people have been so thoughtful. Getting phone calls, texts, and e-mails from people all over the world was so touching—and reminded me how sometimes the world can seem so small when we’re able to connect so easily. I even got treated to the ultimate new tech toy: an iPad. In fact, I’m composing this blog on it as we speak. I know that my birthday falls on Earth Day, but I’m sure that since I celebrate Mother Nature every day she doesn’t mind if I say that my birthday weekend was “out of this world.”

Catch up with Mar–read more at www.marjennings

Every time I walk through the apartment – and I mean every time – I pick something up and return it to its rightful place. Socks under the table? Straight to the laundry basket. Random safety pin? Dropped off in the sewing box on my next pass by. Errant receipt? Into the receipts file (or the trash, depending on how responsible I’m feeling) it goes. This keeps things more or less in order, so I almost never have to do big picking-up sessions.

What’s your #1 tip for keeping your house spic-and-span?

- Jordan Reid

The beginning of this first gardening season of the new decade brings great excitement, as more than 350 gardens across the country will open their gates for The Garden Conservancy’s Open Day program. The Garden Conservancy is a national organization with a mission to preserve exceptional American gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public. Since 1995, nearly 3,000 private gardens have participated in the Open Days, welcoming close to a million visitors thus far.

That said, Rosebrook Gardens will be part of this prestigious tour on June 6th and I can’t wait to show off my garden(s) and the burst of prolific blooms that will be on full display. This tour is extra-special as this is the first public tour since the release of my award-winning best selling gardening book, Life On Mar’s-A Four Season Garden. But don’t come expecting to see much of the same, as many new updates and surprises will await you. New garden designs, even more details—big and small, and of course new plants. I hope you’ll come and enjoy the beauty as it unfolds. Witness for yourself my inner love and passion for mother nature—it’s infectious and you’ll take it away with you. This is what “Life On Mar’s” is all about.
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Over the years I have had the pleasure to participate in many Home and Garden shows across the country, and as my 2010-2011 schedule continues to book I’m always excited about the new locations, groups and states I’ll be visiting and sharing my brand of living. My lifestyle/guru skills help others get inspired and motivated to embrace their gardens and homes with a casual luxury approach. If you’ve seen me in person you know that I offer step by step examples using my garden and home to serve as inspiration to any project—no matter where you live, how big or small your home may be, you always learn something new, have fun and want to pass on your new found knowledge. That said, marjennings.com has become the new frontier in everything home, garden or life related as thousands visit each day to discover what’s new, what’s happening and what’s up with Mar Jennings.

But truth be told, the greatest gift of all is that I do this as a way to express my passion for all things beautiful in hopes that you, too, can discover the endless benefits of “home.” There’s no place like home, as Dorothy perfectly stated. But discovering how to make a house truly transform into a home? The secret is in the people who fill it with you—whether they are there daily or simply your guests. I discovered that long ago, but recently I met a couple of people who reminded of this important lesson, and it inspired me to write this blog.

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The only thing missing last week was a house landing on a witch. The state of Connecticut is recovering from the powerful rain and windstorm that tore through Westport last weekend, bringing down trees, power lines and flooding our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Rosebrook Gardens, although never lost power, was not exempt from this Old Man Winter storm, as three sections of my back fence took flight and headed towards my neighbor’s back yard. I was lucky, but many throughout our state were not, with damages to their home, cars and property in the hundreds of thousands.

Sunday morning, after my live segment on Good Morning Connecticut, I put my Hunter boots on and assessed my own property, taking photos of the aftermath, and found myself sad and depressed as I ventured out of my own neighborhood to discover “the morning after” effects. Many old historical trees that so proudly graced my town either snapped, broke, collapsed or uprooted. I felt their pain and lost as many could have been saved if only property owners did their part to trim and maintain their elderly trees. I don’t mean to be harsh, but why do we take their beauty for granted and simply discard them when they fall? Loose a tree plant two in their place is my mantra.

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