Introducing Verde Cosi's new Woodland Character velvet pillows. Simply join our mailing list to learn more and order by December 14, 2019. Thank you, and Happy Holidays from Verde Cosi! For more info please contact suzanne@verdecosi.com  ...

There aren't many things more satisfying than having garden fragrances available in your home. Growing an herb garden is an excellent investment and in many cases, I'm in zone 6a, your herbs will return year after year, like a perennial. Your patch of herbs will spread and grow larger as it becomes more established over time. Here are a few staples that I just rescued from my garden before frost. I brought these indoors to dry easily in bunches hanging in my home. I cover the tops with a bit of tissue paper to prevent dust as they dry. Shown from my garden are lavender, thyme (variegated and regular), marjoram, chocolate mint, oregano, and sage. Use the sage for Thanksgiving! Please shop Verde Cosi at Sowa Holiday Festival - December 6, 7, and 8th, 2019 Shop...

Bursting with berries at the end of August and September this European Rowan Tree has been on the property of an established farm for many years. The wood of the European Rowan Tree is dense and used for carving and turning for wood handles. Rowan fruit are a traditional source for vegetable dyes. In Finland it is a traditional wood for sled shafts and rake spikes. The fruit of the European Rowan can be cooked and made into a slightly bitter jelly which in Britain is traditionally eaten with game. European Rowan berries are also used to flavor liqueurs and cordials. Fruit eating birds thrive on this plant. The dense clusters of varied orange berries and spiked foliage are a beautiful visual for fall, I would love to use them in an arrangement for my table. Suzanne...

On July 4, 2019 a lovely customer from Maine found Verde Cosi and ordered several pillows  - she had been looking for over a year for just the right salmon colors and design. It was a pleasure to make these pillows and create custom tassels to coordinate with my Verde Cosi Crane and Ranunculus bright pink and salmon fabric. You can order these pillows too! (links below) If you would like custom tassels, please contact suzanne@verdecosi.com Verde Cosi Crane and Ranunculus Bright Pink and Salmon Pillow Verde Cosi Tassel Bright Salmon Pillow Please visit us Sunday September 15, 2019 at Sowa Open Market in Boston, Massachusetts https://www.sowaboston.com http://www.verdecosi.com ...

It's tomato season here in New England and there is nothing like a fresh picked tomato for lunch or dinner. Our plants have grown to about 8 feet and it is all about soil quality. We tested our soil in early spring and added organic calcium, fertilizer, and nitrogen/manure to our compost from our compost pile. The soil testing made all the difference this year as well as a generous amount of rain. I still watered nearly daily from our rain barrels.  Tomato Salad Recipe by Suzanne Luby Ahrens 3 fresh garden tomatoes, heirloom, chopped 1/4 cup cannellini beans, room temperature 1/4 cup finely chopped vidalia onion tiny clove of minced garlic 1/2 avocado chopped 1/2 cup arugula 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped 1 tablespoon basil chopped  1...

Often times I like to document moments, but lately I understand even more how precious living in the moment without thinking about documenting is so important. It is natural and slow. However when I see a part of nature that isn't easily remembered - I try to honor it with a photo.  This little piping plover runs fast with it's tiny little legs, it is considered endangered and threatened. Families of these plovers can be found on some beaches on the East coast. They like to live in higher areas near the water and rocks. They are so tiny and fast you may even miss them while walking on the beach if your eyes aren't great. Piping plovers migrate from their northern grounds in the summer to the south during winter. Their breeding grounds can be found extending from lower...

Some awesome news: I was awarded 3rd place for my paintings at Beacon Hill Art Walk on June 2, 2019. We curated a selection of my paintings in a magical garden on historical Beacon Hill. I was right at home in the garden and was honored to be there. I met so many new and interesting people who were engaged with my work. Many of you came from different countries as well as the Boston area and it just makes me grateful to have had the pleasure to meet you. The fashion I observed that day - canary yellow tops, pulled off with ease. Men wearing red pants - unusual red with slight orange tone mixed in. John Lennon glasses. Pink glasses. I had a lot of fun seeing all of you. Thank you for purchasing my paintings! Summer is my favorite time to work on commissioned paintings...

Throwing a garden party is fun - it also takes planning and thoughtful details to create a memorable time for your guests. Here are 7 ways I like to prepare for hosting a party. Hint: I have found that practice, aka, throwing more parties - the better you get at it! 1) Always test the goodies while preparing; especially sweets! 2)Prepare everything ahead so you can enjoy along with your guests.  I can't emphasize this enough! Have an activity planned for your young guests - badminton is an easy way to enjoy the outdoors and everyone can play! 3)Prepare your guests favorites - however you must like it as well. I like to prepare a fresh vegetable tray with a healthy dip. Seasonal fruit tray. Fresh sandwiches. My last party I prepared fresh mozzarella, sliced, with...

The Beacon Hill Art Walk takes place the first Sunday June 2, 2019 from Noon – 6pm,throughout the nooks & crannies of Beacon Hill’s North Slope. Residents open up their private gardens, alleyways, and courtyards and allow artists to display and sell their artwork. It is a chance for visitors to tour the private spaces of Beacon Hill while viewing original, handmade artwork. Thousands of people attend each year. It is a free popular event in the neighborhood, with a festive atmosphere and volunteer musicians playing in various gardens throughout the day. Around 100 artists usually participate, with a variety of styles, media, and subject matter. As a visitor you will enjoy a unique atmosphere boasting bursts of colors at the background sound of live classical, klezmer,...

Just a hint of sun these days. Captured from my garden. Ephemeral...

Each year our family is taken aback at how green our neighbors' lawns are and how quickly they become green. Recently we received a call to action from our town not to direct gutters toward the street - the debris flowing into the street and eventually into our streams, lakes, ponds, and rivers is polluting the water and putting wild life at risk. The chemicals in the substances being used to "weed", chemicals used to "feed" lawns and gardens are polluting our environment. It is detrimental for humans too! As we celebrate Earth Day today I want to share with you some steps our family and our small business, Verde Cosi, has taken over the years to aid in helping our environment and increase the bio diversity in our own back yard. 1) Decrease the use of plastics. -...

Oxalis Regnellii or more commonly known as black shamrock has some of the most fascinating foliage. Dark purple/red it will captivate you with it's triple triangular leaves. The leaves also sleep when in low light - so it's a moody plant! It has tiny little bell shaped flowers - light pinky/purple that dangle. This arrangement felt appropriate for today since it is raining and the dark purple leaves remind me of an umbrella. Oxalis Regnellii is an annual in zone 6a but is a perennial in growing zones 8 to 10. It thrives in partial shade. I bring my cluster of oxalis indoors for the winter - I've had mine for years. It is a rhizomatous bulb, native to South Africa. Oxalis likes well drained soil and is easy to care for. Oxalis is poisonous for cats and dogs. I have my...

After much trial and error my husband and I have figured out how to propagate lavender organically without growth hormone. This is very important to gardeners committed to organic gardening.  Cut about a 3 to 4 inch softwood cut from new growing stems on your existing lavender plant. Remove the outer "skin" on the stem at the base of the cutting, as well as leaves at base (see photo). Place in a clear glass jar with less than a half inch of clean water at the base. Place in a sunny window sill and keep that amount of water at the base of the jar. It is very important to keep just a small amount of water at the base - this is key to the success of establishing roots. It should take 2 to 4 weeks to establish roots ready for transplanting into a small terra-cotta pot....

On January 19, 2019 Verde Cosi hosted a Floral and Fabric Workshop! In this workshop Suzanne Ahrens, owner of Verde Cosi, shared some of the unusual flowers and plants that she sources for inspiration. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to create an arrangement for their home using Verde Cosi fabrics, ribbon, and the most glorious flowers and greens available from local farmers and beyond. Participants shopped Verde Cosi garden inspired wares and home and garden accessories, and enjoyed coffee, tea, and treats.  It was so great to meet everyone who loves flowers and Verde Cosi fabric as much as I do! I hope we can all stay in touch! ...

Thank you! for attending Verde Cosi's Floral & Fabric Workshop! What a perfect day for the Verde Cosi Floral and Fabric Workshop! Attendees had the opportunity to hear about Suzanne of Verde Cosi's creative process, her inspirations, and the incorporation of nature, flowers, and fabric in our interior environment for events and everyday....

Accepting Registration for Verde Cosi's Floral and Fabric Workshop in Providence Rhode Island USA until Thursday January 16, 2019. Visit https://verde-cosi.myshopify.com ...

I want you to know we are busting with joy that the response to our workshops on Saturday January 19, is so awesome!  It’s January and be ready to be transported, think warm, botanical and fabric related interior inspiration. I don’t follow rules when it comes to design so be ready. This is your day to be creative. I will talk to you about what inspires me, my process and why being yourself is when great things happen.  Registration for Verde Cosi’s Floral and Fabric Workshop Saturday January 19, 2019 @thefloralreserve in Providence, Rhode Island USA Reserve your spot here:  https://verde-cosi.myshopify.co...