Love your fellow man
Live a good life."
This was the motto of William Bowers Bourn II, who had this magnificent house built between 1915-1917. From these words he made up FILOLI as the name for his estate.
As its location he chose the southern end of Crystal Springs Lake, 30 miles south of San Francisco. The house with its 16 acres of formal garden is open to the public, having been donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation by its second owners in 1975.
I went on a tour with friends while I was in California. It is truly magnificent, and well-worth a lengthy visit. Come and join us on our walk!
Daffodils greet us as we approach the house.
The first of many camellias
Magnolia getting ready to bloom
Another magnolia in full bloom!
Pots of paperwhites everywhere...
The entrance
A window in the ball room
A wall painting in the ball room
Beautifully arranged flowers everywhere
A vase with golden flowers on the grand piano
Detail of the mantle
Top of the mantle
Chandelier, seen directly from below.
Gorgeous orchids everywhere indoors
An old-fashioned bathroom sink
Cabinet in the kitchen
The stove...
Another cabinet
more storage space
In the hall, a painting of a sailing ship. The second owners, Mr. and Mrs. Roth, owned the Matson Navigation Company.
Light in the hallway
A mirror flanked by delicate flower paintings
A magnificent chair in front of a screen
Now back outdoors!
Snowdrops
Blue profusion...
Camellia
View into the distance
Close-up of ... ?
Looking up an old tree
A tiny mirror of the sky...
Another building on the grounds
Helebores
Camellias
Camellias from afar:
And closer up
Aren't the gorgeous?!
Mandarin/satsuma oranges
View across one of the grand lawns
A bed full of pansies
Flowering shrubs
There are also large rose gardens. But even in California these do not bloom in February!
But others do! In glorious colors!
The first dandelion of the season - this one is for Elsie (and William D!).
Iris
Cornelian Cherry bark
Budding trees and daffodils on a meadow
An elm tree
A lovely sun dial
On a pedestal to the side...
More budding shrubs...
There is a garden shop on the grounds, where you can buy all sorts of goodies:
Already packed:
A last farewell
When I come again I hope to see the roses!
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Comments: 28
Was there a borer infestation on the cherry tree or is that a natural pattern?
breath taking beauty
The name of your on-line MAGAZINE is? Could you repeat it so that we all may subscribe.
Blessings ~
René A ~ "Always Collaborating and Creating!"
Yes Sherrie - and I want to go back...
William, did you find the dandelion?
Tory, Deborah, Pricilla and Marilyn - it is impresssive indeed!
Liz, that's what the sign said... I don't think it is cherry in the sense we normally think of them though...
Marianne M and Marianne R - thank you for kind comments!
Melinda - you could probably plant some of these beauties though - ?
René - for now it is called "gather"...
I loved being there Vivian!
Maya, how neat that you have seen this! I would love to go back at another time...
Thanks for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
Thank you all my gather friends for your many kind comments!