Eye of the Day at the 2017 Long Beach Landscape Expo

Eye of the Day attended the 2017 Long Beach Landscape Expo this past October. It was our second year exhibiting with TLE. Each year the Expo grows, and this year hit record numbers with over 60 seminars and 1,400 seminar attendees not counting those who just come to network.

The Landscape Expo has a wide variety of attendees ranging from construction, city planners, nurseries, water pump creators, the latest in landscaping machinery, and more. It is such an amazing community to see all the new inventions, equipment, and modifications to landscape design and construction. Here at Eye of the Day we normally only see our final product placement in a finished garden, so it was nice to see what goes into this process.

For our booth we brought a little bit of everything in our inventory to give a true sampling of what we carry at the store. We brought our Francesco del Re, antique and vintage Spanish Oil Jars, French Anduze, American concrete, French stone troughs, Italian terracotta, and of course lots of candy! It was amazing to connect with city planners, designers, and commercial designers. Recently we have been working with multiple designers for commercial designs including restaurants, hotels, villas, or businesses. Our pottery and garden decor are often the final elegant touch for both residential and commercial projects.

The booths at the Expo varied from custom fountain heads, nurseries, lawn mowers, and more fun equipment.  Our favorite booths in the expo naturally were the nurseries, especially Rancho Soledad Nurseries with their elegant and unique plants. We even bought quite a few succulents and cacti for our pots. Our second favorite to watch has to be the remote control mowers. How cool! This Expo has given us expo fever so keep your eyes out for where we will be going next. But you can always meet us at the Long Beach Landscape Expo and we hope to see you all next year!

The Simple Art of Collaboration: An Introduction to Sempleware

 As an artist, if there is one thing I have always believed in it’s been the concept of collaboration. There is something very powerful, very organic that comes from two or more people coming together on one idea, like a symphony. Or consider the hundreds of ceramic pieces that Pablo Picasso produced towards the end of his life with the help of the Madoura Pottery workshop. Both the process and the outcome can be engaging in unexpected ways that keep fresh the evolving cycles of creation.

My name is Scott Semple and I’ve been contributing to this newsletter for about two years now, but my day job is ‘large format potter’.

This year I am celebrating forty years in ceramics by announcing my newest collaboration with Brent Freitas and the team at Eye of the Day, entitled “Sempleware”. Our concept is to offer in-house, hand made ceramics, based on an artisan pottery and sustainability model.

Beginning in April, I will be throwing pots right there in the store using custom designs and shapes to fit the needs of the ever widening garden design community. Together we want to allow homeowners and designers alike—all customers who come through the doors—direct access to the artistic process, while providing a local option. Very local in this case. We see this partnership as not just collaboration between Brent and me, but as a movement between Eye of the Day and the community as a whole, combining performance art with retail design needs.

Sempleware is an offering as much as it is a line of products and I believe it will be an engaging component when considering sustainable product awareness. And quite frankly, I’ll jump at the opportunity to share what I love most with anyone who will listen, I’m selfish that way.

We’ve been talking about this for a while now and it seems that all the pieces have finally landed in place.

So that’s the big news! Beginning in April, I’ll be at Eye of the Day throwing down! Come by and say hi, watch me spin some pottery, see what you think! Your favorite Central Coast ceramic supplier for all your authentic garden design needs.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2016

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Check out the Eye of the Day Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for special and unique ideas for your sweetheart or loved ones this year.

1. Troutman Chair Company Rocking Chairs – Timeless in style and design. This lovely red pair is perfect seating for two.

2. Santa Rosa Beeswax Candles– Our most popular Gift Shop item for a reason. These creamy candles are made with layers of paraffin and cotton wicks. Perfect for a romantic evening home.

3. Chivas Beer Soap and Goat’s Milk Soap– We didn’t forget the gentlemen! Chivas Skin Care handcrafts soaps using farm fresh goat’s milk and high quality beer.

4. POPI Soap by Chivas Skin Care– Are you a fan of Orange is the New Black? POPI soap is inspired by the popular hit series. Delicious scents like Cucumber & Mint and Grapefruit & Basil are a sweet gift for that special someone.

5. Tula Palm Hats – Of course, we have something for the garden lover in your life. These beautifully crafted hats offer protection under the sun and keep you stylish in the garden.

Contact us today to get your Valentine’s Day Gifts.
sales@, 805-566-6500

Eye of the Day Garden Design Center is pleased to announce an Edible Container Gardening Workshop right here at our store.

It will be conducted by Oscar Carmona of Healing Grounds Nursery and Sagar Faucheaux  of The Conscious Gardener.

When: Saturday, June 27th

Time: 3-4 PM

Where: Eye of the Day Garden Design Center, 4620 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA

Attendance is only $10 before June 27th or $15 at the door.
Attendees who RSVP before the day of the event will be guaranteed the $10 fee.
All participants may have their entrance fee credited toward any purchase on the day of the event!

RSVP at 805-566-6500 or suzi@. Space is limited so please contact us to reserve your spot.

FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS

Cordially invite you to our twenty-seventh annual

“…into the garden Benefit Tour”

Saturday, May 16, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Grand Marshal
Victoria Tennant

New this year – Valet Parking
Valet parking must be purchased prior to the day of Garden Tour.

Virginia Robinson Estate and Tours of Four Exquisite Beverly Hills Gardens

The Garden Tour is a multi-faceted day, considered “…. the most glamorous (event) of its kind in Southern California.”   For the only time during the year, the entire Robinson residence is open for the day, decorated by the finest florists and designers.

The Beverly House:  William Randolph Hearst’s mini-castle, where he lived with Marion Davies, is an architectural masterpiece with its famous gardens laid out by Paul Thiene in the 1920s.  The property includes lavish reflecting pools, old-growth trees and expansive grounds.

Hernando’s Hideaway:  Originally built by the owner of the Beverly Hills Hotel and occupied by hotelier Hernando Courtwright, a frequent guest of Virginia Robinson, this Gable and Wyant treasure has charm to spare:  hanging gardens, passion fruit vines lining the tennis court fence, a playhouse courtyard and a secret garden lined with bottle art.

A Hilltop With A View:  an Italianate villa with recirculating water that feeds three waterfalls into a placid lake, a grand lawn with colorful flowers and citrus borders, manicured hedges that include a maze and a glorious pool with a view of the canyon.

 The Best Exotic Bel Air Estate:  Climb deep into this 8-acre canyon that boasts a series of garden rooms, from koi ponds to Balinese sundecks to terraced vegetable gardens.  There is even an art studio and a hillside amphitheater.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to parking limitations, this house is a BONUS for all Concierge and VIP Van ticket holders only.

To purchase by mail please CLICK HERE to print response card and mail to:

Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA  90210

Friends of Robinson Gardens
1008 Elden Way
Beverly Hills, California 90210
(310) 550-2068

Eye of the Day Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2015

It’s that time of year where we honor and celebrate our mothers–Moms, foster Moms, and Mom figures.

Show how thankful you are for the moms in your life with something special from Eye of the Day. Our gift guide has something unique for all different tastes and budgets.

1. Fermob 1900 Bench
Perfect for those long heart-to-heart chats with Mom. This classic bench by French manufacturers Fermob is great for any generation of the family.

2. Mexican Church Candles
These are our most popular items in the Gift Shop. These creamy candles are made with layers of paraffin and cotton wicks. Great addition for the home.

3. Note Cards with Paintings by Karin Shelton
Made by local Santa Barbara artist Karin Shelton, these note cards showcase lovely plants or landscapes from the area. A unique Mother’s Day card for your favorite lady.

4. Succulents
These lovely plants have made such a comeback the last few years. They’re water wise, easy to care for, and just as beautiful as flowers. Help Mom plant a garden or arrange them in a container.

5. Mini Greek Pots and Containers
These are a personal favorite. These gorgeous handcrafted pots made on the island of Crete are perfect for indoor or outdoor container gardening. Instead of arranging flowers, create a mini garden for Mom–it’ll last longer too!

We hope everyone has a lovely Mother’s Day weekend!