Many people have inspired me through the years and influenced our work. One of these is a creative studio based in Calgary, Alberta, called Imaginative Design Studios, IDSkids.com. They specialize in designing and creating awesome and fun dentist and doctor’s offices where kids are excited to go rather than be fearful or stressed. Although I never had the chance to meet in person, I’ve often run across their work and am amazed every time. Dave Nolan and his partner, Tracy, stayed in the Under Hill suite of the Hazelnut Inn for the last couple of days, and we gladly invited them to tour our studio. A quick visit turned into a long conversation and a meeting of the minds as we talked shop. We then shared more stories and experiences over a meal and formed an instant friendship. It isn’t often I get to meet folks who truly understand and share the passion I have for our craft. I’m looking forward to many more good times together. I, of course, challenged Dave to dream up and enter a creative piece into the Sign Invitational to be held in Orlando at the ISA EXPO next April. He accepted. I have no doubt he will be a worthy competitor and give us all a run for our money. It will be another chance to visit and get to know each other even better.
Castle garden refuge
The Copper Crown’s private garden is designed to be more formal than the other two Hazelnut Inn gardens, in keeping with the castle theme. The larger plants and irrigation system are now in place. The hedge will be allowed to settle into place before we do a trim to neaten up the lines. Becke will fill the remaining space with heather plants, adding colour and being evergreen. The garden will be a great place to relax and sit in front of the fireplace with someone you love.
Instant garden
At the beginning of summer, our goal was to finish the theme work in the Copper Crown Garden and plant it before the cold temperatures of winter set in. A completed garden would allow us to open the suite after finishing the interior theme work without waiting for the spring 2026 planting season. The garden came together much quicker than we estimated, as the crew pulled out the stops. Yesterday, we poured the concrete sidewalk and hauled in the topsoil.
We’ve been growing the manicured hedge for quite some time. It was salvaged from a Yarrow yard five years ago. Our little backhoe was pressed into service, and it didn’t take long to gently remove the plants and transport them to the Hazelnut Inn. While the crew dug in the hedge, Becke was scouring local nurseries to source the perfect plants. They will go in tomorrow along with the sprinkler system. One item that we couldn’t wait to plant was the tall tree that will be the centrepiece.
