"I was given the skills to paint in order to build my garden." Douglas Chandor
An Idyllic version of nature coalesced with the creativity of man, expressed through a garden. Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, TX was one of Douglas Chandor's greatest creations. This man excelled in the arts, painting over 200 figurehead portraits such as Eleanor Roosevelt, President Franklin Roosevelt, and Queen Elizabeth the second throughout his lifetime, and in 1936 came the garden. On 3.5 acres of cloche his creative playground was born. – A place to breathe.
Flowering coleus below a grand planter of cannas abuts the pavilion entrance. Great start to a day in the garden.
Exiting Chandor's Palladian style home you're greeted by a fountain and choices. The various paths wind into another guiding you through five garden spaces. Chandor's English heritage reflects in this space. Time to pick a path.
Tree roots meshing with stone work is times art. There's a lot of Asian-English fusion here. The oriental stone pillars lead to a boxwood lined path. Grasses and Caladiums help the boxwoods hold up the greenery. Yucca spikes from a white planter adding edginess to break up the soft shapes, drawing the eye to the pavilion in the background. Beautiful.
Statuary depicting a Chinese Foo Dog to protect the garden. Frogs circle the top as a sign of prosperity. Love the framing of the stairs and the mysterious black hole.
The gardens are full of peaceful nooks.
Love how steps peek from the left of the stone pillar. An arch curves over algaed waters, surrounded by lush foliage. A visage of ancient ruins coated in green patina.
An intimate nook.
Boxwood grown as a tree. I believe it's a Japanese Boxwood.
The Chinese refer to pineapples as Fortune Cones. Wealth, fortune and prosperity abound in this garden.
Fun, light-hearted fountain.
Plenty of meandering paths to spark curiosity.
Your worlds the stage.
One of my favorite spots in the garden. It has a peaceful grotto vibe.
Another angle of the same area is just as pretty as the first.
My Chinese zodiac sign –Strength, health and good luck.
The entire garden was built on a hillside. The retaining walls and slope allows for many tiers giving the garden rich layers of depth.
Originally Chandor named the garden White Shadows –aptly named. In 1953, after Chandor's death, his wife renamed the garden after him.
It's divine how the stone curves into a peak with Christmas fern, Virginia Creeper and grasses draping the edges.
Cranes under tree boughs.
The color contrast of the water above and below the structure illustrates the power of light in this garden.
Tiny little details extend to the foot stones.
When statues grow with the trees. The open window frames the path.
Side view of the same area. The craggy Live Oak creating another frame.
I could sit here and watch the ripples in the water forever.
The illusion of magical floating step stones
The scope of the garden. It's hard to believe this garden nestles in a sleepy neighborhood.
A true masterpiece.
Light trickles through to the Elephant Ears making a path of its own.
A resident of Chandor Gardens.
The bench between two worlds.
The world inside Chandor's mind –Breathtaking diorama. An expression of peace and serenity. Maybe it's what he sought when not in the limelight.
Pretty door and a nod to the Turks Cap to the right.
It emulates ancient ruins. The various shapes and textures blend perfectly.
Soda bottle walls after almost 100 years of natures ministrations. The bottom bottles match the Mondo Grass and the top bottles match the Christmas Ferns. Well done!
These walls deserve a close up. I bet 7up was a favorite in the Chandor household.
Elaborate hardscaping integrates the house into the garden.
Zoom out of the same photo. Tree canopies caressing the house. The symmetry is so natural.
The curved design is astounding. Such beautiful stone work.
Buddha completes the garden.
Drapes of English Ivy
Acer
Repetition of circles.
Time to go.