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SF Zen Garden by Topher Delaney

4-3-zen1.jpgUp for sale is 2848 Union Street. Priced at $5M, it includes a so-called Zen garden by well-known artist and landscape designer Topher Delaney. Take a look at the photos, and tell us...

 
 
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...Are we the only one who think it wouldn't be very zen-like and calm-inducing to be sidestepping rows of fire?

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Comments (19)

no, you arent. i think the 5m spent isnt very zen like either.

posted by andrasklang on 2008-04-03 14:55:34
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Is there a house that goes with the garden?

posted by kimg924 on 2008-04-03 15:19:35
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Aside from the tree in the middle and some ivy growing on the walls, where is the sense of garden or zen? It's not calm, tranquil, or very attractive for that matter. I don't hate the fire but I wish it were more functional rather than just for show.

posted by Miss Pea on 2008-04-03 15:19:38
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I find the neon more distressing than the fire.

posted by Jaze on 2008-04-03 15:22:38
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Neon lights and fire are not at all Zen. Repeat: NOT!

posted by siongchinchan on 2008-04-03 15:24:49
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what i don't get is that someone had the taste to create that beautiful garden with that amazing tree... THEN added cheesy flames and neon.

it's like someone bought it and pimped that garden.

posted by jeffnyc on 2008-04-03 15:36:50
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A tad creepy.

posted by Teaberry on 2008-04-03 15:57:02
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The fire doesn't bother me but the neon is pretty ugly.

posted by eskay on 2008-04-03 16:23:21
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No thanks! Even IF I had the money.

posted by danze on 2008-04-03 16:31:59
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The thing I find most odd, is how this part really doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the house.
Also what are you supposed to do in that "garden"? Sit and stare at the fire?

posted by jennifer in sf on 2008-04-03 16:44:09
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I think "Pimp My Garden" could be a real hit on HGTV.

posted by CJL on 2008-04-03 16:49:39
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The only thing missing are spinning rims.

posted by btoddster on 2008-04-03 17:06:24
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this garden looks like a holding pen for "twin peaks" extras...

posted by saya* on 2008-04-03 17:25:17
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There's just something rather morbid about it...a complete contrast to how a garden to should make one feel.

posted by Art2Zen on 2008-04-03 17:56:57
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i think topher delaney is sooo overrated. i have seen some of her other installations in the bay area and her plant choices always seem inappropriate for the climate (but are cool looking so I assume that is why she chose them) and they end up suffering. That misuse of plant material makes me see red. And waste of burning hydrocarbons to generate needless extra greenhouse gases for someone's viewing pleasure seems downright criminal. although it is done all the time by everyone, we are all guilty of that one.

posted by mimits on 2008-04-03 17:58:00
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like the sitting ledge and the stepped surface, the tree, the turkey gravel and the reflective wall. the flames and neon are distracting, even jarring. some editing and then a few boulders, a found object, or sculpture would really help this space.

where was the money spent here? what was the budget?

posted by healthyhome on 2008-04-03 18:33:31
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Look how fabulous that is!! She's just so f^%*ing brilliant. I met her once at a dinner party and was gobsmacked.

posted by anne on 2008-04-03 19:15:18
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It's interesting to say the least. I think it hasn't quite got it right however. The garden either needs to be even more simple; or more naturalistic. What they have now isn't quite in balance.

The neon simply doesn't belong; it feels sad, dated, and wrong.

posted by mchrisman on 2008-04-03 20:05:46
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Topher should call it what it is....minimalist.

posted by chartreuse on 2008-04-07 18:04:25
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