No one gets anywhere in life alone. There are people who guide us, teach us, coddle and correct us along the way and that is certainly the case of my 20-year friendship and as mentee of landscape architect, Gordon Riggle.
When I first met Gordon, the Good Living brand was in its infancy; having been around for just over four years at the time. And because of my focus as a food and garden aficionado, it seemed only natural that he would become the subject of an article for my online magazine.
Over the years he became an amazing mentor which culminated in officially launching my Tucker Hill Urban Landscape Design; a division of Good Living Enterprises. He also created the blueprint for the gardens for my urban farm, which is my home. It was from that original blueprint that I installed those gardens over the last 15 years.
Gordon Riggle died on February 25th and left a legacy that I will cherish always.
And so it seems fitting that he is honored as I launch the brand new design for my Bonnie McDaniel Good Living website.
Gordon Riggle designed many of the gardens in Washington DC’s historic Georgetown; making his imprint for over fifty years adding to the classic beauty of that area. His work was featured in Washington Post’s garden contributor, Adrian Higgins book entitled The Secret Gardens of Georgetown.
Gordon also created actress and lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow’s Grey Gardens at her New York Hampton estate.
As the garden begins to experience the first blooms of spring this year, I am thinking a lot of my friend and will continue to be inspired by the many lessons he taught me on creating beauty and honoring our beautiful earth. You can rest assured, I will not forget. Gordon Riggle, Your life was indeed very good.
Selah Gordon. Your legacy continues…
Photo credit: Mick Hales from Adrian Higgins The Secret Gardens of Georgetown
