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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 (20)

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

posted by andrasklang on April 3rd 2008 at 9:55am
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Is there a house that goes with the garden?

posted by kimg924 on April 3rd 2008 at 10:19am
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 10:19am
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I find the neon more distressing than the fire.

posted by Jaze on April 3rd 2008 at 10:22am
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Neon lights and fire are not at all Zen. Repeat: NOT!

posted by siongchinchan on April 3rd 2008 at 10:24am
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 10:36am
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A tad creepy.

posted by Teaberry on April 3rd 2008 at 10:57am
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The fire doesn't bother me but the neon is pretty ugly.

posted by eskay on April 3rd 2008 at 11:23am
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No thanks! Even IF I had the money.

posted by danze on April 3rd 2008 at 11:31am
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 11:44am
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I think "Pimp My Garden" could be a real hit on HGTV.

posted by CJL on April 3rd 2008 at 11:49am
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The only thing missing are spinning rims.

posted by btoddster on April 3rd 2008 at 12:06pm
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this garden looks like a holding pen for "twin peaks" extras...

posted by saya* on April 3rd 2008 at 12:25pm
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 12:56pm
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 12:58pm
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 1:33pm
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 2:15pm
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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 April 3rd 2008 at 3:05pm
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Topher should call it what it is....minimalist.

posted by chartreuse on April 7th 2008 at 1:04pm
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I think the lot of you need to take a closer look. It's landscapes like these that challenge current design conventions and are refreshing in the present crisis of monotony. Good or bad the design is bold. It makes a statement that landscapes don't need to follow the rules that society enforces. Those of you that don't aspire to change your surroundings can go on living your uneventful lives aspiring for nothing.

posted by tea_bit_ichy on November 16th 2008 at 6:37pm
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