Balconies aren’t always used for growing plants, they can also be arranged to create illusions. This is what Saundy See has done with her balcony at Magnolia East.

Saundy is a dynamo who arrived at Samarkand earlier this year via Des Moines, Iowa and most recently, from Carpinteria. It doesn’t take long to recognize talent and within two weeks she became the buyer for the Samarkand Treasure & Talent Gift Shop and soon after, the manager, being eminently qualified by her experience owning a card and gift shop in Des Moines. Evidently this new enterprise wasn’t enough to absorb all that energy so she also offers experienced dog and cat care.

The photos tell the tale about Saundy’s sleight of hand in her new home.

Notice the balcony chairs turned inward toward the living room while most folks might turn them outward toward the view of the ancient Magnolia tree which, along with the blue urns and the koi pond, date back to the site long before Samarkand became a retirement facility.