My huband and I are still in a state of disbelief, but there it is, on newsstands and at our local stores; our teahouse and Zen garden staring back at us from the cover of New Hampshire Home magazine!! How cool is that??? And if that isn’t enough, we have an 8 page spread on both the teahouse/garden and our carriage…
Beam Outdoor Room, it never fails; at this time of year my attention turns outside. Having survived another winter, I’m feeling as though I want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Once the yard is cleaned up and the gardens tended (okay, those two things are ongoing, months-long projects), it’s time to kick…
As spring nears and the snow is finally melting here in northern New England, I find myself gazing out the window at our tea house. What is it about a separate “room” unto itself sitting in the middle of a woodland garden that beckons? Gee…I wonder! First, let me begin by showing you…
As promised in my post on October 13th, this post will recommend paint colors to use in post and beam bedrooms and baths. As always, the main consideration when choosing color for a timber frame home is to accentuate and compliment the architectural structure. But not to worry as it’s not rocket science. If it’s…
Actually, this addition to an 18th century cape came about in a very unusual way. Normally one finds or has the old cape first then adds on; not so in this case. These homeowners were house hunting in New England when their realtor showed them a gorgeous timber frame home. They were captivated but came…
I have to tell you, my outdoor shower is the 8th Wonder of the World! When my husband first mentioned having one, I pooh-poohed the idea as an extravagance. Well, not any more!! If you love the out of doors and have an area that will accommodate one, I say forget the screened-in porch, forget…
The gardens that extend three-quarters of the way around our carriage house were put in just a month ago; therefore, they have yet to fill out. However, watching the space go from barren to lush overnight was amazing. Should you ever feel you’d like to make a dramatic change to the look of your grounds,…
Choosing the right colors for the interior of your post and beam home can be a challenge. Some questions to ask: What goes with the wood timber frame? What feeling do I want to evoke in this room? Does the room get a lot of light? What is this room going to be used for?…
The following post was written by my garden designer Terri Wilcox, owner of Terri Wilcox Garden Design in Wilmot, NH. She is the master mind behind all of our gardens, including the fabulous Zen Garden. Terri is an extremely talented landscaper but more importantly to me, she is a good friend. I will feature her…
Building green isn’t just about catch phrases like carbon footprint, energy star rating and using expensive trendy flooring like bamboo. It’s not about labels and trademarks, but creating a healthier environment for ourselves and our family and friends to enjoy. Unhealthy chemicals are all around us. They are in everything we touch, breath, and sleep…
People often suggest the need to design a house with the master bedroom on the first floor. You hear things like “someday you may not want or be able to climb stairs”. Possibly, but it may also be true that we could stay in better shape as we age if we are climbing stairs. My…
Yes, even in this economy. I know you’re saying to yourself “Is she nuts?” but please hear me out. I have a point or two that may resonate with some of you non-believers as I, too, would have fit into your category not so long ago. Having just built a new post and beam…