Clockwise, from right:
Jo an sa y s th e k itch en ’s
L -sh ap e b an q u ette
o p en s th e b re a k fa st
ro om to co n v e rsa tio n
as sh e co o k s. Jo an
fram ed h e r g ard en
plan an d hung it in th e
m u d ro o m , w h ere she
also keep s to o ls,
b a sk e ts, an d seed
p a ck e ts. T h e g ard en
in sp ired Jo a n ’s ch o ice
of a so o th in g color
p a le tte in th e m a ste r
b ed ro o m .
As improvement bloomed outdoors, Joan also made
changes inside to emphasize garden connections and give
the cottage an airy feel. She added a window-lined dining
room, enlarged the tiny kitchen to allow cooking with friends,
and raised ceiling heights to the rafters to maximize light
and make small rooms seem bigger. She kept interior colors
quiet— furnishing rooms with a mix of white-upholstered
pieces, antiques, and flea market finds— and let the garden
shine through the many windows.
Every room frames a distinct slice of garden beauty:
The living room overlooks fragrant clouds of pink roses;
the dining room welcomes views of grapes, hydrangea, and
wisteria. The master bedroom’s doors open to a fountain.
One step outside, and garden paths invite meandering,
ducking the vines as you move from place to place. And, for
Joan, nothing could be more fitting. “I like feeling that I’m on
a journey,” she says, “and that there’s always more to come.”
I
For buying information see page 216.
78
B ET T ER HOMES AND CARDENS |
APRIL 2011 |
BHG.COM
