Fresh Home and Garden

New Blog

2011-09-26T19:47:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that I will no longer be posting to this site. You can now find my work at my new blog Freshness and Light. Of course, I can also be found baking delicious desserts at Fresh too. Come on over and say hello. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks, as always, for your support,

Cape Cod Cottage

2011-07-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

According to Wikipedia, "A Cape Cod cottage is a style of house originating in New England in the 17th century. It is traditionally characterized by a low, broad frame building, generally a story and a half high, with a steep, perfectly pitched roof with end gables, a large central chimney and very little ornamentation. Traditional Cape Cod houses were very simple: symmetrically designed with a central front door surrounded by two multi-paned windows on each side. Homes were designed to withstand the stormy, stark weather of the Massachusetts coast."

I happen to love the more modern ornamentation on this house built in 1841. Don't you?

Fence Decor

2011-06-25T17:14:00.002-04:00

While taking a stroll on Cape Cod I came across this adorable picket fence. Isn't it a great use for sand pails?

Remember, true beauty endures...

Orchids

2011-04-08T16:18:00.002-04:00

This weekend, the Lyman Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts is having an incredible orchid sale in their greenhouse. The sale, sponsored by Historic New England, will be ongoing Saturday and Sunday (April 9 and 10th) from 10-4. Admission is free.

I stopped by today and took some photographs for you so you could get an idea of the amazing flowers that are available for purchase. I hope you enjoy the sale as much as I did. If you can't attend, at least you can enjoy the photos.

Remember, true beauty endures.

Antique Lighting

2011-02-13T16:01:00.004-05:00

Last weekend we headed out in search of some antique lighting for our Victorian home. We stumbled upon a place called the Yankee Craftsman, which happens to be one of the largest antique lighting centers in New England. Situated in an old barn, it's great fun to explore.

We were amazed at how many antique lights were available in this barn.

They had everything from small bedside table lamps to grand desk lamps.

Check out the detail on this glass shade.

Two of these pendants would look great over a kitchen island. Wouldn't they?

This would great in the right entryway.

I love the Victorian elegance of this lamp.

The good news is that you don't have to live in New England to shop here. You can purchase many of their lamps directly online. We had a great time visiting this shop. It's just another wonderful New England resource I wanted to make you tell you about. Enjoy!

Yankee Craftsman, Inc.

357 Commonwealth Rd

Wayland, Ma 01778

Remember, true beauty endures.

Elegance at Christmas

2010-12-22T17:04:00.000-05:00

Fall Decorations

2010-10-26T14:28:00.004-04:00

I've seen so many great fall decorations around New England this year. I thought I'd share some with you for inspiration in decorating your own home. Enjoy!

Remember, true beauty endures...

A Walk Through Woodstock, Vermont

2010-10-11T11:27:00.003-04:00

Vermont is glorious in autumn and Woodstock, Vermont is no exception.

The architecture in Woodstock is quintessential New England and ranges from farm house to Federal.

It's getting a bit chilly in Vermont and at the end of the day we needed to wrap ourselves up in warm coats and gloves. Despite this, nothing beats the sounds of leaves crunching underfoot.

Woodstock is equally beautiful at night. It exudes charm and character.

If you love New England, you might consider a visit to Woodstock. How can you not enjoy a town this beautiful.

Remember, true beauty endures...

Beauport

2010-09-06T16:13:00.003-04:00

I'd like to introduce you to the architecture of Beauport in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Beauport, also known as the Sleeper-McCann house, is owned and operated by Historic New England.

If you love fascinating architecture, you'll love this house. It was built in 1907 by one of America's first professional interior designers, Henry Davis Sleeper. Each room in the house is unique and was created to showcase his design skills for clients. The exterior is no less interesting.

Take for example the paneling built into the brick.

Look at this perfectly layered cedar shingled roof.

He made space everywhere for his collections.

When he ran out of space, he simply had another room built onto his home. When all was said and done, Beauport had forty rooms.

The view is also beautiful and can be enjoyed from the garden.

After seeing this home, I'm surprised that more decorators don't use their own home as a showcase for their talent. It makes perfect sense and is a great tax deduction to boot.

Should you decide to visit, be sure to check the Historic New England website for various events being held at Beauport. This summer, for example, you could enjoy afternoon tea in the garden or watch the sail boats parade on Labor Day weekend. No matter what, if you love design, you'll love Henry Davis Sleeper's home.

Remember, true beauty endures.

Before & After

2010-08-04T15:43:00.008-04:00

I thought you might enjoy seeing one of our newly reupholstered chairs. We bought this inexpensive bergere a few months ago knowing that the fabric needed to be replaced. As you can see in the before picture, the fabric does nothing to enhance the frame on the chair. We bought it anyway because our taste generally falls into the category of old-world European (particularly french furniture) so the frame on the chair was perfect for our needs.

BEFORE

Our local upholstery shop is chock full of great fabric books so after spending a bit of time we decided to go with a bronze damask. I think you can see that it accents the frame of the chair beautifully.

AFTER

While it's a matter of personal preference, we generally avoid buying new furniture whenever possible. Let me tell you why.

Top 5 Reasons: Why We Buy Old Furniture

1. Comfort. New furniture tends to be over-sized. We are not oversized and the result for us has been pain. The fact is, we weren't meant to sit on our spine and that's exactly what happens when we sit in furniture that's too big for our bodies. Older furniture is cut differently. It's smaller in scale, it's easier to sit up and maintain our posture.

2. Craftsmanship. Old furniture is made out of wood. New furniture is generally made out of veneer. Old furniture is still around for a reason. The materials they used were good and they applied standards of craftsmanship.

3. Cost. Old furniture tends to cost less than new furniture. Of course, Christie's and Sotheby's would disagree but if you hop on Craigslist or visit a local antique shop, it's amazing what you can find for minimal cost.

4. Toxicity. A friend of mine is a toxicologist and we've spent a lot of time discussing toxins in the home. New furniture is often coated with toxic substances. You shouldn't be able to smell your furniture or have to air it out when you bring it home. Old items don't outgas so chemical exposure is reduced.

5. Recycling. When we buy older furniture, we're recycling. How can that be bad?

Those are a few of our main reasons for buying old furniture. We find it cozy. Plus, provided we find items with "good bones" we can change the look of our rooms at any time by changing the upholstery. Do you ever buy older items for your home?

If you wish to comment, please do so here. Thanks!

Hydrangea Heaven on Cape Cod

2010-07-26T14:57:00.015-04:00

I don't know about you but I love hydrangeas. I love how they look in full bloom and when they fade come fall they turn into such soft, elegant colors for drying.

We recently took a trip to Cape Cod (you can read about it here) and were amazed at the abundance of hydrangeas everywhere. It was definitely hydrangea heaven. It makes me very glad that we planted a few in our garden this year. Cape Cod definitely has more than a few - they surround homes, mailboxes, banks, ice cream parlors - you name it, they're everywhere.

Did you know that there are over 70 hydrangea species? You can see two different types in the photo above. The petals and shapes vary greatly from plant to plant.

I love the way the flowers below flop on the ground. Ours are doing that right now.

And the colors! Pink, purple, lavender, cream...

The color of the flower is determined by the pH of the soil. Acidic soil produces blue flowers, neutral soil produces white and alkaline soil turns pink.

When we bought our hydrangeas they were blue so we tested our soil and added lime to increase alkalinity. This means that next year we'll have soft pink flowers. The lime has already started working - our hydrangeas are now a soft blue and gray. Beautiful.

Of course, I had to throw in a photo of this rose covered cottage - magical isn't it?

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention hydrangea house in Chatham, MA. These homeowners clearly love hydrangeas. The house has become so popular artists stop by to capture the flowers.

By the way, the photos above are also great representations of many homes on Cape Cod - especially the Cape Cod cottages. "Capes" as they're called we're built small with a central chimney so residents could stay warm during the icy, waterfront winters. Notice the attention to detail like the little sand dollar carved into the pink porch door above.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post. This blog is new for me so if you like what you see I hope you subscribe here. Be sure also to check out my blog Fresh for amazing dessert recipes. And if you're ever in the New England area, my website Fresh New England is a great resource if you love local food.

Enjoy the flowers!

And remember, true beauty endures...

The Crane Estate

2010-07-16T16:28:00.009-04:00

The Crane Estate was built by Richard Crane, a wealthy businessman, as a summer cottage for his wife. Upon their deaths the estate was transferred to the Trustees of the Reservations, a Massachusetts conservation group that opened the house to the public. It's a wonderful place to visit and tour- and they have wonderful ongoing events including picnics and concerts every Thursday night during the summer.

One of the things that I love most about this estate is the attention to detail. Just look at this doorway and the use of sculpture. What I wouldn't give to have those drain pipes on my home.

The interior detail is just as beautiful and features a 2 story kitchen and a stunning living room overlooking the back lawn. I just love the old keys needed to open up the rooms.

The back lawn is also a site to behold. Design by the Olmstead Brothers it rolls graciously out to the ocean.

Finally the property leads you down to the beach where you can kick off your shoes and enjoy the feeling of sand between your toes.

Can you think of a better place for a summer picnic? So pack up your goodies and head over to this lovely location. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Remember, true beauty endures...

Naumkeag

2010-07-07T17:55:00.005-04:00

I love old homes - the way they look and the feelings they evoke. Since I live in an old home, I also get a lot of decorating inspiration touring historic homes that are open to the public. If you're ever in the Berkshires, I recommend a visit to Naumkeag. Naumkeag was the summer estate of a Boston attorney until 1917. It overlooks the mountains and is a wonderful place to visit. Be sure to take in a concert at Tanglewood while you're there.

Just look at these wonderful hand-hewn beams accented by an old lantern.

Nothing says New England like ivy-covered brick. I love the way it frames the shutters. Take a look at the living room I spied from the window.

A garden gate opens to mountain views.

An outdoor seat beckons you to relax and take in the view.

A creative water feature takes you to the edge.

Of course, they had to install a fish fountain.

A lovely courtyard with the brick work and iron scrolling acting as a focal point. The trees do such a beautiful job leading you down the path. And the stone - I don't know why but I love the sound of crushed stone under my feet when I walk in the summer.

How do you feel about old homes? Do you have any favorites that are open to the public? I'd love to check them out if I'm ever in your neighborhood.

Remember, true beauty endures...

Why I Love Consignment Shops

2010-06-19T17:29:00.004-04:00

Stoneware jars for $3.00.

Antique flour sack for $25.00.

Lovely, sculpture for $85.00

A classic book of horticultural paintings to frame for $50.00.

Set of curtain tie-backs for $60.00

Mint condition hand-made Belgian purse for $25.00

Just a few reasons why consignment shops can be wonderful places to visit. What do you think of consignment shops?

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my photos. If you'd like to subscribe, click here. If you'd like to comment, I'd love to hear from you here. And don't forget to stop by for a piece of cake.

Remember, true beauty endures...

Antiques New England Style

2010-06-11T13:05:00.000-04:00

Since we moved, my husband and I have been hunting around for a few decent antiques. When we heard there was going to be an antiques show at the Wayside Inn we decided to pack up and head over to America's oldest operating inn.

Upon our arrival we were greeted by sharply dressed parking attendants who ushered us onto grass-covered parking. Outside of the huge white tents sat a collection of antique vehicles and a booth filled with well-heeled ladies who indicated that the show was being hosted by Skinner. We quickly gleaned that the antiques at this show would be a bit out of our price range (to say the least) but looked forward to the exhibit nonetheless.

Inside there was a strong collection of early American antiques ranging from American breakfront cabinets to colonial era portraits. Not exactly our taste but beautiful workmanship - the kind that would make the Keno brothers swoon.

After about an hour, we decided abandon the show to walk the grounds of the inn, take in the beautiful colonial architecture and gardens. I love the well-worn wood, hidden benches and native flowers. They also had carriage rides for guests - a lovely touch.

The original tavern was built in 1716 long before the American Revolution. Evidence of colonial craftsmanship was everywhere. Anyone need a blacksmith?

We headed home empty handed but inspired. How can you go wrong spending the day surrounded by fresh air and beauty? Soon I hope to share with you some of the antiques we have bought over the past few months and give you a glimpse of the work we're doing on our house.

Thanks again for following this new blog. I do hope you'll subscribe by reader or email and as always I love reading your comments. And don't forget to stop by for a piece of Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake - perfect for this time of year!

Remember, true beauty endures...

Hazy Garden Days

2010-06-01T20:00:00.012-04:00

peonies and a bird nest...

a garden shed filled with lavender...

Here's to all the beautiful gardening days ahead. Let the summer begin.

If you'd like to leave a comment, please do so here. I'd love to hear from you.

Remember, true beauty endures...

Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill

2010-05-26T21:30:00.005-04:00

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 81st annual Beacon Hill Garden Club Tour and it was wonderful. Beacon Hill is a phenomenal neighborhood to visit in Boston if you love history, shops and restaurants. However, it's not often that one gets to peak at such beautifully inspired city gardens and I'm thrilled to share a few highlights with you.

Let's begin with afternoon tea on the patio.

And now onto garden design. It's inspirational to see what can be achieved in a small urban space. Take a look at this multi-level space. The addition of the curved staircase creates a striking focal point.

The side plantings are lush and symmetrical making the two-tiered approach even more remarkable.

Each garden was truly unique. I love the foliage spilling out of the planters. It appears the two-tiered approach works well for potted plants too. And just look at the magnificent urban oasis below. Talk about transforming a city lot into a hidden backyard sanctuary.

An artistically inspired potting bench...

Who says a city yard has to be boring?

The space below is actually a garage converted into a patio.

The painted white brick creates a feeling of coolness on a warm summer day. The topiary plants provide balance and draw the eye up. The addition of a mirror and benches creates a private sitting area.

If you're in Boston next year, I highly recommend taking the tour. If you're looking for garden inspiration or just love to be surrounded by beauty, it's definitely worthwhile.

As a side note, I have to thank all of you who have visited this new blog. It's meant so much to me to have you visit and leave me comments. I do hope you'll consider subscribing to the blog via email or your favorite reader. I also hope you'll join me in a delicious piece of this at my other blog, Fresh.

Thanks again everyone, I look forward to your comments this week. And don't forget. If you have good before and after photos of New England Homes and Gardens, don't forget to send them in.

Remember, true beauty endures...

The Elms

2010-05-14T19:10:00.005-04:00

Welcome to my new blog Fresh Home and Garden. I created this blog to bring you visual feast of New England design and showcase its gorgeous architecture and gardens. Consider it New England eye candy, if you will.

I've decided to start the journey at one of my favorite New England homes, The Elms in Newport, RI.

This magnificent French revival home was built between 1899-1902 as a summer residence for the Berwind family for the cost of 1.5 million dollars.

Just look at the beautifully trimmed hedges and the incredible detail on the fish fountain.

I love the french windows and the lavishly decorated Corinthian capital.

The sculpture garden is truly something to behold. What's nice is the outdoor cafe that allows you to take in the view. The image to the left is actually a tea house. I'll take Darjeeling.

The trees that surround the property are amazing. And this is just the outside. Sadly, no inside photos allowed.

I hope you enjoyed the first post and my photographs. Please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you think!

By the way, if your a New England homeowner, designer or architect and have before and after photos of one of your home or garden projects that you'd like to share, feel free to email them to me at info [at] freshnewengland [dot] com and I'll see what I can do about sharing them with the rest of the world on the blog. Just make sure the photos are of excellent quality and are your own work.

Remember, true beauty endures...

World-Wide Blogs

2009-05-01T22:19:00.003-04:00

Belgian Pearls
Belle Vivir
Better After
Brabourne Farm
Delight by Design
Desde my Ventana
Een klein stukje van mij (A Little Piece of Me)
French Larkspur
Griege Design
Heide Claire
Living with Lindsay
Pure Style Home
Un
Vendigris Vie

About Me

2009-05-01T12:23:00.001-04:00

My name is El and I'm a native New Englander who loves the allure of New England and all that it has to offer. Those of you know me from my website Fresh New England and my dessert blog Fresh know how important nature and beauty mean to me. I started this blog for those of you who not only love good food but also flowers, design, antiques and architecture and for those who simply enjoy looking at gorgeous images of New England homes and gardens. Join me on my photographic journey as I explore New England's hidden treasures, main streets and back roads. I hope you enjoy the trip!

My Promises to You

2009-05-01T12:12:00.000-04:00

I promise that any advertising on this blog or on the Fresh New England website will be identified as paid advertising, sponsorship or promotion.

I promise that I will not, under any circumstances, engage in whisper campaigns or promote products that I have not tested and do not believe in.

Contact

2009-05-01T12:11:00.000-04:00

I can be reached at info [at] freshnewengland [dot] com.

Downloading Photographs

2009-05-01T12:09:00.000-04:00

All content included on this site, including the photos, is the registered property of Fresh New England and is protected by United States and international copyright laws.

To use my photos on your blog, email me for permission. For commercial use, email the address below for rate information.

info [at] freshnewengland [dot] com

New England Home & Garden Blogs

2009-05-01T10:00:00.003-04:00

Boxwood Terrace
Charisee Perkett-Glasson
Create Girl
Indigo Gardens
For the love of a House
Katy Elliott
Lesley Fine Interiors
Michelle Jamieson Interiors
Molly Frey Design
Molly Skok Design
A New England Life
Small Green Garden
StacyStyle
Studio G
A Tasteful Garden
Willow Decor