I have often lamented to my friend, Mary, that there are no grand gardens to visit in Vermont (that I could discover, anyway.) Nothing artistic and creative as far as public gardens go.... I guess that I just chalked it up to the hard winters. I have often had to bite back my extreme jealousy (heh, heh), as I've watched dear Madelief visit some of the most precious gardens in England - places that I've only ever dreamed of seeing in person. And so it was that I became an armchair traveler - living vicariously through my blog friends who share so generously. Until, that is, when, one fine day last summer, Mary asked me innocently if the Garden Conservancy's featured garden for the weekend was in MY Chester.* What?! What is the Garden Conservancy? Where in the world is this grand home hidden? I had no idea! (Though, I suspect there are many corker estates hidden up secretive dirt roads on posted land all over these hills.)
As it turned out, it was, indeed, MY Chester - fortunate me! And so it was that I found myself, one sparkling Sunday afternoon, walking in a dream. Tom had heard rumors from builders and craftsmen in town of a home being built that employed imported German craftsmen and stone from an old castle in Scotland. Don't know if it's true or not but this home and garden had such a fairytale vibe that I truly do believe....
What I loved best were the layers of texture and color, both in the outside build of the house and the garden which worked beautifully in harmony together - and all of the details.... down to the last wooden peg and herbs and moss planted in between the stones. Oh! It was all so lovely!
*Every New England state seems to have a Chester - not to mention the original in 'Ye Jolly Olde Englande'.
Jane and Lance.... their garden bothy - really, more like a garden hostel!
xo
