Many of you have been so gracious to write and ask about the move into our new home (aka life apart from Sister!), which began in May. We are still unpacking strange boxes of unknown contents. So, it’s like a really interesting Christmas present from a distant relative.
One of my favorite things about our new home is my garden. You have to walk through my garden to get to the front door! The garden is where the front yard swimming pool used to be (that’s a post for another day). Our architect, Jeff Dungan, sketched for us his idea of renovation, and the walled garden entry won me over immediately. I love to garden, but this is so exciting to have it right outside the front door.
Neal and I love raised beds because they are easy to maintain. I have a total dislike for getting on the ground to plant flowers and this is perfect for me. We wanted an English garden and cottage look for our house and the stone façade was the perfect choice. Eldorado stone is one of our favorite products, because it is very old looking and you can create a flatter wall with it. The over mortar technique is one that I have studied in English cottages for years. I am sure when those older cottages were built, it was for warmth to completely seal the joints between the bricks. I love the look and wanted to replicate it as close as possible. I selected Moonlight Roughcut, as it was the perfect blend of limestone colors of gray and brown.
We selected a synthetic slate to re-create the vintage look for the roof, but with modern technology and benefits. I love the texture, and everyone stops us and asks where we found the old slate. I started to makeup a good story, but truthfully this synthetic slate is made by DaVinci Roofscapes, and the first time I saw it, I loved it. Bellaforte Slate was my choice in Smokey Gray-Vari Blend.
Our garden gate is very special as it was Neal’s grandmothers. He laughs and says he has moved that gate for years and finally it has a home. Stephen and Brian, two of our sons, gave us the fountain for Christmas this year. They wanted to give us something for the house and this is the perfect fountain for my garden.
I feel like I am in England when I go to my garden. There is something tranquil about watering flowers and picking beautiful blossoms in the early morning light. I am adding roses and other favorite flowers gradually. I even found a Downton Abbey Rose called “Anna Bates” and I just had to add it to my garden. You can see the first of the blooms in the image below.
My garden is winding down for the summer as August heat has taken its toll, but in just a few weeks, I will be planting fall bulbs and additional roses. I think it would be fun to get a flower plant or bulb from friends and name them. I mean, Anna Bates is there, why not!
Tell me, what is your favorite flower?
Comments 55
Dear Phyllis,
I love your new entry and the raised garden beds! Just exquisite. Was hoping to see a photo of grandmother’s gate. Maybe you can post it next time. Thank you for the product details too.
I love all roses especially those with fragrant blossoms. Lagerfeld (Grandiflora) with it’s lavender petals and stunning perfume is one of my favorites. Heirloom Roses has one gallon pots of Lagerfeld right now.
Looking forward to more photos of your beautiful new home.
Much love…
What joy! Every detail of the house and garden seems perfect and so like you and your publications. May you have many years of heath and happiness in your new house. Have you named it or did I miss something?
My favorites are Lily of the Valley and Dr. Van Fleet roses. A more recent pink floribunda rose has taken the place of Van Fleet which is a short-blooming trailer and almost impossible to find. All fragrant flowers: gardenia, Cape Jasmine, Carolina Jasmine, etc, put me in dreams of Demopolis, Faunsdale and other beautiful old Southern towns.
Surely your new home will be the center of many new and wonderful memories and dreams for you and generations of your dearest ones. May God bless all of it.
Have you planned a Dedication?
The entrance to your home is breathtaking. I love the windows and the stonework. I can only imagine the beauty inside. Look forward to walking through your home in a future issue of “Victoria”. David Austin roses are a favourite of mine. Love and happiness to you and your family…………
The entrance to your home is breathtaking. I love the windows and the stonework. I can only imagine the beauty inside. Look forward to walking through your home in a future issue of “Victoria”. David Austin roses are a favourite of mine. Love and happiness to you and your family…………
What a beautiful, refreshing moment to walk through the garden before coming in the front door. The joys of flowers and fountain water can take away any negatives of the day. It is a perfect balance for your new lovely home. I’m sure you have spent many sleepless nights planning holidays and daily life in your minds eye. It’s going to be hard to pull yourself away and go the office. God’s blessings as you begin life in this lovely new home with your family.
Lovely welcoming garden and entrance. A peek inside featured in your elegant “Victoria” would be a special treat. So happy for you and Neal….enjoy making your house a home.
Favorite flowers…..peonies, tulips and lavender.
Phyllis, your new home looks so lovely and your garden so inviting to all who visit you and Neal. So happy for you both. A peek inside featured in your elegant “Victoria” would be a special treat. Favorite flowers…peonies, tulips and lavender.
You could probably write a book on your home – maybe you are actually doing that. Could you at least feature it I’m one of your magazines? We all want to see and hear all the stories of each precious piece in each beautiful room! Lol!
Oh I’m tickled that your sewing room is red. Can’t wait to see it. I love your new house and garden. I think every house needs a courtyard and a water feature with roses to greet you . Looking at yours makes me know you have a wonderful imagination and had the where with all to accomplish it. Looking forward to see more.
OH dear Phyllis, to choose a favorite flower would be as difficult as to choose a favorite child; but we surely do love our roses!! Words can scarcely express the beauty of your new home garden entry way. It appears most inviting – mission accomplished. I pray you have many many years of family love and happiness in your new home.
Leslie
Simply stunning! I know the rest of the house is too, because everything you do is done in perfect taste. Can’t wait to see the sewing room. Congratulations to you and Neal on your new home!
It has been said that the outside of one’s home is a reflection of the heart of those who live inside. Since yours is lovely and the garden is beautiful, that speaks volumes. From the stone, to the fountain, to that to die for door, we can see your heart. Thank you for sharing. Next page…we’ll be waiting with great anticipation.
I’ve wondered about your new home adventures.Thank you for sharing.The stone is wonderful and I can picture more David Austen old roses and lavender…primroses in early spring ……. How about some jasmine on a wall….. When you can,please share more pictures..your guest list for visits would be unending! Donna in Boise.
Beautiful flowers certainly speak for themselves!! For so many reasons, my favorite has always been the lilac.
Absolutely gorgeous! How exciting for you two, love that the ‘gate’ now has a special home. I’m sure that gate can tell many stories, it may need to write a book! 🙂
The fountain that Brian & Stephen picked out is beautiful too! Can’t wait to read more about this wonderful home!
Your garden is beautiful. I am happy for you that you have the perfect spot for your garden. The Anna Bates Rose is extremely pretty and the name just adds to the English garden.
Marilyn
I am still a Downton junky. So of course had to buy Anna. I wonder how many other Downton roses there are?????
Oh beautiful – love the fountain. I am especially inspired by the raised gardens! I have back issues & think when redoing some beds in my backyard, this needs to be in the plans! My favorite flowers are Iris & peonies – I just love the old garden look of them but I need to expand my beds more to have more colors of peonies! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank You for sharing pictures of your garden. it is gorgeous.
Joan
The garden is beautiful. I especially like the fountain. Love to watch the birds when they come to drink or bathe.
Marion
Phyliss, I just know you and Neal are enjoying that beautiful new home of yours. Your garden is so lovely. I too loved raised beds, and as you get older, you will really enjoy the fact that you won’t have to get down on your knees. They are so much easier to maintain. Your fountain design is lovely, and the sound of the trickling water is a wonderful, relaxing, and welcoming sound to your guests coming to enter your home.
My favorite flower is the Gardenia. The fragrance, and the pure white flower petals with the dark green waxy looking leaves. I love to put one on my nightstand early in the evening when I have some in bloom, in a small rose bowl filled with enough water to let it float, and by the time I go to bed the whole room permeates with the smell, and makes for a restful nights sleep.
Many Blessings to you and your family in your Beautiful new Dwelling.
Thank you. Gardenia is one of my favorites too. There are miniature gardenias in the garden. But I want more.
Absolutely fabulous!! I am such a fan of the English look and you have nailed it. The garden is perfect. Your home reflects your publications.
My favorite flowers are hydrangea and peonies.
Please let us see your interior.
Your home and garden are beautiful! I love gardens and especially ones that have a water element. My favorite flowers are waterlillies and hyacinth.
so pretty, I can’t wait to see more posts of your beautiful home.
Your garden is just beautiful! I wish I could wake up to that every morning! I’ll let your beauty inspire me to get my heat-weary garden in Arizona going again soon. Enjoy it!!!
SOO beautiful! These are the looks I personally am drawn to. I have a passion for Iris and am mad for David Austin roses, especially the old fashioned multi-petaled fragrant ones. My Mother grew Dahlias and I am very fond of those . May you have many years to enjoy and create lasting memories. Thank You for sharing with us. Sharon
I love David Austin Roses. I am getting my order together for spring planting. The fragrances are like perfume, only better!
SOO beautiful! These are the looks I personally am drawn to. I have a passion for Iris and am mad for David Austin roses, especially the old fashioned multi-petaled fragrant ones. My Mother grew Dahlias and I am very fond of those . May you have many years to enjoy and create lasting memories. Thank You for sharing with us. Sharon
So Pretty! I love it, especially the beautiful fountain where did they find it?
Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Shop in Birmingham has the fountain!!
Thank you so much
Old Roses and Lavender are my favorites because they not only evoke English gardens but also are so reliable in our rather harsh western climate. For my courtyard in summer, I fill dark grey sculpted urns with rosy-hued geraniums, bacopa and trailers such as vincas and Creeping Charlies; other urns are filled with old-fashioned Boston ferns and — of course! — English ivy.
I love reading about everything you are doing and have done. I especially love the garden and the flowers. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your home. Best Wishes for many happy years in a delightful home and garden.
Stunning. Please share more of your home. It looks so beautiful. Congratulations to you both on creating your dream home.
Congrats on your new home. I would love to design an English garden in our proposed “right-sized” home. Love the Anna Bates rose!….your garden and fountain are beautiful. Nothing like the wonderful sound of trickling water to sooth the soul. I must say that hydrangeas of all varieties are my favorite…then there are peonies…and roses….when something such as flowers are so beautiful, it is hard to pick a favorite.
Please do a series of posts as you settle in to each space! Do you have a sewing room?
Oh my goodness yes…. and it is RED!!! I will post later! Thank you!
Beautiful…and welcoming….God Bless Your new home with much love…
Lovely!!!!
So welcoming!!!!
Wishing you wonderful memories in your new home.
Lovely!!!!
So welcoming!!!!
Just like ‘the Cottage Journal ‘ etc!!!!
Wishing you wonderful memories in your new home.
Beautiful! What a special gift from your sons! I can’t wait to see a tour of your home. I bet you have had so much fun decorating! I know…invite us all to tea! Or, you could have a drawing for someone to come for a day of tea and inspiration! Perfect! 😉
How many do you think would want to come?
Are you serious? You would have to sell tickets with staggered times. Might even need a metal detector. We so love your articles and know your own home will be warm, comfortable and a visual dream. Enjoy it to the fullest. Love, life, family, faith!! Be sure and keep some of it totally private after all, it is YOUR home.
Probably everyone would want to and that would be a lot! But….me for sure! 🙂 What fun that would be!
What a beautiful welcome for your guest as they approach your home! I adore a beautiful garden!
Phyllis, how exciting to start with a brand new, designed-just-for-you home. I LOVE that Neal’s grandmothers garden gate is there, that is such a personal, sentimental and special touch. I’m praying for many, many joy filled years for the two of you there with your children and grandchildren. {What memories you’ll make there for holidays and special family times!} xo Lidy
It is beautiful! The greatest is it looks like you don’t have to be on your hands and knees very much!
Lovely but I’d expect nothing less.
Lucky you to have stone walls! It is too difficult to pick a favorite flower but I do love my David Austin Rose garden as I make my own potpourri. Next comes hydrangea, dahlia, ruffled hollyhock, and my wonderful zinnias. Gardens are truly a blessing from God and therapy for me as they give such beauty, changing each season etc. Thank you for sharing your beautiful setting.
Gorgeous! What a lovely entrance to your home.
So Beautiful Phyllis!! Looks like a wonderful place to drink some tea or coffee and read morning meditations! Miss you!
Oh Phyllis! It’s beautiful and so deserving for you as “Lady of the Manor”.
Reminds me of Richard Brinsley Sheridan… “Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.”
Love you! Jane xo
My favourite is Peonies and then the Iris.
Absolutely stunning. So beautiful and welcoming 🙂