Connecticut, Flowers, Gardens, Spring

Carolyne Roehm: On Weatherstone’s Porch

weatherstone porch

Carolyne Roehm has several delightful homes and judging from her books and website I know I could move into any one of them and be very happy.  That’s not going to happen, but when I had the pleasure of visiting Weatherstone, her home in Sharon, CT, for the fundraising event, Trade Secrets, I couldn’t decide whether to focus on the gorgeous gardens and landscaping, or the beautiful stone house which was rebuilt after a lightning strike set off a fire which burned it to the ground.

I’d love to take you along for a visit right now, so let’s start on this side of the house.  Don’t miss the fretwork along the top and the graceful curve of the roofline.

weatherstone porch

You might be thinking of having a seat on one of these special benches.  A great place to inspect those planters!

weatherstone porch

But don’t sit yet. Let’s continue around the house to the front entrance.  I am seeing boxwood beauty in assorted sizes and shapes: ball, pyramids, spirals, and topiaries!

weatherstone porch

We can take one of the front door’s matching staircases up to inspect the topiaries (or that lamp!!!)  …

weatherstone porch

… or turn instead into the formal boxwood and flower garden.

From the garden we have a good view of the brick surrounds of the windows,

weatherstone porch

and the interesting brick and mortar pattern.

weatherstone porch

We can get an eagle eye’s view of all the beauty.

weatherstone porch

He’s surrounded by boxwood hedges and these pink tulips.  See the roses nearby — as soon as the tulips fade the roses will begin to bloom.  All the gardens are designed to bloom in sequence.  A flower lover’s dream!

weatherstone porch

Let’s step back and take it all in.  Statuary, brick, staircase, lamp, pink, and oh, yes, that porch on the right.  Yes, tear yourself away so we can head there next.  See the brick column on the right?  Remember it because we’ll be looking out over it later.

weatherstone porch

As we round the corner, the porch, decked out in Carolyne’s signature blue and white filled with greens, comes into splendid view.

weatherstone porch

Step up, past the lovely lady, onto the porch.  Are you being drawn in, helpless to turn away, as I was?  The chinese pagoda style lanterns were actually blowing in the breeze, adding a dimension of movement to the other perfect elements here.

weatherstone porch

In addition to the lanterns and the blue and white porcelains and the brickwork, I was mesmerized by the hardware.  Hinges, door handles, all exquisite. I had to touch this.

weatherstone porch

Let’s go to the west end of the porch for a little look around.

weatherstone porch

This end of the porch is guarded by the foo dog on the large planter.

weatherstone porch

And remember the brick column?  Looking over the end we can see the hills of New York.  This part of CT is in the northwest corner and borders Massachusetts to the north and New York to the west.  You can also see our friend, the eagle!

weatherstone porch

Back on the porch, another perfectly placed pot holds purple flowers.  Have you noticed the abundance of purple this year at the nurseries??

weatherstone porch

Turn around ~~ there is more to see at the other end of the porch!  Tiny topiaries and more blue, white, and purple.

weatherstone porch

Lilacs were blooming elsewhere on the property and the scent was everywhere.  I’m inhaling as I type because my white lilacs are in bloom right now (finally), better than ever before, maybe because I threatened to rip them out!  They are making up for the utter lack of blossoms on my pink tree this year. 🙁

weatherstone porch

Traveling down the porch to the east end we see more blue and white, ferns, and interesting benches.

weatherstone porch

A good landscape has something to see in every direction, so let’s not miss the view looking out from the porch into the yard.  Looking past the ferns you can see the cherry trees and a marvelous sun dial!  I’ll show you that garden the next time, I promise, and you will not want to miss it.

weatherstone porch

Directly below the porch is this bluestone patio.  Blue and white, a touch of pink, and more interesting boxwoods.  These bluestones don’t seem to have been affected by the frost heaves, unlike mine!

weatherstone porch

Opposite the bluestone patio you can see this maiden surrounded by puff balls of boxwood.  Her sisters are scattered about, and I suspect she represents one of the seasons, or possible a virtue, but I forgot to ask.  Oh, gee, I’ll have to go back! 🙂

weatherstone porch

Let’s step off the porch, between the patio and this maid with her roses, to the allée of trees.  In the distance you can see a gazebo.

weatherstone porch

Beyond the gazebo is another statuary sister.

weatherstone porch

And looking back, you can see the bridge over the stream, the allée and the house!

weatherstone porch

~~

weatherstone porch

During our visit my very, very patient Mr. Fun was doing his best to stay out of my photos and on the way out he said in a resigned voice, “So we’re looking for blue and white porcelain now?” I reassured him with the news that I had scads of it tucked away and all he had to worry about was buying some ferns and carting the pots out.

weatherstone porch

What are the colors of your garden?  Mine definitely has more blue, white and purple this year.

Have you enjoyed our tour?  I will post more of this amazing estate soon, so don’t forget to come back.  You can see my visit to Carolyne Roehm’s potting shed here, or search for Trade Secrets on my sidebar to see other estates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your visit and your lovely comments.  I live for them.

joining the fun at

Rattlebridge Farm

Linda 🙂

Tagged , , , ,

16 thoughts on “Carolyne Roehm: On Weatherstone’s Porch

  1. Goodness, that is a beautiful home and gardens! I miss New England this time of year and the fall. Carolyn’s style is perfection. I just love those wee topiaries, they are adorable.
    Have a nice holiday weekend, Linda.

  2. Linda! This garden is simply breathtaking! The attention to detail is flabbergasting. That particular pot in front of Mr. Fun was my very favorite. It reminds me a little of the blue and white calico plates from Burleigh we both own. That fern is also gorgeous! It would be a very persnickety individual, indeed, who could not find something to love in this garden.

  3. An amazing estate garden, indeed. I would be happy just to be able to keep my front porch as clean and bug free as Carolyn’s, let alone maintain the spectacular home and grounds she has. I wonder how large her staff is for this estate alone? I would imagine several, full-time, for just the grounds, even in winter. The estate is well-serving as a means for fund-raising, not only for the intended money raised, but for the public to enjoy its majesty. Thanks for sharing it, Linda – thoroughly enjoyable.

  4. I’m actually quite breathless, Linda, every photo is stunning, and the whole time I was thinking, she must have a army of people maintaining these picture perfect spaces! That is too funny that your husband said, so we’re looking for blue & white ceramics now? Ha! What a sweetheart! Love those white benches and all the architectural details. I can’t believe that it once burned down…The avenue of trees is beyond gorgeous! Happy Memorial Day, I hope you don’t make Mr. Fun work too hard 🙂

  5. Oh my Linda, I certainly did enjoy my tour of the outside of the house! I kept thinking to myself that who cares what the inside looks like, when there’s so much beauty on the outside! Your sweet hubby was such a trooper and he looks so,handsome by the pretty fern in the blue and white pot! Thanks for taking me along to this dreamy location.

  6. Oh my Linda… I’m green with envy over your garden tours! I can only imagine taking in the beauty in person…*sigh*. CR’s Passion for Blue and White is obvious, just like her book…I had to chuckle at Mr. Fun’s comment, he knows you so well 🙂 It’s convenient you have a stash ready to fill with greenery and flowers! I’m sorry to hear your pink tree isn’t blooming this year, it’s been breathtaking in the past. I envy your lilac blooms though and I have noticed more purple and blue in the garden centers this year. Every time I make a trip, I end up with a purple plant in my cart!

  7. Linda, I can just imagine the joy of walking the grounds of this magnificant property. The details on the house are exquisite, and you captured their beauty in your photos. Love the blue and white filled with greens. How fun that you’ve got the pots to fill at home. ‘-)
    White blooms in our shade garden, but in the front I’ve added purples and touches of pink in with white and silvery dusty miller. The day lilies are yellow and orange, so the front is bright and cheerful.
    Enjoy the weekend and your house guests.

  8. Stunning estate. Linda, Your photos and commentary are delightful. To have been there in person must have been breathtaking. Definitely a quality fundraiser event. A coincidence Mr. Fun wore blue.

  9. Wow all I can say is wow! I enjoyed this so much- thank you for the tour! That house is amazing- love the stonework on it and the roof line and details. It’s hard to imagine that the origina place burned down. Her grounds are amazing. That was cute what Mr. Fun said… sounds like something my Dan would say!
    I chose red, yellow, white as my main garden color this year (with my annuals). My lilacs are blooming right now and I’m thrilled about it. Thank you again for the tour!

  10. LOVED the pictures! Funny- my husband has the same look and comment when we go to home and garden tours when I show the same enthusiasm over some details. I give the same reply! At garden tours my husband tells people he’s “just the digger”.

  11. Linda, I have followed Carolyne Roehm for years…I remember when her beloved home burned. I so enjoyed touring with you and you captured the stunning grounds perfectly. I could have stayed all day just taking it all in. Carolyne has an exquisite eye that runs the gamut from fashion to gardening! Blessings, Pam @ Everyday Living

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.