Saturday, June 6, 2009

Nell Hill's Open House ~ Part One

Can you guess where I went on Friday? Can you guess who I met?
Oh my Heavens above, it is me and Mary Carol Garrity author, decorator most fantastic and owner of Nell Hill's!
~*~
It was a summer open house at Nell Hill's and her private home this Friday. Mom, Lindsey and I drove 2 1/2 hours to go visit.

We stopped in at the store first, and then boarded a huge air conditioned tour bus that drove us to her home.
Let me tell you, I was so excited
when I spotted her standing at the top of the stairs to welcome us in.
~*~
Mary Carol, is one super sweet gracious gal.
So warm and welcoming, an absolute doll!
Would you like to see a little bit of what I saw?
~*~
~ Part One ~
A Tour of Mary Carol Garrity's home


Isn't this just beautiful.
I love the columns and the urns full of ferns.


Her beautiful front door.
Do you remember this from her books?
I love the topiaries in the black urns.
(I'm going to paint mine black, too!)
The wire birdcage that decorates the door was for sale in her shops!

To the left of the front door was this beautiful outdoor seating area.
The wicker was painted a dark turquoise and the iron chairs and table were black.
The urn has ivy planted in it and white taper candles.
See the stone riser, they were everywhere, and were for sale in the store for only $14.
Of course, I had to have one of those!

How exquisite are these windows?
You can never have too many moldings can you!

In the foyer, to the left was this little seating nook.
She has used shutters instead of blinds on most of her windows.
Look where she placed this mirror, it is in between two windows!

This is the pretty scene you see when you first walk in the front door.
If you have her books, then you have definitely seen this before.
She has prints everywhere!

This is the living room, and you will probably recognize those butterflies and bookshelves.
She tucks little tables almost anywhere.

The dining room.
The topiaries are in little french pots that were for sale in the store.
Lots of layers and lots of green moss and silver. She elevates everything on pedestals.

The screened in back porch.
You have seen this beautiful painted piece of furniture many times in her books.
See the topiary in the white vase, I bought one just like it!

Another corner of the back porch. Isn't it lovely?

Outdoor refreshment area.
What a beautiful way to ice your beverages.
Gorgeous hanging baskets of ivy and candle chandeliers.

Stepping down from the back porch was the hidden dining room area.
Most of these items were for sale in the shop. Doesn't this just make you want to have a garden party?

An outdoor seating area.
Love the balustrade with the ivy and clematis clambering over it.
An urn with ivy on a little black table.

Walking down the garden path, back to the front of the house.


Getting ready to walk past the garden gate.
I think we all need one of these in the garden.

This was the first stepping stone as you would enter the garden from the front.
How whimsical!
~*~
Hope you enjoyed these pictures.
I sure had fun taking them to share with you.
I have even more to share next week of the store.
Now I am off to wallpaper the chicken coop.
How's that for a tempting ending so you will return for a visit!
~Jill~

17 comments:

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

What a lovely home! You are so lucky to take the tour! Your home is equally lovely!
~Patti

Stacey said...

Oh Jill, I'm so glad you got to go! When the email came I really pondered it but it's just too far from here. Aren't you amazed that she opened her own home? It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your pics.

Salmagundi said...

Lucky you!!! I've been to all of her stores now, but have never been close enough to go to one of her open houses. What style she has, plus the willingness to share. Thanks for taking us along!! Sally

southerninspiration said...

Oh, Jill, what a FUN tour and way to spend a few hours!!! I would LOVE to do this someday!!!
thanks for sharing!

suzanne

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Jill; You lucky thing you,,, I sure wish I could have been with you. What a lovely home, I love her things, I so can't wait to see more, and of your chicken coop. Thanks for sharing.... have a great week.

Hugs;
Alaura

Kelly said...

Thanks for sharing these pics from your tour! They are so lovely. I'm jealous. I wish I could've gone. Looking forward to seeing more pics of her store.

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Jill,

Goodness gracious - what a fabulous home. Thank you for sharing and taking us with you on the tour. Beautiful.
Have a lovely week.
Blessings,
Erin

Farmgirl Cyn said...

HI Jill! Nice to "meet" you! Can't wait to see pics of the hen house! Wallpaper? Hope it's up high! Those chickens make their messes everywhere!
I have pics of my hen house somewhere on my blog...just not sure where!

Lisa said...

Oh My Gosh! You lucky thing you. What a gorgeous house. Your pictures are as pretty as the ones in her books :O) Thanks for sharing them with us!

otoño said...

Hello, his house is getting beautiful, i adore the decoratión.Besos.Olga.

Rue said...

Hi Jill :)

Thank you for taking us with you to see her gorgeous home!

I can't wait to see the chicken house when you're finished. I've been waiting a year! LOL

xo,
rue

Unknown said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! The Chicken Coop!!! :)
So anxious to see.


I'm so jealous that you got to go see her beautiful home! Lucky Girl!!

~Liz

Lisa~A Cottage To Me said...

Lovely pictures! A home to admire for sure! I am new to your blog and enjoy visiting, Thank you!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

How wonderful and inspiring this must have been for you! I love her books!

Manuela

Kim said...

How amazing that you were able to take such a great tour. Thanks so much for this post Jill - I found lots of inspiration here, just like I always do from your lovely home. Kim

Nancy Yoakum said...

Oh how wonderful Jill! I wish I would have known...I would have been right there with you! Thank you for sharing the pictures, her home is just lovely! Looks like a nice time!

Your neighbor in Kansas,
Nancy

joyh82 said...

what a beautiful place she has... thanks for the tour.

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